Review
What is FundedNext? A Look at the Company
Origins, Mission, and Corporate Structure
Founded in 2022, FundedNext operates with the ambitious mission “to change the lives of 50 million traders worldwide.” The company is operated by GrowthNext F.Z.E., an entity registered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and has a multinational operational structure that includes centers in Cyprus, Bangladesh, and Malaysia, among others. This global presence underscores a large-scale expansion strategy, seeking to establish itself as a leader in the sector.
To date, the firm reports having funded over 137,800 accounts and distributed more than $150 million in payouts to its traders.
Reliability and Security: Is FundedNext a Scam?
In an industry where regulation is often lax, FundedNext has invested considerably in building a reputation for reliability. The firm holds a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot, based on over 35,000 reviews, reflecting a high level of satisfaction among its large user community.
To ensure security, the company implements strict protocols, including mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) policies, SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission, and the option of two-factor authentication (2FA) for account access.
One of the cornerstones of its trust strategy is the payment guarantee: FundedNext commits to processing profit withdrawals within 24 hours. If they fail to meet this deadline, they offer an additional compensation of $1,000 to the trader. The firm has publicly demonstrated its commitment to this policy, going as far as paying $176,000 in compensation to 176 clients affected by an operational disruption in 2024, which reinforces its credibility.
It is important to note, for the sake of transparency, that the UK-registered entity, FUNDEDNEXT LTD, was dissolved on April 30, 2024. While the firm’s main operations are managed from its UAE entity, this fact is part of its corporate history and should be considered by traders when conducting their due diligence.
CFD Funding Programs: The Stellar Ecosystem
FundedNext offers a diversified range of funding programs for CFD traders under the “Stellar” brand. Each model is designed with different rules and structures to suit various trading styles, experience levels, and risk appetites.
Stellar 2-Step Model
This is the firm’s most popular program and follows a two-phase evaluation format. It is designed for traders who can demonstrate profitability and consistent risk management over time.
- Phase 1: The trader must achieve an 8% profit target.
- Phase 2: The profit target is reduced to 5%.
The risk rules are a 5% maximum daily loss limit and a 10% maximum total loss limit, both calculated on the initial (static) balance. A minimum of 5 trading days is required in each phase to advance. Once the challenge is passed, the first profit withdrawal can be requested after 21 days, and subsequent payouts are made bi-weekly. The profit split starts at 80% for the trader, with the possibility to scale up to 90%. Additionally, the registration fee is fully refundable with the first profit payout.
| Account Size | Price (One-Time Fee) | Profit Target (Phase 1 / 2) | Max. Daily Loss | Max. Total Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6,000 | $59 | 8% / 5% | 5% ($300) | 10% ($600) |
| $15,000 | $119 | 8% / 5% | 5% ($750) | 10% ($1,500) |
| $25,000 | $199 | 8% / 5% | 5% ($1,250) | 10% ($2,500) |
| $50,000 | $299 | 8% / 5% | 5% ($2,500) | 10% ($5,000) |
| $100,000 | $549 | 8% / 5% | 5% ($5,000) | 10% ($10,000) |
| $200,000 | $1,099 | 8% / 5% | 5% ($10,000) | 10% ($20,000) |
Stellar 1-Step Model
Designed for traders who prefer a faster and more direct evaluation process, the Stellar 1-Step model eliminates the second phase.
- Single Phase: A 10% profit target is required.
This model features stricter risk rules to compensate for its accelerated structure: a 3% maximum daily loss limit and a 6% maximum total loss limit (static). The minimum trading days requirement is reduced to just 2 days. One of its biggest advantages is the accelerated payout cycle: the first withdrawal is available after 5 business days, and subsequent ones are made weekly. The profit split is 90% from the first payout.
| Account Size | Price (One-Time Fee) | Profit Target | Max. Daily Loss | Max. Total Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6,000 | $65 | 10% | 3% ($180) | 6% ($360) |
| $15,000 | $129 | 10% | 3% ($450) | 6% ($900) |
| $25,000 | $219 | 10% | 3% ($750) | 6% ($1,500) |
| $50,000 | $329 | 10% | 3% ($1,500) | 6% ($3,000) |
| $100,000 | $569 | 10% | 3% ($3,000) | 6% ($6,000) |
Stellar Lite Model
The Stellar Lite model is a variant of the two-phase challenge, designed to be more accessible and affordable, ideal for traders on a tighter budget.
- Phase 1: 8% profit target.
- Phase 2: 4% profit target.
The risk rules are slightly more flexible than in the 1-Step model but stricter than in the 2-Step: a 4% maximum daily loss limit and an 8% maximum total loss limit. The 5 minimum trading days requirement is maintained. The profit split starts at 80%. A key difference is that the registration fee is refunded with the third profit withdrawal, not the first. Additionally, this model does not include the 15% profit share from the challenge phase.
| Account Size | Price (One-Time Fee) | Profit Target (Phase 1 / 2) | Max. Daily Loss | Max. Total Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $32 | 8% / 4% | 4% ($200) | 8% ($400) |
| $10,000 | $59 | 8% / 4% | 4% ($400) | 8% ($800) |
| $25,000 | $139 | 8% / 4% | 4% ($1,000) | 8% ($2,000) |
| $50,000 | $229 | 8% / 4% | 4% ($2,000) | 8% ($4,000) |
| $100,000 | $399 | 8% / 4% | 4% ($4,000) | 8% ($8,000) |
Stellar Instant Model (Instant Funding with No Challenge)
For experienced traders confident in their strategy, the Stellar Instant model completely eliminates the evaluation phase, providing immediate access to a funded account.
This program has no profit targets or minimum trading days. Its main risk rule is a 6% maximum total loss limit, which operates as a trailing drawdown. There is no daily loss limit, which provides greater flexibility in intraday management. Withdrawals can be requested “on-demand” once a 5% profit has been achieved. The profit split starts at 60% and can scale up to 80% as the trader demonstrates consistent performance. The registration fee for this model is non-refundable.
| Account Size | Price (One-Time Fee) | Max. Total Loss | Drawdown Type | Profit Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $195 | 6% ($300) | Trailing | From 60% (scales to 80%) |
| $10,000 | $399 | 6% ($600) | Trailing | From 60% (scales to 80%) |
| $20,000 | $780 | 6% ($1,200) | Trailing | From 60% (scales to 80%) |
Stellar Progressive Model
The information provided by the user includes a model called “Stellar Progressive,” with a $100,000 account, a 2-phase challenge, and drawdown rules that vary between phases (Phase 1: 12% max loss / 6% daily; Phase 2: 8% max loss / 4% daily).
However, after a thorough review of FundedNext’s official websites and help centers, no mention of an active program with this name or these features has been found. It is highly likely that this model corresponds to an old or discontinued program, similar to the “Evaluation” and “Express” models that the firm no longer offers to new clients.
General Comparative Table of Stellar Plans (CFDs)
| Feature | Stellar 2-Step | Stellar 1-Step | Stellar Lite | Stellar Instant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluation Phases | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 (Direct Funding) |
| Profit Target | Phase 1: 8%, Phase 2: 5% | 10% | Phase 1: 8%, Phase 2: 4% | Not applicable |
| Max. Daily Loss | 5% | 3% | 4% | Not applicable |
| Max. Total Loss | 10% | 6% | 8% | 6% |
| Drawdown Type | Static (balance-based) | Static (balance-based) | Static (balance-based) | Trailing |
| Min. Trading Days | 5 per phase | 2 | 5 per phase | Not applicable |
| First Withdrawal | After 21 days | After 5 business days | After 21 days | On-demand (with 5% profit) |
| Withdrawal Frequency | Bi-weekly | Weekly | Bi-weekly | On-demand |
| Profit Split | From 80% (scales to 90%) | From 90% | From 80% (scales to 90%) | From 60% (scales to 80%) |
| Fee Refund | Yes, with 1st withdrawal | Yes, with 1st withdrawal | Yes, with 3rd withdrawal | No |
| 15% Challenge Profit Share | Yes | Yes | No | Not applicable |
Futures Funding Programs: Rapid vs. Legacy
FundedNext has expanded its offering to the futures market with two distinct challenge programs, each designed for a different trader profile. This diversification is a strategic decision to capture a broader spectrum of the market, recognizing that futures traders have different styles and needs.
Rapid Challenge Model
The Rapid Challenge is a single-phase challenge designed for speed and flexibility. Its most distinctive feature is the absence of a daily loss limit and a consistency rule during the evaluation phase. This allows traders to operate with greater freedom and potentially pass the challenge in a single trading day.
The only risk rule during the challenge is a maximum loss limit, which functions as an end-of-day (EOD) trailing drawdown calculated on the closing balance. Once the trader obtains the funded account, a 40% consistency rule is applied, but no “reference days” are required to request a withdrawal. This model does not offer the 15% bonus on challenge profits, making it geared towards traders who prioritize operational freedom over additional incentives.
| Account Size | Price (One-Time Fee) | Profit Target | Max. Loss Limit (EOD Trailing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $79 | $1,500 | $1,250 |
| $50,000 | $129 | $3,000 | $2,000 |
| $100,000 | $279 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
Legacy Challenge Model
In contrast, the Legacy Challenge offers a more structured and methodical approach, also in a single phase. During the evaluation, traders must adhere to a daily loss limit and a 40% consistency rule, which stipulates that no single trading day can account for more than 40% of the total profit target.
These rules are maintained on the funded account. Before being able to request the first withdrawal, the trader must complete 5 “reference days” (days with a predefined minimum profit). As a reward for this more disciplined approach, the Legacy model is the only futures program that offers the 15% bonus on the challenge’s profit target. This bonus is unlocked once the trader has withdrawn 10% of the funded account size.
| Account Size | Price (One-Time Fee) | Profit Target | Max. Daily Loss | Max. Loss Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $129 | $1,250 | $600 | $1,250 |
| $50,000 | $249 | $2,500 | $1,200 | $2,500 |
| $100,000 | $449 | $6,000 | $2,400 | $3,000 |
Comparative Table of Futures Plans
The choice between the Rapid and Legacy models depends fundamentally on the trader’s trading style and risk management philosophy. The following table highlights the key differences to facilitate this decision.
| Feature | Rapid Challenge | Legacy Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Loss Limit (in Challenge) | Not applicable | Yes, applies |
| Consistency Rule (in Challenge) | Not applicable | Yes, 40% of profit target |
| Reference Days (on Funded Account) | Not required | 5 days required for 1st withdrawal |
| 15% Challenge Bonus | Not available | Yes, available |
| Trader’s Philosophy | Geared towards flexibility and speed. Ideal for aggressive traders who manage their intraday risk autonomously. | Geared towards structure and discipline. Ideal for methodical traders who build their profitability consistently. |
Fundamental Trading Rules at FundedNext
Regardless of the chosen program, all traders must adhere to a set of fundamental rules designed to promote responsible risk management and protect the firm’s capital.
Understanding Drawdown Rules (Daily and Maximum Loss)
The concept of “drawdown” at FundedNext is not uniform, and its calculation varies significantly between programs, a crucial detail that traders must understand to avoid accidental violations.
- Static Drawdown (Balance-Based): Used in the Stellar 2-Step, 1-Step, and Lite models, this is the simplest type. The daily and maximum loss limits are calculated as a fixed percentage of the account’s initial balance and do not change. For example, on a $100,000 account with a 10% maximum loss, the equity can never fall below $90,000.
- Trailing Drawdown: Employed in the Stellar Instant model, this limit is more dynamic. The maximum loss limit (6% in this case) “follows” the highest point the account’s equity reaches. If a $10,000 account reaches an equity of $11,000, the new loss limit is set at $10,340 ($11,000 - 6% of $11,000). This means the limit moves up with profits but not down with losses, making it more restrictive for profitable traders.
- EOD Trailing Drawdown (End-of-Day): Used in the Futures Rapid Challenge, this is a hybrid. The maximum loss limit is adjusted only at the end of the trading day, based on the closing balance. This gives the trader more room for intraday fluctuations without the drawdown limit moving in real-time.
News Trading Policy: Challenge vs. Funded Account
FundedNext actively promotes the ability to trade during high-impact news events, an attractive feature for many traders. However, the policy presents an important nuance that differentiates the challenge phase from the funded account.
- During the Challenge Phase (all models): Traders have complete freedom to open, close, and hold positions during news without any restrictions on profits.
- On the Funded Account (CFD models only): The “News Profit Split Rule” applies. For any trade opened or closed within the window of 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after a designated high-impact news event, only 40% of the profits will be credited to the trader’s account. In contrast, 100% of the losses will be applied in full. This rule fundamentally alters the risk/reward ratio of news trading on funded accounts, effectively discouraging this strategy.
It is crucial to note that the Futures programs (both Rapid and Legacy) are exempt from this restriction on the funded account, allowing news trading without penalties.
Use of Expert Advisors (EAs) and Copy Trading
FundedNext allows the use of Expert Advisors (EAs) and other trading bots, but with important conditions. The firm requires that the trading strategy used to pass the challenge must be the same one used on the funded account. A drastic change in style, such as switching from manual trading to an EA (or vice versa), is prohibited and can lead to the account being reviewed or suspended.
Copy trading is permitted, but with a key restriction: it can only be done between accounts belonging to the same person. Copying trades between different traders, whether manually or through third-party software, is strictly forbidden and is considered a serious violation of the terms of service.
Prohibited Trading Strategies and Restricted Practices
To maintain the integrity of its simulated trading environment, FundedNext prohibits a series of strategies considered abusive or exploitative. Violating these rules can result in the immediate termination of the account. Prohibited practices include:
- Gambling Behavior: Placing trades with excessive leverage, using more than 70% of the available margin, or risking a significant portion of the daily loss limit on a single trade.
- High-Frequency Trading (HFT): Using automated systems to execute a large number of trades in fractions of a second.
- Latency or Price Arbitrage: Exploiting errors in the price feed or delays in execution.
- Group Hedging: Coordinating with other traders to open opposing positions in different accounts to manipulate outcomes.
- Account Rolling: Buying multiple challenge accounts with the intention of sacrificing some while adopting high-risk strategies on others to pass one by luck.
Operational Conditions and Technical Aspects
The technological infrastructure and trading conditions are fundamental to a trader’s success. FundedNext offers a robust and diversified environment in this regard.
Trading Platforms: Options for CFDs and Futures
FundedNext stands out for offering one of the broadest selections of platforms in the industry, allowing traders to choose the one that best suits their style and preferred tools.
- For CFDs: Traders can operate on the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), as well as cTrader and Match-Trader.
- For Futures: The offering includes specialized and industry-leading platforms such as Tradovate, NinjaTrader, and TradingView.
Execution Model: Broker and Liquidity Providers
A key differentiating point of FundedNext is its execution model. The firm explicitly states that it is not a broker and does not use the services of a third-party broker to execute its clients’ trades. Instead, it operates with its own platform licenses (e.g., for MetaTrader) and has developed an in-house technological infrastructure that connects directly with top-tier liquidity providers.
All trading takes place on simulated accounts within this closed ecosystem. This model of technological independence provides them with greater control over the trading environment, increased stability, and less exposure to counterparty risks or regulatory issues that may affect external brokers. At a time when several prop firms have faced disruptions due to the loss of licenses from their associated brokers, this model represents a significant competitive advantage in terms of resilience and service continuity.
Leverage by Instrument
The leverage offered by FundedNext varies by program and asset class, structured to balance opportunities with prudent risk management.
- In CFD programs, the standard leverage for currency pairs (Forex) is up to 1:100.
- For other instruments, leverage is more conservative. For example, in some plans, indices and commodities may have leverage of 1:20 or 1:40, while cryptocurrencies typically have leverage of 1:2.
- In Futures trading, the traditional concept of leverage does not apply. Instead, trades are based on margin requirements, which is a fraction of the total contract value that the trader must have in their account to open and maintain a position.
Analysis of Commissions, Spreads, and Slippage Policy
FundedNext aims to offer competitive cost conditions, promoting a “raw spreads” model that can start from 0.0 pips on major currency pairs.
- Commissions on CFDs: Commissions vary by model. In the Stellar 1-Step and 2-Step programs, the commission is $3 per lot per side ($6 round turn). In the Stellar Lite and Stellar Instant models, the commission is $7 per lot. Indices are traded commission-free, while cryptocurrencies have a 0.04% commission on the notional value of the trade.
- Commissions on Futures: The cost is structured as an “all-in rate” per contract, which includes the platform commission (e.g., NinjaTrader), exchange fees (e.g., CME), and clearing fees.
- Slippage Policy: The firm addresses slippage as a natural market phenomenon, especially during times of high volatility or low liquidity. Its policy is to replicate these real conditions in its simulated environment. Therefore, they do not make adjustments for slippage, except in cases of a total failure in the order’s execution. They state that they would investigate slippage cases only if they occur more than 10 minutes after a high-impact news release.
Customization and Additional Benefits
FundedNext differentiates itself from many other firms through its high degree of customization via “add-ons” and by offering unique benefits designed to reward traders from the earliest stages.
Detailed Table of Add-Ons for Challenges
The add-on system allows CFD traders to tailor their challenge rules to their specific needs, in exchange for an additional cost on top of the registration fee. This flexibility is an advantage, but it is crucial to understand the cost and applicability of each option.
| Add-On | Description | Additional Cost (%) | Applicable Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95% Lifetime Payout | Increases the profit split to 95% for life. | 25% (1-Step), 30% (2-Step & Lite) | Stellar 1-Step, 2-Step, Lite |
| Swap-Free | Removes swap fees (overnight interest). | 10% | All Stellar models |
| No Minimum Trading Days | Removes the minimum trading days requirement. | 25% (1-Step & 2-Step), 20% (Lite) | Stellar 1-Step, 2-Step, Lite (small accounts only) |
| Bi-Weekly Payout | Allows requesting withdrawals every 14 days instead of 21 for the first payout. | 25% (2-Step), 15% (Lite) | Stellar 2-Step, Lite (small accounts only) |
| 150% Fee Refund | Receive a 150% refund of the fee with the first withdrawal. | 10% | Stellar 1-Step, 2-Step |
| Double Up | Buy one account and get a second identical one at a 60% discount. | 40% | All Stellar models |
| 10% Maximum Loss Limit | Increases the maximum total loss from 8% to 10%. | 25% | Exclusive to Stellar Lite |
The 15% Profit Share from the Challenge Phase
This is one of FundedNext’s most distinctive and attractive features. The firm offers traders the opportunity to earn 15% of the profits they generate during the evaluation phase.
However, it is essential to understand that this bonus is not paid immediately after passing the challenge. It becomes a credit that the trader can withdraw only after reaching a profitability milestone on their funded account, which is typically 10% growth. This benefit applies to the Stellar 1-Step, Stellar 2-Step, and the Futures Legacy Challenge models. Notably, the Stellar Lite and Futures Rapid Challenge models are excluded from this offer.
Account Scaling Plan
FundedNext offers a generous scaling plan for traders who demonstrate consistent profitability. The goal is to allow successful traders to manage increasingly larger capital, with a potential of up to $4 million for CFD accounts and up to $2 million for the Stellar Instant model.
Scaling for the Stellar models generally involves a 40% increase over the initial account balance each time the trader meets the profitability criteria during a trading cycle. For futures traders, the scaling plan focuses on increasing the maximum number of contracts they can trade, up to 10 mini contracts.
Payment System: Deposits and Withdrawals
Efficiency and variety in payment methods are crucial for the user experience at a prop firm. FundedNext offers a robust system for both purchasing challenges and withdrawing profits.
Payment Methods to Purchase a Challenge
For the purchase of its challenge programs, FundedNext accepts a wide range of payment methods, ensuring accessibility for traders worldwide. Options include:
- Credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard).
- E-wallets like PayPal and Skrill.
- Mobile payment systems like Google Pay and Apple Pay.
- An extensive list of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), USDT (ERC20 and TRC20), and more.
- Local payment options and TC Pay for specific regions, which facilitates transactions in countries with less internationally integrated banking systems.
Profit Withdrawal Process: Frequency, Methods, and Fees
The profit withdrawal process is a strong point for FundedNext, backed by its 24-hour processing guarantee.
- Withdrawal Methods: Payouts are primarily processed via cryptocurrencies (USDT on TRC20 and ERC20 networks, and USDC on ERC20) and RiseWorks (available to specific clients).
- Withdrawal Frequency: The frequency varies by plan. The Stellar 1-Step model allows weekly withdrawals, the 2-Step and Lite models are bi-weekly, and the Instant model allows on-demand withdrawals.
- Minimums and Fees: The minimum withdrawal amount is low, starting at $20 for USDT (TRC20) and $50 for other methods. It is important for traders to note that they are responsible for covering payment gateway fees, which can be up to 3.5% of the withdrawn amount in some cases.
Support, Community, and Educational Resources
Beyond capital, trading success often depends on the support and resources available. FundedNext has placed a strong emphasis on these areas.
Customer Support Channels
The firm offers 24/7 customer support service through standard channels like live chat and email. They also provide contact via Telegram and a phone number.
A notable innovation is “Fundee,” an artificial intelligence assistant available in 32 languages that can provide instant answers to frequently asked questions, streamlining the resolution of common queries. Additionally, clients who have paid for a challenge get access to a “Pro Support Team” for more specialized assistance.
The FundedNext Community
FundedNext actively fosters a sense of community among its traders. They maintain very active Discord servers and Facebook groups, where traders can interact, share strategies, and discuss market conditions. Furthermore, the firm has organized in-person events and trader meetups in various countries, such as the Philippines, Thailand, and Nigeria, demonstrating a commitment to building a global and connected community.
Countries with Service Restrictions
Due to regulatory and compliance restrictions, FundedNext does not offer its services to residents of certain countries. The list of restricted countries includes, but is not limited to, the United States, Bangladesh, North Korea, Syria, and Vietnam.
Additionally, for some countries, although the service is available, there is a limit on the maximum capital allocation a trader can manage. For example, for traders from Pakistan, Ukraine, and Taiwan, the maximum funded capital is limited to $50,000.
FundedNext’s Key Advantages
- Program Diversity: The offering of multiple models for both CFDs (Stellar) and Futures (Rapid, Legacy) is one of its greatest strengths, allowing almost any type of trader to find a program that fits their style.
- Trader-Favorable Conditions: Features such as the absence of time limits on challenges, high profit splits (up to 95%), and the innovative 15% bonus from challenge profits are extremely competitive.
- Solid Technological Infrastructure: The wide selection of top-tier platforms and, above all, its execution model independent of external brokers, give it a stability and control that are a significant advantage in the current industry.
- Fast Payout Guarantee: The commitment to process withdrawals in 24 hours, backed by a $1,000 penalty, is one of the most powerful signs of trust in the market.
- Flexibility and Customization: The add-on system allows CFD traders to build a custom challenge, paying only for the features they truly value.