FundingTicks vs Tradeify: Which is Better in 2026?

I'm going to be straight with you on this one: both firms have strengths. Both have weaknesses. And one of them just went through a major controversy in January 2026 that you need to know about before spending any money.

I've traded with both FundingTicks and Tradeify. Passed evaluations at both. Requested payouts from both. And I'm still actively using Tradeify while being cautious about FundingTicks after their recent rule changes affected traders mid-cycle.

Here's the breakdown nobody else is giving you: Tradeify is my default in 2026 because they're consistent, fast, and transparent. FundingTicks has solid mechanics and cheap evaluations—but the retroactive rule changes in early January 2026 broke trust with a lot of funded traders, myself included.

If you're deciding between these two, you need the full story. Not the affiliate-sanitized version. Here it is.

Quick heads-up: This article is based on my real experience with Tradeify and the info available when I published/updated this. Things change in prop trading — rules, payouts, promos, all of it.

For the absolute latest, check Tradeify´s website or their help center.

Side-by-Side Comparison: FundingTicks vs Tradeify

What Happened with FundingTicks in January 2026

Let's address the elephant in the room first.

In early January 2026, FundingTicks implemented retroactive rule changes that affected existing funded accounts—not just new signups. This included:

• Minimum 1-minute hold time for all trades (targeting scalpers)
• Changes to profit splits on existing accounts
• Modified requirements for profitable days
• Stricter IP address violation enforcement that led to mass account closures

Traders who were mid-cycle, already meeting the original requirements, suddenly found themselves in violation of rules that didn't exist when they started. Accounts with $2,500+ in profits ready for payout got closed. Funded traders lost access overnight.

The backlash was immediate. Trustpilot reviews tanked. Reddit and Twitter lit up. CEO Khaled eventually reversed some changes and unbanned some accounts—but not all of them. And the damage to trust was done.

I had one FundingTicks Zero account when this happened. I wasn't directly affected because I'd already taken my payout the week before. But watching traders lose $10K-$20K in profits because of retroactive rule enforcement? That's a red flag I can't ignore.

Full disclosure: I still think FundingTicks has solid mechanics. The EOD drawdown is great. The pricing is cheap. The payout speed when things are working is fast. But after January 2026, I'm not putting serious capital at risk with them until I see 3-6 months of stable operations with no more retroactive policy changes.

Compare this to how Tradeify has handled rule changes: they announce updates clearly, apply them to new accounts only, and grandfather existing accounts under old rules. That's how it should be done.

FundingTicks Overview: Fast Evaluations, Cheap Entry, Recent Controversy

Let me separate the mechanics from the controversy for a moment. On paper, FundingTicks offers a solid model for futures traders.

What Works at FundingTicks (When Rules Are Stable)

The evaluation structure is clean. Two paths: Pro+ (one-phase evaluation) and Zero (instant funding, skip the evaluation entirely). The Pro+ evaluation is straightforward—hit a profit target ($1,500 on a $25K account, $2,500 on $50K) while staying within the EOD trailing drawdown and fixed daily loss limit. No time limits. No minimum trading days during evaluation.

Pricing is aggressive. A $50K Pro+ evaluation starts around $125-$150, which is cheaper than most competitors. The Zero instant funding model costs more upfront but gets you trading immediately with sim capital.

Payouts happen every 5-7 days once funded, with an 80% profit split (90% on some account types). I've received payouts from FundingTicks in 1-3 days, sometimes same-day via crypto. When the system works, it works fast.

Platform integration is solid: Tradovate (default), NinjaTrader, and TradingView. Real CME futures access, clean execution, no major slippage issues during my testing.

The EOD trailing drawdown is forgiving for intraday traders. Your drawdown limit only updates at end of day, not in real-time. I've been down $1,800 intraday and recovered to close green without breaching. That flexibility matters for NQ/ES traders.

What Frustrates Me About FundingTicks

Beyond the January 2026 controversy, there are operational issues:

Support is slow. Response times can stretch 2-4 days during busy periods. If you have an urgent account issue or payout question, expect to wait. Tradeify's support is faster and more responsive.

Onboarding delays. After passing a Pro+ evaluation, it can take 3-5 business days to activate your Master account. Other firms do this in 24-48 hours. When you're eager to start trading funded capital, multi-day delays are frustrating.

Dashboard glitches. I've experienced dashboard update delays where my balance didn't reflect correctly in real-time. This led to a situation where I thought I was safe on drawdown, placed a trade, and got breached because the dashboard hadn't updated properly. Support dismissed my concern. That soured me on the platform.

The "no daily drawdown" claim is misleading. They market "no daily drawdown," but there's still a fixed daily loss limit. It's not a trailing daily drawdown, but it's still a daily restriction. The marketing language is confusing.

And now, the January 2026 rule changes: even though some changes were reversed, the fact they happened at all shows a willingness to modify terms mid-stream. That's not a firm I trust with $50K+ in funded capital anymore.

Tradeify Overview: Speed, Consistency, Transparency

Tradeify has been my go-to futures prop firm throughout 2025 and into 2026. Not because it's perfect—it's not—but because it does the fundamentals right and respects traders.

What Works at Tradeify

Payout speed is unmatched. I've requested withdrawals on Saturday afternoons and had funds in my account within hours. They use Rise and Plane for payment processing. I've never had a delay longer than 24 hours. This consistency matters when you're stacking multiple accounts and managing cash flow.

Rule changes are handled properly. When Tradeify has adjusted consistency rules (20% to 35% on certain accounts), they announced it clearly, applied it to new accounts, and grandfathered existing funded traders under the old rules. This is how professional firms operate. No retroactive enforcement. No surprise account closures.

Platform integrations are clean. Tradovate (default), NinjaTrader via Tradovate login, TradingView with an add-on. The built-in trade journal and Sage Score help track performance patterns without external tools. I use the Sage Score to identify when I'm overtrading or emotionally compromised—it's surprisingly useful.

EOD trailing drawdown on most accounts. Growth, Lightning Funded, and Select accounts all use end-of-day trailing drawdown. This gives you breathing room during volatile intraday sessions. I've been down $2,400 intraday on a Lightning account and recovered to close +$600 by end of day. On a firm with intraday trailing, that same move would have breached my account.

Learn more about how this works: Tradeify Trailing Max Drawdown Guide.

Lightning Funded path to Live accounts is clear. Complete four sim payouts, prove consistency (20% cap), get upgraded to a Live account with daily payout access and real firm capital. I'm currently on my second Live account after blowing the first one (my fault—overtrade during a chop session). The transition was smooth, no weird approval delays.

News trading is allowed. I trade NFP and FOMC releases regularly on Tradeify accounts without issues. Some firms restrict trading around major news—Tradeify doesn't. They trust you to manage your own risk.

What Frustrates Me About Tradeify

Consistency rules have changed multiple times. It was 25%, then shifted to 20% on Lightning accounts and 35% on Advanced/Growth/Live. The difference is Tradeify announced these changes clearly and didn't apply them retroactively. But if you're not checking their Discord or help center regularly, you might miss updates.

Soft daily loss limits on some accounts. If you hit the soft daily loss limit, trading freezes for the day. Not account-ending, but rhythm-killing if you weren't expecting it. I've hit this twice on Growth accounts during volatile morning sessions.

Select Daily accounts introduced complications. Buffer requirements, 2x profit withdrawal caps, and modified payout structures make Select Daily more restrictive than the original Lightning model. I stick with Lightning Funded and Select Flex—they're cleaner.

The 4-payout requirement to reach Live can feel slow. Especially if you're a strong trader who could handle Live capital earlier. But this is more about firm risk management than anti-trader policy. I passed it in 9 weeks while trading part-time.

FundingTicks vs Tradeify: Key Differences

Let's compare what actually matters when you're trading day-to-day.

Trust and Rule Stability

• FundingTicks: Retroactive rule changes in January 2026 broke trust. Some changes reversed, but the precedent is set. Approach with caution until operations stabilize.
• Tradeify: Rule changes are announced clearly, applied to new accounts only, existing traders grandfathered. Professional handling.

Winner: Tradeify. Trust is non-negotiable in prop trading.

Evaluation Structure

• FundingTicks: Pro+ (one-phase evaluation, no time limits) or Zero (instant funding). Cheap entry ($125-$150 for $50K Pro+).
• Tradeify: Advanced, Growth, Lightning Funded (instant sim funding), or Select. Lightning requires 4 sim payouts to reach Live.

Winner: FundingTicks (if you trust them). Cheaper entry and no evaluation time limits.

Drawdown Rules

Both use EOD trailing drawdown on most accounts, which is great for intraday traders.

• FundingTicks: EOD trailing with fixed daily loss limit.
• Tradeify: EOD trailing on Growth/Lightning/Select. Intraday trailing on Advanced (stricter).

Winner: Tie. Both offer forgiving EOD drawdown.

For a deep dive: End-of-Day Drawdown Explained.

Consistency Rules

• FundingTicks: No consistency rule once funded (huge advantage). 25% cap on Zero accounts during evaluation.
• Tradeify: 20% cap on Lightning. 35% cap on Advanced/Growth/Live.

Winner: FundingTicks (on funded accounts). No consistency rule gives you more freedom to scale aggressively.

But—given the January 2026 controversy, this could change without notice. That risk offsets the advantage.

Payout Speed

• FundingTicks: 5-7 day cycles, 1-3 day processing (sometimes same-day crypto).
• Tradeify: 7-day cycles on sim, daily on Live. Processing often within hours, including weekends.

Winner: Tradeify. More consistent and faster, especially on Live accounts.

Pricing

• FundingTicks: $125-$150 for $50K Pro+ (cheapest), no activation fees.
• Tradeify: Lightning Funded $255-$315 for $50K (one-time), Select is monthly subscription. No activation fees.

Winner: FundingTicks (if you pass quickly). Cheaper upfront.

Platform Options

• FundingTicks: Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView.
• Tradeify: Tradovate (default), NinjaTrader (via Tradovate), TradingView (add-on).

Winner: Tie. Both offer solid platform integration.

Support Quality

• FundingTicks: Slow (2-4 day response times), dismissive on technical issues.
• Tradeify: Faster (hours to 1 day), more responsive on Discord and email.

Winner: Tradeify. Support matters when you're dealing with funded account issues.

Trading Restrictions

• FundingTicks: Allows news trading, semi-automated strategies. New 1-minute minimum hold time (added January 2026).
• Tradeify: Allows news trading, scaling, semi-automated strategies (no HFT). No minimum hold time.

Winner: Tradeify (more flexible, no sudden restriction changes).

Cost Comparison: What You'll Actually Spend

Beyond headline prices, let's run the real numbers including resets and time-to-funded.

FundingTicks Total Cost

$50K Pro+ account:

• Evaluation: $125-$150
• No activation fee
• Total to funded: $125-$150

If you fail and reset:

• Initial: $125
• Reset: $63 (50% typical)
• Total: $188

Cheapest option if you pass within 1-2 attempts.

Tradeify Lightning Total Cost

$50K Lightning account:

• One-time fee: $255-$315
• No activation fee
• Total to funded: $255-$315

If you fail and reset:

• Initial: $255
• Reset: $127
• Total: $382

More expensive upfront, but no ongoing subscriptions.

Which is Cheaper?

FundingTicks wins on raw cost if you pass quickly and don't get caught in a retroactive rule change.

Tradeify costs more upfront but offers stability, faster onboarding, and no trust issues.

Real-world scenario: I passed FundingTicks Pro+ in 7 days (cost: $125). Took a $2,400 payout the following week. Then the January 2026 rule changes happened, and I stopped using them. Total profit before stopping: $2,275 after costs.

I passed Tradeify Lightning in 8 days (cost: $255). Four sim payouts later (9 weeks), upgraded to Live. Currently on my second Live account. Total profit over 6 months: $14,800 after costs.

The difference isn't the evaluation cost—it's the longevity and trust. Tradeify lets you scale without worrying about sudden rule changes.

My Personal Take: Why I Stopped Using FundingTicks

I want to be clear: FundingTicks has solid mechanics. The EOD drawdown is great. The pricing is competitive. The payout speed when things work is fast.

But after January 2026, I can't recommend them in good faith. Here's why:

Retroactive rule changes are a dealbreaker. If a firm is willing to change terms mid-cycle and close funded accounts without warning, they'll do it again. I don't care how cheap the evaluation is—I'm not putting 40+ hours of trading work at risk on a platform that might change the rules tomorrow.

Support dismissed legitimate complaints. Multiple traders reported dashboard glitches leading to breaches, IP violations where they could prove they used only their own IP, and support responses that amounted to "decision is final, no appeals." That's not how you treat funded traders.

The CEO's response was defensive, not conciliatory. When the backlash hit, CEO Khaled defended the changes initially before reversing them days later. The damage was done. Hundreds of accounts closed. Trust broken.

I get it—firms need to evolve rules to protect against abuse. But you don't do it retroactively. You announce changes, apply them to new accounts, and grandfather existing traders. That's basic professional operation.

Tradeify has changed rules too. The difference is they did it right: announced clearly, applied to new accounts, existing traders unaffected. That's how it's done.

Who Should Choose FundingTicks

I'm going to be honest: in January 2026, I can't recommend FundingTicks over Tradeify for most traders. But if you're willing to accept the risk, here's who might still consider them:

Choose FundingTicks if you:

• Want the cheapest evaluation cost ($125-$150 for $50K)
• Are comfortable with operational instability and potential rule changes
• Trade strategies that benefit from no consistency rule on funded accounts
• Can pass evaluations quickly (minimize exposure time to policy changes)
• Don't mind slow support and onboarding delays

Avoid FundingTicks if you:

• Value trust and rule stability over cost savings
• Plan to scale to multiple funded accounts (too much exposure risk)
• Need responsive support for technical issues
• Trade with significant capital you can't afford to lose to retroactive policy changes

Read more: FundingTicks Review 2026.

Who Should Choose Tradeify

Tradeify is my default recommendation for futures traders in 2026. Here's who it works best for:

Choose Tradeify if you:

• Want speed and consistency in payout processing
• Value transparent rule changes without retroactive enforcement
• Need EOD drawdown for swing strategies or volatile intraday trading
• Trade around news events (FOMC, NFP, etc.)
• Want clear progression from sim to Live accounts (4 payouts → Live)
• Prefer responsive support and fast onboarding

Avoid Tradeify if you:

• Can't handle 20% consistency caps (Lightning accounts)
• Want the absolute cheapest evaluation cost
• Prefer no consistency rules once funded

Read more: Tradeify Review 2026.

What Most Traders Miss: It's Not About the Cost

Most traders look at FundingTicks' $125 evaluation and Tradeify's $255 and immediately go for the cheaper option.

That's short-term thinking.

Here's what actually matters: How much can you make over 6-12 months?

A $125 evaluation that gets closed because of retroactive rule changes is worth $0. You lose your time, your trading edge, and your capital.

A $255 evaluation that leads to a Live account with daily payouts and stable rules over 6 months is worth $10K-$50K+ depending on your trading size.

The difference isn't the entry cost. It's the longevity.

I'd rather pay 2x upfront for a firm I trust than save $130 and risk losing $5K-$20K in funded profits to sudden rule changes.

Final Verdict: Tradeify Wins in 2026

If you asked me in December 2025, I would have said both firms are solid with different strengths. FundingTicks for budget-conscious traders, Tradeify for those who value speed and stability.

But after the January 2026 controversy, my answer is clear: Tradeify is the better choice.

FundingTicks might fix their operational issues. They might stabilize rules. They might rebuild trust. But until I see 3-6 months of consistent, professional operation with no retroactive policy changes, I'm not recommending them.

Tradeify has been consistent, transparent, and professional throughout 2025 and into 2026. Rule changes are handled properly. Payouts are fast. Support is responsive. The progression from sim to Live is clear.

If you're looking for a futures prop firm in 2026, start with Tradeify. Test their Lightning Funded model. Build a track record. Scale to Live. Stack multiple accounts.

That's the path I'm taking. That's what I recommend.

FAQ

Is FundingTicks still safe to use after the January 2026 rule changes?

FundingTicks reversed some of the retroactive rule changes after community backlash, but the damage to trust was done. While the platform still functions and pays out, the willingness to modify terms mid-cycle and close funded accounts without warning is a major red flag. I'm not using them actively until I see 3-6 months of stable operations with no further retroactive policy changes. If you do use them, pass evaluations quickly and take payouts fast to minimize exposure.

What happened with FundingTicks retroactive rule changes?

In early January 2026, FundingTicks implemented rule changes that affected existing funded accounts, not just new signups. Changes included a 1-minute minimum hold time, modified profit splits, and stricter IP violation enforcement that led to mass account closures. Traders with profits ready for payout lost access overnight. After community backlash, CEO Khaled reversed some changes but not all affected accounts were restored. The incident broke trust with many traders.

Does Tradeify change rules retroactively like FundingTicks?

No. When Tradeify has adjusted rules (such as consistency caps from 25% to 20%/35%), they announce changes clearly, apply them to new accounts only, and grandfather existing funded traders under the old rules. This is the professional way to handle rule changes. I've never seen Tradeify apply retroactive policy changes to existing funded accounts.

Which is cheaper, FundingTicks or Tradeify?

FundingTicks has cheaper evaluation costs—$125-$150 for a $50K Pro+ account versus Tradeify's $255-$315 for Lightning Funded. However, total cost includes trust, stability, and longevity. FundingTicks might save you $130 upfront, but if you lose $5K-$20K in funded profits to sudden rule changes, that savings is meaningless. Tradeify costs more initially but offers consistent operations and stable rules.

Does FundingTicks have consistency rules once funded?

No—FundingTicks does not enforce consistency rules on funded Pro+ accounts, which is a significant advantage. You can have concentrated profit days without violating caps. However, this could change without notice based on their history of retroactive policy changes. Tradeify enforces 20% (Lightning) or 35% (Advanced/Growth/Live) consistency rules across all account stages.

How fast are FundingTicks payouts compared to Tradeify?

Both firms offer fast payouts. FundingTicks processes payouts in 1-3 days with 5-7 day payout cycles, sometimes same-day via crypto. Tradeify processes payouts often within hours (including weekends) with 7-day cycles on sim accounts and daily payouts available on Live accounts. In my experience, Tradeify has been more consistent—FundingTicks is fast when it works, but support delays can extend processing times.

Can I trade news events at both firms?

Yes, both firms allow news trading. FundingTicks permits news trading without restrictions. Tradeify allows news trading with limited restrictions on major economic releases. I've traded NFP and FOMC at both firms without issues. Tradeify's approach is slightly more flexible—they trust you to manage your own risk rather than blocking trading around news entirely.

What is Tradeify's Lightning Funded account?

Lightning Funded (formerly "Straight to Sim Funded") lets you skip the evaluation phase by paying a one-time fee and starting with simulated capital immediately. You must complete four successful payouts and meet consistency rules (20% cap) before moving to a Live account with daily payout access and real firm capital. It's the fastest path to funded trading at Tradeify.

How long does onboarding take at FundingTicks vs Tradeify?

FundingTicks onboarding takes 3-5 business days after passing an evaluation to activate your Master account. Tradeify onboarding takes 24-48 hours after passing an evaluation. When you're eager to start trading funded capital, Tradeify's faster onboarding is a significant advantage.

Should I use FundingTicks if it's cheaper?

Only if you're comfortable with operational instability, potential retroactive rule changes, and slow support. The $125-$150 cost savings compared to Tradeify's $255-$315 isn't worth it if you risk losing funded account profits to sudden policy changes. I recommend starting with Tradeify for stability and trust, even though it costs more upfront. Long-term profitability matters more than short-term cost savings.

Your Next Steps

‍👉 Start Trading at Tradeify Today

‍👉 Read My Full Tradeify Review

‍👉 Check out Tradeify´s Select Plans

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