Tradeify Getting Started Guide 2026: Everything You Need to Begin Funded Trading

Written by Paul

Published on

January 14, 2026

When I joined Tradeify in 2024, I spent my first 3 days reading rules, watching setup videos, and overthinking account selection before placing a single trade. Looking back, I could've condensed that to 45 minutes. This guide cuts through the noise and gives you exactly what you need to know before your first trade: account selection, critical rules, platform setup, and the fastest path to your first payout.

This comprehensive guide covers everything new Tradeify traders need to start funded trading in 2026: understanding Tradeify's business model, choosing between evaluation pathways, critical trading rules, platform configuration, common beginner mistakes, realistic expectations, and your roadmap from first trade to first payout.

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.

What is Tradeify? Understanding the Business Model

Tradeify is a proprietary trading firm (prop firm) that provides capital to skilled traders in exchange for a share of trading profits. Instead of risking your own money, you trade Tradeify's capital and keep 90% of the profits you generate.

The fundamental deal:

You provide: Trading skill, strategy, discipline
Tradeify provides: Capital (up to $750,000), platform access, trade journaling tools
Split: You keep 90% of profits, Tradeify keeps 10%

How Tradeify makes money:

Evaluation fees (monthly subscriptions for evaluation accounts)
Activation fees (one-time fees for Lightning Funded accounts)
10% of funded trader profits

What makes Tradeify different:

Fast payouts (often same-day, including weekends)
No daily loss limits on some account types
Built-in trade journaling and Sage Score analytics
Group Trading feature for multiple accounts
Transparent rules with no hidden requirements

Account Types: Choosing Your Pathway

Tradeify offers three distinct pathways to funded trading. Choose based on your experience level, capital available, and trading timeline.

Growth Evaluation ($50K-$150K)

Best for: Beginners and traders who want faster passing criteria

How it works:

Purchase monthly subscription ($35-$115/month depending on size)
Pass profit target while staying within drawdown limits
Can pass in as little as 1 trading day (no consistency rule during eval)
Activate funded account (no activation fee)
Start earning payouts

Key features:

Profit targets: $3,000 (50K), $6,000 (100K), $9,000 (150K)
Drawdown: End-of-day trailing (more breathing room)
Daily loss limit: Yes ($1,250/$2,500/$3,750 depending on size)
Minimum days to pass: None (can pass in 1 day)
Consistency rule during eval: No
Payout policy: Fixed 5-day payout schedule

Pricing:

50K: $35/month
100K: $75/month
150K: $115/month

Select Evaluation ($50K-$150K)

Best for: Intermediate traders who want daily payout flexibility

How it works:

Purchase monthly subscription ($115-$215/month depending on size)
Pass profit target with 40% consistency requirement (minimum 3 days)
Choose payout policy: Flex (5-day) or Daily
Activate funded account (no activation fee)
Start earning payouts based on chosen policy

Key features:

Profit targets: $2,500 (50K), $5,000 (100K), $7,500 (150K)
Drawdown: End-of-day trailing
Daily loss limit: None (more aggressive trading possible)
Minimum days to pass: 3 days (due to consistency rule)
Consistency rule during eval: Yes (40% - no single day exceeds 40% of total profit)
Payout policy: Your choice (Flex or Daily) selected after passing

Pricing:

50K: $115/month
100K: $165/month
150K: $215/month

Lightning Funded ($25K-$250K)

Best for: Experienced traders who want to skip evaluations

How it works:

Pay one-time activation fee ($150-$2,495 depending on size)
No evaluation period—start with funded account immediately
Complete 4 payouts while meeting consistency rules
Eligible for Elite Live (real capital) transition

Key features:

No evaluation: Instant access to simulated funded account
Profit targets: None (earn payouts based on payout requirements)
Drawdown: Static drawdown (locks at $100 above starting balance)
Consistency rule: Yes (35% for payouts)
Payout policy: Based on account size and payout count
Path to live funding: After 4 successful payouts

Pricing:

25K: $150
50K: $295
100K: $595
150K: $895
200K: $1,395
250K: $2,495

Comparison Table

Feature	Growth Evaluation	Select Evaluation	Lightning Funded
Cost	$35-$115/month	$115-$215/month	$150-$2,495 one-time
Evaluation Required	Yes	Yes	No
Fastest Pass Time	1 trading day	3 trading days	Instant (no eval)
Daily Loss Limit	Yes	No	No
Drawdown Type	EOD trailing	EOD trailing	Static (locks)
Consistency Rule (Eval)	No	Yes (40%)	N/A
Payout Policy Choice	Fixed (5-day)	Your choice (Flex or Daily)	Fixed by account size
Path to Live Funding	After 5 payouts	After 5 payouts	After 4 payouts

My recommendation: Start with Growth 50K if you're new to prop trading. Lowest cost, easiest passing criteria, no consistency headaches during evaluation.

Critical Trading Rules You Must Know

Before your first trade, understand these non-negotiable rules:

Rule #1: Trailing Drawdown

Your account cannot fall below a specific balance threshold.

How it works:

Starting balance: $50,000 (example)
Drawdown limit: $100 below starting = $49,900
If balance hits $49,900 (even for 1 second) → account fails

Trailing behavior (Growth/Select):

As you profit, drawdown "trails" upward
Example: Balance reaches $52,000 → new drawdown floor is $51,900
Drawdown never goes down, only up

Static behavior (Lightning):

Drawdown locks when you reach $100 profit buffer
Example: 50K account at $50,100 → drawdown locks at $49,900 permanently

Full guide: Tradeify Trailing Drawdown Explained

Rule #2: Consistency Rule (35%-40%)

No single day can represent too much of your total profits.

Select Evaluation: 40% rule during evaluation

Total profit: $2,500
Largest day: Cannot exceed $1,000 (40% of $2,500)
Minimum 3 trading days required

Growth Evaluation: No consistency rule during evaluation

Funded accounts: 35% rule for payout eligibility

Total profit: $10,000
Largest day: Cannot exceed $3,500 (35% of $10,000)
Must spread profits across multiple days

Why this rule exists: Prevents "lucky lottery ticket" trading, encourages consistent strategy execution.

Rule #3: Minimum Trading Days

You must trade a minimum number of days to qualify for payouts.

First payout:

Growth/Select funded: 5 winning days with profit >$200 (50K), >$400 (100K), >$600 (150K)
Lightning: 5 winning days with same thresholds

Subsequent payouts:

5 winning days between each payout
Winning day = net positive P&L for that day

What counts as a trading day:

At least 1 executed trade (can be as short as 5 seconds)
Must show in daily reconciliation

Rule #4: Weekly Trading Requirement

Minimum 1 trade per calendar week (Monday-Friday) to keep account active.

Consequences of inactivity:

Week 1 with no trades: Warning
Week 2 with no trades: Account marked inactive
Account reactivates automatically when you place next trade

Workaround: Place 1 micro trade per week (e.g., 1 contract for 10-second scalp) to maintain active status.

Rule #5: Prohibited Trading Practices

Instant account failure:

Hedging (simultaneous long and short positions in same or correlated instruments)
Trading both mini and micro contracts simultaneously (pick one)
High-frequency trading (HFT) bots
Exploiting platform errors or glitches
Copying trades from other traders (not your own strategy)

Allowed:

News trading (no restrictions)
Scaling in/out of positions
Dollar-cost averaging (DCA)
Personal trading bots (non-HFT, with approval)
Group Trading across your own multiple accounts

Platform Setup (Quick Start)

Choose your platform based on needs:

Tradovate Web (Recommended for Beginners)

Setup time: 2 minutes

Purchase Tradeify account
Get credentials from dashboard (username/password)
Go to trader.tradovate.com/welcome
Log in with credentials
Sign Non-Professional Data Agreement
Platform loads → Add chart and SuperDOM
Place first trade

Full guide: Tradovate Platform Setup

NinjaTrader 8 (For Advanced Traders)

Setup time: 30 minutes

Sign data agreement on Tradovate (trader.tradovate.com)
Wait 15 minutes for activation
Download NT8 from account.ninjatrader.com
Install and connect with Tradeify credentials
Configure workspaces and indicators

Full guide: NinjaTrader 8 Setup

TradingView (For Social Traders)

Setup time: 15 minutes

Enable TradingView Add-On in Tradovate settings
Go to tradingview.com
Connect Tradovate broker
Enter Tradeify credentials
Begin trading with TradingView charts

Full guide: Supported Platforms Comparison

Your First 7 Days: Step-by-Step Roadmap

Day 1: Account Setup and Familiarization

Tasks:

Purchase chosen account type
Set up platform (Tradovate Web recommended)
Read essential trading rules
Watch 1-2 Tradeify tutorials (available in help center)
Place 1 test trade to confirm everything works

Time investment: 2-3 hours

Day 2-3: Strategy Validation

Tasks:

Trade your normal strategy (small size)
Monitor drawdown in real-time
Test ATM bracket strategies if using stop/target orders
Journal each trade (Tradeify has built-in journaling)
Aim for 2-3 small winning days

Goal: Confirm your strategy works within Tradeify's rules without risking account failure.

Day 4-5: Ramping Up

Tasks:

Increase position size to normal trading amounts
Focus on profit target (if evaluation account)
Maintain consistency if Select account
Continue daily journaling

Goal: Build confidence, generate consistent profits.

Day 6-7: Evaluation Completion or First Payout Prep

For evaluation accounts:

Complete profit target requirements
Verify consistency rule compliance (if Select)
Pass evaluation → activate funded account

For Lightning Funded:

Accumulate 5 winning days
Meet consistency requirement
Request first payout

Realistic timeline: Most traders pass Growth evaluations in 5-15 trading days. Select takes 7-20 days. Lightning varies based on your profit speed.

Common Beginner Mistakes (Avoid These)

Mistake #1: Overtrading on Day 1

What happens: New trader places 20 trades on first day, hits drawdown, fails account immediately.

Fix: Start with 2-3 trades per day maximum for first week. Learn the platform and rules before aggressive trading.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Consistency Rule

What happens: Trader makes $3,000 on day 1, then $500 across 5 days. Total: $3,500. Largest day: $3,000 (85% of profit). Fails consistency, can't request payout.

Fix: Spread profits evenly. If you have a big win day, keep trading to dilute that day's percentage.

Mistake #3: Not Monitoring Drawdown

What happens: Trader checks balance at end of day, sees $51,000. Doesn't realize balance briefly hit $49,900 during the day. Account failed without knowing.

Fix: Install Tradeify's Drawdown Widget on Tradovate. Shows real-time distance to drawdown.

Mistake #4: Trading Too Large Too Fast

What happens: $50K account, trader risks $500 per trade (1% risk). One bad day = -$2,500 = hits daily loss limit or drawdown.

Fix: Risk 0.25-0.5% per trade maximum during evaluation. Scale up after passing.

Mistake #5: Forgetting Weekly Trade Requirement

What happens: Trader has great week, decides to take 10 days off to "protect profits." Account becomes inactive.

Fix: Place 1 micro trade every week minimum to maintain active status.

Realistic Expectations: Timeline and Earnings

Passing evaluation:

Fast: 1-5 trading days (Growth, aggressive trading)
Average: 10-20 trading days
Slow: 30-45 trading days (cautious, part-time trading)

First payout timeline:

Evaluation pass: 1-3 weeks
Funded account activation: Instant
Accumulate 5 winning days: 1-2 weeks
Payout request: Same day
Funds in Rise wallet: 24-48 hours
Withdraw to bank: 1-3 days

Total time from purchase to first payout: 3-6 weeks for most traders.

Earnings potential (realistic estimates):

Conservative (1 funded account):

Monthly profit: $2,000
90/10 split: $1,800 net
Annual: $21,600

Moderate (2-3 funded accounts):

Monthly profit per account: $3,000
3 accounts: $9,000 gross
90/10 split: $8,100 net
Annual: $97,200

Aggressive (5 funded accounts + Elite Live):

Monthly profit across accounts: $15,000+
After splits and commissions: $12,000+
Annual: $144,000+

These assume consistent profitability. Most traders fail multiple evaluations before finding consistency.

FAQ

How long does it take to get funded?

Growth evaluations can pass in 1 day minimum, though 1-3 weeks is typical for most traders. Select evaluations require minimum 3 days due to consistency rules. Lightning Funded accounts are funded instantly (no evaluation).

Can I fail an evaluation and try again?

Yes, evaluation accounts operate on monthly subscriptions. If you fail, the account resets at your next renewal date and you can attempt again. There's no limit to attempts.

How many accounts can I have simultaneously?

Up to 5 funded accounts per household. Evaluation accounts have no limit, but you're paying multiple monthly subscriptions.

When can I request my first payout?

After meeting all requirements: minimum trading days (typically 5 winning days), consistency rule compliance (35%), and profit above starting balance plus minimum thresholds.

Do I pay taxes on Tradeify earnings?

Yes, you receive 1099 tax forms from Rise for all payout income. Set aside 25-30% for taxes depending on your tax bracket.

What happens if I hit my drawdown accidentally?

Account fails immediately and permanently. Balance cannot recover. You'll need to purchase a new evaluation or wait for subscription renewal to reset.

Can I withdraw my starting balance?

No, starting balance remains as trading capital. You can only withdraw profits above the starting balance, subject to payout rules and maintaining minimum drawdown buffer.

Is Tradeify legitimate and do they actually pay?

Yes, Tradeify has processed thousands of payouts since launch. Payments process within 24-48 hours via Rise, often same-day including weekends.

What instruments can I trade?

All major futures products: index futures (ES, NQ, YM, RTY), micro futures (MES, MNQ, M2K, MYM), currencies (6E, 6B), energies (CL, NG), metals (GC, SI), and more.

Can I use my own trading indicators and bots?

Custom indicators work on NinjaTrader and TradingView. Personal trading bots are allowed (non-HFT) but require disclosure and approval. Tradovate doesn't support custom indicators.

Conclusion

Starting with Tradeify boils down to: choose an account type (Growth for beginners), set up platform in 2 minutes (Tradovate Web), understand critical rules (drawdown, consistency, minimum days), and trade your strategy with discipline.

Don't overthink it. Your trading strategy either works or doesn't—Tradeify's rules just force you to prove consistency rather than luck. If you can generate 2-3% monthly returns consistently on your own account, you'll pass evaluations and start collecting payouts within 4-6 weeks.

The biggest mistake is analysis paralysis. Purchase the cheapest account (Growth 50K, $35/month), trade it for 2 weeks, and see how you perform. If you pass, great—you're funded. If you fail, you learned where your strategy breaks under rules and can adjust before trying again.

Welcome to Tradeify. Place your first trade today.