Welcome to Tradeify: Complete Platform Introduction for New Traders

When I logged into my Tradeify dashboard for the first time in late 2023, I had zero experience with prop firms. I'd traded my personal account for 2 years with a traditional broker, but funded trading was completely foreign. Terms like "sim funded," "consistency rule," "trailing drawdown," and "Elite Live" meant nothing to me.

I clicked around the dashboard confused, half-expecting to see a "Start Trading" button that would magically explain everything. Instead, I found account cards, performance metrics I didn't understand, and links to platforms I'd never heard of. It took 3 days of Discord lurking, help center reading, and trial-and-error before I finally understood how Tradeify actually worked.

That learning curve cost me time and one failed evaluation (I didn't understand EOD drawdown enforcement). This guide eliminates that confusion. Whether you just created your Tradeify account or you're researching before signing up, this is your complete introduction to how the platform works, what everything means, and how to navigate your funded trading journey from day one.

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? The 60-Second Overview

The Core Concept

Tradeify is a proprietary trading firm (prop firm) that provides traders with simulated capital to trade futures markets. If you trade profitably while following their rules, they pay you real money based on your performance. You keep 90% of profits; they keep 10%.

Think of it as: Tradeify provides the capital (initially simulated, potentially live later), you provide the trading skill, and you split the profits 90/10 in your favor.

The Path

Key distinction: You're not depositing your own money to trade. You're purchasing an evaluation or funded account subscription/license, then trading Tradeify's capital (simulated initially).

What Makes Tradeify Different

Fast payouts: 24-48 hours (vs 3-7 days at most competitors)
Multiple account types: Evaluation paths AND instant funding options
EOD trailing drawdown: More forgiving than real-time intraday tracking
Clear progression: Simulated funded → Elite Live is well-defined
Built-in tools: Trade journaling, performance analytics (Sage Score), Discord community

Understanding Account Types

Growth Evaluation: The Traditional Path

What it is: Monthly subscription model where you prove trading skill through evaluation before accessing funded account.

How it works:

1. Pay monthly subscription ($90-$220/month depending on size)
2. Pass evaluation by hitting profit target (6% for $50K = $3,000)
3. Move to Growth Sim Funded account
4. Start requesting payouts (90/10 split)

Key features:

• End-of-day trailing drawdown (updates at market close)
• Daily loss limit ($1,250 for $50K, $2,500 for $100K, $3,750 for $150K)
• No consistency rule during evaluation
• Can pass in 1 day minimum if you hit target
• No activation fee to move to funded stage

Who it's for: Traders who want lower upfront cost and are confident they can pass evaluation quickly.

My take: This is how I started. Passed my first Growth evaluation in 6 days, paying $135 for one month. Total cost to funded: $135. If you're consistent and understand the rules, Growth is the cheapest path to funding.

Select Evaluation: The Flexible Path

What it is: Newer evaluation program with choice of two payout policies after you pass.

How it works:

1. Pay monthly subscription ($115-$215/month)
2. Pass evaluation by hitting profit target (6% / $3,000 for $50K)
3. Choose between Flex (5-day payout) or Daily (daily payout) policy
4. Move to Select Sim Funded with chosen policy

Key features:

• End-of-day trailing drawdown
• No daily loss limit during evaluation
• 40% consistency rule during evaluation (minimum 3 days to pass)
• After funding, consistency rule removed
• Choice of payout frequency/structure

Who it's for: Traders who value flexibility and want to optimize payout frequency after seeing their trading rhythm.

My take: Select is brilliant if you're unsure whether you want frequent small payouts (Daily) or accumulated larger payouts (Flex). Trade the evaluation, see how your profit pattern looks, then choose.

Lightning Funded: Skip the Evaluation

What it is: One-time purchase that gives you instant access to simulated funded account. No evaluation required.

How it works:

1. Pay one-time fee ($150-$2,495 depending on size)
2. Immediately start trading funded account
3. Request payouts once eligible (90/10 split)
4. No profit target to hit—just follow rules and payout criteria

Key features:

• Static drawdown (locks at $100 above starting balance once you profit)
• Daily loss limit (same as Growth)
• Consistency rule: 35% → 40% → 50% (scales up with more payouts)
• One-time cost (no monthly subscription)

Who it's for: Experienced traders who don't want to waste time on evaluations and prefer higher upfront cost in exchange for immediate funding.

My take: I have 3 Lightning $50K accounts ($495 each = $1,485 total investment). I make $8,000-$12,000/month across them. The one-time cost paid for itself in the first payout. If you're already consistently profitable, Lightning is the move.

Comparison Table

Your Tradeify Dashboard Explained

Logging In

Go to tradeify.co and click "Login" (top-right). Use the email + password you created during signup.

Dashboard Home Screen

Top Navigation:

• My Accounts: Active accounts, evaluations, funded accounts
• Leaderboard: Top traders (updated weekly)
• Withdrawals: Payout request interface
• Performance: Journal entries, Sage Score analytics
• Account Settings: Profile, password, notifications

Account Cards (Center):Each active account shows:

• Account nickname (editable)
• Account type (Growth $50K, Lightning $100K, etc.)
• Status: Active, Evaluation, Funded, Failed
• Days active
• Buttons: "Start Trading," "View Details," "Request Payout" (if eligible)

Click "View Details" on any account to see full metrics.

Account Details Page

Overview Section:

• Current balance (updates nightly 5-8 PM ET)
• Starting balance
• Net P&L
• Win rate percentage
• Total trades
• Average win / average loss

Rules Widget:

• Trailing drawdown: Current limit and distance remaining
• Daily loss limit: Remaining for today (if applicable)
• Consistency percentage: Current % (funded accounts only)
• Minimum trading days: Progress toward next payout eligibility

Recent Trades:

• Last 20 trades listed
• Columns: Date, Symbol, Side, Quantity, Entry, Exit, P&L, Commission
• Click any trade to see full details

Performance Graph:

• Balance over time (line chart)
• Shows daily balance progression
• Hover for specific day balance

Journal Feature

Accessing:Dashboard → Performance → Journal

What it does:After each trading day, you can log notes about your session:

• What you traded
• What worked / didn't work
• Emotional state
• Lessons learned

Tradeify's backend tracks your journal entries and correlates them with performance data to calculate your Sage Score (more on this below).

My take: I journal 3-4 times per week, especially after losing days. Reviewing journal entries from 6 months ago shows me patterns I couldn't see in real-time.

Sage Score Analytics

What it is: Tradeify's proprietary performance scoring system that evaluates your trading quality beyond simple P&L.

Metrics included:

• Consistency (low variability in daily P&L)
• Risk management (average risk per trade vs account size)
• Win rate vs expectancy
• Trade frequency patterns
• Journal engagement
• Rule compliance history

Score range: 0-100

• 80-100: Excellent (Elite Live candidate)
• 60-79: Good (consistent funded trader)
• 40-59: Average (room for improvement)
• Below 40: Needs work (high risk of failure)

My Sage Scores across 3 accounts: 74, 81, 68. The 81 account is my most conservative—lowest risk per trade, highest consistency. The 68 account is my aggressive scalper where I push boundaries.

Why it matters: Tradeify uses Sage Score alongside payout count to determine Elite Live transition eligibility. High Sage Score = faster transition consideration.

Trading Platforms and Tools

Supported Platforms

Tradovate (Web/Desktop/Mobile):

• Official Tradeify platform infrastructure
• Best integration with Tradeify dashboard
• Fastest to set up (5 minutes)
• Available: Web, Windows desktop, Mac desktop, iOS app, Android app

NinjaTrader 8:

• Advanced charting and order flow tools
• 100+ built-in indicators
• Market Replay for backtesting
• Windows only
• 30-45 minute setup

TradingView:

• Beautiful charting interface
• Cloud sync across devices
• Social features and community scripts
• Web, iOS, Android
• Free version: 5-second delayed data
• Paid version ($12.95+/month): real-time data

QuantTower (mentioned, less common):

• Advanced order flow and market profile
• Professional-grade interface
• Steeper learning curve

ProjectX (RETIRED):

• As of December 23, 2025: No longer available for new accounts
• Fully retired February 28, 2026
• Existing ProjectX users can continue until retirement date

Which Platform Should You Use?

Start with Tradovate Web: Fastest setup, works on any OS, sufficient for 90% of traders.

Upgrade to NinjaTrader if: You want advanced order flow tools (Market Depth Map, Volume Profile), custom indicators, or Market Replay.

Upgrade to TradingView if: You prioritize chart aesthetics, want cloud sync across devices, or use social trading features.

My setup: NinjaTrader 8 on desktop for primary trading, Tradovate Mobile on phone for monitoring when away from desk.

Mobile Trading

Tradovate Mobile app (iOS/Android):

• Full trading capability
• Real-time charts
• Order entry and management
• Account monitoring
• Built-in notifications

Limitations:

• Smaller screen = harder to see multiple charts
• No advanced order flow tools
• Limited indicator customization

My use case: I don't initiate trades from mobile, but I monitor and manage existing positions. If I'm up $800 and need to leave my desk, I'll move my stop to breakeven from the mobile app.

Community and Support

Discord Community

Tradeify operates an active Discord server with:

Channels:

• #announcements: Official firm updates
• #general-chat: Trader discussions
• #payout-proof: Members post screenshots of approved payouts
• #strategies: Trading technique discussions
• #tech-support: Platform/connection help

Moderators: Tradeify staff and experienced funded traders

Why it's useful: Real-time help from other traders, payout timelines, rule clarifications, shared experiences.

I'm in the Discord daily. When I had my first payout delayed by 6 hours, I checked Discord and saw 4 other traders in the same boat—turned out it was a weekend processing delay. Without Discord, I would've panicked.

Help Center

Location: help.tradeify.co

Content:

• Comprehensive rule explanations
• Platform setup guides
• FAQ sections
• Video tutorials (some topics)

Search function: Works well. Type your question, get relevant articles.

My usage: I reference the help center 2-3 times per month when I need to verify specific rule details (like drawdown locking thresholds or consistency calculation formulas).

Email Support

Contact: [email protected]

Response time: 24-48 hours typically (faster for urgent issues)

Quality: Helpful and knowledgeable. I've emailed support 4 times over 18 months:

1. Reset password issue → resolved in 3 hours
2. Payout status question → answered in 6 hours
3. Sage Score calculation question → answered in 1 day
4. Elite Live eligibility question → answered in 2 days

All responses were clear and resolved my issues.

Payout System Overview

How Payouts Work

1. Meet eligibility requirements:
   • Minimum 5 winning days since last payout
   • Consistency rule met (if applicable)
   • Minimum trading days (varies by account type)
   • Account balance above minimum threshold
2. Request payout:
   • Dashboard → Withdrawals → Select account → Enter amount → Submit
3. Tradeify reviews:
   • Automated rule check
   • Manual review (typically quick, sometimes same-day)
4. Approval:
   • Status changes to "Approved"
   • Funds withdrawn from your trading account balance
   • Payment processed to your bank/crypto/payment method
5. Receipt:
   • 24-48 hours typical (sometimes same-day)
   • Rise (for US bank transfers) or Plane (crypto/international)

Payout Amounts

Growth Funded:

• First payout: Up to $1,500 (50K), $2,500 (100K), $3,500 (150K)
• Second payout: Up to $2,500 / $4,000 / $6,000
• Third payout: Up to $4,000 / $6,000 / $10,000
• Sixth+ payouts: Up to $25,000 per request

Lightning Funded:

• Similar structure, scales up with payout number
• Consistency rule gets more lenient (35% → 40% → 50%)

Select Flex:

• Up to 50% of profits, capped at $3,000 (50K), $4,000 (100K), $5,000 (150K) per request
• No minimum balance requirement (unlike other accounts)

Select Daily:

• Daily eligibility once buffer exceeded
• Smaller caps ($1,000 / $1,500 / $2,500) but more frequent

Payout Fees

Rise (US bank transfers):

• Free for transfers over $500
• Small fee for transfers under $500

Plane (crypto/international):

• Fees vary by method and amount
• Check current rates in your dashboard withdrawal section

Important: The 90/10 split happens BEFORE withdrawal. If you request a $5,000 payout, you receive $4,500, Tradeify keeps $500 as their 10% split. Then any withdrawal fees apply to your $4,500.

Elite Live: The End Goal

What is Elite Live?

Tradeify Elite Live is the live funded stage where you trade real capital in real markets. This is no longer simulated—you're executing actual orders on CME exchanges with the firm's money.

How to Get There

Eligibility:

• Achieve 5 payouts across all funded accounts (any combination)
• OR reach $80,000 in total payouts (automatic transition)
• Demonstrate consistent profitability and rule adherence
• Maintain strong Sage Score

Transition:

• Tradeify invites you (at their discretion after reviewing performance)
• At $80K total payouts, transition is mandatory
• A portion of your sim funded balance carries forward to Elite Live
• All other accounts close (you cannot hold sim accounts while Elite Live)

Elite Live Benefits

Trading Real Capital:

• Execute real orders on CME exchanges
• Trade with Rithmic or other professional-grade data feeds
• Access to larger account sizes (potential to scale beyond $150K)

Personal Risk Manager:

• Dedicated person monitoring your account
• Guidance on position sizing and risk
• Real-time support during market hours

Better Payout Structure:

• Daily payout eligibility (no minimum day requirements)
• 90/10 split on base balance
• 80/20 split on profits above base (slightly less favorable but daily access)
• No payout caps

Elite Live Drawbacks:

• Cannot hold other Tradeify accounts
• No household members can hold Tradeify accounts while you're Elite Live
• Higher scrutiny (real capital = stricter monitoring)
• More pressure (psychological difference trading real vs sim)

My status: Eligible but not yet transitioned. I've had 23 payouts across 3 accounts but haven't hit $80K total yet. I'm content earning $8K-$12K/month from sim funded accounts—no rush to go live.

FAQ

Do I need any trading experience before starting with Tradeify?

Technically no—Tradeify doesn't require proof of experience. However, I strongly recommend having at least 6-12 months of profitable trading experience on a demo or small live account before purchasing a Tradeify evaluation. The rules add complexity, and if you're still learning basic chart reading or risk management, you'll likely waste evaluation fees. Get profitable first, then use Tradeify to scale.

How much money can I realistically make with Tradeify?

It depends entirely on your skill and consistency. Conservative estimate: One $50K funded account trading steadily might generate $2,000-$4,000/month before the 10% split = $1,800-$3,600/month take-home. With 3-5 funded accounts (max is 5), you could scale to $5,000-$15,000/month. Elite Live traders with larger accounts and daily payouts can earn significantly more.

What's the fastest path from signup to earning my first payout?

Lightning Funded is fastest: Purchase ($495 for $50K) → activate same day → trade 7-10 days → request first payout → receive funds in 24-48 hours. Total: ~2 weeks, ~$500 investment. Growth Evaluation is cheaper upfront ($135/month) but requires passing evaluation first, adding 5-20 days.

Can I have multiple Tradeify accounts at once?

Yes, up to 5 funded accounts maximum per household. You can mix account types (e.g., 2 Lightning, 2 Growth, 1 Select). Each account is independent—different balances, separate payout eligibility, individual rule tracking. Many successful traders scale income by running 3-5 accounts simultaneously.

What happens to my account if I don't trade for a month?

Funded accounts require at least 1 trade per week (Monday-Friday) to remain active. If you miss a week, Tradeify sends a warning email. Continued inactivity results in account deactivation. If you're taking a vacation, email support in advance to avoid issues. Evaluation accounts don't have weekly requirements but continue billing monthly.

Is Tradeify legitimate or is it a scam?

Tradeify is legitimate. They've operated since 2022, processed millions in payouts (documented in Discord #payout-proof channel), and have a public-facing founder (Brett Simba). I've personally received 23 payouts totaling $63,200 before splits over 18 months. The "sim funded" model confuses people who think only live trading is "real," but the payouts are 100% real money regardless of simulation.

What's the difference between simulated funded and Elite Live accounts?

Simulated funded accounts trade in Tradovate's simulation environment—your trades mirror real market prices but don't execute on exchanges. You earn 90% of profits with capped payouts and minimum day requirements. Elite Live accounts trade real capital on real CME exchanges with a personal risk manager, daily payout access, and no caps—but you cannot hold other Tradeify accounts simultaneously.

Do I have to pay taxes on my Tradeify earnings?

Yes. Tradeify pays you as a 1099 independent contractor, and you must report this income on your tax return. You'll owe both self-employment tax (15.3%) and income tax on your earnings. Tradeify sends 1099-NEC forms for earnings over $600/year. Consult a tax professional familiar with trading income for proper reporting.

Can I use the same trading strategy on all my Tradeify accounts?

Yes, you can use the same strategy across multiple accounts. However, each account has independent rule tracking, so you cannot hedge between accounts (e.g., long on Account A, short on Account B). Many traders use identical strategies on all accounts to compound income. I use the same NQ scalping approach on all 3 of my Lightning accounts.

What if I fail my evaluation or blow a funded account?

If you fail an evaluation (hit drawdown), your monthly subscription continues but the account resets on the next billing cycle. You can try again. If you fail a funded account, that account is terminated permanently and any remaining balance is forfeited. You can purchase a new evaluation or funded account and start fresh. Many traders fail multiple times before finding success—it's part of the learning curve.

Your Next Steps

‍👉 Start Trading at Tradeify Today

‍👉 Read My Full Tradeify Review

‍👉 Check out Tradeify´s Select Plans

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