VERIFY PRICE, DRAWDOWN AND PAYOUTS

Prop Firm Checklist: 25 Checks Before Buying

A ten-minute pre-purchase review can prevent expensive misunderstandings. Record the checkout price, exact rule version and payout conditions before paying.

12 MIN READPRIMARY SOURCES INCLUDED

SHORT ANSWER

Do not buy until you can explain the drawdown calculation, daily reset, full cost path, permitted strategy and first payout requirements in your own words.

IN 60 SECONDS

What you will learn.

01
1. Identify the exact product
Write down model, account size, phase, drawdown variant, purchase date and selected options. A single provider may offer several fundamentally different 50K accounts. Record whether each stage is simulated or live.
02
2. Model three cost scenarios
Calculate a first-attempt scenario, a realistic duration and a failed-attempt scenario. A hypothetical $49 monthly fee for three months plus $149 activation totals $296 before other charges. Refunds count only if their conditions are actually met.
03
3. Translate drawdown into money
A 50K account with 4% maximum loss starts with a $2,000 loss allowance, not $50,000 to lose. Identify balance or equity as the calculation base and include commissions, swaps and open losses. Check when trailing stops and when the daily reference resets.
04
4. Map the evaluation
Record profit targets for every phase, minimum or qualifying days, consistency, maximum duration and inactivity. An unlimited target window does not prevent subscriptions or inactivity rules from applying.

1. Identify the exact product

Write down model, account size, phase, drawdown variant, purchase date and selected options. A single provider may offer several fundamentally different 50K accounts. Record whether each stage is simulated or live.

2. Model three cost scenarios

Calculate a first-attempt scenario, a realistic duration and a failed-attempt scenario. A hypothetical $49 monthly fee for three months plus $149 activation totals $296 before other charges. Refunds count only if their conditions are actually met.

Initial checkout price and currency.
Renewals and cancellation.
Resets and activation.
Platform, market data and paid upgrades.

3. Translate drawdown into money

A 50K account with 4% maximum loss starts with a $2,000 loss allowance, not $50,000 to lose. Identify balance or equity as the calculation base and include commissions, swaps and open losses. Check when trailing stops and when the daily reference resets.

4. Map the evaluation

Record profit targets for every phase, minimum or qualifying days, consistency, maximum duration and inactivity. An unlimited target window does not prevent subscriptions or inactivity rules from applying.

5. Test every part of your strategy

Check overnight, weekend and news execution; stops and pending triggers can matter. Review EAs, copiers, hedging, martingale, position limits, holding duration and mandatory session closure.

6. Treat payout as a process

Record waiting periods, minimum profit, qualifying days, consistency, minimum and maximum payout, remaining safety buffer and processing. Confirm how a withdrawal changes the loss floor, and check KYC, payment method and fees.

7. Check the company and evidence

Identify the contracting entity, jurisdiction, support, cancellation and refund terms. Read ratings with their date, volume and profile status. Individual success posts cannot establish the quality or reliability of the whole program.

8. Repeat the final check before payment

Reopen checkout, the rulebook and payout policy immediately before purchase. Save dated copies. If you cannot explain a loss or payout rule using your own numerical example, resolve that uncertainty before paying.