The online Trader Funding Industry was undoubtedly pioneered by Topstep. It's been over a decade since they started, and now there's a multitude of providers to choose from.
For us, Trader funding firms aren't just about getting funded. They are the perfect balance between SIM accounts, where you can play with it, then do a "reset" and promise you "won't do that again", and trading on a live account, losing your shirt, and then reporting that to your significant other. You have a degree of risk, but it's capped AND there's the added bonus of the chance of actually being funded.
So whether it's a stepping stone between SIM and Live Trading or you are serious about being funded long term... here are our top 5, in alphabetical order.
Apex
Apex is a relative newcomer but seems to be taking off very quickly. They are very vocal about payout amounts and we think paying out is good.
Click HERE and get a 50% off for new and recurring billing up to 20 accounts. Remember to enter the coupon JIGSAW on the sign-up page.
Earn2Trade
We've been working with Earn2Trade for a few years and they certainly excel in trader support and education, with rules very much in line with what you'd find at a "Regular" Bricks and mortar prop firm.Visit them HERE to find out more about it and launch your professional trading career with a 40% discount off your first evaluation! This is EXCLUSIVE to Jigsaw customers only.
TickTick Traders
Tick Tick are the first to have a focus on Jigsaw and Jigsaw daytradr is provided with some of their evaluations.Click HERE and apply JTTTDEAL coupon to get a %50 off LIFETIME for the 25k, 50k and 100k PRO accounts. From the 1st December, the coupon will give 40% off for the same accounts.
Topstep
The original can't be left out of our list. Mike Patak and John Hoagland took me on a tour of the CME floor over 10 years ago, both were well-liked and respected there. Their roots are definitely from professional trading.
TopstepTrader is an interesting way for traders to de-risk their trading but still have some "skin in the game".
It's not live trading, but it's not sim trading. It could lead to a funded account.
Click HERE for more information and a 20% discount off your first combine.
TradeDay
Another newcomer, run by James and Steve, both with institutional backgrounds. These guys absolutely know the prop world from their extensive experience.
Click HERE and apply JIGSAW20 coupon to get a 20% off for the lifetime of your monthly subscription.
That's it - we know most traders like to shop around and get the best deal, as well as try different providers until they find one with rules that suit them. And that's what it's all about really, while we can't put each set of their rules in this blog post (it'd be too big), they do differ and some will suit one trading style more than another.
If you've never done a trader evaluation, I wouldn't obsess too much over the rules, find what looks like the closest fit for your style and then take the leap, it might not be the company you settle with, but you need some experience with one vendor to really get what these evals are all about.
I would also note that sometimes 'funded' means you are still on a SIM account but are now getting paid from the profits generated. This is obviously a form of arbitrage (more will lose than win) and whilst there's nothing wrong with it - be aware that your performance can change when you go onto a live account as the fills may be different. Just be aware of WHAT you are trading in that respect.