Why Minimum Trading Days Matter in Prop Firms
Minimum trading days are one of the least understood — yet most impactful — rules in the prop trading evaluation process. Whether you're aiming to pass quickly or build a sustainable track record, knowing how these rules work (and their hidden trade-offs) can make or break your prop journey.
What Are Minimum Trading Days?
Most prop firms require you to place at least one trade per day for a minimum number of calendar or trading days during your challenge phase. This is meant to demonstrate consistency and prevent traders from "lucking out" with a single big win. But the exact requirements and their consequences vary widely.
How Minimum Trading Days Work: A Real Example
Suppose you sign up for a $50K FTMO challenge. FTMO's minimum trading days is 4 in both Phase 1 and Phase 2. That means, even if you hit the 10% profit target on Day 2, you must still place at least one trade on two additional days to complete the evaluation. No trades = no pass, no payout.
Comparison Table: Minimum Trading Days at Leading Prop Firms
| Firm | Min Trading Days | Profit Target | Drawdown | Split | Challenge Cost | Account Sizes | Trading Period | Instruments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO | 4 | 10% | 10% / 5% daily | 80/20 → 90/10 | $155–$1,080 | $10K–$200K | 30/60 days | Forex, Indices, Crypto, Stocks |
| E8 Markets | 5 | 8% | 8% / 5% daily | 80/20 | $48–$988 | $5K–$250K | Unlimited | Forex, Indices, Crypto |
| FundedNext | 5 | 10% | 10% / 5% daily | 80/20 → 90/10 | $59–$999 | $6K–$200K | 30/60 days | Forex, Indices, Crypto |
| The5ers | 3 | 6% | 6% / 3% daily | 50/50 → 100% | $95–$875 | $6K–$100K | Unlimited | Forex, Metals, Indices |
| Apex Trader Funding | 7 | 6% | 6% / 0% daily | 100% first $25K → 90/10 | $147–$657 | $25K–$300K | Unlimited | Futures |
| TopStep | 5 | 6% | 4% / 2% daily | 90/10 | $49–$149/mo | $50K–$150K | Unlimited | Futures |
| MyFundedFX | 3 | 8% | 8% / 5% daily | 80/20 → 92.75% | $49–$1,499 | $5K–$300K | Unlimited | Forex, Indices, Crypto |
| My Funded Futures | 2 | 6% | 4% / 0% daily | 80/20 → 90/10 | $77–$477/mo | $50K–$150K | Unlimited | Futures |
| Funded Trading Plus | 0 | 10% | 6% / 4% daily | 80/20 → 100% | $119–$999 | $5K–$200K | Unlimited | Forex, Crypto, Indices |
| Goat Funded Trader | 4 | 10% | 6% / 4% daily | 80/20 → 95% | $47–$997 | $5K–$200K | Unlimited | Forex, Metals, Crypto |
| Blue Guardian | 5 | 10% | 6% / 4% daily | 85/15 → 90/10 | $87–$897 | $10K–$200K | Unlimited | Forex, Crypto, Indices |
| Lux Trading Firm | 0 | 10% | 6% / 0% daily | 80/20 | $299–$4,999 | $100K–$1M | Unlimited | Forex, Indices, Metals |
| City Traders Imperium | 0 | 10% | 10% / 5% daily | 80/20 → 100% | $39–$549 | $2.5K–$100K | Unlimited | Forex, Indices, Crypto |
| Tradeify | 1 | 6% | 4% / 2.5% daily | 90/10 | $139–$509 | $50K–$150K | Unlimited | Futures |
| Take Profit Trader | 5 | 6% | 4% / 2.2% daily | 80/20 → 90/10 | $150–$357 | $25K–$150K | Unlimited | Futures |
What Counts as a "Trading Day"?
Most firms define a trading day as a calendar day in which you open and close at least one trade. Some allow trades to be held overnight or over weekends; others require the position to be closed before market close. Always check the firm's exact definition in their rules.
- FTMO: Any day with at least one closed trade counts, even if the trade lasts seconds.
- MyFundedFX: Same rule as FTMO—scalping for the minimum day is allowed.
- The5ers: Requires a trade to be opened and closed on three separate days, but no time minimum per trade.
- Tradeify: You can technically pass in a single day if you hit the profit target, though some account types require more for payout eligibility.
- Funded Trading Plus, Lux Trading Firm, City Traders Imperium: No minimum trading days—if you hit the target on Day 1, you can pass immediately.
Hidden Trade-Offs of Minimum Trading Days
On the surface, a low (or zero) minimum seems best. But there are non-obvious implications:
- Zero min days = faster pass, but more risk: Passing in a single day often means taking larger risks, which can encourage "gambling" behavior, especially for undercapitalized traders.
- Higher min days = forced consistency: With FTMO's 4-day rule, you must show up and execute for at least four sessions, which rewards traders with a repeatable process.
- Scalping for min days can backfire: Some traders open a micro-lot trade for a second to tick the box, but this can result in slippage, commissions, or even mistakes that violate other rules (e.g., news restrictions).
- Payout timing: Some firms (e.g., Blue Guardian) require a certain number of trading days for payout eligibility, even if you pass the challenge quickly.
Deep Dive: Minimum Trading Days at Major Prop Firms
FTMO
- Min trading days: 4 (both phases)
- Profit target: 10%
- Drawdown: 10% max, 5% daily
- Split: 80/20 (up to 90/10 with scaling)
- Account sizes: $10K–$200K
- Trading period: 30 days (Phase 1), 60 days (Phase 2)
FTMO's 4-day minimum is moderate—enough to require real consistency, but not so long as to slow you down unnecessarily. You can technically pass in as little as 4 days, but most traders take 10–20 days to hit the 10% target. The forced break between trades can temper overtrading, but also delays those who want to "speedrun" the challenge.
Actionable tip: Use the FTMO challenge calculator to plan your risk per day based on the 4-day minimum.
My Funded Futures
- Min trading days: 2
- Profit target: 6%
- Drawdown: 4% (no daily limit)
- Split: 80/20 (up to 90/10)
- Trading period: Unlimited
With just 2 minimum days, you can pass in a weekend—ideal for futures scalpers who want to move fast. But note: Tier 1 news trading is restricted and the Pro plan has a $100K payout cap, so check if your strategy fits before rushing through.
The5ers
- Min trading days: 3
- Profit target: 6%
- Drawdown: 6% max, 3% daily
- Split: 50/50 (up to 100%)
- Trading period: Unlimited
The5ers' 3-day rule is among the lowest for forex props. Combined with a 6% target and unlimited time, this is one of the most forgiving setups—if you can live with the tightest drawdown in the industry (6% max, 3% daily) and no EAs or news trading.
Funded Trading Plus, Lux Trading Firm, City Traders Imperium
All three have 0 minimum trading days. You can pass in a single session. However, their risk rules are often stricter:
- FT+: Trailing drawdown shrinks after withdrawals, hedging/grid prohibited
- Lux: Mandatory stop-loss, static drawdown, high challenge fees
- CTI: Must prove EA ownership, KYC can be slow
Zero min days are a double-edged sword: great for speed, but you must be certain your strategy fits the firm's risk and style rules. Passing in one day is possible, but rarely sustainable for most traders.
Futures-Only Providers: Tradeify, Apex, TopStep, Take Profit Trader
Tradeify stands out with just 1 minimum trading day. In contrast, Apex requires 7 days, and TopStep and Take Profit Trader both require 5 days. If your edge is in high-frequency, high-volatility events, Tradeify lets you pass and get funded in record time. But for more deliberate, process-driven traders, Apex and TopStep's longer minimums promote discipline and reduce "all or nothing" behavior.
Strategic Implications: How Minimum Trading Days Affect Your Approach
If you're a scalper or short-term trader, lower minimums let you pass quickly—but be careful not to over-leverage in pursuit of speed. For swing traders, longer minimums (like Apex's 7 days) can be a blessing in disguise, enforcing patience and risk management.
Some firms, like Blue Guardian (5 days) or Goat Funded Trader (4 days), require more trading days but offer bi-weekly payouts or higher base splits as a trade-off. Always weigh the minimum days against other rules: drawdown, payout frequency, challenge cost, and instrument selection.
- Low or zero minimum trading days = speed, but often higher risk or stricter rules elsewhere.
- Higher minimums = slower pass, but more sustainable for process-driven traders.
- Check payout eligibility rules—many require a certain number of trading days even after passing.
Hidden Pitfalls and What to Watch Out For
- Payout Delays: Some firms require a minimum number of trading days before you can request your first withdrawal—even after passing the challenge. For example, Blue Guardian refunds challenge fees only after your fourth payout.
- Scalping Penalties: If you scalp just to "tick the day box," some firms may flag your account for "non-genuine trading" or even withhold payouts.
- Platform Outages: If your trading platform is down, and you can't place a trade, you may lose a day—potentially extending your evaluation.
- Rule Changes: Prop firms sometimes adjust minimum trading days without much notice. Always review the latest challenge rules before signing up.
How to Choose the Best Minimum Trading Days for Your Strategy
- If you want to pass as fast as possible: Look for zero or 1–2 minimum days (Funded Trading Plus, Lux, City Traders Imperium, Tradeify, My Funded Futures).
- If you want a balance of speed and structure: 3–5 minimum days (FTMO, E8, The5ers, MyFundedFX) is the sweet spot for most traders.
- If you want discipline and process: Higher minimums (Apex's 7 days) make it harder to "gamble" your way to a pass, but are best suited for swing or position traders with a repeatable edge.
Don't just default to the lowest number. Consider how the minimum trading days interact with:
- Profit target and drawdown rules (e.g., FTMO's 10% target in 4 days is much harder than The5ers' 6% in 3 days)
- Allowed trading styles (news, EAs, scalping restrictions)
- Payout schedule and challenge cost
Use the PropSurvivalEngine health grades to identify which firms offer the best trade-off for your style and risk tolerance.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I just open and close a micro trade to count a day? Usually, yes, but some firms require "genuine" trading. Repeatedly trading minimum size may flag your account.
- Do weekends count? Only if the firm allows weekend trading (e.g., FTMO, MyFundedFX, FundedNext). Otherwise, only weekdays count.
- Can I pass faster if I trade more lots? No—minimum trading days are about calendar days, not volume. You can't "trade 5 days' worth" in one day.
- What happens if I miss a day? You simply cannot complete the evaluation until you meet the minimum. Plan for possible platform outages or personal emergencies.
Bottom Line: What's the Best Minimum Trading Days Requirement?
There's no universal "best"—it depends on your trading style, risk tolerance, and goals. If you want to pass in a day, Funded Trading Plus, Lux, City Traders Imperium, and Tradeify are your options. If you want a blend of speed and structure, FTMO (4 days), MyFundedFX (3 days), or The5ers (3 days) are strong picks. Futures traders who want a quick pass should consider My Funded Futures (2 days) or Tradeify (1 day), but beware of news/event restrictions.
Always weigh minimum trading days against profit target, drawdown, cost, and allowed trading styles. Use PropSurvivalEngine's comparison tool to see how minimum trading days fit into the bigger picture for your strategy.