TradeDay Review

Overview

TradeDay is a legitimate futures prop firm and one of the stronger options for traders who prioritise straightforward evaluation rules, a genuine route towards live-funded trading and fast access to payouts. However, TradeDay is not automatically the best choice for every futures trader. The biggest catches are the Quick Pay profit split on lower account profits, Fast Pass payout restrictions, trailing drawdown mechanics and several trading-practice restrictions that need to be understood before buying an evaluation.

Our verdict is recommended, with conditions.

For most traders, TradeDay Quick Pay is the better starting option because funded traders can request payouts from positive profit without completing five profitable trading days and there is no funded consistency objective. Fast Pass becomes more attractive if you value an End-of-Day drawdown in Funded Sim, want to pass the evaluation faster and prefer an 80/20 Funded Sim profit split.

TradeDay itself reports more than $10 million in payouts since launching in 2020. Its Trustpilot profile currently has a 4.6/5 TrustScore from around 1,430 reviews, although customer reviews should be treated as supporting evidence rather than proof that every trader will receive the same experience.

TradeDay rules at a glance

TradeDay review: the quick verdict

Best for

Futures day traders who want simple rules and a route to live capital

Markets

CME Group futures

Evaluation

One-step

Account sizes

$25K, $50K, $100K and $150K

Evaluation tracks

Quick Pay and Fast Pass

Main failure rule

Maximum trailing drawdown

Quick Pay minimum trading days: 5

Fast Pass minimum trading days: 3

Quick Pay consistency

30% during evaluation

Fast Pass consistency

45% during evaluation and applicable Funded Sim accounts

Funded Live profit split

90/10 in the trader's favour

Minimum payout

$250

Platforms

Tradovate plus multiple CQG and Rithmic-compatible platforms

Activation fee

None on the current account offering

Overall verdict

Recommended for disciplined futures traders

TradeDay's current structure is considerably simpler than many multi-stage prop firm programmes, but "simple" does not mean unrestricted. The maximum drawdown is the main account-ending rule, while permitted products, trading times, position sizes and prohibited trading practices still matter.

What is TradeDay?

TradeDay is a Chicago-based futures proprietary trading firm founded in 2020 by James Thorpe and Steve Miley. Traders pay for a simulated evaluation. After passing, they can progress to a Funded Sim account and potentially a Funded Live account trading TradeDay's capital.

TradeDay focuses on futures rather than forex, CFDs, stocks or crypto. Permitted instruments are selected CME Group futures contracts traded on CME, CBOT, COMEX and NYMEX.

The difference between Funded Sim and Funded Live matters.

A Funded Sim account uses simulated trading. Eligible traders can still receive payouts under TradeDay's payout rules.

A Funded Live account connects to TradeDay's broker and clearing infrastructure and trades the live futures market. TradeDay says Funded Live profits are split 90/10 in favour of the trader.

That live progression is one of TradeDay's main advantages. The company does not present its programme as a way to keep profitable traders indefinitely in simulated accounts.

Is TradeDay legit or a scam?

TradeDay does not appear to be a scam. TradeDay LLC has operated since 2020, publishes company and staff information, reports more than $10 million in trader payouts and has a substantial third-party review history.

TradeDay currently has a 4.6/5 TrustScore on Trustpilot from roughly 1,430 reviews. Many reviews mention payouts and ease of use. Negative reviews include disputes involving suspended accounts, prohibited trading practices and payout eligibility.

Reviews are useful supporting evidence, but they do not prove that every trader will have the same experience. TradeDay is also not the same thing as a regulated retail brokerage.

TradeDay states that TradeDay LLC is not registered with the SEC or CFTC as a broker-dealer, investment adviser, futures commission merchant or commodity trading adviser. Its evaluation programme uses simulated trading.

That is not automatically a red flag because TradeDay is selling a proprietary trading evaluation rather than offering a normal retail brokerage account. It does mean traders should understand exactly what they are buying rather than treating a "$100K account" as if TradeDay were depositing $100,000 into a personal brokerage account.

TradeDay also reports that its evaluation pass rate was 36% between January and June 2026. Paying for an evaluation does not guarantee funding.

Quick Pay vs Fast Pass: which TradeDay account is better?

Quick Pay is the better TradeDay option for most traders who prioritise payout flexibility. Fast Pass is better for traders who value End-of-Day drawdown, a faster evaluation and a stronger initial Funded Sim profit split.

The differences after passing are more important than the names suggest.

Feature

Minimum evaluation days. Quick Pay: 5. Fast Pass: 3

Feature

Evaluation consistency. Quick Pay: 30%. Fast Pass: 45%

Feature

Evaluation drawdown. Quick Pay: Intraday or EOD option. Fast Pass: EOD

Feature

Funded Sim drawdown. Quick Pay: Intraday. Fast Pass: EOD

Feature: First payout. Quick Pay: From positive profit, subject to $250 minimum. Fast Pass: After 5 profitable days

Feature: Funded Sim consistency. Quick Pay: None. Fast Pass: 45% on accounts opened from 26 July 2026

Feature: Funded Sim split. Quick Pay: 50/50 below specified profit threshold, then 80/20. Fast Pass: 80/20

Feature: Funded Sim payout caps. Quick Pay: More flexible. Fast Pass: Tier-specific caps

Feature: Funded Live split. Quick Pay: 90/10. Fast Pass: 90/10

Why we prefer Quick Pay for most traders

Quick Pay's strongest feature is payout access.

There is no payout buffer requirement. A trader can request a payout once the account has positive profit, subject to the $250 minimum request. TradeDay aims to process qualifying requests within one business day.

The trade-off is the profit split.

When a Quick Pay Funded Sim account has less than $4,000 in current profit, payouts are split 50/50. The 80/20 split applies when the account has more than $4,000 in profit and the withdrawal leaves more than $4,000 in the account. A withdrawal that crosses the threshold can contain both 50/50 and 80/20 portions.

That makes the headline "day-one payouts" genuine but economically less impressive than it initially sounds.

Quick Pay therefore gives traders a choice: withdraw early at a weaker split or build the account beyond the threshold before taking larger withdrawals.

The headline "day-one payouts" is genuine, but the economics are less attractive while the account remains below the $4,000 threshold.

When Fast Pass is better

Fast Pass offers three material advantages.

First, the evaluation requires only three minimum trading days rather than five.

Second, Fast Pass Funded Sim accounts use an End-of-Day trailing drawdown. That can be materially more forgiving for strategies that experience meaningful intraday equity fluctuations.

Third, Funded Sim profits are split 80/20 rather than starting at 50/50.

The catch is the payout policy.

Fast Pass Funded Sim traders must complete at least five individual profitable trading days before requesting a payout. Accounts opened on or after 26 July 2026 also need to satisfy a 45% consistency objective, meaning one trading day cannot account for more than 45% of total gross profits. Payouts are also capped according to account tier.

So the decision is fairly simple:

Choose Quick Pay if payout flexibility matters most. Choose Fast Pass if EOD drawdown and the 80/20 split matter more than withdrawal flexibility.

How does the TradeDay evaluation work?

TradeDay uses a one-step evaluation built around three objectives and one primary failure rule.

Quick Pay traders need to:

Reach the account's profit target.

Trade for at least five days.

Keep the best trading day at no more than 30% of total profits.

Avoid hitting or exceeding the maximum drawdown.

Fast Pass traders need to reach the same account-specific profit target, satisfy a 45% consistency objective, trade for at least three days and avoid the maximum drawdown.

TradeDay markets this as its "one rule" model because hitting the maximum drawdown is the principal automatic failure condition.

Do not interpret that as permission to ignore everything else.

TradeDay also has guidelines covering permitted products, trading hours and maximum position sizes. Persistent or deliberate abuse of these restrictions can result in an account being closed.

TradeDay account sizes, profit targets and drawdowns

TradeDay currently offers four nominal account sizes:

Account

$25K. Profit target: $1,500. Maximum trailing drawdown: $1,000. Max contracts: 2

Account

$50K. Profit target: $3,000. Maximum trailing drawdown: $2,000. Max contracts: 5

Account

$100K. Profit target: $6,000. Maximum trailing drawdown: $3,000. Max contracts: 10

Account

$150K. Profit target: $9,000. Maximum trailing drawdown: $4,500. Max contracts: 15

Micro-contract limits differ from full-size contract limits. Published pricing also differs according to account size and whether the trader chooses Quick Pay Intraday, Quick Pay EOD or Fast Pass.

TradeDay uses a monthly subscription during the evaluation. Billing stops after the trader passes, while traders who fail can either purchase a reset or wait for their subscription cycle to reset the evaluation.

Promotional prices change frequently, so we would not choose an account based on a temporary discount alone. Check the live TradeDay checkout before purchasing.

The drawdown rule is the part you need to understand

The maximum trailing drawdown is the most important TradeDay rule because hitting or exceeding it can terminate an evaluation or funded account.

Quick Pay evaluation accounts can offer different drawdown models. All Quick Pay Funded Sim accounts use intraday trailing drawdown.

Fast Pass Funded Sim accounts use End-of-Day drawdown.

That difference can determine which plan suits a trading strategy.

A strategy that regularly gives back substantial unrealised gains before recovering may work better with End-of-Day calculations. A scalping strategy with controlled intraday equity movement may be comfortable with an intraday trailing drawdown.

Do not buy a Quick Pay EOD evaluation assuming the same EOD calculation continues after funding. It does not.

How do TradeDay payouts work?

TradeDay payouts depend on whether the account is Quick Pay Funded Sim, Fast Pass Funded Sim or Funded Live. Quick Pay allows withdrawals from positive profit with: TradeDay says payout requests received before its daily cut-off are generally processed within one business day. Fast Pass requires: Funded Live traders keep 90% of their profits. Funded Live also introduces a slippage buffer before withdrawals become available. TradeDay's $50K example starts the live account at $0 with a $1,500 trailing maximum drawdown. The trader must grow the live balance enough to establish the required protected buffer before withdrawing. Funded Live traders should also budget for professional exchange data. TradeDay currently states that professional market data costs $156 per month per exchange. That cost is easy to miss when comparing firms only by evaluation price.

Quick Pay payouts

Quick Pay allows withdrawals from positive profit with:

• a $250 minimum payout request
• no five-day profitable-day requirement
• no funded consistency requirement
• a 50/50 profit split while current profit is below $4,000
• an 80/20 split when the account satisfies TradeDay's above-$4,000 conditions

TradeDay says payout requests received before its daily cut-off are generally processed within one business day.

Profit split against the futures firms TradeDay is shopped against

TradeDay's Quick Pay starts at 50/50 and only reaches 80/20 once the account clears its above-$4,000 conditions. Funded Live pays 90%, but adds a slippage buffer that has to be built before anything can be withdrawn.

Topstep

90%

Take Profit Trader

90%

My Funded Futures

90%

TradeDay, above $4,000 profit

80%

TradeDay, first $4,000 of profit

50%

100500

Fast Pass payouts

Fast Pass requires:

• at least $250 per request
• account balance above the starting balance
• net profit since the previous payout
• five profitable trading days

a 45% consistency requirement for Funded Sim accounts opened from 26 July 2026 an 80/20 Funded Sim profit split account-specific maximum withdrawal limits

Funded Live payouts

Funded Live traders keep 90% of profits.

However, Funded Live introduces a slippage buffer before withdrawals become available. TradeDay's own $50K example starts the live account at $0 with a $1,500 trailing maximum drawdown. The trader must grow the live balance sufficiently to establish the required protected buffer before withdrawing.

Funded Live traders should also budget for professional exchange data. TradeDay currently states that professional market data costs $156 per month per exchange.

That recurring cost is easy to miss when comparing firms purely by evaluation price.

Does TradeDay really move traders to live accounts?

Yes. TradeDay has a stated progression from Funded Sim to Funded Live.

Quick Pay Funded Sim accounts are reviewed when they reach $10,000 in gross profit. TradeDay says most traders who reach that review point will move to Funded Live, although its trading team can extend the Funded Sim stage instead.

There is an important rule at this threshold.

TradeDay says Quick Pay traders should stop trading once they reach the $10,000 review level. Profits earned above the threshold can be removed instead of becoming eligible for payout.

That is a rule worth understanding before it affects your account.

Which trading platforms does TradeDay support?

TradeDay supports a broad futures trading ecosystem.

CQG-compatible choices include:

• Tradovate
• NinjaTrader
• TradingView
• Jigsaw
• Rithmic-compatible platforms include options such as:
• R|Trader Pro
• Quantower
• ATAS
• MotiveWave
• Bookmap
• Sierra Chart
• EdgeProX
• MultiCharts

TradeDay notes that NinjaTrader Desktop is not supported with Rithmic accounts and requires a Tradovate/CQG account instead. Some third-party platforms also require the trader to provide their own licence.

That platform choice is a genuine strength for futures traders already committed to Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView or specialist order-flow software.

What trading strategies are prohibited at TradeDay?

TradeDay permits many standard discretionary strategies, including scalping, but restricts practices it considers abusive or unrealistic in a simulated environment.

Examples include:

Third-party automated systems are another important restriction.

TradeDay allows certain automated trading through supported platforms, but purchased third-party bots and algorithms are prohibited. TradeDay says accounts can be closed when multiple traders appear to be making identical trades from the same third-party system.

TradeDay also restricts VPNs, VPSs and IP-masking software. Traders may be required to trade from their registered location during security checks linked to payouts or Funded Live progression.

Anyone who trades while travelling, runs automation from a server or uses Apple Private Relay should read this policy before buying an evaluation.

TradeDay pros and cons

TradeDay advantages

One-step futures evaluation

Clear maximum-drawdown failure rule

Choice between Quick Pay and Fast Pass

Quick Pay withdrawals can start from positive profit

No Quick Pay Funded Sim consistency requirement

Fast Pass provides EOD Funded Sim drawdown

90/10 profit split in Funded Live

No current activation fee

Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView and multiple specialist futures platforms supported

Published route from simulated funding into genuine live-market trading

More than $10 million in payouts claimed by TradeDay

Strong current Trustpilot rating

TradeDay disadvantages

Quick Pay's 50/50 split on lower Funded Sim profit is expensive

Quick Pay Funded Sim switches to intraday drawdown even if the evaluation used EOD drawdown

Fast Pass requires five profitable days before payouts

New Fast Pass Funded Sim accounts have a 45% consistency requirement

Fast Pass withdrawals have payout caps

Futures only

No overnight holding

Monthly evaluation subscription

Restrictions on third-party bots, VPNs, VPSs and some scalping styles

Professional market data becomes an additional cost on Funded Live accounts

Losing a Funded Live account triggers a three-month cooling-off period before becoming eligible to apply for new evaluations

Who should use TradeDay?

TradeDay makes the most sense for disciplined futures day traders who understand trailing drawdown and want a credible route from evaluation to real capital.

Quick Pay is particularly attractive if you want the ability to extract profit quickly and do not want a funded consistency rule.

Fast Pass is more suitable if your strategy benefits from End-of-Day drawdown and you would rather accept more structured withdrawals in exchange for an 80/20 Funded Sim split.

TradeDay is less attractive for:

• overnight or swing futures traders
• forex, CFD, stock or crypto traders
• traders relying on third-party automated systems
• traders who regularly use a VPS
• highly inconsistent "home run" trading styles
• traders who dislike trailing drawdown

anyone primarily choosing a prop firm based on the largest advertised account balance

The last point matters. A "$150K account" is not the useful number for comparing prop firms. The actual economic variables are the $4,500 drawdown, $9,000 profit target, contract limits, payout conditions and profit split.

Those numbers determine what you can actually do with the account.

Can traders outside the United States use TradeDay?

International traders can use TradeDay, but not every nationality or jurisdiction is eligible.

TradeDay's prohibited-country list applies to citizenship and residence. Germany and parts of Canada currently have additional restrictions on progression to Funded Live, although eligible traders in those jurisdictions may remain in Funded Sim.

Check the latest country policy before purchasing. Broker, clearing and compliance restrictions can change separately from the evaluation rules.

Is TradeDay good for beginners?

TradeDay has a relatively understandable rule structure, but futures trading is not beginner-friendly.

The company provides educational material and trading resources. The evaluation is still difficult. TradeDay reported that only 36% of evaluations passed between January and June 2026.

A beginner who does not understand futures contract sizing, trailing drawdown and risk management should practise in simulation before repeatedly paying evaluation and reset fees.

Does TradeDay have a daily loss limit?

TradeDay's main account-ending risk rule is the maximum trailing drawdown rather than a conventional separate daily loss limit.

That is one reason the programme can feel simpler than some competing evaluations. Contract limits, trading hours, permitted products and prohibited practices still apply.

How fast does TradeDay pay?

TradeDay says qualifying withdrawal requests are normally processed within one business day.

Quick Pay can become payout-eligible from positive profit, subject to the minimum withdrawal requirement. Fast Pass requires five profitable days and its other payout conditions before a withdrawal can be requested.

TradeDay review: final verdict

TradeDay is worth considering in 2026, particularly for futures day traders who value simple evaluation rules, fast payout access and a defined progression towards live-funded trading.

Our preferred route for most traders is Quick Pay, but not because it is universally cheaper or easier. Its advantage is flexibility after funding. There is no five-profitable-day payout gate and no funded consistency requirement.

The weakness is equally clear: taking money out while current profit remains below TradeDay's $4,000 threshold means giving up 50% of that payout.

Fast Pass reverses that trade-off. You get an 80/20 Funded Sim split and End-of-Day drawdown, but you accept five profitable-day requirements, consistency rules and payout caps.

So the real TradeDay decision is not:

"Is TradeDay legit?"

Current evidence suggests it is an established operating futures prop firm.

The useful question is:

"Do TradeDay's drawdown and payout mechanics suit the way I actually trade?"

If the answer is yes, TradeDay belongs on the shortlist. If your strategy depends on overnight positions, third-party bots, VPS execution or highly concentrated profit days, there are better-fitting prop firm structures to consider.