Proprietary trading firms (prop firms) have grown in popularity, offering traders the opportunity to manage capital without personal financial risk. Upside Funding is a new entrant in the industry, founded by two former Citigroup Managing Directors with over 60 years of combined trading experience. The firm claims to differentiate itself through direct CEO mentorship, flexible trading rules, and career opportunities with salaries up to $350K per year.
But how does Upside Funding compare to established firms like FTMO and The 5%ers? Is it a reliable choice for traders, or just another short-lived prop firm? In this detailed review, we analyze Upside Funding’s model, funding process, trading conditions, and overall legitimacy to help traders decide if it’s the right fit.
Quick Ratings: Upside Funding
| Category | Rating |
| Profit Split | 90% |
| Maximum Funding | $1.5M |
| Platforms | cTrader |
| Payout Speed | Within 24 hours |
| Leverage | 1:30 – 1:100 |
Who is Upside Funding For?
Upside Funding is best suited for traders who:
✅ Want direct mentorship from industry professionals – Unlike most prop firms, Upside Funding provides 1:1 coaching with the CEO and senior traders.
✅ Prefer trader friendly trading conditions – The firm allows news trading, weekend holding, and the use of EAs/bots, making it attractive to different trading styles.
✅ Are looking for career growth in proprietary trading – Top-performing traders can qualify for a full-time salaried position with Upside Funding, earning up to $350K per year.
✅ Want higher funding limits – Traders can scale their accounts up to $1.5M, surpassing many competitors in the industry.
What is Upside Funding?
Upside Funding is a proprietary trading firm that provides traders with access to firm-backed capital in exchange for a share of their profits. Unlike a traditional brokerage, Upside Funding does not offer retail trading accounts or brokerage services. Instead, traders must pass a structured evaluation to qualify for a funded account, where they can trade without risking their own money.
Company Background
Upside Funding was founded in 2024 by two former Citigroup Managing Directors, bringing over 60 years of combined trading experience into the proprietary trading space. The firm aims to bridge the gap between retail and institutional trading by providing direct mentorship from experienced professionals alongside funding opportunities.
- Headquarters: Hong Kong
- Regulatory Status: Proprietary trading firms like Upside Funding operate outside traditional financial regulations for brokers but must comply with business laws in their jurisdiction.
- Global Operations: Upside Funding accepts traders worldwide, except from restricted regions.
How Upside Funding Works
To become a funded trader with Upside Funding, participants must complete a two-step evaluation process that assesses their risk management, profitability, and consistency. Once traders meet the criteria, they receive a funded account with up to $300,000 in initial capital, which can scale up to $1.5 million over time.
Traders earn a profit split of up to 90%, meaning they keep the majority of their earnings while the firm takes a smaller percentage as compensation for providing capital.
Key Features of Upside Funding
Upside Funding differentiates itself from competitors with the following benefits:
✅ High Profit Split – Traders can keep up to 90% of their profits, one of the most competitive rates in the industry.
✅ No Time Limits for the Evaluation – Unlike many prop firms that impose deadlines to complete the challenge, Upside Funding allows traders to move at their own pace.
✅ No Consistency Rules – Traders are not required to maintain a specific trading frequency or strategy. Trade at your own pace with full flexibility.
✅ Flexible Trading Rules – Traders can use Expert Advisors (EAs), trade news events, and hold positions over weekends, which many prop firms restrict.
✅ Scaling Plan Up to $1.5M – Traders who maintain consistent profitability can increase their capital allocation to $1.5 million without additional fees or challenges.
By combining capital funding, flexible trading conditions, and mentorship from seasoned professionals, Upside Funding positions itself as an alternative to traditional prop firms that focus solely on funding without trader development.
Upside Funding Account Types & Fees
Upside Funding offers multiple account sizes to accommodate traders of different experience levels and risk tolerances. The evaluation process follows a two-step challenge where traders must meet profit targets while adhering to risk management rules.
Account Options & Fees
Below is a breakdown of the available account sizes, associated fees, and trading conditions:
| Account Size | Fee ($) | Profit Target | Max Drawdown | Daily Drawdown |
| $10,000 | $150 | 9% | 9% | 3% |
| $25,000 | $250 | 9% | 9% | 3% |
| $50,000 | $350 | 9% | 9% | 3% |
| $100,000 | $550 | 9% | 9% | 3% |
| $200,000 | $1,080 | 9% | 9% | 3% |
Key Features of Upside Funding Accounts
🔹 Refundable Evaluation Fees – If a trader successfully completes the challenge and passes the verification phase, the initial fee is fully refunded after their second payout.
🔹 No Hidden Costs – Upside Funding maintains transparent pricing, meaning there are no recurring fees, platform fees, or unexpected charges. Traders only pay once for the evaluation.
🔹 Fixed Drawdown Rules – The firm applies a static drawdown structure (9% total and 3% daily), which does not trail profits, allowing traders to preserve their capital cushion even as they scale.
🔹 Flexible Time Limit – Unlike some prop firms that impose a strict deadline, Upside Funding allows traders to complete the challenge at their own pace without pressure.
The firm’s straightforward fee structure and transparent evaluation model make it an attractive option for traders looking for capital funding with fair and predictable trading rules.
Evaluation Process: How to Get Funded
Upside Funding follows a two-step evaluation process to identify skilled traders who can responsibly manage firm capital. This structure ensures that traders can prove their profitability without time constraints while adhering to risk management guidelines.
Step 1: The Challenge Phase (Profit Target: 9%)
In the first step, traders must achieve a 9% profit target while maintaining risk discipline.
✅ No Time Limits – Unlike other prop firms, there’s no pressure to complete the challenge within a set timeframe. Traders can move at their own pace.
✅ Risk Limits – Traders must adhere to a 3% daily drawdown and a 9% maximum drawdown.
✅ Flexible Trading Rules – Expert Advisors (EAs), news trading, and weekend holding are allowed.
Step 2: Verification Phase (Profit Target: 5%)
After completing the first step, traders must pass a verification stage with a lower 5% profit target while following the same risk management rules.
✅ Same Risk Parameters – Traders retain the 3% daily and 9% maximum drawdown limits.
✅ No New Restrictions – Unlike other firms that add additional constraints, Upside Funding keeps the conditions unchanged.
Final Step: Become a Funded Trader
Once traders pass both phases, they receive a funded account and can start trading real capital.
🎯 Scale up to $1.5M – Traders can increase their capital allocation based on performance.
🎯 90% Profit Split – Keep the majority of earnings with fast payouts.
🎯 No Forced Withdrawals – Unlike some prop firms, traders aren’t required to withdraw profits frequently, allowing them to compound earnings.
Challenge Rules at a Glance
| Step | Profit Target | Max Drawdown | Daily Loss Limit | Time Limit? |
| Challenge | 9% | 9% | 3% | ❌ No |
| Verification | 5% | 9% | 3% | ❌ No |
| Funded Account | No Target | 9% | 3% | ✅ 30-day inactivity rule |
This structured yet flexible evaluation model allows traders to prove their skills without unnecessary time constraints while maintaining risk discipline.
Trading Conditions & Platforms
Upside Funding provides flexible trading conditions that cater to various trading styles, including news traders, algorithmic traders, and swing traders. The firm does not impose unnecessary restrictions, allowing traders to operate under realistic market conditions.
Leverage & Risk Parameters
Traders at Upside Funding benefit from competitive leverage, which varies by asset class:
📌 Forex – Up to 1:100
📌 Indices & Commodities – Up to 1:10
📌 Crypto – Up to 1:2
This structure allows traders to scale their positions while maintaining risk management discipline.
Trading Rules & Allowed Strategies
Upside Funding offers one of the most flexible trading environments among proprietary trading firms.
✅ No Consistency Rules – Traders are not required to follow a strict trading pattern or maintain a certain frequency of trades. You can trade at your own pace.
✅ News Trading Allowed – Traders can hold or open positions during high-impact news events without restrictions.
✅ Weekend Holding Allowed – Swing traders and long-term traders can keep positions open over the weekend.
✅ No Stop-Loss Required – Unlike some firms that require a mandatory stop-loss, traders have full discretion over their risk management.
✅ EAs & Bots Allowed – Automated trading strategies are permitted, including Expert Advisors (EAs) and algorithmic trading.
Trading Platforms
Traders can execute their trades using the following platforms:
📌 cTrader – A popular platform known for its fast execution speeds, advanced charting, and algorithmic trading capabilities.
Broker & Liquidity Provider
Upside Funding partners with Purple Trading, a well-established broker, ensuring that traders get access to deep liquidity and institutional-grade trading conditions.
Markets Offered
Traders at Upside Funding can access multiple asset classes, including:
📌 Forex – Major, minor, and exotic currency pairs.
📌 Indices – Trade global indices such as S&P 500, NASDAQ, and DAX.
📌 Commodities – Includes gold, oil, and other metals & energies.
📌 Crypto – Trade major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more.
With high leverage, flexible trading rules, and access to global markets, Upside Funding provides traders with an optimal environment to execute their strategies effectively.
Payouts & Profit Splits
Upside Funding provides a fast and transparent payout system, ensuring that traders receive their earnings quickly and without hidden fees. The firm offers one of the most competitive profit splits in the industry, with the potential to scale both capital and earnings over time.
How Payouts Work
Upside Funding follows a biweekly payout schedule, meaning traders can withdraw their profits every 14 days. The withdrawal process is designed to be fast and efficient, with payouts processed within 24 hours after approval.
| Profit Split | First Payout Minimum | Withdrawal Frequency | Processing Time |
| 80% – 90% | $100 | Every 14 Days | Within 24 Hours |
Key Highlights
✅ Fast 24-hour payouts – Once a withdrawal request is approved, funds are processed within 24 hours.
✅ No minimum withdrawal after first payout – Traders can withdraw any amount once their first payout is completed.
✅ No payout fees – Upside Funding does not charge withdrawal fees, ensuring traders receive 100% of their earnings.
Scaling Plan: Increase Capital as You Grow
Traders who demonstrate consistent profitability can increase their trading capital through Upside Funding’s scaling plan.
📌 Scaling Milestone: If a trader achieves a 10% profit over a 3-month period, their account balance increases by 25%.
📌 No extra fees or new challenges – Traders automatically qualify for scaling if they meet the criteria.
📌 Maximum Scaling Potential: Accounts can grow up to $1.5M in funding under the scaling program.
Upside Funding’s flexible profit-sharing model, fast payouts, and scaling incentives make it an attractive option for traders looking to maximize their earnings while managing firm capital.
Upside Funding vs. FTMO: Which is Better?
When comparing Upside Funding and FTMO, both firms provide funded trading opportunities, but they differ in evaluation rules, trading flexibility, and career advancement opportunities. A key similarity between both firms is their pathway to full-time professional trading, offering traders more than just capital – a career.
Key Similarity: Career Growth Opportunities
Both firms provide traders with a path beyond traditional prop trading:
- FTMO’s Quantlane Program
- FTMO offers Quantlane, a career pathway for high-performing traders, providing access to advanced capital and institutional-level trading opportunities.
- This program allows skilled traders to transition into a full-time professional trading role.
- Upside Funding’s Remote Trader Program
- Upside Funding goes one step further by offering full-time employment for top traders.
- Traders who consistently perform well can earn a salary of up to $350,000 per year while trading firm capital.
- This program provides financial stability, unlike traditional prop firms where income depends solely on profit splits.
Comparison Table: Upside Funding vs. FTMO
| Feature | Upside Funding | FTMO |
| Profit Split | ✅ 90% | ✅ 80-90% |
| Max Funding | ✅ $1.5M | ✅ $2M (after scaling) |
| Evaluation Time Limit? | ❌ No time limits | ✅ Yes (30-60 days per phase) |
| Challenge Cost | ✅ Lower costs | ❌ Higher costs |
| Scaling Program | ✅ Yes (25% increase per 3 months) | ✅ Yes |
| Allowed Trading Styles | ✅ No restrictions (Bots, News Trading, Weekend Holding allowed) | ❌ Some restrictions (News Trading, Weekend Holding, EAs restricted for some accounts) |
| Consistency Rule? | ❌ No consistency rules | ✅ Yes, required for scaling & verification |
| Full-Time Career Path | ✅ Remote Trader Program (Salary up to $350K) | ✅ Quantlane for professional traders |
Who Wins?
✅ FTMO: Best for Long-Term Scaling & Institutional Trading
FTMO’s Quantlane program makes it a strong choice for traders who want to progress into institutional trading, and their $2M scaling program offers more capital growth potential.
✅ Upside Funding: Best for Flexible Trading & Full-Time Job Security
Upside Funding is more trader-friendly, with no time limits, no consistency rules, lower challenge fees, and a career pathway with a guaranteed salary for top traders. This is a major advantage for traders who want financial stability along with capital backing.
Final Verdict
📌 FTMO wins for traders focused on long-term scalability and institutional career paths.
📌 Upside Funding is the better choice for traders who value trading freedom, lower costs, and the opportunity to earn a full-time salary.
Pros & Cons of Upside Funding
Like any proprietary trading firm, Upside Funding has its strengths and limitations. Below is a balanced look at what traders can expect.
✅ Pros of Upside Funding
✔ High Profit Split (90%)
Upside Funding offers one of the highest profit splits in the industry, allowing traders to keep up to 90% of their profits.
✔ Flexible Trading Rules
Unlike many competitors, Upside Funding allows:
- News Trading
- Weekend Holding
- Expert Advisors (EAs) & Bots
- No mandatory stop-loss requirements
- No consistency rules
✔ No Time Limits
Traders can complete the evaluation at their own pace without the stress of deadlines. This is a major advantage compared to firms like FTMO, which enforce 30-60 day time limits.
✔ Fast Payouts (24 Hours)
Traders can withdraw profits every 14 days, with payouts processed within 24 hours. There are no hidden fees on withdrawals.
✔ Lower Fees Compared to Competitors
The evaluation fees are lower than many competitors, making it more affordable to get started. Plus, fees are refunded if a trader passes the evaluation.
❌ Cons of Upside Funding
❌ Newer Company (Less Brand Recognition)
Upside Funding is newer than established firms like FTMO or The 5%ers. While founded by experienced professionals, it has less history in the industry.
❌ Not Available for US Traders
Due to regulatory restrictions, Upside Funding does not accept traders from the United States.
Final Verdict & Should You Join
Is Upside Funding the Right Prop Firm for You?
Upside Funding is a strong choice for traders who prioritize profitability, flexibility, and fast payouts. While it’s a newer player in the industry, its high profit splits, trader-friendly rules, and mentorship-driven approach make it a compelling option.
Upside Funding is Best for Traders Who Want…
✅ A high profit split (90%) – Keep more of your profits compared to many competitors.
✅ No time limits on the challenge – Trade at your own pace without pressure.
✅ Freedom to use any strategy – News trading, bots, and EAs are fully allowed.
✅ Fast payouts within 24 hours – Withdrawals are processed quickly, with no hidden fees.
✅ A growing prop firm with fair rules – Backed by experienced institutional traders.
Our Final Score: 8.5/10
“Upside Funding is a great alternative to FTMO for traders who want high flexibility, fast payouts, and lower fees.”
💰 Ready to Get Funded? Start Your Upside Funding Challenge Today!
🔗 Sign Up for Upside Funding
The Upside Funding Review Overall
Upside Funding offers a strong alternative to established prop firms, providing a high profit split, flexible trading conditions, and fast payouts. The absence of time limits and access to career growth opportunities make it appealing. However, as a newer firm, it lacks the track record of industry leaders.
Pros
- High profit split (up to 90%)
- Fast payouts processed within 24 hours
- No time limits on the evaluation
- Career opportunities with salaries up to $350K
- Allows news trading, weekend holding, and EAs
Cons
- Newer firm with a shorter track record
- Not available for U.S. traders
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