Compare our step-based Challenges that lead to a Funded Account
These programs are designed for traders who want to pass one or more evaluation stages and reach a funded account, where real payouts are earned through Funded trading.
Parameter | Ash Half step | Thunderbolt 1 step | Phoenix | Astral 3 step | Obsidian 4 step | Eon 5 step |
Program Type | Half step Challenge | 1-Phase Challenge | 2-Phase Challenge | 3-Phase Challenge | 4-Phase Challenge | 5-Phase Challenge |
Profit Target | 2% (1 Phase) | 6% (1 Phase) | 3% → 5% | 3% → 3% → 4% | 2% → 2% → 3% → 3% | 2% → 2% → 2% → 2% → 2% |
Maximum Daily Loss | 5% | 6% | 4% | 6% | 6% | 6% |
Maximum Overall Loss | 5% (Trailing) | 6% (Trailing) | 10% (Static) | 6% (Static) | 6% (Static) | 6% (Static) |
Max Single Trade Loss | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Minimum Trading Days | 1 | 2 | 3 / 3 | 3 / 3 / 3 | 2 / 2 / 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 / 2 / 2 / 2 |
Time Limit | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% |
Payout | 12 hours | 12 hours | 12 hours | 12 hours | 12 hours | 12 hours |
Leverage | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:100 |
Weekend Holding | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
News Trading | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
Funded up to | $1 Million | $1 Million | $1 Million | $1 Million | $1 Million | $1 Million |
The Vanguard Instant Funding Program and the Breakout Reward Challenge are listed separately below this comparison.
Parameter | Vanguard | Breakout 3-Step |
Program Type | Instant Funding | 3-Phase Reward Challenge |
Profit Target | None | 4% → 3% → 2% |
Maximum Daily Loss | 4% | 3% → 2% → 1% |
Maximum Overall Loss | 5% (Trailing) | 4% → 3% → 1,5% (trailing) |
Max Single Trade Loss | 2% | 3% → 2% → 1% |
Minimum Trading Days | 3 (For first payout) | 2 / 4 / 7 |
Time Limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Profit Split (Funded) | 99% | $10k Fixed Reward |
Payout | 12 hours | 12 hours |
Leverage | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:100 |
Weekend Holding | Allowed | Allowed |
News Trading | Allowed | Allowed |
Funded up to | $300k | $10k Fixed Reward |
Vanguard (Instant Funding)
Vanguard skips all challenge phases — traders get immediate access to a funded account and can start earning real profit shares from day one. No profit target, no evaluation, just live trading under real conditions.
Breakout (3-Step Reward Challenge)
Breakout is not a funding program — it doesn't lead to a funded account. Instead, successful completion of all three phases results in a fixed cash prize payout, not profit split. It's a performance-based challenge with reward at the end, not ongoing trading capital.
Ash Half-Step Challenge
Ash is the lightest entry into our evaluation ecosystem – a “half-step” challenge for traders who want to test the waters with a very low target and soft risk profile.
You only need to complete a single stage with a small profit objective before moving on to the funded account.
Key parameters
Program Type: Half-Step Challenge (single phase)
Profit Target: 2%
Maximum Daily Loss: 5%
Maximum Overall Loss: 5% (Trailing Dynamic Risk Shield™)
Max Single Trade Loss (Funded): 3%
Minimum Trading Days: 1
Time Limit: Unlimited
Profit Split (Funded): 99%
Payout Processing: Within 12 hours
Leverage: Up to 1:100
Weekend Holding: Allowed
News Trading: Allowed
Funded up to: $1 Million
Perfect as an easy on-ramp for traders who want to get used to our rules with a very achievable first goal.
Thunderbolt Challenge (1-Phase)
The Thunderbolt Challenge is our fastest and most dynamic program.
It consists of only one phase, allowing traders to get funded in as little as two days.
Key parameters:
Program Type: 1-Phase Challenge
Profit Target: Single target in one phase (hit it once to pass)
Maximum Daily Loss: 6%
Maximum Overall Loss: 6% (Trailing Dynamic Risk Shield™)
Max Single Trade Loss (Funded): 3%
Minimum Trading Days: 2
Time Limit: Unlimited
Profit Split (Funded): Up to 99%
Payout Processing: Within 12 hours
Leverage: Up to 1:100
Weekend Holding: Allowed
News Trading: Allowed
Funded up to: $1 Million
This program is ideal for traders who prefer aggressive trading strategies and want to skip the multi-phase evaluation process.
Phoenix Challenge (2-Phase)
The Phoenix Challenge is the golden standard at Upcomers — balancing risk, realism, and growth potential.
It includes two evaluation phases, each with its own objectives.
Phase 1
Profit Target: Initial profit target for the challenge
Maximum Daily Loss: 4%
Maximum Overall Loss: 10% (Static)
Minimum Trading Days: 3
Phase 2
Profit Target: 5%
Maximum Daily Loss: 4%
Maximum Overall Loss: 10% (Static)
Minimum Trading Days: 3
Time Limit: Unlimited
Profit Split: 99%
Perfect for traders who value a structured process and long-term risk management.
Astral Challenge (3-Phase)
The Astral Challenge is the most advanced program, designed for traders who prefer a gradual and consistent evaluation.
It focuses on building a proven record of stable performance across three stages.
Phase 1
Profit Target: 3%
Maximum Daily Loss: 6%
Maximum Overall Loss: 6% (Static)
Minimum Trading Days: 3
Phase 2
Profit Target: 3%
Maximum Daily Loss: 6%
Maximum Overall Loss: 6% (Static)
Minimum Trading Days: 3
Phase 3
Profit Target: 4%
Maximum Daily Loss: 6%
Maximum Overall Loss: 6% (Static)
Minimum Trading Days: 3
Time Limit: Unlimited
Profit Split: 99%
This program is best suited for traders who prefer a conservative and long-term approach with a focus on discipline and consistency.
Vanguard Program (Instant Funding)
The Vanguard Program offers instant access to a funded account — no evaluation required.
You start directly with virtual capital and earn real profit shares from day one.
Key parameters:
Program Type: Instant Funding
Profit Target: None
Maximum Daily Loss: 4%
Maximum Overall Loss: 5% (Trailing Dynamic Risk Shield™)
Max Single Trade Loss: 2%
Minimum Trading Days for First Payout: 3
Time Limit: Unlimited
Profit Split: 99%
Payout Processing: Within 12 hours
Leverage: Up to 1:100
Weekend Holding: Allowed
News Trading: Allowed
Funded up to: $300k
Ideal for experienced traders who want to start trading immediately without going through any challenge phases.
Obsidian Challenge (4-Phase)
The Obsidian Challenge is our endurance-focused evaluation pathway designed for traders who want to prove consistency over a longer progression.
Each phase uses the same risk parameters, and the profit targets rise slightly in the later stages, giving you a controlled but meaningful climb toward the funded stage.
Phases 1–4
Profit Targets: 2% → 2% → 3% → 3%
Maximum Daily Loss: 6%
Maximum Overall Loss: 6% (Static)
Max Single Trade Loss (Funded): 3%
Minimum Trading Days: 2 / 2 / 2 / 2
Funded phase & general conditions
Time Limit: Unlimited
Profit Split (Funded): 99%
Payout Processing: Within 12 hours
Leverage: Up to 1:100
Weekend Holding: Allowed
News Trading: Allowed
Funded up to: $1 Million
Obsidian is ideal for traders who prefer a stepped, disciplined approach with controlled profit targets and long-term consistency across multiple stages.
Eon Challenge (5-Phase)
The Eon Challenge is the most progressive and endurance-focused evaluation in our lineup.
It splits the journey into five identical steps with small targets and tight but stable risk parameters.
If you are confident in your long-term edge and patience, Eon lets you prove it across multiple phases.
Phases 1–5
Each phase uses the same objectives:
Profit Target: 2% per phase
Maximum Daily Loss: 6%
Maximum Overall Loss: 6% (Static)
Minimum Trading Days: 2 per phase
Funded phase & general conditions
Time Limit: Unlimited
Profit Split (Funded): 99%
Max Single Trade Loss (Funded): 3%
Payout Processing: Within 12 hours
Leverage: Up to 1:100
Weekend Holding: Allowed
News Trading: Allowed
Funded up to: $1 Million
Eon is built for traders who see trading as a marathon, not a sprint, and want the most thorough proof of consistency.
Breakout Challenge (3-Step Reward)
Breakout is a unique 3-step reward challenge with a fixed cash prize instead of a classic profit split.
Traders complete three phases with gradually decreasing targets and risk limits, and successful completion unlocks a $10,000 fixed reward.
Phase 1
Profit Target: 4%
Maximum Daily Loss: 3%
Maximum Overall Loss: 4%
Max Single Trade Loss: 3%
Minimum Trading Days: 2
Phase 2
Profit Target: 3%
Maximum Daily Loss: 2%
Maximum Overall Loss: 3%
Max Single Trade Loss: 2%
Minimum Trading Days: 4
Phase 3
Profit Target: 2%
Maximum Daily Loss: 1%
Maximum Overall Loss: 1.5% (Trailing Dynamic Risk Shield™)
Max Single Trade Loss: 1%
Minimum Trading Days: 7
General conditions
Time Limit: Unlimited
Reward: $10,000 fixed payout after successful completion of all three phases
Payout Processing: Within 12 hours after approval
Leverage: Up to 1:100
Weekend Holding: Allowed
News Trading: Allowed
Breakout is made for traders who enjoy structured challenges and want a clear, predefined cash reward at the finish line instead of a traditional funded account.