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A $99 challenge sounds cheaper than a $499 one, but that comparison tells you almost nothing. The accounts may be different sizes, one may be a monthly subscription, and one may refund its fee when you get paid. To compare fairly, you need a common unit. The simplest one is cost per $1,000 of funding.
The basic formula
Cost per $1,000 = price you pay ÷ (account size ÷ 1,000)
A few quick examples:
- $100,000 account for $500: $500 ÷ 100 = $5.00 per $1,000
- $25,000 account for $200: $200 ÷ 25 = $8.00 per $1,000
- $10,000 account for $99: $99 ÷ 10 = $9.90 per $1,000
The cheapest sticker price here is actually the most expensive per dollar of funding. Larger accounts often work out cheaper per $1,000, although the bigger account does not help you if its rules do not suit your trading.
You can run your own numbers with the cost per $1K calculator.
Comparing very different offers
Here is how four made-up offers compare once you use the same unit. All figures are hypothetical and only for illustration.
| Hypothetical offer | Account size | Listed price | Price after discount | Cost per $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A: two-step forex | $100,000 | $540 | $432 (20% off) | $4.32 |
| B: one-step forex | $50,000 | $350 | $315 (10% off) | $6.30 |
| C: crypto evaluation | $25,000 | $250 | $250 (no code) | $10.00 |
| D: futures subscription | $50,000 | $165 per month + $130 activation | $82.50 first month (50% off) | $4.25 if passed in month one |
On paper, A and D look similar. But D's figure only holds if you pass in the first month, which leads to the next point.
Subscriptions, resets and activation fees
Many futures evaluations are billed monthly until you pass, and some add an activation fee when you move to the funded stage. That makes time a cost.
Using offer D from the table:
| Months to pass | Subscription paid | Activation | Total | Cost per $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $82.50 | $130 | $212.50 | $4.25 |
| 2 | $247.50 | $130 | $377.50 | $7.55 |
| 3 | $412.50 | $130 | $542.50 | $10.85 |
A deal that looks cheapest in month one can become one of the most expensive by month three.
Resets work in a similar way. Many firms let you reset a failed or stalled account for less than the price of a new one. That is useful, but each reset adds to your total cost. Include them honestly.
Also look for smaller recurring charges, such as market data or platform fees on some futures accounts, and fold them into the total.
Discount codes
Discounts are common in this industry, and percentages of 10% to 30% are not unusual during promotions. A few tips:
- Compare after the discount. A bigger discount on a pricier account can still cost more per $1,000.
- Check what the code applies to. Some codes cover only the first month of a subscription, not every month.
- Check refund terms. Some firms refund only what you actually paid, so a discounted challenge means a smaller refund later.
The deals page collects current codes so you can compare the real price, not the list price.
Fee refunds on first payout
Many firms refund the challenge fee with your first payout. That changes the math, but only in one scenario.
Take offer A at $432:
- If you fail: you are out $432. The refund never arrives.
- If you pass and get paid: the $432 comes back, so the account effectively cost you nothing beyond the time spent.
A refund is a nice bonus, not a reason to buy. It is worth something only if you reach a payout, so do not let it make a challenge seem free.
Estimating your realistic cost
The most honest number includes the attempts you are likely to need. Be candid about your own record here.
If you realistically expect to need three attempts at offer A:
- 3 × $432 = $1,296
- $1,296 ÷ 100 = $12.96 per $1,000
That is three times the headline figure. It is still a useful comparison, as long as you apply the same assumption to every offer you are considering.
A simple process:
- Convert every offer to cost per $1,000 after discounts.
- Add activation fees, recurring charges and likely resets.
- Multiply by the number of attempts you realistically expect.
- Note which offers refund the fee, as a bonus rather than a discount.
- Check that the rules actually suit how you trade.
Key takeaway: Compare challenges on cost per $1,000 of funding after discounts, including subscriptions, activation fees, resets and the number of attempts you realistically need, not on the headline price.
Price is only one factor. Drawdown type, payout terms and trading rules often matter more, so use the compare page to look at the full picture. Prices and promotions change frequently, so always check a firm's current pricing before you buy.