What Is a One Step Prop Firm?
A one step prop firm offers traders an opportunity to secure a funded account by passing a single evaluation process instead of multiple challenging stages. Unlike traditional multi-step evaluations that can take weeks or months to complete, the one step evaluation process provides a simplified pathway for aspiring traders to prove their trading skills and secure funding quickly
With a one step evaluation program, prop trading firms assess your ability to meet specific profit targets and manage risks effectively in a single phase. This streamlined approach eliminates unnecessary hurdles, allowing successful traders to start trading with significant capital as soon as they demonstrate their trading prowess.
For many traders, especially those with established trading strategies and solid risk management practices, this efficiency can dramatically accelerate their trading journey and maximize their trading potential.
Comparing the Best One Step Prop Firms in 2025
When choosing a one step prop firm, it's essential to evaluate several factors, including funding programs, profit split percentages, maximum drawdown limits, and trading restrictions. Let's compare some of the top prop firms offering one step evaluation programs:
TopTier Trader's 1 Phase Challenge
TopTier Trader has established itself among the best prop trading firms with their streamlined 1 Phase Challenge:
- Profit Target: 10% with no time limit
- Maximum Drawdown: 3% daily and 6% maximum trailing drawdown
- Minimum Trading Days: Only 3 trading days required
- Trading Flexibility: News trading allowed during challenge phase
- Account Scaling: Up to $400,000 in trading capital
- Profit Split: 80% standard (up to 90% with add-ons)
- First Payout: 14 days after first trade
- Leverage: 1:30 standard (up to 1:60 with add-ons)
Other Leading One Step Prop Firms
Funded Next Express Model
- Profit Target: 25% with no specific time limit
- Maximum Drawdown: Varies by account size
- Trading Freedom: Weekend holdings allowed
- Profit Split: Up to 90% for experienced traders
- Unique Feature: High profit target but greater reward potential
SurgeTrader One Step Evaluation
- Profit Target: 10% with no time limit
- Maximum Drawdown: 4% daily and 8% maximum
- Minimum Trading Days: No minimum requirement
- Profit Split: Up to 90%
- Unique Feature: Rapid funding after evaluation approval
Why TopTier Trader Offers the Best One Step Evaluation Process
While each of these proprietary trading firms offers valuable one step evaluation programs, TopTier Trader stands out in several key areas:
1. Balanced Risk-Reward Ratio
TopTier Trader's 1 Phase Challenge provides an optimal balance between achievable profit targets and reasonable drawdown limits. The 10% profit target is attainable for skilled traders, while the 6% maximum drawdown offers sufficient protection against market volatility.
2. Account Size Options
TopTier Trader's 1 Phase Challenge offers various account sizes to match your experience and trading style:
- $5,000
- $10,000
- $25,000
- $50,000
- $100,000
This range allows both new and experienced traders to find a comfortable starting point with clear paths for scaling.
3. Trading Style Flexibility
Unlike some prop firms that restrict trading styles, TopTier Trader allows:
- News trading during the challenge phase:
- Weekend position holding:
- Various trading strategies from day trading to swing trading:
- Multiple financial markets including forex, indices, commodities, and more:
This flexibility enables traders to apply their unique trading strategies without artificial limitations.
4. Transparent Rules and Supportive Environment
TopTier Trader provides:
- Clear, transparent rules with no hidden requirements:
- A comprehensive knowledge base for traders:
- Responsive support team:
- Active trading community with over 15,000 funded traders:
This supportive environment helps traders maximize their chances of success.
The Simple Path to Funding with One Step Prop Firms
The appeal of one step evaluation prop firms lies in their straightforward process. Here's how the typical journey works with top firms like TopTier Trader:
1. Choose Your Challenge Size
Select an account size that matches your trading goals, experience level, and available capital for the evaluation fee. Whether you're starting small or ready to manage substantial capital, most firms offer options ranging from $5,000 to $200,000.
2. Complete the One Step Evaluation
The simplified evaluation process typically requires you to:
- Achieve a specific profit target (8-25% depending on the firm)
- Trade for a minimum number of trading days (0-5 days varies by firm)
- Maintain proper risk management within maximum drawdown limits
- Follow any trading objectives or restrictions set by the prop firm
3. Get Funded and Start Earning
Once you successfully pass the evaluation, you'll receive access to a funded account where you can:
- Trade with the prop firm's capital
- Keep a significant portion of your profits (typically 50-90%)
- Request regular payouts (frequency varies by firm)
- Scale your account with consistent performance
- Apply your trading strategy in a supportive environment
This streamlined process is what makes one step prop firms increasingly popular among traders seeking to leverage their trading skills without risking substantial personal capital.
Why Traders Choose One Step Prop Firms
The one step evaluation model offers several advantages over traditional multi-step prop firm challenges:
1. Speed to Funding
With just one phase to complete, traders can potentially secure funding within days rather than weeks or months with multi-step evaluations. This quick turnaround means you can start trading with significant capital and earning real profits sooner.
2. Simplified Trading Objectives
A single evaluation phase with straightforward profit targets simplifies your focus. Instead of navigating changing rules between phases, you can concentrate on executing your trading strategy effectively in a simulated account environment.
3. Less Psychological Pressure
The one step model often provides more breathing room with realistic drawdown limits and profit targets, allowing you to trade more naturally without excessive restrictions. Without the pressure of progressing through multiple stages, many traders find they can better apply their trading skills.
4. Lower Overall Cost
Rather than paying for multiple evaluation phases, one step prop firms typically charge a single fee, making the path to funded trading more cost-effective. Many firms, including TopTier Trader, refund this fee upon your first profit withdrawal.
5. Faster Return on Investment
The shortened evaluation period means successful traders can begin earning from their profit split much sooner, creating a faster return on their evaluation investment.
Expert Tips for Passing Any One Step Prop Firm Evaluation
To maximize your chances of success with one step evaluations at firms like TopTier Trader, consider these proven strategies from successful traders:
1. Understand Each Firm's Specific Rules
Before placing your first trade, thoroughly familiarize yourself with the prop firm's challenge rules including:
- Specific profit targets required
- Daily and maximum drawdown limitations
- Minimum trading days requirements
- Any restricted trading practices or styles
- Time limits (if applicable)
- Trading hours and instrument restrictions
2. Implement Rock-Solid Risk Management
The key to passing any prop firm challenge is disciplined risk management:
- Keep position sizes appropriate for account balance (typically 1-3% risk per trade)
- Use stop-loss orders consistently on every trade
- Maintain proper drawdown ratio by monitoring daily and overall equity
- Avoid overtrading, especially during volatile market conditions
- Structure trades with favorable risk-to-reward ratios (at least 1:2)
- Consider implementing a daily profit limit to protect gains
3. Develop a Consistent Trading Strategy
Consistency trumps aggressive trading when working with prop firms:
- Create a detailed trading plan before starting the evaluation
- Document your trade setups and rules clearly
- Focus on trading setups with high win rates
- Trade only during your most profitable market sessions
- Track your performance metrics daily
- Adapt to changing market conditions while maintaining core strategy
4. Master the Psychological Aspects
Trading psychology often determines success or failure:
- Treat the evaluation account like a real trading account
- Avoid emotional decision making after losses
- Don't rush to meet profit targets—patience is key
- Resist revenge trading after stop-losses are hit
- Maintain a trading journal to identify psychological patterns
- Celebrate small wins to stay motivated through the process
One Step vs. Multi-Step Evaluations: How They Compare
To understand why one step prop firms are gaining popularity, it's helpful to compare them with traditional multi-step evaluation programs:
This comparison highlights why TopTier Trader's 1 Phase Challenge and similar one step programs are particularly attractive to experienced traders and those with well-established trading strategies. The streamlined process offers a faster path to funding for those who can demonstrate consistent performance under pressure.
After Passing the Evaluation
Once traders successfully meet the profit target while maintaining proper risk management:
- Account Verification: TopTier Trader reviews trading performance to verify adherence to rules
- Funded Account Setup: Typically within 24-48 hours of verification
- Profit Split Structure: 80% standard (up to 90% with add-ons)
- First Payout Timing: 14 days after first trade in funded account
- Scaling Potential: Scale up to $400,000 in total funded capital
Unique Advantages
What sets TopTier Trader's one step evaluation apart from competitors:
- Trailing Drawdown: The 6% maximum drawdown "locks" as you grow your account, protecting your progress
- Clear Communication: Transparent rules with straightforward requirements
- No Consistency Rules: During the evaluation phase (applies only to funded accounts)
- Refundable Fee: Evaluation fee is refunded upon your first payout from the funded account
Comparing Popular One Step Prop Firms in 2025
To help you find the best one step prop firm for your trading style, here's how the top providers compare across key metrics:
Final Thoughts: Why TopTier Trader Offers the Best One Step Prop Firm Experience
After comprehensive analysis of one step prop firms in the market, TopTier Trader emerges as a top choice for traders seeking a balanced approach to fast funding. Their 1 Phase Challenge combines reasonable profit targets with adequate risk management parameters, creating an environment where skilled traders can thrive.
The key differentiators that make TopTier Trader stand out in the one step prop firm landscape include:
- Achievable Evaluation Parameters: The 10% profit target with 6% maximum drawdown strikes the perfect balance between challenge and achievability
- Minimal Trading Requirements: Only 3 trading days needed to display trading skills
- Trading Style Flexibility: Support for various trading styles including news trading
- Transparent Rules: Clear, straightforward guidelines without hidden restrictions
- Competitive Profit Split: Keep up to 90% of your trading profits
- Supportive Trading Environment: Access to a community of over 15,000 funded traders
For traders ready to leverage their trading skills on a larger scale without navigating complex multi-step evaluations, one step prop firms represent the future of proprietary trading. While several quality options exist, TopTier Trader's balanced approach and trader-friendly policies make it our top recommendation for 2025.
Ready to accelerate your trading journey with the best one step prop firm? Start your TopTier Trader challenge today and begin trading with substantial capital in days, not months.
