Prop Firm Textbook EP04 | Comparison of Irregular Challenges

Last updated: March 17, 2026

Prop firms offer not only the “2-step challenge,” but also various irregular plans such as the “instant plan” where you can get a pro account without an evaluation, the “speed pro plan” where you can pass with a single evaluation, and the “introductory plan” where you can step up gradually. In the previous Episode 3, we learned about the drawdown mechanism, but this time we will thoroughly explain these “irregular challenges.”

Aren’t you thinking that “less evaluation = easier”? In fact, there is data showing that the fewer the steps, the stricter the loss limit is set, and 78% of beginners fail. This article will make a complete comparison of Fintokei’s three plans (Challenge, Speed Pro, and Introductory) and help you find the plan that suits you best.

【Conclusion】The 2-step (Challenge plan) is optimal for beginners

Teacher, when I hear names like “Speed Pro” and “Instant,” it looks like “getting to pro quickly = easy,” but…

That’s precisely the pitfall. To cut to the chase, for beginners, the 2-step Challenge plan is the most passable and safest.

Let me start with the conclusion. Beginners who are unsure about which prop firm plan to choose should select the Fintokei Challenge plan (2 steps).

I have summarized the reasons into 3 points.

“But with the Speed Pro, you can pass in one evaluation, and with the Instant, you don’t even need an evaluation, right?” — If you’re thinking that, please read this article to the end. The fewer the steps, the higher the “invisible hurdles” are set.

Understand the 4 step levels of prop firms

What do you mean by 0 step and 3 step? What is this “step” thing?

That refers to how many “evaluation tests” you need to pass to get the pro account. Zero means no evaluation, and 3 means there are 3 stages of tests.

In the prop firm industry, prop trader certification is classified into 4 major categories based on the number of evaluation steps. Here, I will organize the characteristics of each and the points that beginners should be aware of.

0 Step (Instant): No evaluation = not easy

0 step is also called “instant funding,” where you can start trading as a pro account the moment you purchase it. Since there is no evaluation process at all, it may seem the easiest at first glance.

But the reality is the opposite. Instead of having an evaluation, the disqualification rules (drawdown limits) remain the same or are even stricter. In other words, it’s not that “you don’t need to pass the test,” but rather “you start in the real environment, and if you make a mistake, you’re immediately out.”

0 step is a plan used by traders who can already generate stable profits and want to “save the hassle of evaluation.” Those with less than 1 year of FX experience should absolutely not start with 0 step.

1 Step (Speed Pro type): Passing with a single evaluation

1 step is a plan where you can acquire the pro account by passing a single evaluation test. Fintokei’s “Speed Pro Plan” falls into this category.

Compared to the 2-step, the test is only 1 time, but the profit target is higher (10%) and the loss limit is stricter (daily -3%, overall -6%). Furthermore, the Fintokei Speed Pro plan limits the leverage to a maximum of 25x.

It’s not “easy because it’s only 1 time,” but rather “the hurdle is higher because it’s condensed into 1 time.”

2 Step (Challenge basic): The most standard

The 2-step is the most standard plan format in the prop firm industry. You acquire the pro account by passing the two-stage evaluation of Step 1 and Step 2.

In the case of Fintokei’s Challenge plan, the profit target for Step 1 is 8% and for Step 2 is 6%. The loss limit is daily -5% and overall -10%, which is the most lenient setting among the three plans.

The benefit of being divided into two stages is significant. The rational structure is to prove your basic profit-generating ability in Step 1 and confirm its repeatability in Step 2. The pressure of a “one-shot deal” is reduced, making it mentally easier to work on.

3 Step (Introductory plan type): Difficulty gradually increases

The 3-step is the plan with the most stages, and Fintokei offers it as the “Introductory plan.” The structure is that the target gradually increases from Step 1 (2% profit) to Step 2 (3%) to Step 3 (6%).

At first glance, it may seem “beginner-friendly because the targets increase gradually,” but there are some points to be aware of. The Introductory plan has “a cap on the maximum daily profit” and “a maximum of 180 trading days”, and the loss limit is stricter at daily -3% and overall -6% compared to the Challenge plan.

Although it’s called the “Introductory” plan, the constraints are actually quite high, and it may require more technique than expected for a beginner to pass smoothly.

Detailed Comparison of Fintokei’s 3 Plans | Looking at the Numbers

Fintokei has 3 plans, huh. I want to know the differences in all of them!

Okay, let’s compare all the items in a table. When you see the numbers, it will be clear why the Challenge plan is the most suitable for beginners.

From here, I will compare the three plans offered by Fintokei with specific numbers. Fintokei (based in the Czech Republic) is the only officially registered overseas prop firm in Japan, and it is popular among beginners due to its Japanese language support.

Details of the Challenge Plan (2 Steps)

The Challenge plan is Fintokei’s most standard plan, and you can choose from 6 account sizes.

The biggest strength of the Challenge plan is the leeway in the loss limit and the high leverage. The daily loss of -5% and overall loss of -10% are about twice the limits of the other two plans. The 100x leverage allows for flexible position management with a small amount of capital.

The profit target is divided into 8% for Step 1 and 6% for Step 2, so there is no need to take a big risk all at once. For example, in the case of the Crystal (2 million) plan, you only need to achieve 160,000 yen in Step 1 and 120,000 yen in Step 2 to pass.

Detailed rules and strategies for the Challenge plan are explained in the “Complete Guide to the Fintokei Challenge Plan.”

Details of the Speed Pro Plan (1 Step)

The Speed Pro plan is a plan where you can acquire the pro account with a single evaluation. The 100% profit share, which is the industry’s top-class condition, is attractive, but the rules are stricter as a result.