Blue Guardian vs Funded Academy

Blue Guardian vs Funded Academy: Prop Firm Face-Off

In the competitive world of proprietary trading, retail traders seek for firms that can maximize their profits while providing stability and reliability. Two such firms attracting attention are Blue Guardian and Funded Academy, each offering distinct advantages for traders. In this comparison, we aim to dissect the pros and cons to give traders a clearer choice between the two options.

Comparing Account Potential and Profit Sharing

Blue Guardian stands out with its impressive $400,000 standard account cap that can scale up to $2,000,000, offering traders a significantly higher ceiling to grow their trading portfolio. This is further sweetened by an 85% profit share, which is notably generous. Conversely, Funded Academy presents real accounts with a maximum cap of $1,000,000. Their profit share ranges from 70% to 90%, catering to varying trader accomplishments and providing a robust incentive structure.

Leverage and Trading Conditions

Both firms offer leverage up to 1:100 for standard trading conditions which is a strong point for traders looking to maximize their trading strategies. Blue Guardian's minimal evaluation goals of 8% and 4% are attractive, reducing the stress of high targets for traders. They also support positions over weekends and accommodate news trading, aspects essential for many trading strategies. Funded Academy maintains similar leverage and trading freedoms, ensuring a level playing field in this arena.

Platform and Trading Tools

When it comes to user interfacing, Blue Guardian has developed a solid reputation with comprehensive trading tools suitable for a range of trading instruments, including forex, commodities, and crypto. Their platform's versatility is crucial for traders who employ complex strategies or trade multiple markets. Funded Academy, while not explicitly noted for its user interface, offers an array of tradeable instruments, adding stocks to the mix which Blue Guardian doesn't include.

Restrictions and Requirements

There are trade-offs in terms of firm requirements. Blue Guardian imposes mandatory 5 trading days for their Elite Guardian program and does not offer a free trial, which might be setbacks for cautious traders desiring flexibility or a risk-free start. Funded Academy counters with more arduous lot size restrictions and a reduced 1:10 leverage on Extended challenge accounts. Additionally, their monthly payouts on Extended challenge accounts might deter those who prefer more frequent access to their earnings.

Funding Flexibility

In financial operations, Blue Guardian provides a slight edge with an additional withdrawal method through bank wire transfer and Deel, whereas Funded Academy offers withdrawals exclusively in crypto. Both share similar deposit methods, facilitating ease of access for global traders.

Portfolio Diversification and Size Options

Account size variety can be pivotal, and Blue Guardian delivers multiple options ranging from $10,000 to $200,000, granting flexibility for traders at different capital requirements. Funded Academy doesn't specify its range, which might imply either a more customizable approach or a lack of options depending on interpretation.

Market Accessibility and Instruments

While both firms offer an extensive range of tradeable instruments and account operations in USD, Funded Academy expands its reach to stocks, which could be a decisive factor for traders with a preference for equity markets.

Experience and Trust

The age and reputation of a prop firm can be indicative of reliability and trader satisfaction. Blue Guardian has been in the game since June 2019 and holds an outstanding 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating, reflecting high trader confidence. Funded Academy is newer, established in July 2021, and must still prove its long-term worth to traders.

Conclusion: Balancing Opportunities with Requirements

Between Blue Guardian and Funded Academy, traders face a choice of ambitious account growth and profit shares against a backdrop of diverse trading conditions and toolsets. While Blue Guardian may be the go-to for traders eyeing lucrative scaling options and high-profit sharing, Funded Academy's attractive features like real accounts, bi-weekly payouts, and the inclusion of stocks cater to savvy traders who value immediacy and diversity. Ultimately, the decision rests on individual trading strategies, risk preference, and the importance of platform functionality versus payout flexibility.