- Capital allocation up to $800,000 with 75% to 95% profit share.
- Flexible leverage up to 1:100 and diverse trading instruments.
- Two unique funding programs and time-unlimited evaluation.
- Realistic profit goals (8% & 5%) with overnight/weekend trading.
- News trading allowed with an efficiently designed user interface.
SurgeTrader
- $1,000,000 capital with Trustpilot rating of 4.5/5
- Real accounts; $1,000,000 challenge account
- 75%-90% profit share with available add-ons
- Overnight, weekend, and news trading permitted
- No minimal trading days; one-step evaluation.
Cons ❌
Goat Funded Trader
- Newer prop firm
- Limited community feedback
- Absence of a scaling plan
SurgeTrader
- Stop-loss required for each trade
- Maximum open size 1 lot / $10,000 of the account balance
- Trailing drawdown
Rules 📋
Goat Funded Trader
Maximum Daily Loss, Maximum Loss, Maximum Trading Days, Minimum Trading Days, Profit Target, Third Party Copy Trading Risk, Third Party EA Risk
SurgeTrader
Lot Size Limit, Maximum Daily Loss, Maximum Trailing Drawdown, Profit Target, Stop Loss Required
Comparative Analysis of Goat Funded Trader and SurgeTrader
As the prop trading industry flourishes, retail traders seek opportunities to leverage their trading skills without risking personal capital. Two contenders, Goat Funded Trader and SurgeTrader, offer unique propositions.
Goat Funded Trader Overview
Goat Funded Trader emerges as a promising firm, boasting a generous capital allocation of up to $800,000, with a profit share of 75% to 95%. The flexible leverage of up to 1:100 and a wide array of trading instruments set it apart in terms of versatility. Traders are not constrained by time in their evaluations and can choose between two distinct funding programs. Setting realistic profit goals—8% and 5%—alongside permitting overnight and weekend trading offers a lenient yet structured trading environment. Additionally, the allowance of news trading and an efficient user interface enhance the trading experience.
However, Goat Funded Trader maintains stringent trading rules, which may be restrictive for some traders. These include maximum daily and overall loss limits, trading day requirements, and restrictions on the use of third-party copy and EA trading, which could impact traders' strategies.
SurgeTrader Overview
SurgeTrader answers the challenge with a compelling Trustpilot rating of 4.5/5, signaling strong user satisfaction. Their headlining feature is the opportunity to manage up to $1,000,000 real money, presenting a significant lure for ambitious traders. A profit share ranging from 75%-90% is coupled with add-ons for enhanced profitability. Unlike Goat Funded Trader, SurgeTrader does not impose minimal trading days, favoring consistent traders and providing a simplified one-step evaluation process, which may appeal to a broad range of traders.
On the flip side, SurgeTrader enforces stop-losses on every trade, limits trade size relative to account balance, and includes a trailing drawdown rule. These could serve as potential setbacks for risk-taking traders who prefer fewer restrictions on their trading strategies.
Funding and Withdrawal Methods
In terms of deposit and withdrawal methods, Goat Funded Trader allows for credit/debit cards and cryptocurrencies. This might attract the crypto-savvy trader and those looking for quick, borderless transactions. Withdrawals are made through Deel, a relatively new platform, which could present a learning curve for some.
In contrast, SurgeTrader sticks to traditional credit/debit card deposits and bank wire transfers for withdrawals, which can be seen as more secure, but perhaps less modern compared to crypto options.
Account Sizes and Tradeable Instruments
Goat Funded Trader provides a wide selection of account sizes, appealing to traders with varying levels of capital aspiration and risk tolerance. Moreover, the extensive range of tradeable instruments, including stocks, cryptocurrency, and more, presents a more comprehensive trading landscape.
SurgeTrader, while offering accounts in both USD and GBP, seems limited with only commodities listed as tradeable instruments. This could be a significant limitation for traders who wish to diversify their portfolio across different asset classes.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing between Goat Funded Trader and SurgeTrader, retail traders must weigh the flexibility and breadth of trading options against the strict trading constraints and risk management rules. Both firms exhibit distinct advantages and potential drawbacks—a clear-cut choice may not be evident, as preferences can be highly individualized. Traders should carefully consider their own trading style, risk tolerance, and the specific features offered by each firm to make the best decision for their personal trading career.
The recent incorporation of Goat Funded Trader in May 2023 may also come into play, possibly indicating newer infrastructure and potentially more innovative approaches to prop trading, whereas the history of SurgeTrader remains ambiguous. Diverse prop firm offerings like these ensure that traders can find fitting platforms to flourish, tailoring to the ambitious yet cautious, the diverse asset enthusiast, and the dynamic market participant.
