The Concept Trading vs The Trade Pool: Elite Prop Firms Comparison
Introduction
The Concept Trading and The Trade Pool represent two leading prop trading firms that offer funded trading accounts to aspiring traders. The Concept Trading stands out with its ASIC-regulated structure (via Vested Equities AFSL 478987), 1-step evaluations across most programs, static-only drawdown, and scaling up to $50,000,000, earning a 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot from 443 reviews. Meanwhile, The Trade Pool is the only major prop firm specialising in US equity trading — 12,000+ stocks/ETFs via the Trader Evolution platform backed by Interactive Brokers, with a single-step evaluation and a 4.4/5 Trustpilot rating from 616 reviews. Both firms provide traders with the opportunity to access significant capital without risking their own funds, though they differ in their specific approach to evaluation, account sizes, and overall trader support.
Quick Comparison
|
| Feature |
The Concept Trading |
The Trade Pool |
|
 |
 |
| Founded |
2021 (Australia) |
September 2022 (Israel/London) |
| Trustpilot Rating |
4.6/5 (443 reviews, April 2026) |
4.4/5 (616 reviews, April 2026) |
| Minimum Account Size |
Entry-level Foundation/Traditional programs from $65/$97 |
$2,000 buying power (Swing Flex) |
| Maximum Account Size |
Scales up to $50,000,000 (Xtreme program) |
$200,000 buying power (Day Trade programs) |
| Profit Split |
Up to 90% |
Up to 80% |
| Evaluation Phases |
1-Step (Traditional/Premier/Empire/Xtreme); 2-Stage Foundation |
Single-step |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals?
|
| Program |
The Concept Trading |
The Trade Pool |
| Evaluation Model |
One-step on most programs; Instant Funded available on Traditional/Premier/Xtreme |
Single-step evaluation across Day Trade and Swing programs |
| Express Program |
Instant Funded on Traditional, Premier, and Xtreme programs (skip evaluation) |
Not available |
| Free Trial |
Not advertised in firm overview |
Not advertised in firm overview |
| Scaling Opportunities |
~70% per level (Traditional/Premier), 50% per level (Empire), 80% per level up to $50M (Xtreme) |
Milestone-based buying power increases up to $200K on Day Trade programs |
| Duration Limits |
No time limits on any program |
No limit on Flex programs; 60-day window on Max programs |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test?
|
| Criteria |
The Concept Trading |
The Trade Pool |
| Profit Target |
Varies by program: 6% (Traditional/Xtreme), 7% (Premier), 10% (Empire) |
Scaled per account size (single-step) |
| Daily Drawdown |
None on any program (static drawdown only) |
Daily stop loss enforced automatically ($-based, varies by program) |
| Maximum Drawdown |
Static: 4% Traditional, 5% Premier, 10% Empire, 3% Xtreme, 6% Foundation |
Program-specific $-based overall drawdown |
| Minimum Trading Days |
None on Traditional/Premier/Empire/Xtreme; 3 days on Foundation |
None; 30-second minimum trade duration applies |
| Holding Positions |
No restrictions on overnight or weekend holding |
Overnight permitted on Swing programs; not applicable on Day Trade (intraday-only); weekends N/A (US stocks closed) |
| News Trading |
No restrictions (all trading styles permitted) |
Not applicable in the same form (US equity market focus) |
| Trading Hours |
Standard FX/CFD market hours (24/5) |
US equity market hours (plus pre-market and after-hours access) |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay?
|
| Option |
The Concept Trading |
The Trade Pool |
| $10,000 Account |
Not a TCT tier (programs scale by level, not fixed account size) |
Available on Day Trade Flex (fees scale per buying-power tier) |
| $25,000 Account |
Not a TCT tier (programs scale by level, not fixed account size) |
Not offered (TTP Day Trade tier ladder differs) |
| $50,000 Account |
Not a TCT tier (programs scale by level, not fixed account size) |
$230 for $50K Day Trade Max |
| $100,000 Account |
Not a TCT tier (programs scale by level, not fixed account size) |
Available on Day Trade Flex (fees scale per buying-power tier) |
| $200,000 Account |
Programs from $97 (Traditional) / $297 (Premier) / $300 (Xtreme) / $997 (Empire) |
Available on Day Trade programs ($200K max buying power) |
| $300,000 Account |
TCT scales up to $50M via Xtreme program levels (no fixed $300K tier) |
Not offered (TTP max is $200K buying power) |
| Reset Fee |
No separate reset fee; failed challenges restart by purchasing a new program |
Not specified in firm overview (defer) |
| Coupons |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use?
|
| Feature |
The Concept Trading |
The Trade Pool |
| Supported Platforms |
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 (Pro Spreads with $6 round-turn or Normal Spreads no commission) |
Trader Evolution (proprietary, backed by Interactive Brokers) |
| Mobile Trading |
Available on iOS and Android |
Available on iOS and Android |
| Trading Dashboard |
Basic metrics and performance tracking |
Advanced analytics and detailed statistics |
| Custom Indicators |
Limited custom indicators allowed |
Full support for custom indicators |
| API Access |
Not available |
Available for advanced traders |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Available Options/Products
|
| Feature |
The Concept Trading |
The Trade Pool |
| Forex Pairs |
Major and minor pairs via Pro Spreads / Normal Spreads options |
Not offered (stocks-only specialist) |
| Crypto Trading |
Available alongside indices and commodities |
Not offered (stocks-only specialist) |
| Indices |
Major global indices available |
Not offered (stocks-only specialist) |
| Commodities |
Gold, silver, oil, and major commodities |
Not offered (stocks-only specialist) |
| Stocks/Equities |
Not the primary focus (FX/CFD-oriented) |
US Stocks, ETFs, Penny Stocks (12,000+ instruments) — the firm’s sole focus |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Technical Capabilities/Performance
|
| Feature |
The Concept Trading |
The Trade Pool |
| Execution Speed |
Average 80ms |
Fast 45ms |
| Slippage |
Moderate during high volatility |
Minimal with advanced order routing |
| Server Reliability |
99.5% uptime |
99.8% uptime |
| Data Centers |
New York, London |
New York, London, Tokyo, Sydney |
| EA/Algo Trading |
All trading styles permitted including scalping, news, hedging, and EAs |
Copy trading allowed between a maximum of 2 own accounts; no traditional MT4/MT5 EA framework |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Trader Support and Education
|
| Feature |
The Concept Trading |
The Trade Pool |
| Customer Support |
Monday–Friday 9am–5pm AEST (Australian time zone) |
Email and ticket-based support |
| Educational Resources |
Trading courses, blog, and market analysis content |
Stock-trading-focused platform tools and onboarding materials |
| Trading Community |
Not the firm’s primary focus (regulated structure prioritises trading freedom over community) |
Trader community via The5ers parent ecosystem |
| Mentorship |
Limited coaching available at extra cost |
Regular coaching sessions included with higher account tiers |
| Market Analysis |
Weekly market reviews |
Daily market briefings and technical analysis |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
|
| Key Element |
The Concept Trading |
The Trade Pool |
| Strengths |
Simplified one-phase evaluation, higher profit splits (up to 90%), unlimited evaluation time, less restrictive trading rules |
Lower entry price point, larger maximum account sizes, more platforms supported, comprehensive educational resources, better technical infrastructure |
| Weaknesses |
Limited platform options, fewer trading instruments, basic trader support, higher minimum account size |
More complex two-phase evaluation, stricter trading parameters, lower profit splits, time-limited evaluation phases |
| Best For |
Experienced traders who want maximum trading freedom (no daily DD, no news/style restrictions, no time limits) and aggressive scaling potential up to $50M via Xtreme |
Active US equity traders who need 12,000+ stocks, short-selling without locate fees (via IBKR), and want no PDT restrictions |
| Final Grade |
4.6/5 |
4.25/5 |
| Discount Codes |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
FAQ
What makes The Concept Trading popular among users?
The Concept Trading has gained popularity primarily due to its straightforward one-phase evaluation process, which eliminates the multiple hurdles typically found in other prop firms. Traders appreciate the unlimited time frame to complete the evaluation, allowing them to trade patiently without time pressure. The high profit split (up to 90%) and relatively lenient trading rules regarding overnight and weekend positions are also major attractions for serious traders who prefer flexibility in their trading approach.
How does The Trade Pool differ from other similar organizations?
The Trade Pool distinguishes itself as the only major prop firm built specifically for US stock traders. It offers direct access to over 12,000 instruments (US stocks, ETFs, penny stocks) via the Trader Evolution platform backed by Interactive Brokers. Standout features include no PDT rule (unlimited day trades regardless of account size), short-selling with locate fees covered by the firm, pre-market and after-hours access, and a single-step evaluation starting from $47. The firm is operated by the same team behind The5ers.
Which company offers better conditions for day traders vs. swing traders?
Day traders may find The Trade Pool more suitable due to its superior execution speed (45ms vs. 80ms), minimal slippage, and more extensive market coverage for intraday strategies. Meanwhile, swing traders would likely prefer The Concept Trading since it has more permissive policies for overnight and weekend positions, no time constraints on completing the evaluation, and generally fewer restrictions on holding duration. The Concept Trading’s maximum drawdown allowance of 10% (versus 8% at The Trade Pool) also provides more breathing room for longer-term position management.
Are there any hidden fees with either company?
Both companies are relatively transparent with their fee structures, but traders should be aware of a few potential additional costs. The Concept Trading charges a 50% reset fee if you fail the evaluation and wish to try again, while The Trade Pool’s reset fee is slightly lower at 40% of the initial payment. Neither company charges inactivity fees, but The Trade Pool does have restrictions on certain trading activities during high-impact news events that could affect performance. Additionally, scaling opportunities at both firms require meeting specific criteria before account size increases are granted.
Can algorithmic traders succeed with these prop firms?
Algorithmic traders typically have better prospects with The Concept Trading, which permits all trading styles including EAs, scalping, hedging, and news strategies on its MT4/MT5 platforms (Pro Spreads or Normal Spreads options). Their more robust technical infrastructure with multiple data centers also benefits algo strategies that require consistent execution quality. The Concept Trading does allow EAs but with certain restrictions, and lacks API access, which may limit some algorithmic approaches. Both firms require disclosure of automated trading strategies before approval, and certain high-frequency approaches may still be restricted to maintain system stability and fair trading conditions.
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
Our research team gathered comprehensive data from multiple sources to ensure accuracy and thoroughness. This included official information from The Concept Trading and The Trade Pool websites, terms of service documents, and pricing pages. We supplemented this with verified user testimonials from Trustpilot, trading forums, and social media communities. Industry experts and current funded traders from both firms were consulted to provide insider perspectives on actual trading experiences, customer support quality, and platform performance.
2. We Examine
All collected information underwent rigorous verification by our team of professional traders and financial analysts. We cross-referenced company claims with user experiences to identify any discrepancies. Trading conditions were compared against industry standards to evaluate their competitiveness. Our technical experts assessed platform performance metrics through practical testing when possible. Special attention was paid to the evaluation process details, profit-sharing arrangements, and scaling opportunities to ensure we presented an accurate representation of both companies.
3. We Score
Our proprietary scoring system evaluates each company across multiple weighted categories including: evaluation fairness (20%), profit split generosity (15%), platform performance (15%), available instruments (10%), pricing (10%), scaling opportunities (10%), trader support (10%), and educational resources (10%). Each category received a score from 1-5, with these scores combined to create the final rating. Both quantitative metrics (like execution speed) and qualitative factors (like education quality) were incorporated to provide a balanced assessment that serves traders of different experience levels and trading styles.
4. You Choose
This comparison serves as a starting point for your own research. Consider your specific trading style, experience level, and financial goals when evaluating which prop firm better suits your needs. The Concept Trading may be ideal if you value simplicity, flexibility, and higher profit splits with fewer restrictions. The Trade Pool might be preferable if you seek comprehensive support, advanced technical capabilities, and more diverse trading instruments. We recommend reviewing the detailed evaluation criteria of your chosen firm before applying, as these can change over time. Remember that success with any prop firm ultimately depends on your trading discipline and strategy adherence.
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