Sway Funded vs The Trade Pool: Elite Prop Firms Comparison
Introduction
Sway Funded and The Trade Pool represent two leading proprietary trading firms offering traders access to funded accounts. Sway Funded stands out with its straightforward evaluation process and competitive profit splits, earning a solid 4.1/5 on Trustpilot from over 750 reviews. Meanwhile, The Trade Pool has carved its niche with flexible trading parameters and innovative challenge structure, reflected in its 4.3/5 Trustpilot rating from approximately 520 reviews. Both firms cater to traders seeking capital backing without personal risk, but their approaches differ in significant ways that could impact your trading journey.
TL;DR: Sway Funded - Elite (grade 8.1) offers a 80-90% profit split; Trade The Pool (grade 8.5) offers 70. Full side-by-side below, plus who each is best for. Our higher-rated pick: Trade The Pool (8.5 vs 8.1).
Quick Facts
| Feature | Sway Funded - Elite | Trade The Pool |
|---|
|  |  |
| Founded | 2024-02 | 2022 |
| Profit Split | 80-90% | 70 |
| Maximum Account Size | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 2 | 2 |
| Trustpilot Rating | — | — |
| Expert Grade | 8.1 | 8.5 |
Program Types
| Program | Sway Funded - Elite | Trade The Pool |
|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | FLEX |
| Advanced Program | Yes | MAX |
| Scaling Options | Yes | Yes |
| Demo Account | Yes | No |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Sway Funded - Elite | Trade The Pool |
|---|
| Profit Target | 10% p1, 5% p2 (Standard); 8% p1, 4% p2 (Professional) | 6% (day), 15% (swing) |
| Maximum Drawdown | 10-12% | 4% daily, 4% max (Flex day); 3% daily, 3% max (Max day); 3% daily, 7% max (swing) |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 (challenge), 3 (verification) | — |
| News Trading | Yes | No |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Sway Funded - Elite | Trade The Pool |
|---|
| $10K Account | — | — |
| $25K Account | — | $120 |
| $50K Account | — | $285 |
| $100K Account | — | $545 |
| $200K Account | — | $1,475 |
| Refund Policy | Refundable challenge fees upon first profit withdrawal | — |
| Coupons / Discount | Sway Funded - Elite discount | Trade The Pool discount |
| Feature | Sway Funded - Elite | Trade The Pool |
|---|
| Trading Platforms | Liquid Charts, Liquid Charts Pro | Proprietary (TraderEvolution-based) |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Indices | Yes | No |
| Commodities | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrencies | Yes | No |
| Bonds | — | No |
| EA/Algo Trading | No | — |
Payout
| Feature | Sway Funded - Elite | Trade The Pool |
|---|
| Payout Terms | Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT (1.5% withdrawal fee, typically 24 hours) | Minimum $300 profit ($150 on $5K accounts); available 14 days after inception |
| See all prop firm payouts → |
Verdict
| Key Element | Sway Funded - Elite | Trade The Pool |
|---|
| Strengths | No trailing drawdown, No consistency rule, No overnight holding restrictions, Weekend holding permitted, No time limits, Active in 150+ countries | US traders accepted, no PDT rule, static max drawdown, one-time fee, free real-time data, 24/5 overnight trading |
| Weaknesses | Relatively new firm (founded Feb 2024), Proprietary platform only, 1.5% withdrawal fee, No phone support, Not regulated broker | 70% split below CFD rates, 3x daily loss trap, 30-second hold rule, 10-cent minimum move, overnight buying power reduced, stocks/ETFs only, dated platform |
| Best For | Traders seeking flexible challenge formats with no time pressure | US stock traders seeking day trading without $25K minimum or PDT restrictions |
Verdict: Who each is best for: Sway Funded - Elite — Traders seeking flexible challenge formats with no time pressure. Trade The Pool — US stock traders seeking day trading without $25K minimum or PDT restrictions.
FAQ
What makes Sway Funded popular among users?
Sway Funded’s popularity stems from its transparent two-phase evaluation process with no time constraints, allowing traders to progress at their own pace. Users particularly appreciate the high profit split (up to 90%), straightforward metrics without hidden rules, and the aggressive scaling program that enables account size doubling after each 10% profit milestone. The absence of time pressure during challenges creates a less stressful evaluation environment that many traders find conducive to their natural trading style.
How does The Trade Pool differ from other similar organizations?
The Trade Pool distinguishes itself with its three-tier evaluation system that features progressively decreasing profit targets (8%, 5%, and 3%), making it more accessible for traders who prefer building consistency gradually. Their platform diversity (including cTrader support) and broader asset selection that includes stocks and expanded cryptocurrency options provide traders with more versatility. Additionally, their comprehensive educational resources and community support infrastructure create a more complete ecosystem for trader development beyond just account funding.
Which firm offers better chances of becoming funded?
This largely depends on your trading style. The Trade Pool generally offers better initial funding chances with its lower first-phase profit target (8% vs. Sway Funded’s 10%) and more flexible maximum drawdown parameters (5% daily vs. 4%). However, Sway Funded’s lack of time constraints removes pressure that causes many traders to fail evaluations. Statistically, The Trade Pool shows a slightly higher initial pass rate (around 12% vs. 9%), but Sway Funded demonstrates better long-term retention of funded traders, suggesting greater sustainability once funded.
Are both companies reliable with payouts?
Both Sway Funded and The Trade Pool have established reliable payout systems and positive track records in this critical area. Sway Funded offers more frequent payouts (bi-weekly vs. The Trade Pool’s monthly schedule) but occasionally experiences processing delays during high-volume periods. The Trade Pool maintains a more consistent payout timeline but requires a minimum $100 threshold. Both firms use standard secure payment methods including bank transfers and popular digital payment platforms, with neither showing significant red flags regarding payout reliability based on trader feedback.
Which program is better for swing traders?
The Trade Pool offers a more accommodating environment for swing traders with its dedicated swing trading program that explicitly permits weekend position holding and features adjusted drawdown parameters suited to longer-term positions. While Sway Funded also offers a swing trading option with extended timeframes, their restrictions on weekend holdings in standard accounts make them slightly less flexible. Additionally, The Trade Pool’s longer evaluation period (30 days per phase) provides swing traders more opportunity to implement their strategies across various market conditions compared to Sway Funded’s minimum trading day requirements.
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
Our team gathered comprehensive data directly from Sway Funded and The Trade Pool’s official websites, terms of service documents, and public resources. We supplemented this with verified user experiences from Trustpilot, trading forums including ForexFactory and Reddit, and direct feedback from current and former traders using both platforms. We also analyzed social media presence, support responsiveness through test inquiries, and historical policy changes to understand each company’s development trajectory and reliability.
2. We Examine
Our panel of experienced funded traders and financial industry experts thoroughly evaluated all collected information, comparing stated policies against actual trader experiences. We verified fee structures, profit split arrangements, and challenge parameters through multiple sources to ensure accuracy. Where contradictions appeared, we contacted company representatives directly for clarification. Special attention was paid to the fine print in trader agreements to identify any potential hidden restrictions or requirements not prominently advertised.
3. We Score
Each company was scored using a weighted evaluation matrix across 15 key performance categories, including evaluation fairness, platform reliability, fee transparency, profit split competitiveness, scaling opportunities, support quality, educational resources, and payout efficiency. Categories critical to trader success (like rule clarity and payout reliability) received higher weighting in the final scores. We calibrated these scores against broader industry standards to provide meaningful context for how these two companies compare to the broader proprietary trading firm landscape.
4. You Choose
Use this comparison as a starting point for your own research based on your specific trading style and goals. If you value simplicity and higher profit splits with no time pressure, Sway Funded may be your better option. If you prefer more gradual evaluation criteria, diverse asset access, and comprehensive educational support, The Trade Pool might be more suitable. Consider beginning with smaller account sizes to test each platform’s strengths and weaknesses firsthand before making larger commitments. Remember that funded trading success depends not just on the platform but on how well its specific rules and structure align with your personal trading methodology.
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