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.
Quick Comparison |
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| Feature | Sway Funded | The Trade Pool |
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|  |  |
| Founded | 2024 (February) | 2020 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.1/5 (623 reviews, June 2026) | 4.4/5 (672 reviews, June 2026) |
| Minimum Account Size | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| Profit Split | Up to 90% | Up to 80% |
| Evaluation Phases | Rapid, Regular, or Instant | 2-Step |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals? |
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| Program | Sway Funded | The Trade Pool |
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| Standard Challenge | Two-phase evaluation with 10% profit target per phase; consistent profit emphasis | Three-tier system with gradually increasing complexity and looser initial requirements |
| Express/Accelerated | One-phase fast track with higher profit targets (15%) but faster funding timeframe | Two-phase express program with higher initial fee but reduced evaluation period |
| Instant Funding | Immediate access to funded account with higher fee structure and slightly reduced profit split | Not currently offered |
| Swing Trading | Extended timeframe program with modified metrics suitable for position/swing traders | Special program with weekend holding permissions and adjusted drawdown parameters |
| Scaling Opportunities | Account size can double after every 10% profit milestone | Account growth available after completing 3 consecutive profitable months |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test? |
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| Criteria | Sway Funded | The Trade Pool |
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| Profit Target | 10% per phase (Standard); 15% (Express) | 8% Phase 1; 5% Phase 2; 3% Phase 3 |
| Maximum Daily Loss | 4% of account balance | 5% of account balance |
| Maximum Overall Loss | 8% of starting balance | 10% of starting balance |
| Minimum Trading Days | 10 days per phase | 5 days Phase 1; 5 days Phase 2; 10 days Phase 3 |
| Time Limit | No time limit; challenge remains active until passed or failed | 30 days per phase; can be extended for additional fee |
| Weekend Holding | Not allowed in standard program | Allowed in swing trader program only |
| News Trading | Permitted with caution | Restricted during major announcements |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay? |
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| Option | Sway Funded | The Trade Pool |
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| $10,000 Account (Standard) | $99 one-time fee | $129 one-time fee |
| $25,000 Account (Standard) | $199 one-time fee | $249 one-time fee |
| $50,000 Account (Standard) | $299 one-time fee | $349 one-time fee |
| $100,000 Account (Standard) | $499 one-time fee | $549 one-time fee |
| Express/Accelerated (Additional) | +$50 to standard fee | +$100 to standard fee |
| Instant Funding Premium | 3x standard challenge fee | Not offered |
| Refund Policy | Full refund if failed within 4 days | 50% refund if failed within first week |
| Coupons | Coupon Code | Coupon Code |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use? |
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| Feature | Sway Funded | The Trade Pool |
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| Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader |
| Dashboard Access | Comprehensive analytics with real-time statistics | Basic performance metrics with weekly reporting |
| Mobile Trading | Fully supported through platform apps | Fully supported with additional mobile dashboard |
| Trading Journal Integration | Built-in journaling capabilities | Third-party journal integrations supported |
| Educational Resources | Limited free webinars and basic guides | Extensive library with premium courses available |
| Community Support | Active Discord community with trader networking | Weekly live sessions and forum-based support |
Available Options/Products |
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| Option | Sway Funded | The Trade Pool |
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| Asset Classes | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto (limited) | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto |
| Account Sizes | $1K – $200K | $10K, $25K, $50K, $100K, $200K |
| Demo vs. Live Execution | Demo during evaluation, live when funded | Simulated live environment throughout |
| Scaling Program | Double account size after every 10% profit milestone | Account increase after 3 consistent profitable months |
| Profit Split | Up to 90% | Starting at 70%, up to 80% after 6 months |
| Payout Schedule | Bi-weekly after first month | Monthly with minimum $100 threshold |
Technical Capabilities/Performance |
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| Feature | Sway Funded | The Trade Pool |
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| Execution Speed | Average 120ms | Average 85ms |
| Spreads | Standard institutional spreads | Slightly tighter spreads on major pairs |
| Allowed Trading Styles | All styles except excessive scalping and arbitrage | All styles permitted with transparent reporting |
| EAs/Algorithms | Permitted with pre-approval | Fully permitted with clear attribution |
| News Trading Restrictions | Caution advised but not strictly forbidden | Major news events have position size limitations |
| Server Reliability | 99.5% uptime with occasional weekend maintenance | 99.7% uptime with redundant server architecture |
| Technical Support | Email support within 24 hours | Live chat during business hours, email 24/7 |
User Experience & Reputation |
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| Aspect | Sway Funded | The Trade Pool |
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| Transparency | Clear rules published with detailed examples | Some rules require clarification through support |
| Payout Reliability | Consistent record with occasional processing delays | Strong track record with streamlined payment system |
| Customer Support | Email-based with 24-hour response time | Live chat during business hours, comprehensive FAQ |
| Community Feedback | Generally positive with praise for clear rules | Mixed reviews regarding challenge difficulty |
| Trader Retention | 60% of funded traders remain active after 6 months | 55% of funded traders remain active after 6 months |
| Educational Resources | Basic materials with focus on challenge rules | Comprehensive educational content library |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation |
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| Key Element | Sway Funded | The Trade Pool |
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| Strengths | Straightforward two-phase evaluation, competitive profit splits up to 90%, no time limits on challenges, strong scaling program, transparent rules | Flexible trading parameters, lower initial profit targets, more diverse asset selection, excellent educational resources, advanced platform options |
| Weaknesses | Limited platform options, higher profit targets for challenges, basic educational materials, less flexible timing constraints | Three-phase evaluation adds complexity, lower profit split percentages, time constraints on challenges, slightly higher initial fees |
| Best For | Confident, consistent traders who prefer straightforward metrics and can achieve moderate profit targets without time pressure | Diverse traders who benefit from more gradual evaluation criteria and need flexibility across multiple asset classes |
| Final Grade | 4.1/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Discount Codes | Coupon Code | Coupon Code |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
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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