TradeDay vs The Trade Pool: Elite Prop Firms Comparison
Introduction
TradeDay and The Trade Pool represent two leading proprietary trading firms offering funded trader programs to aspiring traders worldwide. TradeDay has built a reputation as a futures-only specialist with a straightforward single-step evaluation and competitive 80–95% profit splits, currently maintaining an impressive 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot from 1,354+ reviews. The Trade Pool, established more recently, has quickly gained recognition as the only major prop firm built around US stocks and ETFs (12,000+ instruments via Trader Evolution), holding a solid 4.4/5 Trustpilot rating from 616 reviews. Both organizations provide pathways to trade with substantial capital, but their approaches to evaluation, funding, and profit sharing reveal important differences worth considering before making your choice.
Quick Comparison
|
| Feature |
TradeDay |
The Trade Pool |
|
 |
 |
| Founded |
2020 (Chicago) |
September 2022 (Israel/London) |
| Trustpilot Rating |
4.6/5 (1,354+ reviews) |
4.4/5 (616 reviews) |
| Initial Account Sizes |
$50K – $150K (futures-only) |
$2K – $200K buying power (stocks-only) |
| Profit Split |
80% Day One, up to 95% |
70% to 80% |
| Evaluation Phases |
Single-step |
Single-step |
| Evaluation Fee |
Monthly: $87 – $300 (Intraday plan, SAVE30 to full) |
One-time: from $47 |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals?
|
| Program |
TradeDay |
The Trade Pool |
| Evaluation Model |
Single-step evaluation (no Verification phase) |
Single-step evaluation (no multi-phase challenge) |
| Fast-Track Option |
Premium fee skips directly to funded account upon meeting criteria |
Not offered (single-step only) |
| Demo Account |
Free trial available to test trading conditions before purchase |
Not separately offered (evaluation programs from $47) |
| Account Scaling |
Not publicly disclosed; check dashboard for current options |
Milestone-based scaling up to $200K buying power |
| Time Constraints |
Minimum 5 trading days; no maximum time limit |
Flex: no time limit; Max: 60-day evaluation window |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test?
|
| Criteria |
TradeDay |
The Trade Pool |
| Profit Target |
6% across all plans (Intraday / EOD / Static), single-step |
Scaled per account size; milestone-based scaling once funded |
| Maximum Drawdown |
Trailing $2K / $3K / $4K on $50K / $100K / $150K (Intraday, EOD, or Static at signup); no fixed daily-loss limit |
Daily stop loss enforced automatically; Max Position Profit Ratio capped at 30% of profit target |
| Trading Days Required |
Minimum 5 trading days (single-step) |
No fixed minimum trading-days requirement |
| Position Holding |
Day Trade only – no overnight or weekend holding permitted |
Day Trade: no overnight. Swing: overnight allowed. No weekend trading (US stock markets closed) |
| News Trading |
Restricted on funded accounts during high-impact event windows |
Permitted; standard equity-market trading rules apply |
| Trading Instruments |
Futures only: Equity Index, FX Futures, Energy, Metals, Agricultural, Bond futures |
US stocks & ETFs only: 12,000+ instruments incl. penny stocks (no Forex, crypto, futures, or indices) |
| Reset Options |
$99 mid-cycle, or free at next monthly subscription renewal |
Reset terms vary by program; check dashboard |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay?
|
| Option |
TradeDay |
The Trade Pool |
| $5,000 Account |
Not offered (TradeDay minimum is $50K futures) |
Day Trade Flex from $59 |
| $10,000 Account |
Not offered ($50K minimum) |
Available in Day Trade Flex (fees from $59) |
| $25,000 Account |
Not offered ($50K minimum) |
Available in Day Trade Flex programs |
| $50,000 Account |
From $87/mo (SAVE30) or $125/mo full price (Intraday plan) |
Day Trade Max from $230 (one-time) |
| $100,000+ Accounts |
$140–$300/mo Intraday ($100K–$150K, SAVE30 to full price) |
Up to $200K buying power; fees vary by program |
| Refund Policy |
Monthly subscription – cancel before next renewal |
Not specified in firm documentation |
| Coupons |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use?
|
| Feature |
TradeDay |
The Trade Pool |
| Trading Platforms |
Tradovate, NinjaTrader 8, TradingView, Jigsaw (futures-specialised; no MT) |
Trader Evolution (proprietary, IBKR-backed; no MT or cTrader) |
| Mobile Trading |
Supported on iOS and Android |
Supported on iOS and Android |
| Analytics Dashboard |
Trading journal integration, custom indicators, real-time trade monitoring |
DOM (Depth of Market), scalper view, real-time Level 2 Nasdaq data |
| Educational Resources |
Webinars, trading guides, strategy sessions, Trader Development Program with 1-on-1 coaching |
Not detailed in firm documentation |
| Community Support |
1-on-1 coaching, weekly strategy sessions, trader development workshops |
Not specified by firm |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Available Options/Products
|
| Feature |
TradeDay |
The Trade Pool |
| Account Types |
Intraday, EOD, Static (drawdown variants on the single-step plan) |
Day Trade Flex, Day Trade Max, Swing Flex, Swing Max |
| Position Limits |
5 / 10 / 15 standard contracts (or 50 micros) on $50K / $100K / $150K accounts |
Stock buying power up to $200K (no FX-style leverage tiers) |
| Profit Withdrawal |
Day One Payouts – withdrawals from day one of funded trading; no consistency requirement |
Bi-weekly (every 14 days); bank wire or crypto; 1–2 business days |
| Multiple Accounts |
Up to 6 simultaneous accounts |
Copy trading allowed between up to 2 own accounts only |
| Trading Style Flexibility |
Day trading only (no overnight or weekend holds); no hedging or arbitrage; reasonable automation policies |
Day Trade or Swing programs; no hedging, arbitrage, or manipulative practices; min 30-second trade duration |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Technical Capabilities/Performance
|
| Feature |
TradeDay |
The Trade Pool |
| Execution Speed |
Not published by firm |
Direct Nasdaq data feed via Trader Evolution; specific latency not published |
| Server Locations |
Not published (futures platforms hosted by Tradovate/NinjaTrader/Rithmic) |
IBKR-backed infrastructure; specific locations not published |
| Commissions & Fees |
Per-contract futures commissions (typically $0.50–$3 round-turn) plus CME/NYMEX exchange fees |
Standard equity commissions via IBKR; locate fees on shorts covered by the firm |
| Reliability/Uptime |
Not published |
Not published |
| EA/Algorithm Support |
Reasonable automation policies apply (consult support; no public EA ban) |
Copy trading allowed between up to 2 own accounts; no hedging or arbitrage |
| Trading Hours |
Official futures-market hours per instrument; no overnight or weekend holds |
US stock market hours (incl. pre-market and after-hours); no weekend trading |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Customer Support & Resources
|
| Feature |
TradeDay |
The Trade Pool |
| Support Hours |
24/7 via live chat and email (support@tradeday.com) |
Email and ticket-based support via firm channels |
| Languages Supported |
Not specified by firm |
Not specified by firm |
| Educational Content |
Webinars, trading guides, strategy sessions, CoPilot subscription ($24/mo) for content access |
Not detailed in firm documentation |
| Account Manager |
Not specified by firm |
Not specified by firm |
| Community Features |
Trader Development Program; 1-on-1 coaching; trading psychology workshops |
Backed by The5ers team and community |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
|
| Key Element |
TradeDay |
The Trade Pool |
| Strengths |
Single-step evaluation with no time limits; 80% Day One profit split up to 95%; Day One Payouts (no consistency requirement); up to 6 simultaneous accounts; Trader Development Program with 1-on-1 coaching |
Only major prop firm built around US stocks & ETFs (12,000+ instruments via Trader Evolution / IBKR); no PDT rule; short-sell locate fees covered by the firm; pre-market and after-hours trading; single-step evaluation from $47 |
| Weaknesses |
Futures-only – no spot Forex, stocks, or crypto; Day Trade only (no overnight or weekend holds); monthly subscription pricing; account sizes capped at $150K; news trading restricted during high-impact events |
Profit split starts at 70/30 (lower than Forex-focused firms); no Forex, crypto, futures, or indices; Max programs have a 60-day evaluation window; strict 30-second / 10-cent minimum-trade rule; younger firm (founded September 2022) |
| Best For |
Active futures traders comfortable with Tradovate, NinjaTrader 8, TradingView, or Jigsaw who want a single-step evaluation, Day One Payouts, and 1-on-1 coaching via the Trader Development Program |
US equity traders wanting access to 12,000+ stocks, ETFs, and penny stocks with no PDT rule, covered short-sell locate fees, and a single-step evaluation from $47 (Swing Flex) or $59 (Day Trade Flex) |
| Final Grade |
4.7/5 |
4.25/5 |
| Discount Codes |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
FAQ
What makes TradeDay popular among users?
TradeDay has gained popularity due to its straightforward single-step evaluation process, competitive profit splits (80% Day One, up to 95%), and strong educational resources via the Trader Development Program. Many traders appreciate the $99 reset (or free at the next monthly subscription renewal) and Day One Payouts – withdrawals available from day one of funded trading with no consistency requirement. Founded in 2020 in Chicago and focused exclusively on futures trading across 6+ asset classes (Equity Index, FX Futures, Energy, Metals, Agricultural, Bonds), TradeDay has built a strong reputation among futures-only funded trader programs.
How does The Trade Pool differ from other similar organizations?
The Trade Pool distinguishes itself as the only major prop firm built around US stocks and ETFs, with access to over 12,000 equities including penny stocks via the Trader Evolution platform (Interactive Brokers-backed). Its single-step evaluation, elimination of the PDT rule, and short selling with locate fees covered by the firm make it accessible for active equity traders. Bi-weekly payouts via bank wire or cryptocurrency are typically processed within 1–2 business days. With fees starting from $47 and milestone-based scaling up to $200K buying power, it is positioned as a US-equity specialist rather than a Forex-style prop firm.
Which platform has better conditions for swing traders?
For swing traders, The Trade Pool is clearly the better fit. It offers two dedicated Swing programs – Swing Flex (no time limit) and Swing Max (60-day window) – with overnight position holding permitted. Because US stock markets are closed on weekends, no firm-side overnight-weekend exposure applies. TradeDay, by contrast, is a Day Trade only firm across all plans (per its how-it-works documentation) and does not offer a separate Swing account; no overnight or weekend holding is permitted on its evaluation or funded accounts. Trade The Pool Swing Flex (no time limit) aligns naturally with longer-term equity strategies.
Are there any hidden fees with either company?
Neither firm lists hidden fees beyond what is published. TradeDay uses a monthly subscription model ($87–$300/mo on Intraday plans, with the SAVE30 code unlocking the lower price); a reset costs $99 mid-cycle or is free at the next monthly renewal. Trade The Pool charges a one-time evaluation fee per program (from $47); reset terms vary by program – check the dashboard. Neither firm publishes inactivity-fee policies on its public marketing pages, so traders should consult the live terms at signup. TradeDay does charge a monthly subscription regardless of whether you have an active funded account; Trade The Pool, by contrast, charges only the one-time evaluation fee per program.
Which company is better for complete beginners?
For complete beginners, the two firms suit different markets. Trade The Pool’s Day Trade Flex starts from $59 with no time limit, which creates a lower-risk entry for stock and ETF traders. Its single-step evaluation, no PDT rule, and Interactive Brokers-backed execution can help new equity traders learn without the multi-phase pressure common at Forex-focused firms. TradeDay, by contrast, is a futures-only firm with a $50K minimum account size on a monthly subscription – its standout strengths for newer traders are the Trader Development Program (1-on-1 coaching, weekly strategy sessions, trading psychology workshops) and Day One Payouts once funded. Pick the firm that matches the market you actually want to trade: US stocks and ETFs (Trade The Pool) or futures (TradeDay).
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
Our team gathered extensive data from multiple sources to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness. We analyzed the official websites of both TradeDay and The Trade Pool, examining their terms and conditions, fee structures, and program requirements. We supplemented this with real user reviews from Trustpilot, Reddit, and trading forums to understand actual trader experiences. Additionally, we consulted with industry experts and professional traders who have direct experience with both platforms to gain insider insights into their strengths and weaknesses.
2. We Examine
Once collected, all information underwent thorough verification by our team of trading professionals and financial analysts. We cross-referenced claims made by both companies against user reports and independent reviews to identify any discrepancies. Our experts conducted side-by-side comparisons of the platforms’ technical capabilities, trading conditions, and evaluation criteria. When conflicting information was found, we contacted the companies directly for clarification to ensure our analysis presents the most accurate picture possible.
3. We Score
Our scoring methodology employs a weighted system that evaluates companies across seven key categories: Evaluation Process (20%), Profit Split & Scaling (20%), Trading Conditions (15%), Platform & Tools (15%), Pricing (10%), Customer Support (10%), and Company Reputation (10%). Each category contains 3-5 subcategories scored on a 1-5 scale. These scores are weighted and combined to produce the final rating. This methodology ensures a balanced assessment that considers both objective technical factors and subjective user experience elements.
4. You Choose
Armed with our comprehensive comparison, we encourage you to identify which factors matter most to your trading style and goals. Consider your budget, experience level, preferred trading instruments, and time commitment when making your decision. We recommend taking advantage of any free trials or demo accounts before committing. Remember that the “best” platform is subjective – TradeDay’s higher profit splits might appeal to experienced traders, while The Trade Pool’s lower entry fees might be ideal for beginners. Focus on matching the program to your specific needs rather than simply choosing the highest-rated option.
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