Optimal Traders – Prop Firm Review
- Elite instruction from market veterans
- Exclusive analysis tools boost performance
- Personalized coaching ensures fast progress
- Community support for continuous growth
- Adaptable strategies fit your style
# Optimal Traders Review
Company Overview
Optimal Traders stands out as a modern proprietary trading firm designed to empower traders of all experience levels. Founded with the vision of creating accessible pathways to funded trading accounts, Optimal Traders offers a structured evaluation process that tests traders’ skills before providing them with substantial capital. Their two-phase challenge program assesses discipline, risk management, and consistency—core elements of successful trading. What sets Optimal Traders apart is their trader-centric approach, featuring competitive profit splits, diverse account sizes ranging from $10,000 to $200,000, and a clear path to scaling accounts. Their platform supports multiple markets including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, giving traders flexibility to operate in their preferred environments. With transparent rules, reasonable profit targets, and responsive customer support, Optimal Traders has established itself as a reputable option for traders seeking funded accounts without risking their own capital.
Key Features at a Glance
Challenge Fees
- Standard Challenge Fee – One-time payment ranging from $99 to $899 depending on account size
- Professional Challenge Fee – One-time payment from $199 to $999 for accelerated evaluation
- Refundable Option – Additional fee structure where the challenge cost is returned after achieving funded status
Account Types
- Standard Challenge: Traditional two-phase evaluation with standard profit targets and trading days
- Professional Challenge: Accelerated evaluation with higher profit targets and fewer trading days for experienced traders
- Funded Account: Live trading account with real capital after successfully passing both evaluation phases
Profit Split Options
- Initial Split: 80/20 profit sharing with 80% going to the trader upon achieving funded status
- Scaled Split: Up to 90/10 profit split after demonstrating consistent performance
- Instant Withdrawals: Option for expedited profit payouts within 24-48 hours
Account Sizes
- $10,000: Entry-level account ideal for beginners with lower challenge fee
- $25,000: Mid-sized account for developing traders seeking more capital
- $50,000: Professional account for experienced traders with higher profit potential
- $100,000: Advanced account for seasoned traders seeking substantial capital
- $200,000: Elite account offering maximum capital for high-performance traders
Trading Platforms
- MetaTrader 4: Industry-standard platform with comprehensive technical analysis tools
- MetaTrader 5: Advanced platform with extended functionality and faster execution
- cTrader: Modern platform with direct market access and enhanced charting capabilities
Financial Markets
- Forex: Major, minor, and exotic currency pairs with competitive spreads
- Indices: Global stock indices including US30, SPX500, NAS100, and international markets
- Commodities: Energy, metals, and agricultural products including gold, silver, oil
- Cryptocurrencies: Major digital assets including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other altcoins
Challenge Programs Detail
Standard Challenge
| Feature | Challenge Phase | Verification Phase |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | No time limit | No time limit |
| Profit Target | 8% | 5% |
| Daily Drawdown | 5% | 5% |
| Maximum Drawdown | 10% | 10% |
| Minimum Trading Days | 10 days | 10 days |
Professional Challenge
| Feature | Challenge Phase | Verification Phase |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | No time limit | No time limit |
| Profit Target | 12% | 8% |
| Daily Drawdown | 5% | 5% |
| Maximum Drawdown | 10% | 10% |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 days | 5 days |
Challenge Specifications
- Max Allocation: Up to $400,000 after demonstrating consistent performance with initial accounts
- Scaling: Traders can increase account size by 25% after reaching each 10% profit milestone
- Trading Competitions: Monthly competitions with additional cash prizes and account size upgrades
- Free Trial: 7-day demo challenge available for new users to test the platform
- Profit Targets: 8-12% in Challenge Phase, 5-8% in Verification Phase depending on program
- Drawdown Structure:
- Daily: 5% maximum loss from previous day’s closing balance
- Maximum: 10% total drawdown from initial account balance
- Trailing: No trailing drawdown, providing more flexibility for traders
Trading Rules and Requirements
- No overnight holding restrictions on most instruments except during high-impact news events
- Minimum 10 trading days required in Standard Challenge, 5 days in Professional Challenge
- Maximum allowed leverage of 1:100 on forex pairs, 1:50 on indices
- Stop-loss orders required on all positions
- No martingale or grid trading strategies permitted
- No excessive high-frequency trading or arbitrage strategies
- No trading during major economic news releases (3 minutes before and after)
Company Information
- Founded in 2020 by a team of professional traders and financial experts
- Headquartered in London with additional offices in Singapore and Sydney
- Regulated by appropriate financial authorities in operating jurisdictions
- 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone
- Educational resources include webinars, trading guides, and market analysis
Payout Methods
- Bank Transfer (3-5 business days)
- PayPal (24-48 hours)
- Skrill/Neteller (24-48 hours)
- Bitcoin/Cryptocurrency (24 hours)
- Wise Transfer (1-3 business days)
Trading Commissions
- Forex: $5 per standard lot (100,000 units) round trip
- Indices: $1-2 per standard contract depending on the index
- Commodities: $2-4 per standard contract depending on the commodity
- Cryptocurrencies: 0.05% of trade value
- No hidden fees or additional charges beyond standard commissions
IP Rules
- Traders must use the same IP address consistently throughout the challenge
- VPN usage must be declared and approved before starting the challenge
- Maximum of two registered IP addresses permitted per account
- Traders must notify customer support when changing location or IP address
- Suspicious IP changes may result in account review or suspension
Video Review
Optimal Traders Review
Comprehensive review of Optimal Traders trading services
Unique Features
Trading Dashboard
- Real-time performance metrics and analytics
- Custom risk management tools with preset drawdown alerts
- Comprehensive trading journal with automatic trade logging
- Customizable dashboard layouts for different trading styles
Education and Support
- Weekly live trading sessions with professional traders
- Comprehensive market analysis and trading ideas
- Personal account manager for funded traders
- Trader community with forums and discussion groups
Why Choose Optimal Traders?
Optimal Traders has positioned itself as a trader-friendly prop firm that balances fair evaluation with realistic expectations. Their approach focuses on sustainable trading rather than encouraging risky behaviors to meet unrealistic targets.
Key advantages include:
- No time limits on challenges, allowing traders to develop at their own pace
- Competitive scaling program that rewards consistent performance
- Transparent rules with no hidden requirements or “gotcha” violations
- Fast verification process and prompt payouts of profits
- Excellent educational resources to help traders improve their skills
- Responsive customer support available 24/7
- Reasonable profit targets that encourage sustainable trading strategies
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get funded?
Once you successfully complete both the Challenge and Verification phases, you will typically receive your funded account within 24-48 hours. The approval process includes a final review of your trading history to ensure compliance with all rules and requirements. After approval, you’ll receive login credentials for your funded account and can begin trading immediately.
Can I hold positions over the weekend?
Yes, Optimal Traders allows position holding over weekends for most instruments. However, during major economic events or heightened market volatility, certain restrictions may apply. It’s recommended to manage risk carefully when holding weekend positions due to potential gaps at market open. Cryptocurrency positions can be held 24/7 as these markets operate continuously.
What happens if I break a rule?
If you break a trading rule, the consequences depend on the severity and nature of the violation. Minor infractions typically result in a warning, while serious violations like exceeding drawdown limits will lead to immediate account termination. In some cases, Optimal Traders may offer a reset option for an additional fee, allowing you to restart the challenge. Each case is reviewed individually, and the support team will communicate the specific outcome.
Can I trade news events?
Trading during high-impact news events is permitted but with certain restrictions. You must avoid trading 3 minutes before and after major economic releases. This rule is designed to protect both traders and the firm from extreme volatility. If you wish to trade news events, it’s recommended to plan your strategy carefully and consider using pending orders placed outside the restricted time window.
How often can I withdraw profits?
Funded traders can request profit withdrawals on a bi-weekly basis. The minimum withdrawal amount is $100, and there is no maximum limit beyond your available profit. Once requested, withdrawals are processed within 24-48 hours depending on your chosen payment method. Regular traders can graduate to weekly withdrawals after three months of consistent performance. There are no fees for standard withdrawals, though some payment methods may have third-party charges.
