The Profit Target: Your Monthly Requirement
Once you're funded, you must hit a monthly profit target to keep your account active and eligible for scaling. In 2026, targets range from 3% to 10%+ depending on the firm. This guide shows you exactly which firms have the easiest targets and why.
The key insight: an "easy" target isn't always the lowest percentage. A 10% target on a $10,000 account ($1,000 profit needed) might be easier to hit than a 5% target on a $100,000 account ($5,000 profit needed), depending on your trading style and capital size.
Profit Targets by Firm (2026)
| Firm | Monthly Target | Daily Loss Limit | Weekly Loss Limit | Success Rate | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instant Funding | 5% | 5% | 10% | 65%+ | ⭐ Easiest |
| City Traders Funded | 5% | 5% | 10% | 60%+ | ⭐ Easiest |
| FundedNext | 8% | 5% | 10% | 50%+ | ⭐⭐ Easy |
| E8 Markets | 10% | 6% | 12% | 45%+ | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate |
| Audacity Markets | 10% | 5% | 10% | 40%+ | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate |
| OneUp Trader | 10% | 5% | N/A | 35%+ | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate |
| TopstepTrader | 12%+ | 3% | 5% | 25% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Difficult |
What Makes a Target "Easy" vs. "Hard"
The 5% Target (Instant Funding, City Traders)
Why it's the easiest: On a $10,000 account, you only need $500 in monthly profit. That's roughly $25/day if you trade 20 days per month. Most traders making even 2-3 pips per day hit this easily.
Catch: The loss limits are equally tight. 5% daily loss limit = $500 max daily loss. One bad trade can end your month.
The 8-10% Target (FundedNext, Audacity, E8)
Why it's moderate: 8% on $10,000 = $800 monthly profit. On a $50,000 account, that's $4,000 monthly. The targets scale with your account size, so relative difficulty stays consistent.
Advantage: Slightly more forgiving loss limits (usually 5-6% daily). You can survive a bad day and still hit the target.
The 10%+ Target (TopstepTrader)
Why it's hardest: TopstepTrader accounts are often smaller ($2,000-$5,000 starting), making 12% targets feel aggressive. Plus, 3% daily loss limits are restrictive. One bad trade eats 33% of your monthly allowance.
Who succeeds: Aggressive scalpers and day traders who make 5+ trades per day. Position traders struggle here.
Which Target Should You Choose?
If you're new to funded trading: Choose Instant Funding or City Traders (5% target). The lower target and larger loss limits give you breathing room while you adapt to real money pressure.
If you're experienced & scalp frequently: FundedNext or Audacity (8-10%) works fine. You can hit these targets in 10-15 trading days, leaving buffer room.
If you day trade ES/NQ (futures): TopstepTrader is optimized for futures traders, despite the harder targets. The daily loss limits (3-5%) are standard for futures trading.
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