At a glance
- FundedNext Futures explicitly states that the funded-account transition is free and carries no activation fee or monthly subscription.
- FTMO says its 1-Step, 2-Step and Instant products use a one-time purchase fee with no additional or hidden fees; the 2-Step fee is refundable with the first reward.
- A no-activation-fee claim must be checked for the specific product—not generalized across every product sold by a firm.
Activation fee vs challenge fee
A challenge or evaluation fee is paid to enter a qualifying programme. An activation fee is a separate charge that may be requested after passing, before the funded or master account is activated. A subscription is a recurring charge for access over time.
These are different costs. A firm can have a paid challenge and still have no post-pass activation fee. Conversely, a product advertised as “instant” can have a higher upfront price and different withdrawal conditions.
| Cost type | When it is charged | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge / evaluation fee | Before the evaluation begins | Is it one-time, refundable, or recurring? |
| Activation fee | After passing, before funded access | Is there a separate payment to activate the next account? |
| Subscription | Recurring during access | Does the fee renew monthly or after a fixed period? |
| Reset / add-on fee | When resetting or adding an option | Is it optional, model-specific, or required? |
Officially documented examples
| Firm / product | What the official terms say | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| FundedNext Futures | One-time challenge fee; no monthly subscription; free transition to FundedNext Account; no activation fee | Futures products only. Account sizes and challenge types have their own rules and pricing. |
| FTMO 1-Step, 2-Step and Instant | One-time purchase fee; FTMO says no additional or hidden fees | This is not a statement that every third-party payment provider is free. Payment method fees may apply. |
How to check the real total cost
- Check the price at the exact account size and product you intend to buy.
- Look for a separate post-pass activation charge in the official FAQ and terms.
- Check whether a monthly subscription continues during evaluation.
- Add reset fees, paid add-ons, platform charges and payment processing fees where applicable.
- Check refund conditions: “refundable” often means reimbursed only after a qualifying reward or withdrawal.
What we do not claim
We do not label a firm “no activation fee” merely because its marketing page omits the fee. Where the official product terms do not clearly answer the question, the status should remain unconfirmed rather than being presented as a zero-cost guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Does no activation fee mean the challenge is free?
No. It means there is no separate post-pass activation charge. You may still have to pay the initial challenge or product fee.
Does FundedNext Futures charge an activation fee?
Its official help centre says the funded transition is free and there is no activation fee or monthly subscription. This statement applies to FundedNext Futures.
Does FTMO charge recurring fees?
FTMO says its 1-Step, 2-Step and Instant products use a one-time purchase fee and that it does not charge additional or hidden fees.
Official sources
Provider rules can change. Check the linked product terms and FAQs before purchasing; the official source takes precedence over this summary.
PropCoupons is an independent comparison and discount-listing website. This research is informational, not financial advice or a guarantee of payout. Product terms and availability may change.