Beginner 7 min read
Monthly Fee vs One-Time Payment
One firm charges $150 once. Another charges $99/month until you pass. Which is cheaper? It depends on how fast you pass — and most traders underestimate how long that takes.
The Two Models
Monthly Subscription
Recurring fee each month until you pass or cancel. Keeps billing whether you trade or not.
Used by: Apex, Topstep, TPT, Earn2Trade, TradeDay, OneUpTrader
One-Time Payment
Pay once, unlimited time to pass. No recurring charges, no time pressure.
Used by: FTMO, FundedNext, Lucid, Purdia, FundingPips, FXIFY
Break-Even Analysis (50K Account)
| Time to Pass | Monthly ($99/mo) | One-Time ($165) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | $99 | $165 | Monthly |
| 2 months | $198 | $165 | One-Time |
| 3 months | $297 | $165 | One-Time |
| 6 months | $594 | $165 | One-Time |
| 12 months | $1,188 | $165 | One-Time |
Reality check: The average trader takes 2-4 attempts and 2-3 months to pass. Monthly subscriptions almost always cost more unless you pass in 30 days.
When to Pick Each
Monthly Works If...
- ✓ You consistently pass within 1-2 weeks
- ✓ The firm offers a free trial or discounted first month
- ✓ You want to test a firm before committing
One-Time Works If...
- ✓ You're still developing your strategy
- ✓ You trade part-time with limited screen time
- ✓ You plan to run multiple accounts
Compare pricing across all firms
See which firms offer one-time vs. monthly fees, current discounts, and total costs.
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