1-Step vs. 2-Step Prop Firm Challenges: Which is Actually Easier to Pass?

Which is easier to pass: a 1-step or a 2-step prop firm challenge?

Statistically, a 2-step prop firm challenge is easier to pass for the vast majority of traders.

While a 1-step challenge seems faster because it only requires hitting a single profit target (usually 10%), it often comes with a strict trailing drawdown that penalizes floating profits. A 2-step challenge requires passing two phases with lower individual targets (such as 4% and 8%), but offers a much safer static drawdown, providing significantly more breathing room and psychological peace of mind. For those based in North America, finding the best US prop firm 2026 that offers these fair rules is the key to long-term success. If you are starting with low capital, many of these are available as cheapest prop firm challenges under $100.

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If you are new to the proprietary trading industry in 2026, choosing the right evaluation model is the most important decision you will make. Pick the wrong one for your trading style, and you will blow your account before you even get close to a payout.

To find the easiest prop firm challenge, you have to look beyond just the profit targets. Here is the ultimate breakdown of 1-Step vs. 2-Step prop firm challenges, the hidden traps inside them, and our top recommendations for getting funded fast.

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What is a 1-Step Prop Firm Challenge?

A 1-step challenge requires you to hit a single profit target (typically around 9% or 10%) to secure a funded account. Once you hit that target without breaching your daily or maximum loss limits, you are immediately funded.

The Pros:

• Speed to Funding: You only have to prove yourself once. If you catch a massive market move, you can theoretically pass the challenge in a single day.
• Ideal for Scalpers: High-frequency day traders who take quick profits and use tight stop-losses thrive in 1-step environments.

The Hidden Trap (Trailing Drawdowns):

The reason 1-step challenges are historically harder to pass is because 90% of them utilize a Trailing Drawdown. This means your maximum loss limit moves up as your account equity reaches new highs. If you are up 5% for the week but the market reverses and you give back 4% of those unrealized profits, you can fail the challenge—even though you never touched your initial starting balance.

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What is a 2-Step Prop Firm Challenge?

A 2-step challenge requires you to pass two distinct evaluation phases. Typically, Phase 1 requires an 8% profit target, and Phase 2 requires a 5% profit target to verify your consistency.

The Pros:

• Static Drawdowns: This is the massive advantage of 2-step challenges. They almost always feature a Static Drawdown (calculated from your initial starting balance). Your loss limit never trails up.
• Psychological Peace: Because the drawdown doesn’t trail your open trades, swing traders can confidently hold positions through normal market pullbacks without fear of a sudden breach.
• Lower Leverage Pressure: Because you are aiming for smaller, incremental targets across two phases, you don’t have to over-leverage your account to succeed.

The Cons:

• It takes slightly longer to get funded because you have to restart the process for Phase 2.

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The Verdict: Which is Actually Easier in 2026?

For 95% of retail traders—especially beginners and swing traders—the 2-step challenge is mathematically and psychologically easier to pass.

The safety net of a static drawdown completely outweighs the “speed” of a 1-step challenge. It allows your trading edge to play out over time without the constant anxiety of a trailing stop-loss ruining your evaluation.

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The Best Prop Firms for 1-Step & 2-Step Evaluations

1. The Easiest 2-Step Challenge: FXIFY 2-Phase Pro

If you want the absolute easiest prop firm challenge on the market in 2026, the FXIFY 2-Phase Pro is the undisputed champion. FXIFY completely disrupted the 2-step model by dramatically lowering the barrier to entry:

• Aggressively Low Targets: Instead of the standard 8% and 5%, the 2-Phase Pro requires just 4% in Phase 1 and 8% in Phase 2. Hitting 4% is incredibly achievable even for conservative traders.
• True Static Drawdown: Your 8% maximum drawdown never trails.
• No Consistency Rules: You don’t have to force trades. Take the setups the market gives you.
• On-Demand Payouts: Once you pass, you can withdraw your profits every 10 days.

If you are looking to keep your initial costs as low as possible while taking these challenges, check out our selection of the cheapest prop firm challenges under $100.

2. The Best 1-Step Challenge: FXIFY 1-Phase

If you are an aggressive day trader who insists on speed and understands how to manage trailing drawdowns, FXIFY’s 1-Phase challenge is the best 1-step prop firm option. Hit a single 10% target and get funded immediately with raw spreads and instant execution via FXPIG.

3. The “Zero Step” Alternative: Darwinex Zero

What if you don’t want to deal with 1-step or 2-step profit targets at all?

If you hate the pressure of hitting an 8% target, Darwinex Zero offers a hedge-fund-style alternative. You simply pay a subscription, trade normally on MT4/MT5, and let their risk engine evaluate you. There are no profit targets and no strict drawdown traps.

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Conclusion

Stop failing evaluations because you picked the wrong rule set for your trading style.

• If you are an aggressive scalper optimizing for speed, take a 1-Step Challenge. You may also want to use EA-friendly prop firms if you use automated trading bots.
• If you want the highest statistical probability of passing, choose a 2-Step Challenge with a static drawdown.

Ready to get funded?

We highly recommend the FXIFY 2-Phase Pro as the easiest gateway to securing a funded account in 2026. Browse our detailed reviews and use our exclusive verified promo codes to get a massive discount on your evaluation fee today!