Prop Firms 1 Step Challenge 2026: One-Step Evaluation Challenges Explained
Discover prop firms with 1-step challenges in 2026. This comprehensive guide covers one-step evaluation challenges, including how they work, benefits, drawbacks, requirements, and best prop firms offering single-phase evaluations.
Prop firms offering one-step evaluation challenges. Source: Unsplash
Understanding 1-Step Prop Firm Challenges
A 1-step prop firm challenge is a single-phase evaluation process where traders only need to pass one phase (typically requiring 10-25% profit) to receive a funded account. This differs from traditional two-step challenges that require passing both a Challenge phase and a Verification phase.
Traditional two-step evaluations require passing a Challenge phase (typically 8% profit target) and then a Verification phase (typically 5% profit target). One-step evaluations consolidate this into a single phase with a higher profit target, making the path to funding faster but requiring more profit in one phase.
1-step benefits: faster path to funding, reduced time commitment, and simplified process. Learn more about one-step prop firms and their evaluation models.
How 1-Step Challenges Work
Single Phase Evaluation
1-step challenges require passing only one phase to receive a funded account. This single phase typically requires achieving a profit target (usually 10-25%) while staying within drawdown limits and following trading rules. Successful completion leads directly to funded account access.
Single phase benefits: faster process, direct funding access, and simplified evaluation. Single phase is the key feature of 1-step challenges.
Higher Profit Targets
1-step challenges typically require higher profit targets (10-25%) compared to two-step challenges (8% + 5% = 13% total). This higher target compensates for the single-phase approach, requiring more profit in one phase rather than splitting across two phases.
Target factors: typically 10-25% profit, single-phase requirement, and higher than two-step totals. Higher targets are characteristic of 1-step challenges.
Faster Path to Funding
1-step challenges provide a faster path to funding by eliminating the second verification phase. Traders can reach funded accounts more quickly, reducing overall time commitment. This speed benefit is valuable for traders seeking faster access to capital.
Speed benefits: faster funding access, reduced time commitment, and quicker capital access. Faster path is a key benefit of 1-step challenges.
Simplified Process
1-step challenges simplify the evaluation process by consolidating requirements into a single phase. This simplification reduces complexity and makes the path to funding more straightforward, though it requires achieving higher profit targets.
Simplification benefits: reduced complexity, straightforward process, and easier understanding. Simplified process is a key benefit of 1-step challenges.
1-Step vs 2-Step Challenges Comparison
1-Step Challenges
- • Single phase evaluation
- • Faster path to funding
- • Higher profit target (10-25%)
- • Simplified process
- • Reduced time commitment
- • One challenge fee
- • Direct funding access
2-Step Challenges
- • Two-phase evaluation
- • Slower path to funding
- • Split profit targets (8% + 5%)
- • More structured process
- • Longer time commitment
- • Two challenge fees
- • Verification phase required
Prop Firms Offering 1-Step Challenges
1. FundedNext Express Model
FundedNext offers the Express Model, a 1-step challenge requiring 25% profit target in a single phase. The Express Model provides faster access to funding with scaling up to $4M and 90% profit split.
Why FundedNext Express is excellent: 25% profit target (single phase), faster funding access, scaling up to $4M, 90% profit split, and proven reliability. FundedNext Express provides excellent 1-step challenge option.
1-step benefits: single phase, 25% target, faster funding, and scaling potential. FundedNext Express is a top 1-step option.
2. Apex Trader Funding PA Accounts
Apex Trader Funding offers PA (Performance Account) accounts, which are 1-step challenges for futures trading. PA accounts provide faster access to funding with flexible rules and accounts up to $300K+.
3. TopStep Trading Combine
TopStep offers Trading Combine accounts, which are 1-step challenges for futures trading. Trading Combine provides faster access to funding with established track record and comprehensive platform support.
Benefits of 1-Step Challenges
Faster Path to Funding
1-step challenges provide a faster path to funding by eliminating the second verification phase. Traders can reach funded accounts more quickly, reducing overall time commitment. This speed benefit is valuable for traders seeking faster access to capital.
Speed benefits: faster funding access, reduced time commitment, and quicker capital access. Faster path is a key benefit of 1-step challenges.
Simplified Process
1-step challenges simplify the evaluation process by consolidating requirements into a single phase. This simplification reduces complexity and makes the path to funding more straightforward, though it requires achieving higher profit targets.
Simplification benefits: reduced complexity, straightforward process, and easier understanding. Simplified process is a key benefit of 1-step challenges.
Reduced Time Commitment
1-step challenges require less time commitment than two-step challenges, as traders only need to complete one phase instead of two. This time reduction is valuable for traders with limited time availability or those seeking faster results.
Time benefits: less time required, faster completion, and reduced commitment. Reduced time commitment is a key benefit of 1-step challenges.
Potentially Lower Cost
1-step challenges may have lower overall cost than two-step challenges, as traders only pay one challenge fee instead of two. However, this depends on individual firm pricing. Always compare total costs when evaluating options.
Cost benefits: one challenge fee, potentially lower total cost, and simplified pricing. Potentially lower cost is a benefit of 1-step challenges.
Considerations for 1-Step Challenges
Higher Profit Targets
1-step challenges typically require higher profit targets (10-25%) compared to two-step challenges (8% + 5% = 13% total). This higher target requires more profit in one phase, which may be more challenging for some traders. Consider whether you can achieve the higher target in a single phase.
Target considerations: higher profit requirement, single-phase challenge, and potential difficulty. Higher targets require careful consideration.
No Verification Phase
1-step challenges eliminate the verification phase, which means traders don't get a second chance to prove consistency. This single-phase approach requires achieving the profit target in one attempt, with no second phase to demonstrate consistency.
Verification factors: no second phase, single attempt, and no consistency verification. No verification phase is a consideration.
Trading Style Compatibility
1-step challenges may be better suited for traders who can achieve higher profit targets quickly, while 2-step challenges may be better for traders who prefer a more gradual approach. Consider your trading style and ability to achieve higher targets in a single phase.
Style factors: trading approach, profit achievement ability, and phase preference. Trading style compatibility is important.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 1-step prop firm challenge?
A 1-step prop firm challenge is a single-phase evaluation process where traders only need to pass one phase (typically requiring 10-25% profit) to receive a funded account. This differs from traditional two-step challenges that require passing both a Challenge phase and a Verification phase.
Are 1-step challenges easier than 2-step challenges?
1-step challenges are not necessarily easier - they typically require higher profit targets (10-25%) in a single phase, while 2-step challenges split requirements across two phases (typically 8% + 5%). The choice depends on trading style: 1-step is faster but requires more profit in one phase, while 2-step is slower but splits requirements.
What prop firms offer 1-step challenges?
Prop firms offering 1-step challenges include: FundedNext (Express Model with 25% target), Apex Trader Funding (PA accounts), TopStep (Trading Combine), and other firms with single-phase evaluations. Always verify current challenge types and requirements with individual prop firms.