thePropTrade Static Drawdown
The Simple Answer
thePropTrade labels its drawdown type directly on each account. The 1-Step Classic (6%) and 2-Steps Classic (8%) accounts are both static, fixed to the starting balance. Instant Zero (6%) and PayFlex Edge (6%) both use a trailing drawdown type the firm calls Trailing Lock, which follows your balance upward and locks in place once it moves.
Below is a breakdown of how the thePropTrade drawdown model applies across account types and stages.
Static vs Trailing Drawdown
Static drawdown, also called absolute drawdown, sets your maximum loss at a fixed level calculated from the starting balance. That floor never moves, so any profit you make increases your total cushion. Trailing drawdown, also called relative drawdown, moves the loss level up as your balance rises, which protects part of your gains but reduces the room you have left to draw down. Static is generally easier to manage because the failure point stays in one place.
Breakdown by Account Type
Instant Zero
Instant Zero skips the evaluation and starts you on a funded account right away. It uses a 6% Trailing Lock maximum drawdown alongside a 3% daily drawdown.
1-Step Classic
The 1-Step Classic account uses a static 6% maximum drawdown fixed to the starting balance, alongside a 3% daily drawdown and a 12% profit target.
2-Steps Classic
The 2-Steps Classic account uses a static 8% maximum drawdown fixed to the starting balance across both phases, alongside a 4% daily drawdown and profit targets of 5% then 8%.
PayFlex Edge
PayFlex Edge uses a 6% Trailing Lock maximum drawdown that follows your balance upward and locks once it moves, alongside a 4% daily drawdown and performance-based scaling.
Final Comments
thePropTrade is unusually direct about labeling each account’s drawdown type. The 1-Step and 2-Steps Classic accounts are static, while Instant Zero and PayFlex Edge both use the firm’s Trailing Lock model. Check the account configurator before buying, since the label is shown right next to the drawdown percentage.
FAQ
Does thePropTrade use static or trailing drawdown?
It depends on the account. The 1-Step Classic and 2-Steps Classic accounts are static, while Instant Zero and PayFlex Edge both use a Trailing Lock drawdown.
What is static drawdown?
Static drawdown sets your maximum loss at a fixed level based on the starting balance. It does not move as your account grows, so the point at which the account fails stays the same.
Which thePropTrade accounts use static drawdown?
The 1-Step Classic (6%) and 2-Steps Classic (8%) accounts both use a static maximum drawdown.
Does the maximum drawdown trail on the funded stage?
On Instant Zero and PayFlex Edge, yes, the Trailing Lock drawdown carries into the funded stage. On the Classic accounts, the drawdown stays static on the funded stage too.
What is the difference between static and trailing drawdown?
A static drawdown keeps the loss level fixed from the starting balance, so your failure point never moves. A trailing drawdown moves the loss level up as your balance rises, which protects some profit but leaves you less room as you gain.