Our Prop Firm Review Methodology — The Full Breakdown
No firm can pay us to rank higher. Period. Here's exactly how we vibe check every prop firm on the planet — the full algorithm, no cap.
TL;DR — How This Works 🧠
Our prop firm review methodology evaluates every firm across 6 major categories and 30+ individual data points. Each category has a weight that reflects how much it matters to actual traders (spoiler: the bag always matters most).
Every firm gets two scores: a Geek Flag (safety rating — green/orange/red) and a Geek Verdict (tier ranking — S through Rising). Both are updated regularly based on new data and community feedback.
We don't accept payment for rankings. Firms can't buy a better score. The methodology is the same for everyone. That's the whole point. Want to see it in action? Check our FTMO review as an example.
6 Categories. 30+ Data Points. Zero BS. 📊
Each category is weighted based on what actually matters to traders. Here's the full breakdown with receipts.
💰 Profit Split & Payouts
The bag is why you're here. We evaluate profit split percentages, payout frequency, minimum withdrawal thresholds, and actual payout speed based on real trader reports.
📜 Rules & Transparency
Hidden rules are an instant red flag. We deep-dive into every firm's terms, trading restrictions, drawdown calculations, and whether they actually tell you what's up before you pay.
⚖️ Challenge Structure & Value
Is the challenge actually passable or is it designed to farm your fees? We look at the math — pass rates, fee-to-account ratios, retry policies, and whether the structure is fair or just a cash grab.
🫂 Community Trust & Social Proof
We're not just reading marketing pages — we're in the trenches. Discord servers, Reddit threads, Trustpilot reviews, Twitter/X callouts. If traders are calling a firm out, we notice.
⚡ Platform & Tech
A laggy dashboard with delayed fills is not it. We check the platforms offered, execution quality, dashboard UX, and whether their tech is giving cutting edge or Windows XP.
🕐 Support & Responsiveness
Nothing worse than getting ghosted when your account has a problem. We test response times across live chat, email, and Discord — and check if the support is actually helpful or just copy-paste vibes.
The Geek Flag System 🚩
Think of it as a vibe check for your money. Every firm gets a flag that tells you whether it's safe to send it or if you should run.
"All good fam"
This firm checks every box — transparent rules, consistent payouts, and the community backs them up. No red flags detected. You can send your money here without losing sleep.
"Proceed with caution bestie"
Something's a bit off — maybe inconsistent payout timing, some sketchy rule changes, or mixed community reviews. Not necessarily a scam, but do extra homework before committing your bag.
"Run, not walk"
Multiple serious concerns — failed payouts, disappeared funds, deceptive marketing, or mass trader complaints. We're telling you to run, not walk. Your money deserves way better than this.
The Geek Verdict — Tier List 🏆
Every firm gets a tier based on their overall score across all categories. No participation trophies here — you earn your spot.
🔥 Elite (S-Tier)
The absolute GOATs. These firms consistently deliver across every category. Top-tier payouts, clean rules, strong community trust. Main character energy.
⚡ Strong (A-Tier)
Seriously solid firms that nail most categories. Minor areas for improvement, but overall you're in good hands. Strong recommend.
✅ Solid (B-Tier)
Reliable options that get the job done. Not flashy, but dependable. Good for traders who want consistency without the hype.
🚀 Rising (New/Unproven)
New firms or firms with limited track record. Could be the next big thing or could ghost you — not enough data yet. We're watching closely.
Our Independence Pledge 🤝
Let's address the elephant in the room. Yes, we have affiliate links. Yes, we make money when you sign up through our links. But here's what we don't do:
- ✗Let firms pay to boost their ranking (that's literally corruption)
- ✗Bury negative info about firms we're affiliated with (we'd rather go broke)
- ✗Rank firms higher because they pay us more commission (pay-to-win is not it)
- ✗Take down a red flag because a firm slid into our DMs about it
Affiliate revenue keeps the lights on. But our ratings are based on data, community feedback, and our methodology — not on who pays us the most. If a firm with our affiliate link gets a red flag, that red flag stays up. We'd rather lose a commission than lose your trust. That's on everything.
How Often We Update 🔄
Prop firms change fast. A firm that was elite last month could go full scam mode overnight (we've seen it). That's why our ratings are living documents, not static scores.
Monthly
Every firm gets re-evaluated. No exceptions.
Weekly
We check the vibes across socials
Instant
Emergency flag changes if things go sideways
Now You Know the Vibes 🎯
You just read the whole methodology — that's main character energy fr. You know we don't play favorites. Now go find the firm that actually deserves your bag.