Head to head
Core Funded vs IQ Capital
IQ Capital grades higher overall, 6.5 to 5.9. Across 21 measurable rows, Core Funded comes out ahead on 7 and IQ Capital on 11.
Cheap, well-documented rules, with payouts paid out in capped installments
Cheap, well-reviewed and barely a year old — the support is real, the paper trail isn't yet
Key differences
In short
- A $100K evaluation is cheaper at IQ Capital ($499 vs $562 at Core Funded).
- IQ Capital has the stronger payout record (8.9 vs 7.6).
- Core Funded carries more hidden-rule risk (4.8 vs 3.7), led by: payouts capped at 50% of profit and $2,500-$5,000 per request.
- Core Funded allows more capital ($10,000,000 vs $2,000,000).
- Only Core Funded sells 2-step programs.
- Match-Trader is only available at Core Funded.
- MT5, Volumetrica, Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Quantower are only available at IQ Capital.
Core Funded vs IQ Capital, side by side
The better value in each row is marked
| Criterion | ||
|---|---|---|
| Grade | ||
| Overall score | C5.9 | B6.5 |
| Payouts | 7.6 | 8.9 |
| Transparency | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Rules & trading conditions | 5.7 | 3.9 |
| Reputation | 5.2 | 6.3 |
| Platforms & execution | 3.5 | 6.2 |
| Support | 7.2 | 7.3 |
| Evidence | ||
| Trustpilot | 4.1 (134) | 4.7 (533) |
| Pass rate | 15%Estimate | 15%Estimate |
| Hidden risk | 4.8 HighHidden risk 4.8 out of 10, High | 3.7 ModerateHidden risk 3.7 out of 10, Moderate |
| Negative recent reviews | 19% | 5% |
| Offer | ||
| $100K challenge | $562 | $499 |
| Cheapest account | $51 | $199 |
| Max allocation | $10M | $2M |
| Max profit split | 95% | 90% |
| Payouts | On demand… | Every 10 days (Core/Instant Crypto-CFD), every 1-3 days… |
| Programs | instant, 1-step, 2-step | 1-step, instant |
| Current offer | 50% OFF· WELCOME | — |
| Company | ||
| Headquarters | Dover, United States | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Years in business | 1 | 1 |
| Trading | ||
| Platforms | Match-Trader | MT5, Volumetrica, Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Quantower |
| Assets | Forex, Indices, Metals, Commodities, Energies, Crypto, Stocks | Forex, Indices, Metals, Commodities, Energies, Crypto, Stocks, Futures |
| EAs | Allowed | Restricted |
| News trading | Restricted | Allowed |
| Weekend holding | Allowed | Allowed |
| Copy trading | Restricted | Not allowed |
| Hedging | Allowed | Restricted |
Which should you choose?
By trading style
| You are… | Pick | |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners | IQ Capital | Entry as low as $9 for a small account, no minimum trading days, an end-of-day (not live) drawdown, and support that reviewers praise as fast and patient make this an easy on-ramp, though the funded-account risk cap is tighter than the challenge. |
| Experienced traders | Either | Core Funded: Cheap pricing, a generous static drawdown and only 3 minimum trading days are attractive, but the $2,500-$5,000 per-request payout cap and the 50%-of-profit limit make a quick, full cash-out of a big win slow. |
| Swing traders | Either | Core Funded: Overnight and weekend positions are allowed on every account type with no extra fee or restriction mentioned. |
| Scalpers | Core Funded | No stop-loss or hold-time minimum is enforced, but more than half your trades under a minute without a documented strategy is defined as prohibited gambling, and several reviewers report wide spreads. |
| EA & algo traders | Core Funded | EAs, trade copiers and copy trading between your own accounts are explicitly allowed, though Match-Trader's EA ecosystem is narrower than MT4/MT5 and the strategy must stay the same from challenge to funded account. |
| News traders | IQ Capital | News trading is allowed with no restriction on CFD, crypto or futures accounts, a genuine differentiator versus firms that lock trading around high-impact releases. |
Verdicts
Core Funded verdict
Cheap, well-documented rules, with payouts paid out in capped installments
Best for: Cost-conscious traders who want clearly documented targets and static drawdowns, and who plan to withdraw profit in smaller, regular amounts rather than one large payout.
Avoid if: You need a platform choice beyond Match-Trader, a long independent track record, or certainty that a disputed account decision can be appealed.
IQ Capital verdict
Cheap, well-reviewed and barely a year old — the support is real, the paper trail isn't yet
Best for: Cost-conscious beginners and disciplined swing traders who want a cheap, clearly-documented single-phase challenge and value fast support over a long payout track record.
Avoid if: You need years of verified payout history, size positions near the funded-account's 0.5% per-trade cap without adjusting from the Challenge's 1%, or want full clarity on which jurisdiction actually governs your contract.
Core Funded vs IQ Capital FAQ
Questions traders ask
Is Core Funded better than IQ Capital?
On our grading IQ Capital scores higher overall (6.5 vs 5.9, grade B vs C). Core Funded still comes out ahead on conditions. The better choice depends on your style: compare the rules rows above before buying.
Which is cheaper, Core Funded or IQ Capital?
At list price a $100K evaluation costs $562 at Core Funded and $499 at IQ Capital, so IQ Capital is cheaper. The smallest accounts start at $51 and $199. Discounts change often, so check the offers page.
Which pays out more reliably, Core Funded or IQ Capital?
IQ Capital has the stronger payout score (Core Funded 7.6 vs IQ Capital 8.9). Core Funded pays on demand; after the first payout, 3 qualifying trading days (each at least 0.5% net profit) are required since the previous payout; IQ Capital pays every 10 days (core/instant crypto-cfd), every 1-3 days capped at 5 payouts (rapid).
Which has fewer hidden rules, Core Funded or IQ Capital?
IQ Capital has the lower Hidden Risk score (Core Funded 4.8, high; IQ Capital 3.7, moderate). Each review lists the specific rules behind the score.
Is it easier to pass Core Funded or IQ Capital?
Core Funded: 15% (estimate). IQ Capital: 15% (estimate). Estimates are a guide to difficulty only; drawdown type and daily loss rules matter as much as the target.
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