Finding an affordable prop firm challenge is always tempting. So when I stumbled upon Upcomers, a firm offering ridiculously low prices, I decided to test them out. I ended up buying three separate challenges.
Spoiler alert: I failed all three.
While I was generally satisfied with the overall experience, dashboard, and the platform, the hidden rules in the fine print forced me into high-risk situations. Here is my exact experience and what you need to look out for.
Challenge #1: The $100K Direct Funding (For just $150!)
The first account I tried was their Direct Funding program. Getting a $100,000 funded account for only $150 seemed like an unbelievable deal. Plus, I was able to trade using cTrader, which is my absolute favorite platform.
For the first few days, everything went smoothly. I was making consistent profits trading Gold. The modern web dashboard was clean, clear, and tracked all my stats in real-time. I truly felt like I knew what I was getting into—until the hidden math caught up with me.
The Catch: The 20% Consistency Rule & Dynamic Targets
Upcomers implements a strict 20% consistency rule. Furthermore, to count a day as an official “trading day,” you must make a profit of at least 0.5% of the account balance.
Think about that math. If you have to make 0.5% a day over multiple days just to qualify, you are essentially forced into a hidden 2.5% profit target just to satisfy the duration rules.
I was managing it well until August 5, 2026. Gold experienced a massive, sudden 4% one-day rally. Even though I didn’t mind their dynamic daily drawdown rule in theory, that extreme market volatility caught me off guard and knocked me straight into the daily loss limit. Account blown.
Challenges #2 & #3: The $100K 1-Step Turbo (For just $50!)
After the first failure, I saw another deal that was simply unheard of in the industry: a $100,000 1-Step Turbo challenge for a mere $50. I bought two of them.
At that price point, it felt like a no-brainer. But as always with ultra-cheap prop firms, if the entry price is low, the hidden restrictions are exceptionally high.
The Catch: The 7-Day Time Trap
To pass the Turbo challenge, you need to hit a 4% profit target. Sounds easy, right?
Here is the catch: You must achieve this target within exactly 7 active trading days. This breaks down to making an average of 0.5% profit every single day without fail.
Forcing a trader to make 0.5% daily over such a short window completely destroys normal risk management. It forces you to take bigger risks, use higher leverage, and rush your trades. Once again, I traded Gold, but due to extraordinary market swings and the pressure of the ticking 7-day clock, I couldn’t sustain the daily target. Both accounts were breached.
The Payout Question & Online Complaints
Because I blew the accounts due to these strict rules, I never reached the stage of requesting a payout.
When researching the firm online, I noticed several user complaints regarding their payout process and customer service. Since I didn’t successfully pass the challenges myself, I cannot personally confirm or deny these complaints. My advice is simply to remain cautious and manage your risk accordingly.
The Verdict: Is Upcomers Worth It?
Overall, I was satisfied with the technical side. Their pricing is revolutionary, the cTrader integration works great, and their dashboard is highly transparent. You always see your limits clearly.
However, cheap upfront costs mean expensive trading rules. The combination of consistency rules, strict definitions of a “trading day,” and tight time limits make passing these challenges an extreme psychological and statistical battle.
My Advice: Before you buy a challenge based only on a cheap price tag, make sure you calculate the hidden math behind the rules.
If you want to compare how Upcomers’ drawdown and consistency rules stack up against other firms without getting caught in a trap, make sure to check out our comparison tools right here on Proppie.io.