# How it works: evaluation to Live in 5 steps

> Five steps: choose an account type and size, pass a one-phase evaluation or start funded on a Direct account, trade the funded simulated account under published rules, request payouts from $500 with a 90% split, and move to a Live account after five payouts. One fee, no subscription, no time limit.

Source: https://startrading.io/how-it-works · Updated 2026-09-08


## 1. Choose an account

Pick a type (Cycle, Clear, Stream or Direct) and a size from 25K to 150K. The configurator shows the profit target, the Max Loss Limit, the Daily Loss Limit, the position limit and the payout rules before you pay. One fee, from $108.

## 2. Pass the evaluation, or skip it

Reach the profit target ($6,000 on a 100K) without hitting the Max Loss Limit. No minimum days, no time limit. Clear and Stream apply a 50% largest-day check. Direct has no evaluation: you are funded from the first trade.

## 3. Trade the funded account

Your funded simulated account activates 5 to 30 minutes after the target. Same size, same platform, funded rules of your account type: buffer and 40% consistency on Cycle, no daily limit on Clear, intraday drawdown on Stream, 20% consistency on Direct.

## 4. Request payouts

From $500, whenever the rules of your account type are met, with no fixed window. You keep 90%. The amount leaves the account within minutes and the wire is sent within 2 business days.

## 5. Move to Live

After five payouts your account enters the Live review pool. With at least one payout it becomes a Live account that starts at $0 with a starting drawdown of $1,000 to $4,500 by size, no daily limit, no consistency rule, daily payouts and a one-time Live Bonus.

## How long does each step take?



There is no calendar in the rules. These are the fixed delays in the process; everything else depends on your trading.



- Account credentials after payment: Minutes

- Funded activation after the target: 5 to 30 minutes

- Payout debited from the account: Minutes

- Wire after approval: 2 business days



Simulated accounts until Live. Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss.