Runtiler vs traditional prop firms

At a typical firm, the firm designs a handful of programs: perhaps a 1-step, a 2-step and an instant account, each in a few sizes, all with its own list of rules. You choose from that list.

On Runtiler, traders make the challenges. Anyone can build one in the editor, choosing the size, the steps and targets, the max loss and how it moves, the daily limit, trading days, the account type and the reward terms, all within Runtiler's bounds. They can publish it on their profile, and earn a share of each sale: 10% from the first sale, 15% from 100 sales.

So you'll find more variety: a challenge with a pause instead of an end on the daily limit, one with no time limit, one that gives the fee back. If none fits, you can build the exact one you want.

At a typical firm, the price of each program is a business decision, set by the firm.

On Runtiler, a creator can't set the price. Runtiler sets it from the rules: it works out how often those rules pay a reward, and rules that pay more often cost more. A generous split or a wide max loss raises the price; a tighter daily limit or a higher target lowers it. Prices start at $10, and a challenge keeps its price unless Runtiler improves its pricing; an account you bought never changes. See How prices are set.

At a typical firm, the rules are part of the firm's terms. Many firms update their programs from time to time, and it's worth checking whether a change can reach an account you already have.

On Runtiler, the rules and the price you bought are kept with your account and never change after you buy. A creator can stop selling a challenge or make a new one; your account keeps its rules either way. Each challenge's rules are on its Rules tab before you buy, and what every rule means is in the rulebook.

At many firms, the fee isn't refunded once your account is issued. Some give it back with your first payout.

On Runtiler, you can get the price you paid back at any time until your first trade on that account, with no deadline, while the account is open. Email support@runtiler.com with the account number. It's paid to your Runtiler wallet in USDC within 14 days of your request, and the refund ends the account. Some challenges also give the price back with your first reward ("fee back"). See Refunds.

At a typical firm, you request a payout and the firm processes it, often by bank transfer, a payment service or crypto, on its own schedule.

On Runtiler, you claim a reward from your funded account when you're in profit, flat, and the claim window is open. The claim is checked automatically in seconds. With nothing flagged, it's sent at once in USDC on Polygon to your Runtiler wallet. A flagged claim is held for a person to review; a check never rejects a claim on its own. From your wallet, a withdrawal of USDC on Polygon is free and instant. See How payouts work.

At a typical firm, how rewards are funded isn't something you can see.

On Runtiler, rewards are paid from a vault on the Polygon blockchain, at 0xCA7F6E4a4073026845220A32507a31F55491610C. Its code can't be changed and has no way for anyone to withdraw at will: money leaves it only to pay someone (a reward, a refund or a creator's share), or as the surplus above what is owed, to Runtiler's treasury. The vault also publishes what Runtiler reports it owes, so anyone can compare the two.

You can see both numbers live, and how much of what's owed is backed, in How rewards are backed.

Some things work the same way at Runtiler as at most firms, and it's worth being clear about them:

• Accounts are simulated. Prices come from real exchanges, but no order reaches a market and the balance isn't money. What's paid is a reward.
• The rules are the usual ones. Profit targets, a max loss (fixed or trailing), a daily limit, trading days, consistency and a reward split.
• Many buyers don't pass. The rules test risk control, and passing is hard anywhere. Buy only what you can afford to lose.
• Fair play is checked. Copying or hedging another account, or trading on old prices, isn't allowed, here as at most firms.
• A breach ends the account. You can buy the challenge again and start over.

If you like a fixed menu from one firm, a typical prop firm gives you that. If you want to choose from many sets of rules, see the price each one costs, keep the rules you bought, and be paid in USDC from a vault you can check, Runtiler is built for that.

Either way, read every rule before you buy. How prop firm challenges work explains each one.