18th Street Trading vs BluSky: Head-to-Head Comparison (2026)
Verdict: Who Wins?
Best For:
Visual Comparison
Head-to-Head Comparison
| 18th Street Trading | Metric | BluSky |
|---|---|---|
| - | PFM Score | 7.6/10 |
| - | TrustPilot | 4.7/5 (891) |
| - | Safety Grade | B+ ★ |
| 10 F | Trust Score | 52.2 C ★ |
| 80% | Profit Split | Up to 90% to the trader ★ |
| None | Daily Drawdown | Varies by plan: EOD trailing/static drawdown ($2,000-$5,000) on Launch/Propel evals; $1,000-$2,000/day hard cap on Instant Funding & Direct to Funded |
| Every 30 days | Payout Frequency | Daily |
| $149 | Starting Price | $59 ★ |
| White-Label | Technology | White-Label |
| Volumetrica, Rithmic, DXFutures | Platforms | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Volumetrica, Rithmic, Tradesea, DeepCharts, Tickblaze |
| No | Direct Path to Funded | Yes |
| United States | Country | United States |
| - | Established | - |
| 3 options | Challenge Options | 11 options |
Price Comparison by Account Size
Cheapest challenge price at each account size (where both firms offer the same size)
| Account Size | 18th Street Trading | BluSky | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $149 | $59 ★ | Save $90 |
18th Street Trading vs BluSky: Detailed Analysis
18th Street Trading and BluSky are both Futures firms.
Pricing
In terms of pricing, BluSky is more affordable with challenges starting at $59, which is $90 less than 18th Street Trading's starting price of $149. 18th Street Trading offers 3 challenge options, while BluSky offers 11.
Account Sizes
On account sizing, 18th Street Trading offers a single $50 account, while BluSky offers account sizes from $25 to $300 across 7 funding tiers. Picking the right tier matters because both the entry cost and the maximum capital you can scale to are tied to the account size you start with.
Trading Platforms
For trading platforms, 18th Street Trading supports Volumetrica, Rithmic and DXFutures, while BluSky runs on NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Volumetrica, Rithmic, Tradesea, DeepCharts and Tickblaze. If you already trade on a specific platform, this can be the deciding factor between the two.
Profit Split & Payouts
18th Street Trading offers 80% profit split, while BluSky offers Up to 90% to the trader. 18th Street Trading pays out Every 30 days, and BluSky pays out Daily.
Risk & Drawdown Rules
Risk rules are a key difference for funded traders: 18th Street Trading lists its daily drawdown as "None", while BluSky lists "Varies by plan: EOD trailing/static drawdown ($2,000-$5,000) on Launch/Propel evals; $1,000-$2,000/day hard cap on Instant Funding & Direct to Funded". Always confirm the drawdown type before buying, since a trailing rule behaves very differently from a static end-of-day one.
Payout Methods
BluSky supports withdrawals via Gusto and Rise Pay.
Trust & Safety
For trust and reputation, BluSky has 4.7/5 with 891 reviews.
Who Should Choose Which
Across the use cases we scored, BluSky is the stronger choice for budget-conscious traders, maximum profit potential, trust & reputation and fast payouts.
Overall, BluSky edges ahead winning 7 out of 7 categories we compared. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs - both firms have their strengths.
Pros & Cons
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Cons
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Active Deals & Promo Codes
No active deals
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, 18th Street Trading or BluSky?
BluSky scores higher overall, winning 7 out of 7 comparison categories including Overall Rating, Starting Price, Profit Split. However, the best choice depends on your trading goals and priorities.
Which is cheaper, 18th Street Trading or BluSky?
BluSky has the lower starting price at $59. 18th Street Trading offers 3 challenge options starting from $149, while BluSky offers 11 options starting from $59.
Which offers a higher profit split, 18th Street Trading or BluSky?
BluSky offers a higher maximum profit split. 18th Street Trading offers 80% while BluSky offers Up to 90% to the trader.
How fast do 18th Street Trading and BluSky pay out?
18th Street Trading has Every 30 days payouts while BluSky offers Daily payouts. Payout speed can be an important factor when choosing a prop firm.
Are 18th Street Trading and BluSky legit?
Both firms have been independently verified by PropFirmMap. 18th Street Trading holds a unrated safety grade. BluSky holds a B+ safety grade and a 4.7/5 TrustPilot rating. Safety grades are based on payout history, community trust signals, and regulatory transparency.
Which is better for beginners, 18th Street Trading or BluSky?
BluSky may be more accessible for beginners due to its lower entry price. When starting out, consider challenge cost, drawdown rules, and profit split. Use the comparison table above to find which firm fits your experience level and risk tolerance.
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