City Traders Imperium vs The Upside Funding: Head-to-Head Comparison (2026)
City Traders Imperium
8.2 A
CFD
The Upside Funding
6.3 A
CFD
Verdict: Who Wins?
City Traders Imperium
5 wins
Decisive Win
The Upside Funding
1 wins
Best For:
City Traders Imperium
City Traders Imperium
City Traders Imperium
Visual Comparison
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Head-to-Head Comparison
| City Traders Imperium | Metric | The Upside Funding |
|---|---|---|
| 8.2/10 ★ | PFM Score | 6.3/10 |
| 4.3/5 (1,696) | TrustPilot | 4.8/5 (43) ★ |
| A | Safety Grade | A |
| 79.6 B+ ★ | Trust Score | 64.2 B |
| 80-100% ★ | Profit Split | 95% |
| None (1-Step), 5% (2-Step), varies by plan | Daily Drawdown | 1-Step: no daily, 4% trailing / 2-Step: 4% daily static, 8% total static |
| On-demand (first after 14 days, then anytime) | Payout Frequency | Fast payouts (on-demand) |
| $27 ★ | Starting Price | $34 |
| White-Label | Technology | Proprietary |
| Match Trader, MT5 | Platforms | cTrader |
| No | Direct Path to Funded | No |
| United Arab Emirates | Country | Hong Kong |
| Jan 2018 | Established | Jan 2020 |
| 23 options | Challenge Options | 12 options |
Price Comparison by Account Size
Cheapest challenge price at each account size (where both firms offer the same size)
| Account Size | City Traders Imperium | The Upside Funding | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5K | $41 ★ | $59 | Save $18 |
| $10K | $76 ★ | $99 | Save $23 |
| $25K | $139 ★ | $199 | Save $60 |
| $50K | $280 ★ | $349 | Save $69 |
| $100K | $412 ★ | $589 | Save $177 |
City Traders Imperium vs The Upside Funding: Detailed Analysis
City Traders Imperium and The Upside Funding are both CFD firms. City Traders Imperium has been in business longer, established in 2018, while The Upside Funding was founded in 2020.
Pricing
In terms of pricing, City Traders Imperium is more affordable with challenges starting at $27, which is $7 less than The Upside Funding's starting price of $34. City Traders Imperium offers 23 challenge options, while The Upside Funding offers 12.
Account Sizes
On account sizing, City Traders Imperium offers account sizes from $5 to $100 across 8 funding tiers, while The Upside Funding offers account sizes from $2 to $100 across 6 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, City Traders Imperium supports Match Trader and MT5, while The Upside Funding runs on cTrader. If you already trade on a specific platform, this can be the deciding factor between the two.
Profit Split & Payouts
City Traders Imperium offers 80-100% profit split, while The Upside Funding offers 95%. City Traders Imperium pays out On-demand (first after 14 days, then anytime), and The Upside Funding pays out Fast payouts (on-demand).
Risk & Drawdown Rules
Risk rules are a key difference for funded traders: City Traders Imperium lists its daily drawdown as "None (1-Step), 5% (2-Step), varies by plan", while The Upside Funding lists "1-Step: no daily, 4% trailing / 2-Step: 4% daily static, 8% total static". Always confirm the drawdown type before buying, since a trailing rule behaves very differently from a static end-of-day one.
Trust & Safety
For trust and reputation, City Traders Imperium has a 4.3/5 TrustPilot rating with 1,696 reviews, while The Upside Funding has 4.8/5 with 43 reviews. Safety grades: City Traders Imperium A, The Upside Funding A.
Who Should Choose Which
Across the use cases we scored, City Traders Imperium is the stronger choice for budget-conscious traders, maximum profit potential and trust & reputation.
Overall, City Traders Imperium edges ahead winning 5 out of 6 categories we compared. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs - both firms have their strengths.
Pros & Cons
City Traders Imperium
Pros
Cons
The Upside Funding
Pros
Cons
Active Deals & Promo Codes
City Traders Imperium
The Upside Funding
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, City Traders Imperium or The Upside Funding?
City Traders Imperium scores higher overall, winning 5 out of 6 comparison categories including Overall Rating, Starting Price, Profit Split. However, the best choice depends on your trading goals and priorities.
Which is cheaper, City Traders Imperium or The Upside Funding?
City Traders Imperium has the lower starting price at $27. City Traders Imperium offers 23 challenge options starting from $27, while The Upside Funding offers 12 options starting from $34.
Which has better reviews, City Traders Imperium or The Upside Funding?
The Upside Funding has a higher TrustPilot rating of 4.8/5. City Traders Imperium has 1,696 reviews while The Upside Funding has 43.
Which offers a higher profit split, City Traders Imperium or The Upside Funding?
City Traders Imperium offers a higher maximum profit split. City Traders Imperium offers 80-100% while The Upside Funding offers 95%.
How fast do City Traders Imperium and The Upside Funding pay out?
City Traders Imperium has On-demand (first after 14 days, then anytime) payouts while The Upside Funding offers Fast payouts (on-demand) payouts. Payout speed can be an important factor when choosing a prop firm.
Are City Traders Imperium and The Upside Funding legit?
Both firms have been independently verified by PropFirmMap. City Traders Imperium holds a A safety grade and a 4.3/5 TrustPilot rating. The Upside Funding holds a A safety grade and a 4.8/5 TrustPilot rating. Safety grades are based on payout history, community trust signals, and regulatory transparency.
Which is better for beginners, City Traders Imperium or The Upside Funding?
City Traders Imperium 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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