Simulated vs Live Prop Trading

Most futures prop firm evaluations and many funded accounts are simulated. This guide explains what that means, who pays the payouts, and the questions to ask any firm.

Updated 2026-10-16 · 5 min read

What "simulated" means

A simulated account runs on live market data but orders are not sent to the exchange. Profits and losses are calculated by the platform from live prices, but no capital of the trader sits in the market for that account.

Then who pays the payouts?

When a trader on a simulated funded account earns a payout, the firm pays it from its own funds — so a payout does not depend on any trader's capital being in the market. Whether a payout is earned still depends on meeting the account's rules.

How Strike Funded describes it

All Strike Funded evaluation and funded accounts are simulated. No personal funds are placed at risk and no live market execution occurs. An invitation to a live account is entirely at Strike Funded's discretion, case by case and subject to compliance review; passing an evaluation never guarantees one. See the Risk Disclosure.

Questions to ask any prop firm

Are evaluation accounts simulated? Are funded accounts?
Where do payouts come from?
Is there ever a live account, and under what conditions?
Is this written in the terms, in plain language?
What happens to my account if the firm changes its rules?

Frequently asked questions

Are futures prop firm accounts real money?

At most firms, including Strike Funded, evaluation and funded accounts are simulated. Payouts are paid from the firm's own funds.

Can a simulated funded account pay out real money?

Yes. The payout is real money from the firm when the account's rules are met; the trading itself is simulated.

Will I ever get a live account at Strike Funded?

Not automatically. An invitation to a live account is at Strike Funded's discretion and is never guaranteed by passing an evaluation.

Keep reading

Strike Funded accounts are simulated: no personal capital is placed at risk and no live market execution takes place. Trading futures involves substantial risk; this page is educational, not financial advice, and nothing here promises results.