Glossary · Prop Firms
Pay After You Pass
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Pay After You Pass is a prop firm pricing model where a trader enters an evaluation for little or no upfront fee, then only pays an activation fee once they pass, converting the completed evaluation into a funded or performance account. The full challenge fee is deferred rather than eliminated.
Why it matters
A smaller initial payment reduces spending before completing an evaluation. Budget for the remaining payment if you pass, and compare the total cost of reaching the funded stage.
Which prop firms let you pay after passing?
Example from a listed firm. Sources checked 23 September 2026.
Standard published fees for one attempt, before discounts or credits; additional attempts are excluded. Account sizes refer to the funded stage. An unspecified activation deadline does not mean unlimited time.
Example
For The5ers' $20,000 Bootcamp route, you pay $22 to begin. After passing, the remaining $50 brings the total base fee to $72. If the evaluation fails, the payment required only upon success does not become due.
Deferred payment, activation fees and refunds
- The5ers Bootcamp — split payment. An initial entry fee, with the remaining balance after passing.
- Apex Trader Funding — separate activation payment. The PA activation fee is due within seven calendar days after the evaluation is officially marked Passed. This deadline belongs to Apex's process.
- FTMO 2-Step — upfront payment with a conditional refund. The fee is paid before starting and refunded with the first Reward withdrawal after successfully completing the required process. Passing alone is not the refund milestone.
Common misconception
“Pay after you pass” does not necessarily mean free entry. Check both payments and the activation conditions; one firm's deadline should not be assumed to apply elsewhere.
Related terms
Activation Fee, Challenge Fee, Funded Account, one-step challenge, two-step challenge
Sources
Risk disclaimer: Trading carries a substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone. Prop-firm evaluations charge fees and most traders do not pass. Nothing here is financial advice; figures can change, so verify current terms with the firm before purchasing.
Next step
See how firms actually apply this.
Compare current account sizes, rules, discounts and funding terms side by side.