At Next Level Funded (NLF), we offer two distinct 2-step options — both starting at just $29 — to cater to different trading philosophies. The standard 2-Step is built for traders who want the widest possible drawdown buffer. The 2-Step Pro is built for traders who want the lowest possible profit targets.

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In this guide, we break down the exact rules, the key differences, and which account is the right fit for your trading style.

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Head-to-Head Comparison Table

Here is the direct comparison of every key metric across both two-phase accounts:

Deep Dive: The 2-Step Account

The standard 2-Step is NLF's most accessible evaluation, offering the largest drawdown buffers in the entire NLF product lineup. It is the ideal choice for traders who want maximum room to maneuver while proving their consistency.

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The Key Advantage: Industry-Leading Drawdown Protection

The 2-Step account features a 12% static overall drawdown and a 5% daily drawdown — the most generous parameters of any NLF evaluation. On a $5,000 account, your maximum loss limit is $600, and your daily ceiling is $250.

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This wide drawdown is a game-changer for traders who hold positions through volatility, trade around news events, or simply want the psychological security of knowing a single bad day cannot end their challenge. With a 5% daily drawdown, you can absorb a significant losing streak and still have plenty of capital to recover and pass.

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The Trade-Off: Higher Phase 1 Target

The cost of this generous drawdown is a slightly higher Phase 1 profit target of 8%. Phase 2 remains at 6%, which is consistent with the Pro account. For a $5,000 account, you need to generate $400 in Phase 1 and $300 in Phase 2 before being funded.

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Best For: Swing traders, news traders, and anyone who values maximum drawdown protection above all else. Also ideal for traders who are new to two-phase evaluations and want the largest safety net available.

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Deep Dive: The 2-Step Pro Account

The 2-Step Pro is NLF's most refined two-phase evaluation. It was engineered specifically for consistent, disciplined traders who want the lowest possible profit targets to minimize the time spent in the challenge phase.

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The Key Advantage: Symmetrical 6%/6% Targets

The defining feature of the 2-Step Pro is the uniform 6% profit target across both phases. On a $5,000 account, you need to generate just $300 in Phase 1 and $300 in Phase 2. 

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This symmetry is powerful for two reasons. First, it reduces the total profit required to get funded. Second, it creates a predictable, repeatable benchmark — you simply need to execute the same consistent performance twice. There is no mental gear-shift between a higher Phase 1 target and a lower Phase 2 target.

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The Trade-Off: Tighter Drawdown

To offset the lower targets, the 2-Step Pro uses an 8% static overall drawdown and a 4% daily drawdown. On a $5,000 account, your maximum loss limit is $400 and your daily ceiling is $200. 

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While these parameters are tighter than the standard 2-Step, they are still highly competitive against the broader prop firm industry. The key is that traders who choose the Pro account should be confident in their risk management and comfortable sizing their positions to stay well within the 4% daily limit.

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Best For: Experienced, disciplined traders with a consistent, low-risk strategy. If you risk 0.5–1% per trade and have a proven edge, the 2-Step Pro's lower targets mean you can get funded faster than on any other NLF evaluation.

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The Shared Benefits: What Both Accounts Deliver

Both 2-Step accounts are built on the same NLF foundation of trader-first benefits:

• Same Starting Price: Both accounts start at just $29 for a $5,000 allocation — the cheapest two-phase evaluation in the industry.
• 100% Profit Split: You keep every dollar you earn on your funded account.
• On-Demand Payouts: Withdraw your profits at any time, backed by NLF's 12-Hour Payout Guarantee.
• Static Drawdown: Both accounts use a static floor locked to your starting balance. Making profit never moves your loss limit upward.
• Unlimited Trading Days: No deadline pressure. Take as long as you need.
• 100% Refundable Fee: Your $29 evaluation fee is fully refunded on your 3rd successful payout, making both accounts effectively free for consistently profitable traders.

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Which Account Should You Choose?

Choose the 2-Step ($29) if:You are a swing trader, a news trader, or someone who needs wide stop losses and maximum drawdown protection. The 12% overall drawdown gives you the most room in the industry to absorb volatility and still pass.

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Choose the 2-Step Pro ($29) if:You are a disciplined, consistent trader with tight risk management. The identical 6%/6% targets are the lowest in the NLF evaluation lineup, meaning you can get funded faster — provided you can manage within the 8% overall and 4% daily drawdown parameters.

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At the same price of $29, the choice comes down entirely to your strategy. Wide buffer or lower targets — both lead to the exact same destination: a 100% profit split funded account with on-demand payouts.

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Start Your 2-Step or 2-Step Pro Evaluation for Just $29 Today‍

Author: Spencer Todd, Founder of Next Level Funded