Activation fee

An activation fee (sometimes called a "funded account fee" or "live account fee") is a payment a trader makes *after* clearing the evaluation but *before* receiving login credentials to the funded account. It is separate from the original challenge cost, which means the total price of getting funded is the evaluation fee plus the activation fee.

For example, a firm might sell a $50,000 challenge for $165, then charge a $130 one-time activation fee once you pass. Some firms instead charge a recurring monthly fee to keep the funded account active rather than a single activation payment, so it pays to read the small print before you buy.

Activation fees are common in the futures prop firm space and are a frequent source of complaints, because traders often forget to factor them into the real cost of funding. A firm that advertises a cheap challenge but charges a steep activation fee can end up more expensive than a competitor with a higher upfront price and no activation cost.