DNA Funded vs City Traders Imperium: Which Prop Firm Is Better?
Choosing between DNA Funded and City Traders Imperium comes down to whether you prioritize lower entry costs or more forgiving drawdown rules. City Traders Imperium offers significantly cheaper challenges at $412 versus DNA Funded's $619 for a $100K account, plus no daily loss limits that can trip up active traders. However, DNA Funded provides slightly more total drawdown room and free retries. This comparison examines their challenge requirements, trading rules, and payout structures to help you determine which firm aligns better with your trading style and budget.
DF
DNA Funded
Est. 2023 · Australia
4.5
2,000 reviews
VS
2 wins
3 ties
8 wins
CT
City Traders Imperium
Est. 2018 · London, UK
4.2
1,500 reviews
Feature
DNA Funded
City Traders Imperium
Challenge Price ($100K)
$619
$412✓ Lower entry cost
Phase 1 Profit Target
10%
8%✓ Easier to pass
Max Daily Loss
4%
No limit✓ No daily loss limit
Max Total Loss
6%✓ More drawdown room
5%
Min Trading Days
5 days
3 days✓ More flexible
Time Limit (Phase 1)
No limit
No limit
Payout Split
N/A
80% (up to 100%)
Payout Frequency
N/A
weekly✓ Faster payouts
DNA Funded
Pros
+Multiple challenge types including 1-phase, 2-phase, rapid, and instant funding options
+Accounts available up to $200,000 with competitive pricing
+Swap-free accounts with no overnight interest charges
+Regular tournaments with substantial prize pools up to $750K
+26% discount promotion and other active promotional offers
Cons
−Limited to TradeLocker platform only (no MT4/MT5 support)
−Restrictive trading policies prohibiting many common strategies like hedging and grid trading
−Lower leverage compared to many competitors (1:30 for forex vs 1:100+ elsewhere)
−Relatively new firm established in 2023 with shorter track record
City Traders Imperium
Pros
+Multiple account types: 1-step, 2-step challenges, and instant funding options
+Unlimited time limits on challenges with no expiration dates
+Up to 100% profit share available through VIP program progression
+Free access to CTI Academy educational content with all accounts
+24/7 multilingual customer support with 1-hour first response time
Cons
−No refunds available once any trading activity occurs on the account
−Limited information about specific trading instruments and leverage ratios
−Relatively high instant funding fees compared to challenge options
−VIP benefits require meeting specific performance criteria
Our Verdict
Which Should You Choose?
City Traders Imperium is the better choice for most traders, particularly beginners and those on tight budgets. The $207 lower entry cost for a $100K challenge, combined with an easier 8% Phase 1 profit target versus DNA Funded's 10%, makes it more accessible. The absence of daily loss limits is crucial for scalpers and active traders who can easily hit DNA Funded's restrictive 4% daily cap.
DNA Funded only makes sense for traders who frequently blow accounts due to poor risk management and would benefit from the free retry policy. The extra 1% total drawdown room (6% vs 5%) is minimal compensation for paying 50% more upfront and dealing with stricter daily limits.
Bottom line: Unless you specifically need free retries, City Traders Imperium offers better value with lower costs, easier targets, and more flexible risk parameters. The longer track record since 2018 and allowance of news trading add to its appeal for serious traders.
Choose DNA Funded if:
→Multiple challenge types including 1-phase, 2-phase, rapid, and instant funding options
→Accounts available up to $200,000 with competitive pricing
→Swap-free accounts with no overnight interest charges
→Regular tournaments with substantial prize pools up to $750K
Choose City Traders Imperium if:
→Multiple account types: 1-step, 2-step challenges, and instant funding options
→Unlimited time limits on challenges with no expiration dates
→Up to 100% profit share available through VIP program progression
→Free access to CTI Academy educational content with all accounts
Disclaimer:This comparison is for informational purposes only. Prop firm rules change regularly — always verify current terms on each firm's official website before purchasing a challenge. This is not financial advice. Updated 2026-03-08.