ThinkCapital Review
ThinkCapital is a UK-based broker-backed proprietary trading firm launched in 2024, and stands out for their clear rules, modern platforms, and rapid payout frequency. What sets it apart is its link to ThinkMarkets, a multi-regulated broker. ThinkCapital positions itself as the prop arm “powered by ThinkMarkets,” which brings access to ThinkTrader (with TradingView integration) alongside MetaTrader routes (depending on program and eligibility).
Reviewed by: Adam Niven
Fact-checked: January 2026
Snapshot (TL;DR)
ThinkCapital is a broker-backed prop with a clear rulebook and a quick payout rhythm. You get three routes. Lightning is a one step with a simple 10 percent target. Dual Step is a two step with 8 and 5 percent targets. Nexus is a three step with 7, 6, and 5 percent targets. Payouts are every fourteen days by default and there is a weekly add-on if you want faster cycles. Splits start at 80 percent and can rise to 90 percent.
The big thing to note is news timing. By default you avoid high impact releases in a two minute window around the time stamp. There is a news add-on if you need flexibility. If you trade on MT5 you can run EAs. If you prefer TradingView and manual flow you can use ThinkTrader.
Best for:
Disciplined intraday or swing traders who can operate within relatively tight daily risk limits (3–4%) and prefer TradingView-style charting via ThinkTrader or an MT5 raw-spread setup.
Not for:
Australian residents (blocked), pure news scalpers (unless you buy the news add-on), or automation-heavy strategies without the EA add-on.
PROS:
Broker-backed rails & platforms – ThinkTrader with direct TradingView charting plus MT5; MT5 offers raw FX/metal spreads with commission, while ThinkTrader is commission-free with standard spreads.
Multiple evaluation paths – 1-step (Lightning), 2-step (Dual Step), 3-step (Nexus) with consistent max loss math (8% fixed or 6% trailing in Lightning).
Refundable fees – 14-day unused and challenge fee refunded with first payout after passing.
CONS:
Strict news window – Red-folder events banned ±2 minutes by default; breach = immediate termination (add-on required to opt-in). Effective
Jurisdiction limits – No onboarding for Australia and several other countries; US limited to ThinkTrader only.
Some documentation inconsistencies – Daily Drawdown wording and incomplete public pricing tables by size.
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Transparency & Reputation
Lightning rules are explicit (targets and limits), and the tech/liquidity relationship is stated; some multi-step specifics aren’t centralized.
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Payouts & Reliability
Bi-weekly by default with an optional weekly add-on; $100 minimum helps cover fees and keeps cadence predictable from first trade.
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Evaluation Models
Offers 1-/2-/3-step pathways; Lightning uses 3% daily (EOD balance) and 6% trailing-to-lock overall, giving clear risk rails for planning.
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Long-Term Growth
Scaling narrative is present with platform continuity; some thresholds/caps require dashboard/FAQ checking per program and size.
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Value for Money
Weekly payout add-on and platform choice are strong; lack of a public, consolidated fee grid tempers value benchmarking pre-checkout.
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Platforms & Support
ThinkTrader with TradingView execution plus other platform options; no mid-journey platform switching keeps ops stable, support is 24/5-style.
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Key Features
Up to 90% Profit Share
The high profit share structure is designed to reward consistent and skilled traders while keeping firm costs low.
Weekly Payout Cycle
You can withdraw your profits at the end of each trading week, giving you better control over your cash flow.
Flexible Scaling
As you hit specific profit targets, you can qualify for larger capital allocations, providing an opportunity to grow your account without resetting.
Balance-Based Drawdown
Calculated based on the account balance rather than the initial starting equity, giving you more room to manage your risk.
Challenges and Accounts
Lightning one step
You need a ten percent profit to pass. You work under a three percent daily limit and a six percent overall that trails until you grow the account and then locks to the start. That lock keeps your max loss from climbing as your equity rises. No time limit. Payout eligibility needs three profitable days in the window.
Dual Step two step
Phase one target is eight percent. Phase two target is five percent. Daily limit is four percent and overall is eight percent fixed. No time limit. Same idea on payouts. Weekly payouts and a 90 percent split can be selected when you buy the challenge.
Nexus three step
Targets are seven, six, and five percent. Daily limit is four percent and overall is eight percent fixed. No time limit. This is the most forgiving on targets and often the lowest entry cost for a given size.
Trading Platforms
ThinkTrader (with TradingView charting inside) and MT5. ThinkTrader positions itself as a full toolkit (indicators, alerts) and commission-free pricing, while MT5 provides raw spreads with commissions on FX/metals.
Trading Rules
- Consistency / minimum profitable days: You need 3 days per cycle where (1) the day finishes at least +0.5% vs that day’s starting balance, and (2) overall balance sits above the initial starting balance. Without this, payouts remain locked even if the account is net-profitable.
- News trading: News trading is banned by default for both challenge and funded. No trades may execute within a 2-minute red-folder window. Any account activity (incl. SL/TP fills) during the 4-minute window is a violation. Add-on removes this restriction. Effective 2025-05-12.
- Weekend holding: Allowed.
- EAs: Restricted—you must buy the EA Add-On to use automation.
- Copy trading: Restricted—allowed between ThinkCapital accounts (and via PF1 on Platform 5) if you purchased the EA Add-On; not allowed copying from other prop firms/personal accounts unless your ThinkCapital account is the master.
- Holding periods, inactivity & other limits: Inactivity: the site references one trade per 30 days in some program tables; treat as an operational expectation.
- Merging: Not permitted; scaling is the path to larger allocations.
Payout Policy and Withdrawals
Frequency:
Bi-weekly by default from the first trade date; weekly payout available as a paid add-on.
- First payout wait: effectively 14 days under the default cycle (subject to hitting the minimum profitable days rule).
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Split: 80% profit share initially, 90% with scaling/add-on (messaging across program pages).
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Methods: The payout page groups “Wallet/Payment Options” (Crypto, PayPal, ACH) but details are spread across sub-items (confirm in the client portal at request time).
Refunds: Two paths:
- 14-day cancellation if the account is unused (no trades).
- Challenge fee refunded with the first payout after you pass.
Status & coverage:
The firm presents as active and broker-backed via ThinkMarkets infrastructure; services are demo only and not offered in numerous jurisdictions, including Australia; US is accepted on ThinkTrader only. These constraints affect both signup and platform choice.
Security & Compliance
KYC: Government ID + recent (≤60 days) proof of address; VPN/VPS prohibited during KYC/AML verification.
Data collection: IP/device metadata used to enforce single-user account integrity and detect managed/shared accounts.
Jurisdictions: Long restricted-countries list; Australia not accepted; US accepted but ThinkTrader-only (no MetaTrader access).
2FA / audits: No explicit, public statements about 2FA or third-party security audits found in the KB at the time of review (assessed as unknown).
Leverage & Costs
MT5 Lightning: FX 1:30; Indices 1:5; Gold/Silver 1:10; Oil 1:10; Crypto 1:1.
MT5 Nexus: FX 1:100; Indices 1:15; Metals 1:15; Oil 1:15; Crypto 1:1.
ThinkTrader/Dual Step (and TT funded): Dynamic tiered leverage—higher leverage on small sizes, scaled down as exposure grows (tiers published for FX, metals, indices, oil, crypto).
Commissions: MT5 $4 per lot on FX and metals; no commission on indices/oil/crypto. ThinkTrader: no commissions (standard spreads). Swaps reference ThinkMarkets schedules.
Commission Fees
Forex & Commodities:
- US$7 per lot (charged when opening the trade)
- Indices: 0 commission (US$0) (i.e. no commission when opening)
- Crypto: 0.04% of (Lot Size × Open Price) (charged when opening)
The commission is applied only at trade opening, not on closing. Uses a symbol-specific commission model, meaning different instruments (forex, indices, crypto, etc.) have different commission rates. This structure holds for all account sizes and is the same on MT4 / MT5 platforms.
Payment Methods
ThinkCapital allows several payment methods when paying for challenge fees.
Card payments – (Stripe — debit/credit).
Cryptocurrency – (select “Crypto” at checkout).
Bank transfer – Availability-dependent per Terms; confirm at checkout or with support.
Refunds are typically returned via the same method used for the original payment.
Community & Trust
Channels: Knowledgebase + email; heavy social media presence. Coverage appears weekday-centric; exact SLA isn’t published.
Sentiment: Mixed-to-positive in marketing/blog material. Treat community claims as anecdotal unless tied to official pages.
ThinkCapital Leadership
Faizan Anees, the CEO of ThinkCapital, plays a key role in the company’s mission to democratize prop trading. He has been instrumental in launching ThinkCapital as part of a strategic partnership with ThinkMarkets, a globally regulated broker.
Faizan focuses on bridging the gap between skilled traders and the financial resources they need to succeed, offering innovative technology and tailored support to empower traders. His vision centers around helping traders maximize their potential and achieve financial independence.
How ThinkCapital Compares With Other Firms
Compared to FTMO:
Both offer high profit splits (up to 90% for ThinkCapital and 80% for FTMO), but FTMO has a well-established reputation with a focus on strict evaluation processes and scalability. ThinkCapital emphasizes flexibility, with a variety of challenge structures and a balance-based drawdown, offering more customization and advanced trading tools.
Compared to The 5ers:
The 5%ers focus on low-risk, long-term growth with smaller profit splits (50%-80% depending on account type) and a conservative drawdown. ThinkCapital offers higher profit potential and quicker scaling, making it more appealing to traders seeking faster growth and flexibility.
Compared to FundedNext:
Both firms offer competitive profit splits (up to 90%), but ThinkCapital stands out for its more diverse evaluation challenges and use of balance-based drawdown, while FundedNext emphasizes rapid progression and accessible funding options for beginners.
Compared to Funded Trading Plus:
ThinkCapital offers flexible challenges (one, two, or three-phase) with up to 90% profit splits, emphasizing realistic risk management, especially with their balance-based drawdown system. They provide integration with platforms like TradingView and MetaTrader 5, which is a plus if you’re seeking advanced tools.
On the other hand, Funded Trading Plus also offers multiple evaluation options with similar fees, allowing traders to trade on multiple platforms. Both firms focus on flexibility, but ThinkCapital stands out for its flexible scaling opportunities and higher potential profit splits.
Alternatives
- FTMO – Choose if you want a widely known 2-step with deep third-party community resources and a broad platform mix (but no native TradingView execution). ThinkCapital markets itself as lower-fee and offering weekly payouts with add-on.
- The Funded Trader / MyForexFunds-style models – If you favor higher advertised leverage or different payout frequencies; ensure you check current status and regulator notices for any firm you consider (not cited here due to recency variance).
Bottom Line
ThinkCapital is a rules-clean, broker-backed prop with strict news controls, clear daily/max loss math, and strong platform coverage (ThinkTrader/TradingView + MT5). It’s well-suited to experienced traders and who value stable, transparent drawdown frameworks. The biggest caution flags are jurisdiction limits (including Australia), documentation gaps (pricing by size not fully published), and operational nuances like minimum profitable days gating payouts.
FAQs
Is news trading allowed?
Not by default. Any execution or account activity within ±2 minutes of a red-folder event is a breach. A paid news add-on removes the restriction (effective 2025-05-12).
Can I hold over the weekend?
Yes—weekend and overnight holds are allowed.
What are the daily and max drawdowns?
Lightning: 3% daily static (from daily start) and 6% trailing that locks at the initial balance after +6% equity; Dual Step: 4% daily (default equity-based), 8% max fixed; Nexus: 4% daily static, 8% max fixed.
What platforms and leverage are available?
ThinkTrader (with TradingView charts) and MT5. MT5 leverage up to 1:100 (product-dependent); ThinkTrader uses dynamic tiered leverage.
Are EAs and copy trading allowed?
Only with the EA Add-On. Copy trading is allowed between ThinkCapital accounts (and via PF1 on Platform 5) but not from external prop/personal accounts unless your ThinkCapital account is the master.
What’s the payout cadence and split?
Bi-weekly by default (from first trade) or weekly via add-on. Split 80%, scaling to 90%.
Do you accept Australians?
No. Australia is on the restricted list; US is accepted but ThinkTrader-only (no MetaTrader).
Are fees refundable?
Yes—14-day unused refund, and challenge fee is refunded with your first payout after passing.
What KYC is required? Can I use a VPN?
Standard ID + PoA (≤60 days) and no VPN/VPS during KYC/AML.
What’s the “minimum profitable days” rule?
You need 3 days per cycle with ≥0.5% daily profit and overall balance above the initial; without it, payouts remain locked.