field
notes from
the pit.

FTMO rules explained: 2-Step, 1-Step and Instant targets, daily loss, max loss, the new Consistency rule, payout rules and how to track it all.

Topstep payout rules, consistency rule and Combine rules explained: XFA payout paths and caps, trailing Maximum Loss Limit, 3:10 PM CT close.

Apex Trader Funding payout rules and evaluation rules: qualifying days, the 50% consistency rule, EOD vs intraday drawdown and payout caps.

FundedNext review: Stellar 2-Step, 1-Step, Lite and Instant rules, futures models incl. Bolt, the 24-hour reward guarantee and how to track it.

A practical checklist for passing a prop firm challenge: sizing from the daily loss limit, trailing drawdowns, consistency rules and a journal.

Four genuinely free trading journals compared by trade limits, imports, analytics, pricing, and drawbacks. Updated August 2026.

Edgewonk costs $197/year with no free plan. See how StonkJournal compares: free unlimited journaling, risk rules and a $10/month AI coach.

Tradervue caps free trades and charges $29.95-$49.95/month. Compare StonkJournal: no trade cap, risk rules and an AI coach for $10/month.

Profit factor is the single most useful number in your trading journal. Here's what it means, how to calculate it, what a good number looks like, and how to actually improve yours.

TradeZella starts at $35/month with no free plan. Compare it with StonkJournal: free unlimited trades, multi-leg options and a $10 AI coach.

A complete trading journal template — what to log on every trade, how to structure your daily and weekly review, and which fields most traders skip that cost them the most.

Most trading journals treat options like stocks with an expiration date. They can't handle spreads, iron condors, or blended P&L across legs. Here's what actually works.

Tradervue has been the default trading journal since 2011. At $29.95–$49.95/month with no AI features and a 30-trade free tier, does it still hold up? Full breakdown.

Most traders know they should journal. Almost none do it consistently. Here's why it actually works — and why most people get it wrong.

Tradersync starts at $29.95/month with a limited free tier. StonkJournal is fully free with unlimited trades. Here's how they compare feature-for-feature.

Most traders keep a journal wrong — logging trades but never reviewing them. Here's how to build a journaling habit that actually improves your edge.

TradeZella costs $39/month with no free plan. StonkJournal costs $10/month and has a fully-featured free tier. Here's the full breakdown.