The short version
The Fintokei-versus-FundedNext decision reduces to two axes:
- Split ceiling, price flexibility, and payout speed claims → FundedNext
- Japanese/Korean localization, JPY payouts, and the cheapest local entry → Fintokei
Figures below reflect both firms’ official sites as of July 2026 (Fintokei’s fee refund and prices rechecked on 2026-09-26). Both revise terms regularly; confirm current conditions before purchasing.
The basics side by side
| Item | Fintokei | FundedNext |
|---|---|---|
| Primary market | Japan (plus a Korean site) | Global |
| Evaluation models | ProTrader (2-step) / SwiftTrader (1-step) / StartTrader (3-step) | Stellar 2-Step / Stellar 1-Step / Stellar Lite, among others |
| Profit split | 80% / 90% (100% on Diamond) / 50-100% | 80% base, up to 95% (conditional) |
| Account sizes | ¥1M-¥50M ($5K-$400K) | $6K-$200K |
| Cheapest entry | ¥9,800 (SwiftTrader Iron) / $44 (USD $5,000) | $44.99 (Stellar $6K) |
| Payouts | Bi-weekly, JPY bank transfer available, min ¥20,000 | Avg. processing within 40 hours (self-reported) |
| Account type | Simulated (rewards as data-provision fees) | Simulated |
Flagship versus flagship
Comparing the standard models — Fintokei ProTrader against FundedNext Stellar 2-Step:
| Item | Fintokei ProTrader | FundedNext Stellar 2-Step |
|---|---|---|
| Profit targets | 8% → 6% | 8% → 5% |
| Daily max loss | -5% | -5% |
| Overall max loss | -10% | -10% |
| Minimum trading days | 3 per step | 5 |
| Time limit | None (one trade per 30 days) | Check current terms |
| Split | 80% | 80% (up to 95% via add-on) |
| Fee refund | Conditional: after White belt in the Scaling Dojo (20 trading days, 2 payout requests), minus any discount | With first reward |
The rulebooks are strikingly similar. FundedNext asks 1% less on Phase 2; Fintokei requires fewer minimum days.
Where they differ is the fee. FundedNext advertises a refund with the first reward; Fintokei’s refund sits much further away. Per Fintokei’s Japanese FAQ (checked 2026-09-26), for accounts bought on or after 11 June 2026 the amount paid, minus any coupon or discount, is refunded only after reaching White belt in the Scaling Dojo (started 3 June 2026) — 20 trading days and 2 payout requests (checked 2026-08-18 on the official FAQ chart). It needs an e-mail application, and StartTrader is not eligible. Fintokei’s English FAQ still says the old scaling ended on 21 January 2026, so its own pages still disagree. This article previously said both firms refund at the first payout; we corrected that after confirming the Japanese FAQ. Do not treat a first-reward refund and a two-payout-request refund as the same thing.
The one-step products (Fintokei SwiftTrader vs Stellar 1-Step) differ substantially:
| Item | Fintokei SwiftTrader | FundedNext Stellar 1-Step |
|---|---|---|
| Profit target | +6% | +10% |
| Daily max loss | -2% | Check official page |
| Overall max loss | -3% | Check official page |
| Minimum trading days | 3 | 2 |
| Time limit | 60 days maximum | Check official page |
| Split | 90% (100% on top tier only) | 80% (up to 95% via add-on) |
SwiftTrader’s lower target comes with only -3% of total room — you are out after moving half the target distance against you, which makes it the stricter one-step model.
Where FundedNext wins
Split ceiling and published track record
FundedNext advertises up to 95% — with the honest footnote that the base split is 80% and the 95% comes through a paid add-on (for example the lifetime 95% payout upgrade) or promotions. It also pays a 15% performance reward on challenge-phase profits, something Fintokei has no equivalent for on its two- and three-step plans.
Its published numbers — $306.9M+ in total rewards, average 40-hour processing, 99.99% of payouts processed within 24 hours — are self-reported but represent a level of disclosure typical of the global top tier.
Price and size flexibility
From $6K at $44.99 to $200K at $1,099.99, across three-plus Stellar models including the budget-oriented Stellar Lite, FundedNext offers far more combinations for USD buyers.
Where Fintokei wins
Native Japanese and Korean
Fintokei’s site, terms, support, and payout flow all run in Japanese, with a Korean site (fintokei.com/kr) as well. FundedNext advertises 44-language support, but the terms that actually govern disputes are English documents. When a rule interpretation is contested, arguing in your own language against a firm designed for your market is a real practical advantage.
JPY payouts to Japanese banks
Fintokei pays out in JPY to Japanese bank accounts (minimum ¥20,000). FundedNext payouts arrive through foreign-currency and crypto channels, adding FX costs, receiving-bank friction, and messier tax records for Japan-based traders. See the Fintokei payout guide.
The ¥10,000 entry ticket
StartTrader’s smallest account costs ¥10,000, purchasable in JPY without currency friction. As a first prop experience for a Japan-based trader, that entry point is hard to beat — see the StartTrader review.
Decision guide
| Your situation | Better fit |
|---|---|
| You want terms and support in Japanese/Korean | Fintokei |
| You want payouts in JPY to a Japanese bank | Fintokei |
| You want the cheapest local first attempt | Fintokei (StartTrader) |
| You want the highest split ceiling (95%) | FundedNext (check add-on conditions) |
| You want fine-grained USD size/price options | FundedNext |
| You want rewards during the evaluation | FundedNext (15% performance reward) |
| You value getting the fee back | FundedNext (Fintokei only refunds after White belt, i.e. 2 payout requests) |
Shared caveats
- Both operate simulated accounts; rewards are performance-based payments, not brokerage profits
- Headline splits (“up to 95%”, “100%”) are conditional numbers — check the base rate and the conditions
- Terms change often in this industry; the official page at purchase time is the only source of truth
For FundedNext’s rules in depth, see FundedNext rules explained and FundedNext reputation review.
Recommended prop firms
Fintokei — Japan-focused, JPY payouts
Fully localized Japanese product with payouts to Japanese bank accounts in JPY, alongside standard international options.
→ Fintokei official (coupon code FINTO5KEI for 5% off)
FTMO — the industry benchmark
Operating since 2015 with the industry’s largest published payout track record — the natural third candidate next to these two.
The free trial lets you test everything at no cost, and the 2-Step Challenge fee is refunded with your first payout after passing (no refund if you fail). See the FTMO free trial guide.