Quick answer: ThinkCapital review
ThinkCapital is a broker-linked simulated trading provider with Lightning one-step, Dual Step two-step, Nexus three-step and Bolt instant models. Lightning targets 10% with 3% daily loss and a 6% trailing maximum loss; Dual Step targets 9% then 5%, while Nexus has three smaller sequential targets. The difference between Intraday and Swing matters for news, holding and loss calculations. The official cards show entry examples of $59 for $5K Lightning or Dual Step Intraday, $39 for $5K Nexus and $49 for $2.5K Bolt. No Prop Firm Audit coupon is supplied. Published rewards are typically 80% initially, with an up-to-90% option or progression on the documented challenge models. These are conditional simulated rewards, not a promised return on the fee.
Audit refresh: 3 October 2026.
ThinkCapital offers Lightning, Dual Step, Nexus and Bolt simulated trading programs. The current account cards use different targets, loss limits and evaluation stages; a single generic rule does not describe the whole firm.
Rules checked: 2 October 2026, using the official sources below.
ThinkCapital program comparison
| Program | Evaluation target | Daily loss limit | Maximum loss | Minimum evaluation days shown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning | 10% | 3% | 6% trailing; locks at initial balance after 6% growth | 3 |
| Dual Step Intraday / Swing | 9%, then 5% | 4% | 7% evaluation; 8% funded | 3 |
| Nexus | 7%, then 6%, then 5% | 4% | 8% evaluation and funded | 3 |
| Bolt | No evaluation | Use the current Bolt agreement | Use the current Bolt agreement | No evaluation |
The Dual Step page labels Intraday loss calculations as equity based and Swing calculations as balance based. Their news and holding permissions also differ.
Trading days and payout days
The current evaluation cards show three minimum trading days for Lightning, Dual Step and Nexus. These are separate from profitable-day conditions for withdrawals.
The current payout FAQ requires three qualifying profitable days per interval on funded Lightning, Dual Step and Nexus accounts, and five on Bolt. A qualifying day must finish at least 0.5% above its starting-day balance, with the account above its original starting balance. The FAQ distinguishes funded payout conditions from challenge-stage rules.
Loss limits and payouts
Lightning's 6% floor trails until it locks at the original balance after 6% account growth. The 3% daily limit remains a separate constraint; open equity and trading costs can still affect breach checks.
The challenge cards show profit share up to 90%, normally a 14-day payout cycle and a seven-day add-on where offered. The paid configuration determines the starting share and upgrades.
Platforms and trading permissions
The current site lists ThinkTrader and TradingView access. Availability depends on account and jurisdiction.
News trading is restricted on Lightning and Nexus unless an eligible add-on permits it. Dual Step Intraday restricts news trading; Dual Step Swing permits it. Eligible personal EAs remain subject to the program's platform and prohibited-strategy rules.
Company and broker relationship
The current terms identify TFG (Payments) Limited, with a registered office in London, United Kingdom. They state that the prop-service provider is not authorised as a financial services firm and that ThinkMarkets regulatory permissions do not extend to this contract.
ThinkMarkets branding and technology identify the commercial relationship. The challenge fee purchases a simulated service, and the displayed allocation is not a cash deposit owned by the trader. The company-issued July 2024 launch announcement is discussed below; it identifies the brand launch rather than the incorporation date of each service provider.
Comparing the programs
Compare the target with the actual loss allowance, drawdown mechanism and payout-day requirements. Lightning uses one phase and a trailing floor; Dual Step uses two targets; Nexus uses three. Bolt removes the evaluation while retaining its own funded payout conditions.
Official sources
- Current program cards
- Lightning rules
- Dual Step rules
- Profitable-day payout FAQ
- Terms and contracting company
- Detailed program comparison on Prop Firm Audit
This review checks published rules. It does not establish independently audited payout totals or account-trading results.
Published company history
ThinkCapital's company-issued launch announcement states that the brand officially launched on 29 July 2024. This is a brand-launch date rather than the incorporation date of its payment or technology providers.
Company source, checked 2 October 2026.
Official entry-price examples
| Program and size displayed | Base entry fee |
|---|---|
| Lightning $5K | $59 |
| Dual Step Intraday $5K | $59 |
| Dual Step Swing $5K | $82 |
| Nexus $5K | $39 |
| Bolt $2.5K | $49 |
These are the selected entry sizes retrievable from the official cards, not quotes for every account size or add-on. Currency is USD. The Swing variant costs more than Intraday at this displayed size, so a $59 Dual Step headline should not be used for both variants. Current catalog and Dual Step comparison.
How to compare and start a ThinkCapital account
- Decide whether your strategy needs Swing permissions, a one-phase assessment or direct access to the Bolt model.
- Match the account size to the daily and overall loss budget, not just to the nominal account balance.
- Select the platform and permitted region, then read the account's exact news, EA and weekend-holding terms.
- Add only the payout-cycle or reward-share options you actually need. Recheck the final fee after each choice.
- Save the purchase terms and identify which rules apply during challenge and after qualification.
- Before requesting a reward, check the profitable-day count, starting-balance condition, reward cycle and verification requirements.
Worked risk comparison and limitations
A $5,000 starting account with a 3% daily allowance has a $150 headline daily risk amount; a 6% allowance corresponds to $300. Those calculations are illustrations, not a replacement for the provider's balance/equity formula. A trailing floor can rise as the account grows. If a trader sizes every position from the original $300 allowance without checking the current floor, the remaining actual cushion can be much smaller.
The lowest entry price also does not identify the shortest overall route. Nexus requires three phases, while Bolt removes evaluation but uses its own withdrawal conditions. Compare the number of separate objectives and the cost of the selected add-ons as well as the purchase price. The benefit of published model tables is that these tradeoffs can be checked before paying; the limitation is that a mixed product catalog cannot be accurately summarized by one universal minimum-day or news flag.
Trading Conditions
- Profit split
- 80% on documented challenge models; 90% through stated add-on or scaling; Bolt per selected terms
- Max drawdown
- 6% Lightning; 7% evaluation/8% funded Dual Step; 8% Nexus
- Daily drawdown
- 3% Lightning; 4% Dual Step and Nexus; Bolt per agreement
- Profit target
- 10% Lightning; 9%/5% Dual Step; 7%/6%/5% Nexus; none Bolt
- Min trading days
- 3 days
- Payout frequency
- 14-day standard cycle; 7-day add-on on specified programs, with profitable-day requirements
- Platforms
- ThinkTrader, TradingView
- Instruments
- Forex, indices, commodities and crypto CFDs where available
- News tradingNot allowed
- EAs / botsAllowed
- Copy tradingNot allowed
Audit Points
- 1Lightning is a one-step trailing product. Its 10% target, 3% daily loss and 6% trailing floor require a smooth return path.
- 2The trailing floor locks at its defined level. This improves predictability after the threshold but does not undo earlier breach risk.
- 3ThinkCapital is linked to the ThinkMarkets group. That is a useful traceability signal, not proof that simulated accounts are regulated client deposits.
- 4Platform and program rules should be matched at checkout.
- 5Dual Step Intraday and Swing have different news and holding permissions and different displayed $5K fees: $59 versus $82.
- 6Three funded profitable days apply to Lightning, Nexus and Dual Step; Bolt requires five per payout interval. A qualifying day requires at least 0.5% and a balance above the original start.
ThinkCapital — Frequently Asked Questions
Lightning requires 10%; Dual Step requires 9% then 5%; Nexus requires 7%, 6% and 5%. Bolt has no evaluation. The account configuration and terms determine all other conditions.
The current Lightning card shows three minimum evaluation trading days. Funded payout eligibility separately requires three qualifying profitable days per interval under the current FAQ.
The current FAQ requires three qualifying profitable days on funded Lightning, Dual Step and Nexus, or five on Bolt. Each qualifying day must meet its 0.5% threshold and account-balance condition.
Permissions differ: Lightning and Nexus restrict it unless an eligible add-on permits it; Dual Step Intraday restricts it; Dual Step Swing permits it. Use the purchased configuration.
The current terms identify TFG (Payments) Limited as the provider and state that ThinkMarkets regulatory permissions and client-money protections do not extend to the prop-service contract.
No supplied ThinkCapital coupon is recorded on this page.
The retrieved official cards show $39 for a $5K Nexus account. Lightning and Dual Step Intraday $5K show $59, Dual Step Swing $5K shows $82, and Bolt $2.5K shows $49. Options and sizes change the quote.
No site-specific code is supplied for this review. Fees are shown as official displayed base examples without an assumed discount.
No. The evaluation cards and the funded profitable-day FAQ address different milestones. Funded requests have both a percentage-profit test and an above-starting-balance test.