Lark Funding Review

Lark Funding Challenges

Lark Funding offers four distinct funding models: Instant Funding, One Step Challenge, Two Step Challenge, and Three Step Challenge.

Each model is designed to cater to traders with different preferences and trading styles, from those seeking immediate access to funds to those who prefer structured evaluations.

Instant Funding

The Instant Funding program is designed for traders who want immediate access to a funded account without completing any evaluation phases. This model provides funding from $5,000 to $100,000, with fees ranging from $200 to $4,500 depending on the account size.

You can start earning profits immediately with an 80% split, which can be increased to 90% through an add-on fee. The model includes a 5% trailing drawdown, which adjusts with account growth but does not reset after payouts.

While the trailing drawdown requires disciplined risk management, the lack of evaluation phases and the ability to request the first payout on demand make this option ideal for experienced traders ready to trade profitably from day one.

One Step Challenge

The One Step Challenge simplifies the evaluation process, requiring traders to meet a 10% profit target with a 6% static drawdown and a 5% daily drawdown limit. Account sizes range from $5,000 to $200,000, with fees between $75 and $1,000.

This challenge is suited for traders who can achieve strong, consistent performance in a single phase, without the complexity of additional stages. Once the profit target is reached, you become funded and can begin earning biweekly payouts.

With straightforward rules and no time limits, this challenge offers a streamlined path to funding while maintaining risk management boundaries.

Two Step Challenge

The Two Step Challenge introduces a more traditional evaluation format, with two phases designed to assess consistency. Phase 1 requires an 8% profit target, followed by a 5% target in Phase 2. Both phases are governed by a 10% static drawdown and a 5% daily drawdown.

Account sizes range from $5,000 to $200,000, with fees between $95 and $1,000. This model rewards steady, disciplined trading, making it suitable for those who want to demonstrate consistency over time.

Payouts begin 14 days after funding, with profit splits starting at 80%. The Two Step Challenge balances a structured evaluation with realistic drawdown limits and profit targets.

Three Step Challenge

The Three Step Challenge provides the most gradual evaluation process, with three phases requiring progressively lower profit targets of 5%, 4%, and 3%. This model offers maximum flexibility, with no daily drawdown and a static 5% overall drawdown.

Account sizes range from $5,000 to $200,000, with fees starting at $60 and going up to $700. The absence of daily drawdown limits makes this challenge attractive for traders who prefer a slower, more flexible approach to meeting profit targets.

Weekly payouts begin once you are funded, with the standard 80% profit split available and an optional upgrade to 90%. The Three Step Challenge may be a good option if you want lower pressure and a structured path to funding.

Scaling Plan

Lark Funded does not offer a scaling plan currently.

Verdict on Challenges

Lark Funding offers various challenges, including Instant Funding and multi-phase evaluations. While flexible, their fees are higher than competitors like DNA Funded. The challenges cater to traders with different risk tolerances, but tight risk limits and costs should be carefully considered before committing.

Commission Fees and Pricing

Lark Funding’s pricing and fee structure leaves several key details unclear, making it harder for traders to assess how competitive it really is.

Spreads

Lark Funding advertises raw spreads for forex trading but does not provide specifics on average or minimum spreads. While ThinkMarkets is mentioned as a potential liquidity source, the exact providers are not fully disclosed.

Without this transparency, it’s unclear how competitive these spreads are compared to alternate broker-backed prop firm. The lack of detail also means traders are unable to estimate trading costs accurately, which is critical for those working with tight risk management strategies.

Commission Fees

Forex and Metals trades incur a fixed commission fee of $7 per standard lot, while Crypto, Indices, and Oil are commission-free. While the fixed commission fee is clear, the lack of spread transparency raises questions about potential hidden costs in commission-free instruments. These costs could be embedded in the wider spreads offered on these markets.

Simulated Trading Environment

It’s important to note that all accounts provided by Lark Funding are demo accounts operating in a simulated trading environment. Traders never execute trades in live markets with real money, even in the funded account stage, meaning all trading activity occurs within a controlled simulation.

Verdict on Fees and Pricing 

While the commission fees are predictable, the lack of transparency around spreads, pricing sources, and execution creates uncertainty for traders. Compared to other firms that disclose full pricing details, this lack of clarity may make it difficult for traders to plan and optimise their strategies effectively.

Financial Markets and Leverage

Lark Funding provides access to a variety of asset classes for demo trading, allowing traders to diversify their strategies while working within predefined leverage limits:

• Forex: Over 40 major and minor currency pairs with 15:1 leverage (upgradeable to 30:1 at checkout).
• Commodities: Includes Gold, Silver, and Oil, all offered with 15:1 leverage (upgradeable to 30:1).
• Indices: Global stock indices are available with 10:1 leverage.
• Cryptocurrencies: Popular crypto assets are tradable with a limited 2:1 leverage.

Leverage is consistent across all challenges, with upgrades applicable only to Forex and Metals.

Verdict on Markets

Lark Funding offers a solid range of markets, but the leverage limits—particularly for indices and cryptocurrencies—may feel restrictive for some traders. While the option to increase leverage on Forex and Metals adds flexibility, higher leverage across more asset classes would make the program more competitive.

Trading Platforms

Lark Funding offers two trading platforms: cTrader and DXTrade, but provides no platform-specific guides or resources to help traders get started.

1. cTrader is known for its clean interface, advanced charting, and algorithmic trading capabilities, making it suitable for experienced traders.
2. DXTrade is a more straightforward platform with integration options, ideal for traders looking for simplicity and efficiency.

While both platforms are solid choices, the lack of detailed information or tutorials from Lark Funding means traders might need to rely on external resources to fully utilise the tools available.

Trading Rules

Lark Funding enforces clear trading rules to ensure responsible and fair trading practices. Expert Advisors (EAs) and news trading are allowed, except those designed for high-frequency trading (HFT) or arbitrage strategies.

You aren’t allowed to engage in the following trading strategies:

• All-Or-Nothing Trading: Excessive margin use or trades risking drawdown breaches in one position; $10,000 daily gain cap.
• Martingale Trading: Increasing position sizes after losses to recover quickly.
• Grid Trading: Placing opposing buy/sell orders that create leverage or risk-free gains.
• High-Frequency Trading (HFT): Using rapid execution algorithms for unfair advantages.
• Hedging/Arbitrage: Hedging positions across multiple accounts or with third parties.

You must adhere to these rules to avoid disqualification and remain eligible for payouts.

Verdict on Trading Platforms 

Lark Funding provides cTrader and DXTrade, both strong platforms for different trader preferences, but lacks platform-specific guides or support. cTrader suits experienced traders with advanced tools and automation features, while DXTrade is more accessible for traders seeking a simpler experience. However, the absence of tutorials or detailed resources may hinder traders from fully utilising these platforms, requiring external research to bridge the gap.

Payments and Profit Payout

Lark Funding offers a range of payment and payout options like credit cards and crypto payments, but the processes and policies come with specific conditions that traders should be aware of.

Challenge Fee Payments

Lark Funding accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cryptocurrencies for challenge fee payments, with crypto payments processed securely via Coinbase. This flexibility ensures accessibility for traders worldwide, but no further details on transaction fees or processing times are provided.

Profit Payouts and Withdrawals

Once funded, you can request payouts based on your selected challenge. Instant Funding allows payouts on demand, while other programs impose a 7-14 day waiting period before the first withdrawal. Afterward, payouts are available weekly or monthly, depending on your challenge type.

The minimum withdrawal is $100 which is quite high, and withdrawals are processed through Wise or Riseworks, typically completed in 1-3 business days.

One thing we stress traders to be aware of is that upon the first payout request, the maximum drawdown locks at the initial account balance. This means that any withdrawal reduces the available drawdown buffer for future trades, which could increase the risk of breaching the account.

While this policy encourages disciplined risk management and account growth, it can be limiting, particularly for traders seeking frequent payouts. Lark Funding emphasizes that maintaining a buffer before requesting payouts can help avoid these challenges, but it remains a restrictive rule compared to other firms.

Verdict on Payments and Payouts

Lark Funding’s payment options are flexible, and the option for on-demand payouts in Instant Funding is appealing. However, the drawdown lock rule after the first payout and the lack of transparency around transaction fees may deter traders focused on long-term account growth or frequent withdrawals. This makes the payout process less trader-friendly compared to firms without similar restrictions.

Customer Service and Education

Lark Funding offers minimal customer support and educational resources, which may leave traders seeking more guidance or immediate assistance.

Customer Support

Lark Funding’s customer support is limited to email and an online contact form, with no live chat staffed by an actual support team. While a chatbot is available, it only directs users to the FAQ section, offering no personalised assistance. Support is not available 24/7, which could be frustrating for traders who need immediate help, especially across different time zones.

Educational Resources

Educational resources are sparse. The FAQ section provides basic answers to common questions, but beyond that, there are no tutorials, webinars, or platform-specific guides to help traders navigate the system or improve their trading skills. Traders may need to rely on external resources to fill these gaps.

Verdict on Support

Lark Funding’s customer service and education options are underwhelming compared to other prop firms. The lack of live support and comprehensive educational tools could be a disadvantage for traders who need extra guidance or immediate assistance during challenges.

Trust and Community

Lark Funding combines a solid Trustpilot reputation with an engaged online trading community, though certain policies and gaps in resources may limit its appeal for some traders. Its efforts to maintain communication and build trust are reflected in its review scores and active Discord presence, but challenges remain in providing more comprehensive support.

Lark Funding Trustpilot Score

Lark Funding holds a Trustpilot score of 4.3 out of 5, based on over 300 reviews. Most reviews praise the firm for its reliable payouts, transparent communication, and helpful customer support. Positive experiences include traders receiving payouts quickly and efficiently, even during peak holiday periods.

However, some reviews mention drawbacks, such as the payout lock rule that adjusts drawdown levels after withdrawals, which some traders find limiting. There have also been isolated complaints about delays in issuing funded accounts, but the majority acknowledge the firm’s commitment to resolving issues.

Trading Community

Lark Funding has cultivated an active Discord community with over 14,000 members, making it a valuable hub for traders. The server features channels dedicated to announcements, promotions, payout discussions, and support, enabling members to stay updated and connect with fellow traders.

While the community fosters collaboration and peer support, it lacks detailed educational resources or beginner guides, which might leave new traders relying on external materials.

Verdict on Trust and Community

Lark Funding’s strong Trustpilot score and an engaged community make it a reliable choice for experienced traders. However, the payout lock rule and absence of structured educational content are notable limitations. The Discord server is a valuable resource for connecting with peers but could be enhanced with more learning tools for newcomers.

How to Sign Up with Lark Funding

Signing up with Lark Funding involves a structured process designed to ensure traders are ready to meet the firm’s evaluation standards. Whether you’re opting for a single-phase challenge or a more gradual three-step process, the steps include choosing your account type, meeting the profit targets, and securing a funded account.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started:

1. Choose Account Type: Select your challenge type from the four options: One-Step, Two-Step, Three-Step, or Instant Funding. Account sizes range from $5,000 to $200,000 (up to $100,000 for Instant Funding), with fees based on the account size and challenge type.
2. Customise Your Account: Choose between Regular or Swap-Free account types, select the DXTrade platform, and consider optional add-ons, such as a 20% fee for a higher profit split (90%) or a 10% fee for holding positions over the weekend.
3. Pay the Challenge Fee: Payments can be made via credit/debit cards or cryptocurrency through Coinbase.
4. Develop a Trading Strategy: Plan a strategy that adheres to the challenge rules. Focus on achieving the profit targets while maintaining strict risk management to avoid breaching drawdown limits.
5. Pass the Evaluation Process: Successfully complete the evaluation by meeting all profit and drawdown requirements. Depending on the challenge, you may need to complete one, two, or three phases.
6. Sign the Contract and Verify Identity: After passing the evaluation, sign the funding contract and complete the KYC verification process. You will receive your funded account credentials within a few business days.
7. Trade on Your Funded Account: Begin trading on your funded account. Request your first payout as per the challenge rules, and manage your account balance carefully to adhere to drawdown and payout regulations for ongoing eligibility.

Final Verdict on Lark Funding

Lark Funding provides a variety of challenges and a functional trading community, but its policies and lack of transparency may not suit all traders. The payout lock rule and unclear pricing structure make it harder to plan for long-term growth, while limited customer support and the absence of educational resources leave gaps for those who need guidance.

For traders prioritising transparency, lower fees, and broker-backed reliability, firms like DNA Funded and IC Funded may be better options. These firms often offer more competitive pricing, clearer trading conditions, and stronger support systems, making them a better choice for both new and experienced traders.