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Smart Online Trader

Performance Lab

Put your process to the test.

Explore simulated prop firm evaluations in South Africa and simulated funded accounts, designed around clear objectives and defined risk limits. Choose your route, understand the rules and work towards payout eligibility based on approved simulated performance.

Explore the ProgrammesHow It Works

All programme trading is simulated. Fees apply, and payouts are subject to eligibility, verification and programme terms.

Review challenges · simulated
Review Available Challenges screen listing the 1 Phase simulated evaluation options
Match-Trader · simulated
Match-Trader trading platform with the EURUSD chart, favourites panel and open positions tabs
Instant funded · simulated
Review Available Challenges screen listing the Instant Funded simulated account options
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Simulated platform views. Values depend on your selected programme.

Programme overview

Choose how you begin.

Route 1

Structured evaluations

A phased assessment in a simulated account. Choose 1, 2 or 3 phases and an account size, then meet the published profit target within 30 days while staying inside the daily and overall loss limits and trading the minimum number of days.

Completing all phases in full compliance with the rules may make you eligible for reimbursement of the evaluation fee, and for scaling and the payout approval process.

View evaluation programmes

Route 2

Simulated instant-funded accounts

Enquire about an account without an evaluation. There is no performance target, but ongoing daily and overall loss limits, a minimum of 8 trading days and possible leverage limits on selected instruments apply throughout.

Payout eligibility is conditional on approved simulated performance and the programme terms, with a 50% split as standard or 80% with the optional paid upgrade.

View instant-funded accounts

Payouts are an outcome of either route, governed by verification and terms - not a separate account type.

How it works

A clear route from selection to progression.

Understand what you’re joining, follow your programme’s requirements and track your progress against its published criteria.

  1. 01

    Choose your programme

    Compare the available routes, account sizes, fees and requirements before selecting your starting point.

  2. 02

    Follow the rules

    Work within the objectives and risk limits of your chosen programme, with clear visibility of the requirements.

  3. 03

    Work towards progression

    Meet the applicable criteria to become eligible for the next stage and any associated programme benefits.

Evaluation programmes

Select a route and account size.

Every published evaluation option is listed below. The simulated account size is virtual capital; the fee is what you pay.

1. Evaluation route

2. Simulated account size

Simulated instant-funded

Prefer an account without an evaluation?

No evaluation required. Enquire with our team about entering a structured simulation with payout eligibility based on approved performance.

Simulated account

$5,000

Account fee
Discussed with you before you enrol
Profit target
No Performance Target
Maximum daily profit
$100
Daily loss (max)
$100
Overall loss (max)
$200
Trading period
Unlimited
Min. trading days
8 Days
Leverage
1:30
Payout split
50% (80% optional upgrade)
Enquire now

Simulated account

$10,000

Account fee
Discussed with you before you enrol
Profit target
No Performance Target
Maximum daily profit
$200
Daily loss (max)
$200
Overall loss (max)
$400
Trading period
Unlimited
Min. trading days
8 Days
Leverage
1:30
Payout split
50% (80% optional upgrade)
Enquire now

Simulated account

$25,000

Account fee
Discussed with you before you enrol
Profit target
No Performance Target
Maximum daily profit
$500
Daily loss (max)
$500
Overall loss (max)
$1,000
Trading period
Unlimited
Min. trading days
8 Days
Leverage
1:30
Payout split
50% (80% optional upgrade)
Enquire now

Simulated account

$50,000

Account fee
Discussed with you before you enrol
Profit target
No Performance Target
Maximum daily profit
$1,000
Daily loss (max)
$1,000
Overall loss (max)
$2,000
Trading period
Unlimited
Min. trading days
8 Days
Leverage
1:30
Payout split
50% (80% optional upgrade)
Enquire now
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Our team will contact you about the account options, terms & next steps.

  • • Payout split of 50% as standard, or 80% with the optional upgrade for an additional 10% of the account fee, based on approved simulated performance.
  • • Simulated Instant Funded Accounts use 1:30 leverage. Selected instruments may be limited to 1:9.
  • • The trading period for Simulated Instant Funded Accounts changed from 30 days to Unlimited. T&Cs apply.

Platform

See your rules. Track your progress.

TradingView analysis

Real-time charting and analysis inside the platform.

No downloads required

Access the simulated environment from your browser.

Fast, intuitive interface

A clean workspace for placing and managing simulated trades.

Rules and limits in view

Track your objectives, daily loss limit and overall loss limit as you trade.

Explore Trade Tech
Programme rules · simulated illustration
Profit target
Daily loss limit
Overall loss limit
Minimum trading days
Trading period

Simulated interface illustration. Values depend on your selected programme.

Why Performance Lab

Structure you can understand.

Know the requirements first

Targets, loss limits, trading days and leverage are published for every account size. Fees & terms are discussed with you before you enrol.

See your progress and limits

Your objectives and risk limits stay visible while you trade, so you always know where you stand.

Understand what progression needs

Fee reimbursement, scaling and payout eligibility are tied to stated criteria and the programme terms.

Member experiences

What members say about the support.

Comments about service and support, in members' own words. They are not evidence of trading results.

“Baie goeie kennis en baie goeie ondersteuning en vriendelike diens. Dankie Uan, Damian en Willem”
Alec
“Thanks to Willem for all his help getting set up. Attention to detail is fantastic.”
Ivan
“Been very helpful and supportive Respond immediately or ASAP when time in need.”
Gerhard R.
“So far i have had a really good experience. Micheal has made things super easy for me and he has been really helpful in answering all the questions i have had..”
Jade
“Michael Muller is the most honest and straight forward person when helping with a smile on making a trading decision. Always helping me.”
Danie
“Very helpfull staff.Quick responds on my answers.Willem has setup all my trading accounts quickly and training was also very helpfull for my trading journey.Thank you Willem and Uan for your quick support.”
Fida H.
“Damian & Euan has been outstanding in explaining everything to me. Damian has the patience to deal with someone who knows absolutely nothing about trading. Looking forward to my journey with them”
Sipho M.
Alec

“Baie goeie kennis en baie goeie ondersteuning en vriendelike diens. Dankie Uan, Damian en Willem”

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FAQ

Your questions, answered.

01What does an evaluation involve?
An evaluation is a structured simulation in which you trade virtual funds against published objectives: a profit target, a maximum daily profit, a daily loss limit, an overall loss limit, a trading period and a minimum number of trading days. It assesses discipline, risk management and consistency without trading real money.
02How do the available routes differ?
Requirements depend on the route you choose. Evaluations are offered as 1 Phase, 2 Phase or 3 Phase programmes, each with its own fees, targets, loss limits and minimum trading days per account size. Simulated Instant Funded Accounts skip the evaluation: there is no performance target, but ongoing daily and overall loss limits and a minimum of 8 trading days apply.
03Are the funded accounts real?
No. Funded accounts at Smart Online Trader are simulated. You trade virtual capital in a demo environment that mirrors real-market conditions. No live funds are traded and all balances and results are simulated.
04How does instant-funded entry work?
Enquire with our team about a simulated funded account without an evaluation. Our team will explain the account options, applicable fee, terms & next steps before you proceed. You trade under that account's daily and overall loss limits with an unlimited trading period at 1:30 leverage, and selected instruments may be limited to 1:9. Gains and losses inside the account are non-monetary.
05Which conditions govern payouts and fee reimbursement?
The evaluation fee may be reimbursed when you complete all phases of your evaluation in full compliance with the rules; reimbursement applies only to the evaluation fee. Payouts are calculated from approved simulated performance, at a 50% split as standard, or 80% if you choose the optional upgrade for an additional 10% of the account fee, subject to verification and the programme terms. Approved payouts are credited to your own live trading account, from which you may withdraw - this payout account is separate from the simulated trading environment. Nothing is guaranteed.
06Does participation create an employment relationship?
No. Using Smart Online Trader programmes, completing an evaluation or receiving a simulated account does not create an employment relationship with Smart Online Trader.
07What support and educational resources are available?
The team helps with account setup and questions, and structured education is available through the Performance Academy. Smart Online Trader does not provide financial advice; all programmes are educational and simulation-based.
08How is simulated participation different from optional live trading?
Performance Lab programmes run entirely on virtual funds, so your trading does not put personal capital at risk beyond the fee you pay. Live trading is a separate, optional choice with a broker, where real money is at risk. Passing an evaluation does not open a live trading account.

By continuing you will complete enrolment with our payment provider. Enrolment is confirmed only once payment succeeds. Terms & Conditions of Enrolment, Privacy Policy and Risk Warning and Disclaimer apply.

Evaluation Terms & Conditions (PDF)Simulated Funding Terms & Conditions (PDF)

Evaluation-provider terms and conditions apply. All Performance Lab trading is simulated. Fees, account rules and payout eligibility depend on your selected programme.

Find the programme that fits your next step.

Compare the options, understand the requirements and choose your starting point with a clear view of what comes next.

Compare ProgrammesSpeak to the Team
Still building your foundation? Explore the Performance Academy.