1-Step vs 1-Step Nano vs 2-Step Standard vs 2-Step Nano: Which Challenge is Best for You?

Choosing the right prop trading challenge is not simply about finding the highest profit split or the largest account size. The evaluation structure, profit target, drawdown model, trading-day requirements, payout schedule, and funded-account rules can all affect which challenge is the best fit for your trading style.

Blue Guardian currently offers four key evaluation models for traders comparing a one-phase or two-phase route to funding: 1-Step Standard, 1-Step Nano, 2-Step Standard, and 2-Step Nano.

Each model has a different combination of targets and risk limits. The 1-Step models let traders complete the evaluation in a single phase, while the 2-Step models require traders to meet targets across two phases. The Standard and Nano versions then add another layer of choice by changing the drawdown structure, targets, and payout conditions.

This guide compares the four models using Blue Guardian's current rules so you can determine which challenge best matches your strategy.

Blue Guardian Challenge Comparison

What Is the 1-Step Standard Challenge?

The 1-Step Standard is designed for traders who want to complete their evaluation in a single phase while working with a 9% profit target.

For accounts purchased from August 20, 2026, the current profit target is 9%. The account has a 4% maximum daily drawdown and a 6% trailing maximum overall drawdown. Traders must also complete at least three profitable trading days, with a trading day counting when at least 0.5% profit is achieved.

The trailing drawdown is an important part of this model. Unlike a static overall loss limit, the maximum drawdown follows the account's highest recorded balance until it reaches 6% of the initial balance. At that point, the trailing drawdown locks at the starting balance, with a 1% buffer applying to withdrawals.

1-Step Standard Profit Split

The current standard profit split is 85%, with an optional add-on available to increase it to 90%. The standard payout cycle is every 14 days, while a 7-day payout add-on is also available.

Who Is 1-Step Standard Best For?

The 1-Step Standard may suit traders who:

• Want to complete only one evaluation phase
• Prefer a 4% daily drawdown
• Are comfortable managing a trailing drawdown
• Want a lower target than the 1-Step Nano
• Prefer the option of upgrading the profit split to 90%

It can be particularly attractive to traders who already have a consistent strategy and do not want to complete a second evaluation phase.

What Is the 1-Step Nano Challenge?

The 1-Step Nano also uses a single-phase evaluation, but its structure differs from the 1-Step Standard.

The current profit target is 10%, with a 4% maximum daily drawdown and a 6% trailing maximum overall drawdown. Unlike the 1-Step Standard, there is no minimum trading-day requirement during the challenge.

This makes the model potentially attractive to traders who can reach the target quickly and do not want a minimum-day requirement slowing down the evaluation.

However, the higher 10% target means traders must generate more profit than the current 9% target on the 1-Step Standard.

1-Step Nano Profit Split and Payouts

The current official rules list an 85% profit split, with an optional add-on that can increase it to 100%. The payout frequency is every seven days.

The 1-Step Nano also has a 50% consistency rule applying to both the challenge and funded account. If one trading day represents 50% or more of total profits, the trader must continue generating profit until the consistency requirement is satisfied.

Who Is 1-Step Nano Best For?

The 1-Step Nano may be a better fit for traders who:

• Want a single-phase evaluation
• Prefer no minimum trading days during the challenge
• Are comfortable targeting 10%
• Want a faster standard payout cycle
• Value the option of a 100% profit-split add-on

The trade-off is that the target is higher than the current 1-Step Standard target.

What Is the 2-Step Standard Challenge?

The 2-Step Standard uses a traditional two-phase evaluation structure.

Traders must reach an 8% profit target in Phase 1 followed by a 4% target in Phase 2. The model provides a 4% maximum daily drawdown and an 8% static maximum overall drawdown.

For accounts purchased from August 20, 2026, traders need at least three profitable trading days to pass the evaluation. A qualifying trading day requires at least 0.5% profit, and the days do not need to be consecutive.

Because the overall drawdown is static, it does not trail the account's highest balance in the same way as the 1-Step Standard and 1-Step Nano models.

2-Step Standard Profit Split

The current standard profit split is 85%, with an optional 90% profit-split add-on. The normal payout cycle is every 14 days, with an optional 7-day payout add-on.

Who Is 2-Step Standard Best For?

The 2-Step Standard may suit traders who:

• Prefer a two-phase evaluation
• Want an 8% first-phase target
• Prefer a lower 4% Phase 2 target
• Want an 8% static overall drawdown
• Prefer a 4% daily drawdown
• Do not mind completing two evaluation phases

The two-phase structure can be appealing to traders who prefer spreading the evaluation process across separate targets rather than trying to complete one larger target.

What Is the 2-Step Nano Challenge?

The 2-Step Nano takes a different approach to the two-phase model.

It requires an 8% Phase 1 target and a 5% Phase 2 target. Its maximum daily drawdown is 3%, while its maximum overall drawdown is 10% static. There is also no minimum trading-day requirement.

This creates an interesting trade-off.

Compared with 2-Step Standard, Nano gives traders a larger overall drawdown allowance, but the daily drawdown is tighter. It also requires 1% more profit in Phase 2.

2-Step Nano Profit Split and Payouts

The current official help page lists the 2-Step Nano profit split at 80%, with payouts available every 14 days.

The model also has a 50% consistency rule on funded accounts. This means the trader's highest-profit day cannot represent 50% or more of total profits for the payout period. If it does, the account is not automatically breached; the trader must continue generating profits until the consistency requirement is met.

Who Is 2-Step Nano Best For?

The 2-Step Nano may suit traders who:

• Want a two-phase evaluation
• Prefer a static overall drawdown
• Value a larger 10% overall drawdown
• Do not want a minimum trading-day requirement
• Are comfortable with a tighter 3% daily drawdown
• Prefer a lower-cost two-phase structure

1-Step vs 2-Step: Which Evaluation Structure Is Better?

The first major decision is whether you prefer one phase or two.

Choose a 1-Step Challenge If You Want Fewer Evaluation Phases

Both 1-Step models require traders to reach their target in a single evaluation phase.

That can make them attractive to experienced traders who already have a tested strategy and want a more direct route through the evaluation.

The key difference is the target and drawdown structure:

• 1-Step Standard: 9% target
• 1-Step Nano: 10% target

Both currently use a 4% daily drawdown and 6% trailing overall drawdown.

Choose a 2-Step Challenge If You Prefer Two Smaller Targets

The 2-Step models divide the evaluation into two phases.

The 2-Step Standard requires 8% in Phase 1 and 4% in Phase 2, while the 2-Step Nano requires 8% and 5%.

This structure may be more comfortable for traders who prefer to progress through separate stages rather than targeting 9% or 10% in one phase.

Standard vs Nano: What Is the Difference?

The Standard and Nano models are not simply different names for the same challenge. Their risk structures are meaningfully different.

For the 1-Step models, both have a 4% daily drawdown and 6% trailing overall drawdown. The main evaluation difference is the profit target: 9% for Standard versus 10% for Nano.

For the 2-Step models, the differences are larger:

• 2-Step Standard: 4% daily drawdown and 8% static overall drawdown
• 2-Step Nano: 3% daily drawdown and 10% static overall drawdown

The Standard model gives you more daily room, while Nano gives you a larger total drawdown allowance.

Which Challenge Is Best for Beginners?

There is no single best challenge for every beginner.

However, the 2-Step Standard can be attractive to traders who prefer a more gradual evaluation. Instead of completing one 9% or 10% target, traders work through an 8% Phase 1 target followed by a 4% Phase 2 target. It also provides a 4% daily drawdown and an 8% static overall drawdown.

Beginners should focus less on the advertised profit split and more on whether they can consistently operate within the drawdown limits.

A challenge with a 100% profit split is not necessarily better if its rules do not match your trading strategy.

Which Challenge Is Best for Fast Traders?

If your priority is reaching the evaluation target without waiting for a minimum number of trading days, the 1-Step Nano and 2-Step Nano are worth considering because their current challenge rules do not impose a minimum trading-day requirement.

However, no minimum trading days does not mean you should increase your risk.

A trader who reaches the target quickly but violates a drawdown rule can still fail the evaluation. The objective should always be consistent risk management rather than simply passing as quickly as possible.

Which Challenge Gives You More Drawdown?

The answer depends on which type of drawdown you mean.

For daily drawdown:

• 1-Step Standard: 4%
• 1-Step Nano: 4%
• 2-Step Standard: 4%
• 2-Step Nano: 3%

For maximum overall drawdown:

• 1-Step Standard: 6% trailing
• 1-Step Nano: 6% trailing
• 2-Step Standard: 8% static
• 2-Step Nano: 10% static

So, if you prefer a larger static overall loss allowance, the 2-Step Nano has the largest figure among these four models.

If daily flexibility is more important, the 4% daily limit on the Standard models is higher than Nano's 3% daily limit.

Which Challenge Has the Lowest Profit Target?

Looking at the total evaluation structure requires some context.

The 1-Step Standard has a 9% single-phase target, while 1-Step Nano has a 10% target.

The 2-Step Standard has 8% in Phase 1 and 4% in Phase 2, while 2-Step Nano has 8% in Phase 1 and 5% in Phase 2.

A lower individual phase target does not automatically make a challenge easier. Traders must complete every required phase while remaining within the applicable risk limits.

Final Verdict: Which Blue Guardian Challenge Should You Choose?

The best Blue Guardian challenge depends on how you trade.

Choose 1-Step Standard if you want a single-phase evaluation with a 9% target, 4% daily drawdown, and 6% trailing overall drawdown.

Choose 1-Step Nano if you want a single-phase evaluation with no minimum challenge trading days and are comfortable with a 10% target. Its current rules also offer an optional 100% profit-split add-on.

Choose 2-Step Standard if you prefer a two-phase evaluation, a 4% daily drawdown, an 8% static overall drawdown, and a lower 4% Phase 2 target.

Choose 2-Step Nano if you prefer two phases, no minimum trading-day requirement, and a larger 10% static overall drawdown, while accepting a tighter 3% daily drawdown and a 5% Phase 2 target.

Ultimately, there is no universally best challenge. The right choice is the one whose profit target, drawdown structure, trading-day requirements, and payout rules fit your actual strategy and risk tolerance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 1-Step better than 2-Step?

Not necessarily. A 1-Step challenge has only one evaluation phase, while a 2-Step challenge divides the evaluation into two phases. Traders who prefer a direct evaluation may favor 1-Step, while those who prefer separate targets may prefer 2-Step.

What is the current 1-Step Standard profit target?

For accounts purchased from August 20, 2026, the current 1-Step Standard target is 9%. Accounts purchased before that date can remain subject to the previous 10% target.

What is the 1-Step Nano profit target?

The current 1-Step Nano profit target is 10%.

What is the 2-Step Standard profit target?

The current 2-Step Standard requires 8% in Phase 1 and 4% in Phase 2.

What is the 2-Step Nano profit target?

The current 2-Step Nano requires 8% in Phase 1 and 5% in Phase 2.

Which Blue Guardian challenge has no minimum trading days?

The current 1-Step Nano and 2-Step Nano rules do not require a minimum number of trading days during the challenge. The 1-Step Standard and newly purchased 2-Step Standard accounts require three profitable trading days.

Can I hold trades overnight and over the weekend?

Yes. Blue Guardian's current rules allow overnight and weekend holding across these account models, subject to the applicable trading rules.

Are Expert Advisors allowed?

Yes. Expert Advisors are allowed under the current rules, provided they comply with Blue Guardian's trading requirements.

What is the minimum trade holding time?

Blue Guardian currently specifies a 2-minute minimum holding time to prevent tick scalping under these models.

Which challenge should I choose?

If you want one phase, compare 1-Step Standard and 1-Step Nano. If you prefer two phases, compare 2-Step Standard and 2-Step Nano. Then choose based on the target, daily drawdown, overall drawdown, trading-day requirements, and payout conditions rather than choosing solely on profit split.