How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- FTMO suits forex and CFD traders who want a long track record and a two-step route with a refundable fee.
- Topstep is the clearest fit for futures traders, with a monthly subscription model instead of a one-time challenge fee.
- The5ers stands out for scaling, with funded accounts that can grow far beyond the starting size.
- Drawdown type matters more than the headline profit split, since a trailing limit can close an account that a static limit would leave open.
- Most challenge fees are lost if the trader fails, so the cheapest entry price is rarely the cheapest total cost.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 FTMO | Forex and CFD traders wanting an established firm | From €89 one-time | Free trial |
 Topstep | Futures traders wanting a monthly plan | From $49 per month | No |
 The5ers | Traders planning to scale to large capital | See website | No |
 FundedNext | Low-cost two-step forex challenges | See website | No |
 Apex Trader Funding | Futures traders wanting a high first payout share | See website | No |
 E8 Funding | Forex traders wanting a simple one-step option | See website | No |
 FundingPips | Forex traders wanting frequent payouts | See website | No |
 FXIFY | Forex and CFD traders wanting a fast route to funding | See website | No |
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The best prop trading companies
#1
FTMO
Best for: Forex and CFD traders wanting an established firm
Visit ftmo.com
Starting priceFrom €89 one-time
Free planFree trial
FTMO offers a one-step challenge, a two-step challenge, and an instant account with no evaluation phase. The two-step route sets a 10 percent target in phase one and a 5 percent target in phase two, with a 5 percent daily loss limit and a 10 percent static maximum loss. The standard profit share is 80 percent, rising to 90 percent under the scaling plan. Traders can use MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader, which covers most common setups without forcing a platform change.
The main catch is detail. News trading restrictions apply to standard accounts once funded, and the one-step program has its own consistency rule that can hold up an account that looks profitable on paper. The free trial is worth using first, since it shows how the dashboard, objectives, and account metrics work before any fee is paid. This is not financial advice. Prop trading involves a high risk of loss, and most people who pay a challenge fee never reach a payout.
What we like- Operating since 2015
- Two-step fee refunded with the first reward
- Support in 21 languages
Watch out for- Fees are charged in euros even for dollar accounts
- The rule set takes time to learn
Starting priceFrom $49 per month
Free planNo
Topstep runs the Trading Combine, a single evaluation for futures traders. Monthly pricing starts at $49 for the smallest account size, and funded traders can keep up to 90 percent of profits. The firm has operated since 2012, which gives it one of the longer histories among futures firms. Payouts are available on a regular cycle once funded, and the platform support covers the main futures trading tools.
The trailing drawdown is the point to study before subscribing. It moves with the account balance, so a profitable run followed by a pullback can breach the limit even when the account is still above its starting balance. Traders who hold positions for days or who trade around large moves should compare the dollar drawdown caps carefully against their normal position size. This is not financial advice. Futures trading carries substantial risk, and a subscription does not guarantee funding.
What we like- Futures-only focus
- Monthly subscription rather than a large one-time fee
- Coaching and community included
Watch out for- Trailing drawdown can feel tight for swing traders
- Futures only, so no forex or CFD accounts
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
The5ers runs instant funding, one-step, and two-step programs, so the same firm can fit a trader who wants to skip evaluation and a trader who prefers a lower fee in exchange for passing targets. Its best-known strength is scaling. Successful traders can grow their funded capital in stages, which matters more over a year than a small difference in the starting fee. The firm also publishes trader stories and payout examples, which help a buyer judge whether payouts are routine rather than rare.
The range of programs is also a weakness. Daily loss limits, profit targets, and consistency rules differ by plan, so two traders at the same firm can face very different conditions. Read the exact plan page, not just the homepage, and check the minimum withdrawal and payout cap for the plan you choose. This is not financial advice. Past payouts by other traders do not predict your own result.
What we like- Scaling path up to $4M
- Several program types for different styles
- 24/7 support
Watch out for- Program rules vary a lot between plans
- Some plans have tight daily loss limits
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
FundedNext offers one-step and two-step Stellar challenges for forex and CFD traders, plus futures options. The two-step Stellar plan starts with an 8 percent target in phase one, lower than the 10 percent target used by several rivals, followed by a 5 percent target in phase two. The starting profit share is 80 percent, rising with scaling. Support is available around the clock from several hubs, which helps traders in different time zones.
The detail to check is the consistency rule on some plans, which caps how much of the total profit can come from a single day. A trader with one very strong day and several flat days can pass the target and still fail the consistency check. FundedNext also offers a profit share during the challenge phase on some plans, which softens the cost of a failed attempt but does not remove it. This is not financial advice. Challenge fees are at risk in full if the evaluation is failed.
What we like- Competitive entry fees
- Profit share up to 95 percent with scaling
- Fast reward processing claims
Watch out for- Challenge-phase profit share rules vary by plan
- Consistency rules can limit single-day gains
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Apex Trader Funding is a futures firm with one-step evaluations and several trailing drawdown models, including intraday and end-of-day versions. Its headline appeal is the payout share: some accounts pay 100 percent on the first $25,000 of payouts, then 90 percent after that. For a futures trader who expects regular withdrawals, that first-payout share can be worth more than a lower challenge fee elsewhere.
The limit is account life. Some Apex accounts close after six payouts, which changes the long-term value of the account. A trader who plans to stay with one firm for years should weigh that against a firm with no payout-count limit. Apex also runs frequent sales, so the list price and the checkout price often differ. This is not financial advice. Promotional pricing should not be the main reason to choose a firm.
What we like- 100 percent share on the first portion of payouts on some accounts
- Futures focus
- Frequent promotions
Watch out for- Accounts close after a set number of payouts on some plans
- Trailing drawdown rules need care
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
E8 Funding gives forex and CFD traders a choice between a faster one-step route and a two-step route with lower targets per phase. The starting profit share is 80 percent, and payouts are processed twice a month on the standard cycle. The firm covers forex, indices, commodities, and crypto CFDs, so a trader who moves between markets does not need a second account.
The tighter maximum loss on some plans is the main trade-off. An 8 percent limit leaves less room for a normal losing streak than a 10 percent limit, especially for traders who use wider stops. Check whether the plan you want uses 8 percent or 10 percent before paying, since the difference is easy to miss on a comparison page. This is not financial advice. A lower fee does not offset a rule set that does not fit your trading style. Note that E8 now presents itself as E8Markets with a SimFi simulated-trading platform, so the branding on its site may differ from older reviews.
What we like- One-step and two-step options
- Straightforward 80 percent starting share
- Broad instrument range
Watch out for- Maximum loss is 8 percent on some plans, tighter than the 10 percent used elsewhere
- Support hours vary
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
FundingPips offers one-step, two-step, and instant funding routes for forex traders. That range lets a trader pick speed, cost, or a lower target, but it also means the homepage price is not the whole story. Some plans pay out weekly, which suits traders who want regular withdrawals rather than waiting for a monthly cycle. The firm also supports the main trading platforms used by forex traders.
The risk is comparing plans that are not alike. A one-step plan with a 12 percent target and a 12 percent maximum loss is a different product from a two-step plan with a 6 percent maximum loss, even when both carry the same brand name. Read the target, daily loss, maximum loss, and payout schedule for the exact plan before checkout. This is not financial advice. Instant funding usually costs more and still carries loss limits.
What we like- Multiple challenge types including instant options
- Profit share up to 100 percent on some plans
- Fast payout cycle
Watch out for- Rules differ sharply between challenge types
- Some plans have a 6 percent maximum loss
#8
FXIFY
Best for: Forex and CFD traders wanting a fast route to funding
Visit fxify.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
FXIFY is a newer forex and CFD firm that has grown quickly on competitive fees and on-demand payouts. Its one-phase challenge removes the second verification step, so a trader who passes once can move to a funded account sooner. The starting profit share is 80 percent on the standard plans, with higher shares available through scaling or add-ons.
Newer firms carry a different kind of risk. A short track record means fewer years of payout history to check, so recent third-party reviews and payout reports matter more. FXIFY also runs regular promotions, so the price shown in a review may not match the checkout price on the day you buy. This is not financial advice. Verify the current terms on the firm's own site before paying any fee.
What we like- One-phase options
- On-demand payouts on some plans
- Competitive entry fees
Watch out for- Newer than FTMO and Topstep
- Plan terms change with promotions
How we chose
We compared firms using their own homepages and pricing pages, public rule documents, and third-party reviews on sites such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and prop firm comparison guides. We looked at challenge fees, profit targets, daily and maximum loss limits, profit shares, payout cycles, scaling paths, supported markets, and platform choice. Firms were kept only if their homepage loaded, belonged to the named firm, and showed a current funding program. Firms with no clear program, or with a homepage that redirected elsewhere, were left out.
What to check before you pay a challenge fee
Match the drawdown to your style
A static maximum loss gives a fixed floor under the starting balance. A trailing limit rises as the account makes money, which can close an account during a normal pullback. Day traders with tight stops often cope better with trailing limits than swing traders who hold through larger moves.
Read the payout rules, not just the split
Check the payout cycle, the minimum withdrawal, any payout cap, and whether the account closes after a set number of payouts. A 100 percent first-payout share is less valuable if the account ends soon after, and a high split means little if withdrawals are slow or capped.
Count the real cost of failing
Most traders fail at least one challenge. Add up the fee, any reset cost, and the monthly subscription cost over three attempts, not one. A subscription firm can be cheaper for a fast learner and more expensive for a slow one. A one-time fee firm can be cheaper for a trader who passes first time and costly for one who needs several tries.
Check the market and platform fit
Forex firms, futures firms, and CFD firms are not interchangeable. Confirm that your market, your platform, and your trading hours are covered before paying. Also check news trading rules, weekend holding rules, and any banned strategies, since a rule breach can void an otherwise profitable evaluation.
Frequently asked questions
What is a prop trading company?
A prop trading company sells evaluations that let traders manage a simulated account with firm rules. Traders who pass the evaluation can trade a funded account and keep a share of the profits, while the firm keeps the rest. The fee buys the evaluation, not capital that can be withdrawn.
How much does a prop firm challenge cost?
Costs vary by account size, market, and program type. Forex one-time fees often start under $100 for a small account and rise above $500 for a $100,000 account, while futures firms often charge a monthly subscription from around $49 per month. Always check the firm's own pricing page, since promotions change the checkout price often.
What profit split do prop firms pay?
Most firms start at 80 percent to the trader, with 90 percent or higher available through scaling, add-ons, or specific plans. Some futures plans pay 100 percent on the first portion of payouts. The split applies to profits on the funded account, not to the challenge fee.
Can you lose money with a prop firm?
Yes. The challenge fee is at risk in full if the evaluation is failed, and funded accounts can be closed for breaching loss limits or other rules. Trading itself also carries risk, and past payouts by other traders do not guarantee future payouts.
Is prop trading regulated like brokerage trading?
Most retail prop firms are not brokers and are not regulated in the same way. Funded accounts are often simulated, and the firm's rules act as the contract. Read the terms of service carefully, and treat any firm that promises guaranteed profits as a warning sign.
Which prop firm is best for beginners?
Beginners usually do better with a firm that offers a free trial, clear rules, and a small account size. FTMO and Topstep both offer long track records and trial or low-cost entry routes, but the right choice still depends on whether the beginner trades forex or futures.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://ftmo.com/
- https://topstep.com/
- https://the5ers.com/
- https://fundednext.com/
- https://apextraderfunding.com/
- https://e8funding.com/
- https://fundingpips.com/
- https://fxify.com/
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.