Prop Firms

A proprietary trading firm ("prop firm") funds traders to trade the firm's capital instead of their own. You pay for an evaluation, trade a simulated account under the firm's rules (a profit target, a drawdown limit, sometimes a daily loss limit), and if you pass you get a funded account and keep most of the profits as a payout split. The catch is in the rules: drawdown type, payout terms, and consistency requirements differ enormously between firms, and they decide whether you keep the account. New to the model? Start with our guide to how prop firm evaluations actually work.

We track 18 active prop firms and compare them on the metrics that matter: entry price, drawdown model, profit split, payout, and supported software. Open a firm for the full plan table, or use the comparison tool to stack them side by side.

Some links on this page are affiliate links: if a firm has an approved partnership we may earn a commission, marked clearly and routed through /go/. Commission never affects our rankings or scores. See our affiliate disclosure.

  1. Best overall value for futures traders. Generous rules, one-step evaluation, and affordable pricing make it the top pick for beginners and experienced traders alike.

    Best for: Beginners and discount hunters who want a cheap, forgiving one-step evaluation.

    Priced plans
    19
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    Rithmic, Tradovate, WealthCharts, NinjaTrader
  2. FTMO

    4.3

    The industry standard for prop firm trading. Two-step evaluation is rigorous but produces well-prepared funded traders. Best for forex-focused traders.

    Best for: Experienced forex traders who want the industry-standard two-step evaluation.

    Priced plans
    15
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    MT4, MT5, cTrader
  3. Topstep

    4.2

    Pioneer of prop firm trading with unmatched educational resources. The Trading Combine is well-structured but rules are strict. Best for disciplined futures traders.

    Best for: Disciplined futures traders who value coaching, education, and an established name.

    Priced plans
    12
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    TopstepX, NinjaTrader, Tradovate
  4. Trader-friendly rules with no daily loss limit. Fast payouts and transparent pricing. Strong choice for experienced futures traders.

    Best for: Experienced futures traders who want no daily loss limit and fast payouts.

    Priced plans
    21
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Quantower
  5. Major forex prop firm with four Stellar program variants. Static (balance-based) drawdown is trader-friendly. Base 80% profit split with add-on upgrades available.

    Best for: Forex traders who value a static, balance-based drawdown over trailing rules.

    Priced plans
    28
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    MT4, MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader
  6. Flexible evaluation options with both one-step and subscription models. The PRO account offers the best value for traders who want steady access.

    Best for: Futures traders choosing between one-step and subscription evaluation models.

    Priced plans
    11
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    Tradovate, TradingView, NinjaTrader
  7. TradeDay

    3.8

    Three drawdown types (intraday trailing, EOD trailing, static) give traders flexibility. No daily loss limit and payouts from day one make it trader-friendly.

    Best for: Futures traders who want to choose their drawdown model and get payouts from day one.

    Priced plans
    15
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Jigsaw
  8. Widest variety of evaluation types (1-Step, EOD, Static, Diamond Hands, Direct to Funded, Fast Track). 100% profit split up to $12,500. Twice-weekly payouts.

    Best for: Traders who want to fine-tune the evaluation style (1-Step, Static, Fast Track) with fast payouts.

    Priced plans
    20
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    Tradovate, NinjaTrader, Rithmic, TradingView
  9. Strong educational component with the Gauntlet Mini evaluation. Best for traders who want structured learning alongside their evaluation.

    Best for: New futures traders who want structured education built into the evaluation.

    Priced plans
    16
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    Tradovate, Finamark, NinjaTrader, Overcharts +4 more
  10. The5ers

    3.7

    Established forex prop firm with unique free Hyper Growth option. High Stakes program offers 80% split with 1:100 leverage. MT5-only platform.

    Best for: MT5 forex traders interested in scaling programs or the free Hyper Growth route.

    Priced plans
    19
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    MT5
  11. Forex prop firm with three program types. 1-Step Express has trailing drawdown; 2-Step Classic has static. Weekly payouts on most plans. No minimum trading days.

    Best for: Forex traders who want weekly payouts and no minimum trading days.

    Priced plans
    20
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    Match-Trader, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade
  12. Bulenox

    3.7

    Wide range of account sizes with both intraday trailing and EOD drawdown options. 100% profit split on first $10K earnings. Strong Rithmic platform support.

    Best for: Rithmic-platform traders who want to pick between EOD and intraday trailing drawdown.

    Priced plans
    21
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    NinjaTrader, R|Trader Pro, Sierra Chart, Quantower +1 more
  13. Forex prop firm with competitive pricing across multiple challenge types. The E8 Signature challenge offers good value at the 50K level.

    Best for: Forex traders on MT5 or cTrader looking for value at the 50K challenge level.

    Priced plans
    16
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    TradeLocker, cTrader, Match-Trader, MT5
  14. Simple evaluation with no daily loss limit, only trailing drawdown. On-demand payouts Mon-Fri with $1,000 minimum. Solid choice for disciplined futures traders.

    Best for: Disciplined futures traders who want a simple eval and on-demand weekday payouts.

    Priced plans
    10
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    NinjaTrader, Quick Screen Trading, R|Trader, R|Trader Pro +17 more
  15. Mid-range futures prop firm with competitive pricing and news trading allowed. Intraday trailing drawdown and on-demand payouts after 10 trading days.

    Best for: News traders: announcement trading is allowed, with on-demand payouts after 10 days.

    Priced plans
    6
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Jigsaw +1 more
  16. Established futures prop firm with no daily loss limit. Wide range of Rithmic-based platforms. Note: site now redirects to TradeDay, indicating brand consolidation.

    Best for: Rithmic power users; note the brand is consolidating into TradeDay.

    Priced plans
    9
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    Rithmic, NinjaTrader, EdgeProX, MotiveWave +10 more
  17. Budget-friendly futures prop firm with a low $79/month price point at 50K. Lower 70% profit split is the trade-off for affordability.

    Best for: Traders on a tight budget who want the cheapest monthly entry and accept a 70% split.

    Priced plans
    12
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    NinjaTrader, Tradovate, ProjectX, Quantower
  18. FunderPro

    3.5

    Newer entrant with competitive pricing and a clean evaluation structure. Worth watching as they build their track record.

    Best for: Traders willing to try a newer firm with competitive pricing while it builds a track record.

    Priced plans
    2
    Markets
    futures
    Software
    n/a