20 Best Prop Trading Firms in 2026

The proprietary trading industry has exploded over the past few years, creating opportunities for skilled traders to access significant capital without risking their own money. Whether you’re a forex trader, futures specialist, or stock market enthusiast, prop firms (proprietary trading firms) offer a pathway to professional trading through funded accounts and evaluation programs.

But here’s the reality: not all proprietary trading companies are created equal. Some offer generous profit splits and reasonable trading rules, while others hit you with hidden fees and impossible evaluation criteria. With hundreds of firms now competing for your business, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.

This guide breaks down the top 20 prop firms currently operating in the market. We’ve analyzed their funding programs, challenge structures, payout systems, and trader reviews to help you make an informed decision. Whether you’re looking for the best prop trading firms with high capital allocations, firms with no time limits on evaluations, or companies that let you trade crypto and stocks alongside futures, you’ll find detailed comparisons here.

From established names like FTMO and TopstepTrader to newer entrants shaking up the industry with innovative models, we’ll cover what makes each firm unique, their strengths and weaknesses, and who they’re best suited for. Let’s dive into the world of funded trading accounts and find the perfect match for your trading style.

What Are Prop Firms and How Do They Work?

Proprietary trading firms are companies that provide capital to traders in exchange for a share of the profits. Unlike traditional trading where you risk your own money, prop firms let you trade their capital after you prove your skills through an evaluation process.

Here’s the basic model most prop trading companies follow:

The Evaluation Phase: You pay a one-time fee to enter a trading challenge or evaluation. These typically have profit targets (like reaching 8-10% account growth) and risk rules (maximum daily loss limits, overall drawdown restrictions).

The Funded Account: Once you pass the evaluation, you receive a funded trading account with real capital. You keep a percentage of the profits you generate, usually between 70-90%.

Ongoing Trading: You continue trading under the firm’s rules. Many firms have scaling plans that increase your capital allocation as you demonstrate consistent profitability.

The best part? If you lose money (within the rules), it’s the firm’s capital at risk, not yours. This model has democratized access to serious trading capital, allowing talented traders without large bank accounts to trade professionally.

Different firms specialize in different markets. Some focus exclusively on futures prop firms, others on forex, and some offer multi-asset platforms where you can trade stocks, crypto, and indices.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Prop Firm

Before we get into the rankings, let’s talk about what actually matters when selecting a proprietary trading firm.

Evaluation Structure and Difficulty

The challenge is your gateway to funded capital. Look at:

• Profit targets: Are they realistic? Some firms require 10% gains in phase one, then another 5% in phase two.
• Time limits: Do you have unlimited time or are you racing against the clock?
• Drawdown rules: What’s the maximum daily loss? What’s the overall account drawdown limit?
• Trading days: Do you need to trade a minimum number of days? This can trip up swing traders.

Profit Split and Payout Terms

This is where you make your money. Consider:

• Initial split: Most top prop firms offer 70-80% to start, with some going up to 90%.
• Scaling opportunities: Can you increase your split to 90% or even 95% after consistent performance?
• Payout frequency: Can you withdraw profits weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly?
• Minimum payout: Is there a threshold you need to reach before requesting a withdrawal?

Costs and Fees

Prop firm costs vary widely:

• Challenge fees: These range from $100 for small accounts to $1,000+ for six-figure accounts.
• Monthly fees: Some firms charge ongoing platform or data fees.
• Refundable vs. non-refundable: A few firms refund your challenge fee with your first payout.
• Reset fees: If you fail, what does it cost to retry?

Trading Rules and Restrictions

The devil is in the details:

• Allowed trading styles: Can you hold positions overnight? Trade news events? Use EAs or bots?
• Leverage limits: What’s the maximum leverage on your funded account?
• Restricted instruments: Are certain markets or assets off-limits?
• Consistency rules: Do you need to avoid making all your profits in one or two huge trades?

Company Reputation and Reliability

This is crucial. Check:

• Payout history: Do traders actually get paid? Look for verified reviews and payment proof.
• Regulation: Is the company registered and transparent about its structure?
• Support quality: Can you reach someone when you have issues?
• Longevity: How long has the firm been operating?

The Top 20 Prop Firms for Funded Trading Accounts

Now let’s break down the best prop trading firms in the market today. We’ve organized these based on their overall reputation, trader satisfaction, and value proposition.

1. FTMO

FTMO is arguably the most recognized name in proprietary trading. This Czech-based company has funded thousands of traders since 2015 and maintains an excellent reputation for reliable payouts.

What makes FTMO stand out: Their two-phase evaluation is challenging but fair. You start with a 10% profit target in phase one and 5% in phase two, with a maximum daily loss of 5% and total drawdown of 10%. There’s no time limit on the challenges, which is huge for swing traders.

The profit split starts at 80% and can increase to 90% after your third withdrawal. They offer account sizes from $10,000 to $200,000, and you can trade forex, indices, commodities, and crypto.

Costs: Challenge fees range from $155 for a $10,000 account to $1,080 for a $200,000 account. The fee is refundable with your first profit split.

Best for: Serious traders who want a reputable firm with proven payout history and no time pressure.

2. TopstepTrader

TopstepTrader pioneered the funded trader model back in 2012, focusing exclusively on futures markets. They’re one of the most established futures prop firms with a track record of paying out millions to traders.

Their Trading Combine requires you to hit a profit target ($3,000 on a $50,000 account, for example) while respecting daily and trailing drawdown limits. You get 30 days minimum with extensions available.

Profit split: You keep 90% of the first $10,000 in profits, then 100% after that up to certain thresholds. Payouts happen every two weeks.

Costs: Monthly subscription model starting at $165/month for a $50,000 account. This means ongoing costs if you don’t pass quickly.

Best for: Futures traders who prefer a subscription model and want one of the most established names in the industry.

For more information about futures trading regulations, check out the National Futures Association.

3. The5ers

The5ers takes a different approach by offering a one-step evaluation and immediate funding options. They’re known for flexibility and trader-friendly rules.

You can choose between their Hyper Growth program (high leverage, aggressive targets) or their High Stakes program (lower leverage, more conservative). The one-phase challenge requires 10% profit with 4% daily and 6% total drawdown limits.

Profit split: Starts at 50% but scales up to 100% as you grow your account. This is unique because most firms cap at 90-95%.

Costs: Very affordable, with challenges starting at $59 for a $6,000 account.

Best for: Traders who want a simple one-phase evaluation and aggressive scaling plans.

4. Earn2Trade

Earn2Trade specializes in futures trading and partners with Helios Trading Partners to provide funded accounts. They’ve been around since 2018 and focus on education alongside funding.

Their Gauntlet Mini program offers the fastest path to funding with a $25,000 account. You need to gain $2,500 (10%) while respecting drawdown rules over at least 20 trading days.

Profit split: 80% to you, 20% to them. Straightforward with no hidden catches.

Costs: $250 for the Gauntlet Mini. They occasionally run promotions with discounts.

Best for: New traders who want educational support along with funding opportunities.

5. MyForexFunds (MFF)

MyForexFunds has grown rapidly by offering competitive pricing and flexible evaluation programs. They provide funding for forex, commodities, indices, and crypto trading.

Their Rapid challenge has no minimum trading days and just one evaluation phase with 10% profit target. The Evaluation program follows a more traditional two-phase model.

Profit split: 80% standard, scaling to 85% after reaching certain milestones.

Costs: Among the lowest in the industry. A $10,000 account challenge costs just $59.

Best for: Budget-conscious traders who want low barrier to entry.

6. Apex Trader Funding

Apex Trader Funding focuses exclusively on futures markets and offers both evaluation and instant funding options. They’ve gained popularity for their Rithmic platform access and reasonable rules.

Their standard evaluation requires $1,500 profit on a $25,000 account (6%) with $1,000 trailing drawdown. No minimum trading days required.

Profit split: 90% from day one. This is better than most competitors.

Costs: $147 for a $25,000 account evaluation. They also offer instant funding with no evaluation required (at higher cost).

Best for: Futures traders who want high profit splits and professional platform access.

7. Lux Trading Firm

Lux Trading Firm has made waves with their extremely generous terms and instant funding options. They’re one of the newer entrants but have quickly built a strong reputation.

No evaluation required for their instant funding accounts. For evaluation accounts, they offer one-phase and two-phase options with 8% profit targets.

Profit split: 100% of first $10,000, then 80% after that. This flips the typical model.

Costs: Instant funding starts at $42/month for a $25,000 account. Evaluation accounts cost $99-$499 depending on size.

Best for: Traders who want to skip evaluations and start trading funded accounts immediately.

8. E8 Funding

E8 Funding offers one of the most flexible evaluation programs with multiple options to suit different trading styles. They’re known for fast payouts and responsive support.

Their Evaluation process has two phases with 8% and 5% profit targets respectively. Max daily loss is 5% and max total loss is 8%.

Profit split: 80% standard with scaling plans available.

Costs: $100 for a $25,000 account. Very competitive pricing with frequent discount codes.

Best for: Traders who want flexibility and fast payout processing.

9. Funded Trading Plus (FT+)

Funded Trading Plus is a UK-based firm offering both one-step and two-step challenges across forex, indices, commodities, and crypto markets.

Their challenges are straightforward: hit profit targets (8-10% depending on program) while respecting 5% daily and 10% max drawdown. No minimum trading days.

Profit split: 80% initially, scaling to 90%.

Costs: Starting at £49 for smaller accounts, going up to £999 for £200,000 accounts.

Best for: UK and European traders who want a locally-regulated option.

10. Bulenox

Bulenox is gaining traction with their innovative approach to funding and favorable trading conditions. They offer both standard and accelerated evaluation paths.

Standard evaluation requires 10% phase one, 5% phase two. Their Accelerated program combines both phases into one with 8% target.

Profit split: 80% standard, with quarterly bonuses for consistent performers.

Costs: $99-$500 depending on account size.

Best for: Traders who want bonus incentives on top of profit splits.

11. SurgeTrader

SurgeTrader made a name for themselves with one-phase evaluations and crypto trading allowance. They’re one of the few firms truly embracing cryptocurrency markets.

Single evaluation phase requires 10% profit within max 5% daily and 10% total drawdown. You can trade 24/5 including crypto.

Profit split: 90% from the start. No scaling needed.

Costs: $150 for $25,000 account.

Best for: Crypto and forex traders who want high initial profit splits.

12. The Funded Trader

The Funded Trader offers multiple challenge types including standard, royal (one-phase), and knight (swing-friendly) programs. This flexibility lets you choose what matches your strategy.

Their standard challenge is two-phase with 8% and 5% targets. Royal challenge combines to 10% in one phase. Knight challenge removes consistency rules.

Profit split: 80% rising to 90% after consistency.

Costs: $119-$999 based on account size and challenge type.

Best for: Traders who want customized challenge options.

13. Blue Guardian

Blue Guardian takes a conservative approach with realistic profit targets and generous drawdown limits. They’re building a reputation for transparency.

Evaluation requires 8% profit with 4% daily and 8% max drawdown. Minimum 5 trading days required.

Profit split: 80% standard.

Costs: $120 for $25,000 starter account.

Best for: Conservative traders who prioritize risk management.

14. Take Profit Trader

Take Profit Trader focuses on futures trading with both evaluation and instant funding paths. They’ve grown quickly by offering competitive terms.

Standard evaluation needs $3,000 profit on $50,000 account (6%) with trailing drawdown of $2,000. No time limit.

Profit split: 90% from day one.

Costs: $165 for $50,000 evaluation.

Best for: Patient futures traders who don’t want time pressure.

15. City Traders Imperium

City Traders Imperium is a UK-based firm offering both one-step and two-step evaluations with institutional-grade platforms. They emphasize professional development.

Two-phase evaluation has 10% and 5% targets with standard 5%/10% drawdown rules. They include educational materials and trading psychology support.

Profit split: 70% initially, scaling to 80%.

Costs: £129-£999 depending on size.

Best for: Traders who value education and professional development resources.

16. Funding Pips

Funding Pips offers straightforward evaluations without gimmicks. They’ve focused on building trust through consistent payouts.

Standard challenge requires 8% profit in phase one, 5% in phase two. Maximum 5% daily loss, 10% total drawdown.

Profit split: 80% with bi-weekly payouts.

Costs: $90 for $25,000 account.

Best for: No-nonsense traders who want simplicity and reliability.

17. Tradeify

Tradeify differentiates itself with both traditional and instant funding options plus unique “weekend trading” accounts. They’re one of the more innovative firms.

Their Bootcamp challenge requires 10% profit with standard risk rules. Weekend accounts let you hold positions through market closure.

Profit split: 80% standard, 90% on premium accounts.

Costs: $119 for standard $25,000 account.

Best for: Position traders who want to hold through weekends.

18. Audacity Capital

Audacity Capital focuses exclusively on futures trading with a straightforward evaluation model. They’ve been around since 2019 and maintain solid reputation.

Challenge requires $3,000 on $50,000 account with $2,000 trailing stop. Minimum 10 trading days needed.

Profit split: 75% initially, 85% after first payout.

Costs: $200 for standard $50,000 challenge.

Best for: Established futures traders comfortable with moderate fees.

19. Fidelcrest

Fidelcrest is one of the older firms (founded 2018) offering multiple challenge types including their unique “Aggressive” program for experienced traders.

Normal track requires 10% phase one, 5% phase two. Aggressive track requires 20% and 10% but offers larger capital allocations.

Profit split: 80% increasing to 90%.

Costs: €129-€1,099 depending on program and size.

Best for: Experienced traders ready for aggressive targets and larger accounts.

20. The Trading Pit

The Trading Pit rounds out our list with their focus on futures trading and trader education. They partner with established clearing firms for legitimacy.

Standard evaluation requires 6% profit on account with simple trailing drawdown rule. No minimum trading days.

Profit split: 80% with bi-weekly payouts.

Costs: $150 for $50,000 account.

Best for: Futures traders who want educational community support.

Learn more about prop trading regulations through the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

How to Choose the Right Prop Firm for Your Trading Style

With 20 solid options, how do you actually pick? Here’s a practical framework:

Match the market to your expertise: If you trade futures exclusively, stick with futures prop firms like TopstepTrader or Apex. If you’re a forex specialist, FTMO or MyForexFunds make more sense.

Consider your capital needs: Starting small? Look at firms offering $10,000-$25,000 accounts with lower fees. Ready for serious capital? Focus on firms offering $100,000+ accounts.

Evaluate your passing probability: Be honest about your skill level. If you’re still developing consistency, choose firms with easier challenges or no time limits. Don’t burn through multiple expensive attempts at firms with 10%+ targets and strict consistency rules.

Calculate total costs: Look beyond the challenge fee. Factor in monthly costs, reset fees, and payout terms. A $100 challenge that takes 6 months to pass with monthly fees might cost more than a $300 one-time fee you pass in 30 days.

Check payout reviews: Search “[firm name] payout proof” and “[firm name] reviews” on trading forums and social media. Consistent payout issues are red flags.

Read the fine print: Understand exactly what triggers account breaches, what happens if you violate rules, and whether the firm can change terms on funded accounts.

Common Mistakes When Joining Prop Firms

Even experienced traders make these errors:

Ignoring the consistency rules: Some firms require profits spread across multiple days rather than one huge winner. Check if this applies.

Overtrading during evaluations: The profit target isn’t a daily goal. Patience is critical. Many traders blow challenges trying to force trades.

Not understanding drawdown calculations: Is the max daily loss based on starting balance, highest balance, or closed equity? This matters.

Choosing firms based on lowest fees alone: Cheap isn’t always best. A $50 challenge at a firm that never pays out is worthless compared to a $300 challenge at a reputable firm.

Starting with too large an account: Many traders should begin with smaller accounts ($25,000-$50,000) to prove they can handle the pressure before scaling up.

Failing to test on demo first: If the firm offers practice accounts, use them to understand the platform and rules before risking challenge fees.

The Future of Proprietary Trading Firms

The prop trading industry continues evolving rapidly. Here are trends shaping the landscape:

Instant funding models: More firms are offering skip-the-evaluation options where you pay monthly for immediate funded accounts. This appeals to proven traders who don’t want to jump through hoops.

Crypto integration: As cryptocurrency markets mature, expect more proprietary trading companies to include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets.

Regulatory scrutiny: As the industry grows, regulatory bodies are paying more attention. This will likely separate legitimate firms from questionable operators.

AI and automation: Some firms are experimenting with AI-assisted evaluation processes and trading analytics to support funded traders.

Increased competition: With hundreds of firms now operating, expect continued innovation in terms, rules, and pricing as companies fight for market share.

The democratization of trading capital through prop firms represents a genuine opportunity for skilled traders. Just five years ago, accessing $100,000 in trading capital required either substantial personal wealth or institutional connections. Today, a talented trader can get funded for a few hundred dollars and a proven track record.

Conclusion

The prop trading world offers unprecedented opportunities for skilled traders to access significant capital without personal financial risk. From established names like FTMO and TopstepTrader to innovative newcomers like Lux Trading Firm and SurgeTrader, today’s top prop firms provide diverse options for every trading style and experience level. Success requires choosing a firm that matches your market focus, understanding all costs and rules, and approaching evaluations with patience and discipline. Whether you’re pursuing funded trading accounts in futures, forex, or multi-asset markets, the key is finding a reputable firm with transparent terms and proven payout history. Start with one or two firms that align with your strategy, master their evaluation process, and focus on consistent risk management rather than aggressive profit chasing. The pathway to professional trading through proprietary trading firms is more accessible than ever, but it still demands the same skills that separate successful traders from the rest: discipline, patience, and sound risk management.