BrokerAnalysis
Expert TestedUpdated March 2026

Best Prop Trading Firms Compared & Tested

We tested and compared 21 prop trading firms to help you find the right funded account. Compare profit splits, challenge fees, platforms, and payout speeds across the top proprietary trading firms.

21
Firms Tested
Up to 100%
Profit Splits
$5K–$400K
Account Sizes

Quick Comparison: Top 10 Prop Trading Firms

#FirmProfit SplitMax AccountStarting FromMarketsPlatformsPayoutsRatingVisit
1Apex Trader Funding100% first $25K, then 90%$300,000$147/moFuturesNinjaTrader, TradovateTwice per month9.2/10Visit
2FTMO80%–90%$200,000€155Forex, Indices, CommoditiesMT4, MT5Bi-weekly (on demand)9/10Visit
3Instant Funding80%–90%$200,000$75Forex, Indices, CommoditiesMT5, ThinkTraderOn demand (after 5% profit)8.8/10Visit
4The Trading Pit50%–80%$250,000$99Forex, Futures, IndicesMT5, Match TraderMonthly8.7/10Visit
5TopStep100% first $10K, then 90%$150,000$49/moFuturesNinjaTrader, QuantowerDaily after 5 winning days8.6/10Visit
6SabioTrade80%–90%$200,000$119Forex, Indices, CommoditiesSabioTrade Platform (Web-based)Bi-weekly8.5/10Visit
7Earn2Trade80%$400,000$150/moFuturesNinjaTrader, FinamarkMonthly8.5/10Visit
8UProfit80%–90%$200,000$149/moFuturesTradingView, NinjaTraderMonthly8.4/10Visit
9FundedNext80%–95%$200,000$59Forex, Indices, CommoditiesMT4, MT5Bi-weekly8.4/10Visit
10The5%ers80%–100%$250,000$39Forex, Indices, CommoditiesMT5Bi-weekly8.4/10Visit

Risk Disclosure: Prop trading involves risk of losing evaluation fees. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Only risk capital you can afford to lose.

Detailed Reviews of the Best Prop Trading Firms

Our team tested each firm hands-on. Below are our detailed findings including pros, cons, costs, and key features.

#1
Apex Trader Funding logo

Apex Trader Funding

9.2/10

Apex Trader Funding is one of the most popular futures prop trading firms, known for its straightforward one-step evaluation, generous profit split, a...

Profit Split: 100% first $25K, then 90%
Max Account: $300,000
Platforms: NinjaTrader, Tradovate
Payouts: Twice per month

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#2
FTMO logo

FTMO

9/10

FTMO is the world's most recognized proprietary trading firm, having paid out over $160 million to traders since 2015. Their two-step evaluation proce...

Profit Split: 80%–90%
Max Account: $200,000
Platforms: MT4, MT5
Payouts: Bi-weekly (on demand)

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#3
Instant Funding logo

Instant Funding

8.8/10

Instant Funding is a UK-based prop trading firm partnered with ThinkMarkets that lets traders skip the evaluation process entirely and start trading w...

Profit Split: 80%–90%
Max Account: $200,000
Platforms: MT5, ThinkTrader
Payouts: On demand (after 5% profit)

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#4
The Trading Pit logo

The Trading Pit

8.7/10

The Trading Pit is a European prop trading firm based in Liechtenstein that offers both forex and futures trading programs. Known for its robust commu...

Profit Split: 50%–80%
Max Account: $250,000
Platforms: MT5, Match Trader
Payouts: Monthly

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#5
TopStep logo

TopStep

8.6/10

TopStep is one of the pioneer prop trading firms, operating since 2012 out of Chicago. Known for its Trading Combine evaluation, affordable pricing st...

Profit Split: 100% first $10K, then 90%
Max Account: $150,000
Platforms: NinjaTrader, Quantower
Payouts: Daily after 5 winning days

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#6
SabioTrade logo

SabioTrade

8.5/10

SabioTrade is a Cyprus-based prop trading firm offering a streamlined one-step evaluation with a clean web-based platform. They focus on rewarding dis...

Profit Split: 80%–90%
Max Account: $200,000
Platforms: SabioTrade Platform (Web-based)
Payouts: Bi-weekly

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#7
Earn2Trade logo

Earn2Trade

8.5/10

Earn2Trade is one of the longest-standing prop firms, operating since 2016 with a 4.7/5 Trustpilot rating from over 4,400 reviews. Their Trader Career...

Profit Split: 80%
Max Account: $400,000
Platforms: NinjaTrader, Finamark
Payouts: Monthly

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#8
UProfit logo

UProfit

8.4/10

UProfit is a US-based futures prop firm offering a streamlined one-step evaluation with no daily drawdown limits. Operating since 2019, they provide f...

Profit Split: 80%–90%
Max Account: $200,000
Platforms: TradingView, NinjaTrader
Payouts: Monthly

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#9
FundedNext logo

FundedNext

8.4/10

FundedNext is a Dubai-based prop firm offering up to 95% profit splits — among the highest in the industry. With multiple challenge formats including ...

Profit Split: 80%–95%
Max Account: $200,000
Platforms: MT4, MT5
Payouts: Bi-weekly

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#10
The5%ers logo

The5%ers

8.4/10

The5%ers is one of the longest-standing prop firms, operating since 2016 from Tel Aviv, Israel. Known for their progressive growth model, they offer m...

Profit Split: 80%–100%
Max Account: $250,000
Platforms: MT5
Payouts: Bi-weekly

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What Is Prop Trading?

Proprietary trading (prop trading) is when a trading firm provides its own capital to traders who have demonstrated skill through an evaluation process. Instead of risking your own money, you trade with the firm's funds and keep a share of the profits — typically between 80% and 95%.

Modern prop trading firms operate primarily online, allowing traders from around the world to access funded accounts. The process typically involves:

  1. Sign up with a prop firm — Choose a firm and account size
  2. Purchase an evaluation — Pay a one-time or monthly fee
  3. Pass the challenge — Hit the profit target while staying within drawdown limits
  4. Get funded — Receive access to a funded trading account
  5. Earn profits — Trade and keep 80%–100% of profits
  6. Get paid — Withdraw your earnings via bank transfer, crypto, or other methods
Read Our Complete Prop Trading Guide

How to Choose the Right Prop Trading Firm

Profit Split

Look for firms offering 80%–100% profit splits. Some firms offer 100% on initial profits.

Challenge Fees

Compare evaluation costs. Prices range from $25 to $1,800+ depending on account size.

Trading Rules

Check drawdown limits, profit targets, minimum trading days, and news trading policies.

Platforms

Ensure the firm supports your preferred platform (MT4, MT5, NinjaTrader, TradingView, etc.).

Payout Speed

Some firms pay daily, others bi-weekly or monthly. Check minimum payout thresholds.

Reputation

Check Trustpilot reviews, payout records, and how long the firm has been operating.

Frequently Asked Questions About Prop Trading Firms

A prop trading firm (proprietary trading firm) provides traders with funded capital to trade financial markets. Traders pass an evaluation or challenge to prove their skills, then receive access to funded accounts and keep a percentage of the profits they generate — typically 80% to 95%.

Prop firm challenge fees typically range from $25 to $1,800 depending on the account size and firm. Some firms charge monthly subscriptions ($49–$657/month) while others charge one-time evaluation fees. Many firms offer promo codes with discounts up to 80% off.

Based on our testing, Apex Trader Funding is best for futures traders (100% profit split on first $25K), FTMO is the most established (since 2015, $160M+ paid out), and Instant Funding is best for skipping evaluations entirely.

Yes, many traders earn consistent profits through prop trading. Top firms like FTMO have paid out over $160 million to traders worldwide. However, success requires strong trading skills, discipline, and risk management.

Yes, prop trading is legal in most countries. Prop firms operate as service providers that offer evaluation programs and funded accounts. However, regulations vary by country, so check local laws before participating.

Forex prop firms offer trading on currency pairs, indices, commodities, and crypto through CFD brokers (MT4, MT5, cTrader). Futures prop firms focus on trading futures contracts (ES, NQ, etc.) through platforms like NinjaTrader and Tradovate.