BrokerAnalysis
Budget FriendlyUpdated in 2026

Cheapest Prop Firm Challenges 2026

Discover the most affordable entry points into proprietary trading. Compare starting fees safely across 40 verified firms before paying for an evaluation phase.

Quick Answer: What is the cheapest prop firm challenge?

The cheapest prop firm challenge currently available gives you a $2,000 funded account for just a $25 evaluation fee. For standard professional $50,000 funded accounts, entry evaluation fees drop as low as $248 if you choose a 2-step challenge. Standard evaluations can be discounted even further utilizing active promotional codes during checkout.

Challenge Fee Comparison Table

Prop Firm Score Starting Fee RefundableAction
FTMO
FTMO
Verified 2026
9/10€155 Yes
Instant Funding
Instant Funding
Verified 2026
8.8/10$75 Yes
The Trading Pit
The Trading Pit
Verified 2026
8.7/10$99 Yes
8.6/10From $29 Yes
Think Capital
Think Capital
Verified 2026
8.5/10Lightning $59 / Dual Step Intraday $59 / Dual Step Swing $82 / Nexus $59 Yes
SabioTrade
SabioTrade
Verified 2026
8.5/10$119 Yes
Earn2Trade
Earn2Trade
Verified 2026
8.5/10$150/mo Yes
FundedNext
FundedNext
Verified 2026
8.4/10$32 Yes
Top One Trader
Top One Trader
Verified 2026
8.4/10$35 (official current checkout promo) Yes
The5%ers
The5%ers
Verified 2026
8.4/10From $39 Yes
Showing 1 to 10 of 40 firms

Detailed Challenge Grid

Explore evaluations with detailed rules and profit targets.

40 Firms matches
Maven Trading logo

Canada • 3+ yrs

8.1
Lowest fee$13
Starts at$2,000
Max alloc$100,000
PayoutsOn demand
Top Markets
ForexStocksIndices
Top Platforms
MT5cTrader
Challenge Type

1-Step, 2-Step, 3-Step

City Traders Imperium logo

United Arab Emirates • 8+ yrs

8.6
Lowest fee$29
Starts at$2,500
Max alloc$4,000,000
PayoutsWeekly and on-demand via VIP tiers; bi-weekly on standard instant accounts
Top Markets
ForexIndicesCommodities
Top Platforms
MT5Match-Trader
Challenge Type

1-Step Challenge, 2-Step Challenge, 3-Step Challenge, Instant Funding

FundedNext logo
FundedNextReviewed

United Arab Emirates • 2+ yrs

8.4
Lowest fee$32
Starts at$6,000
Max alloc$300,000
PayoutsBi-weekly
Top Markets
ForexIndicesCommodities
Top Platforms
MT4MT5
Challenge Type

Express, Evaluation, Stellar 1-Step, Stellar 2-Step

Top One Trader logo

United States • 3+ yrs

8.4
Lowest fee$35
Starts at$5,000
Max alloc$300,000
PayoutsFirst payout after 14 days, then every 14 days; weekly add-ons available on some models
Top Markets
ForexIndicesCommodities
Top Platforms
MatchTraderTradeLocker
Challenge Type

1-Step Challenge, 2-Step Challenge, Instant Funding, Instant Prime

Funding Pips logo
Funding PipsReviewed

United Arab Emirates • 2+ yrs

8.2
Lowest fee$36
Starts at$5,000
Max alloc$300,000
PayoutsTuesday / bi-weekly / monthly / on demand
Top Markets
ForexIndicesCommodities
Top Platforms
MT5cTrader
Challenge Type

Zero, 1-Step, 2-Step

Goat Funded Trader logo

United States • 2+ yrs

8.1
Lowest fee$36
Starts at$5,000
Max alloc$800,000
PayoutsBi-weekly / every 10 days / on demand add-on
Top Markets
ForexIndicesCommodities
Top Platforms
MT5cTrader
Challenge Type

1-Step, 2-Step, Instant Funding, Pay Later

Alpha Capital Group logo

United Kingdom • 3+ yrs

8.3
Lowest fee$39
Starts at$5,000
Max alloc$400,000
PayoutsBi-weekly or on demand depending on plan
Top Markets
ForexIndicesCommodities
Top Platforms
MT5cTrader
Challenge Type

Alpha Pro, Alpha Swing, Alpha One, Alpha Three

The5%ers logo
The5%ersReviewed

Israel • 10+ yrs

8.4
Lowest fee$39
Starts atHigh Stakes
Max alloc$4,000,000
PayoutsWeekly
Top Markets
ForexIndicesCommodities
Top Platforms
MT5cTrader
Challenge Type

Hyper Growth (1-Step), High Stakes (2-Step), Bootcamp (3-Step)

The Funded Trader logo

United States • 3+ yrs

8.0
Lowest fee$49
Starts at$5,000
Max alloc$600,000
PayoutsBi-weekly
Top Markets
ForexStocksIndices
Top Platforms
MT5cTrader
Challenge Type

1-Step, 2-Step, 3-Step

FunderPro logo
FunderProReviewed

Malta • 3+ yrs

7.9
Lowest fee$59
Starts at$5,000
Max alloc$200,000
PayoutsWeekly (USDC)
Top Markets
ForexStocksIndices
Top Platforms
MT5cTrader
Challenge Type

1-Phase, 2-Phase, Instant Funding

FXIFY logo
FXIFYReviewed

United Kingdom • 3+ yrs

8.2
Lowest fee$59
Starts at$10,000
Max alloc$400,000
PayoutsBi-weekly
Top Markets
ForexIndicesCommodities
Top Platforms
MT4MT5
Challenge Type

1-Phase, 2-Phase, 3-Phase, Instant Funding, Lightning Challenge

Think Capital logo

Australia • 2+ yrs

8.5
Lowest fee$59
Starts at$5,000
Max alloc$600,000
PayoutsBi-weekly by default; weekly payouts available with add-on
Top Markets
ForexIndicesCommodities
Top Platforms
ThinkTraderTradingView
Challenge Type

Lightning (1-Step), Dual Step Intraday, Dual Step Swing, Nexus (3-Step)

Challenge Pricing FAQ

What affects challenge price?+

Challenge price is primarily determined by three factors: Maximum account size (more simulated capital costs more), Evaluation type (1-step challenges are generally more expensive per phase than 2-step evaluations due to higher passing risk for the firm), and Drawdown flexibility.

What is a prop firm challenge?+

A prop firm challenge (also called an evaluation) is a test where you must hit a profit target while staying within drawdown limits. Once you pass, the firm gives you a funded account to trade with real capital and share the profits — typically 80%–95%.

How much does a prop firm challenge cost?+

Prop firm challenge fees range from $25 (Maven Trading $2K account) to over $1,800 (FXIFY $400K account). Average fees for a $100K account are $450–$550. Many firms offer promo codes with 20%–80% discounts.

Which prop firm has the cheapest challenge?+

Maven Trading offers the cheapest entry at just $25 for a $2,000 account. For standard $50K accounts, Goat Funded Trader ($248) and Funding Pips ($278) are among the most affordable options.

Are 1-step or 2-step challenges better?+

1-step challenges are faster and simpler — you only need to pass one phase. 2-step challenges have lower individual profit targets but take longer. 1-step is better for experienced traders; 2-step is safer for beginners who want lower per-phase risk.