Looking for the best prop trading firms that can provide you with the necessary capital to execute your strategies effectively? As a trader, having access to sufficient funds can make all the difference between success and failure.
Jump to:
- Quick Review
- The Best Prop Trading Firms
- Methodology
Proprietary (or “prop”) trading firms evolved to solve this issue, granting traders capital in exchange for a portion of the profits generated. In this article, we’ll evaluate seven of the best prop trading firms and help you decide which one will give you the best opportunity to succeed.
📚 Learn more: Wondering who to trust with your stock trades? Our latest post sorts through the best online brokers available today.
Remember: Prop trading involves significant risks. Be sure that you understand them before making any commitments!
Quick Review
BEST ASSET COVERAGE
SurgeTrader
- Profit Split: 75% (up to 90%)
- Tradeable Assets: FX, Oil, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Some Stocks
- Drawdown Limits: 8% Max, 5% Daily
- Price for Standard $100K Acct.: $700
- Standard Leverage: 10:1
SurgeTrader is one of the most popular and reputable prop trading firms. The platform is notable for letting traders get up and running with flexible funded accounts quickly, requiring just a one-phase trial. The platform truly stands out for its wide variety of asset coverage, making it a good choice for traders whose strategies span multiple asset classes. Read more
BEST FOR AGGRESSIVE TRADERS
Traders With Edge
- Profit Split: 80%
- Tradeable Assets: FX, Metals, Commodities, Indices, Crypto
- Drawdown Limits: 5%-20% Max, 2.5%-10% Daily
- Price for Standard $100K Acct.: $750
- Standard Leverage: 20:1
Traders With Edge is a prop trading firm noted for the flexibility it offers traders, including several different trial options that suit distinct trading styles. In addition, the firm has fairly loose risk limits, which, when paired with the platform’s allowance for many different strategies, makes it a great choice for aggressive traders. While leverage ratios could be improved, most traders will be well-suited to the existing limits. Read more
BEST FOR FUTURES
TopStep
- Profit Split: 100% up to $10K, then 90%
- Tradeable Assets: Futures incl. Indices, Oil, Rates, Gold
- Drawdown Limits: 3%-4% Max, 2% Daily
- Price for Standard $100K Acct.: $325/month
- Standard Leverage: Dependent, expressed in total contracts
TopStep is one of the best prop trading firms as it focuses on serving futures traders. The firm has been in the business for a decade, earning it a strong reputation. This history, along with a notably high profit split, makes the platform an especially good choice for futures traders looking to expand their capital base with a reliable partner. Read more
BEST FOR INSTANT FUNDING
The 5%ers
- Profit Split: 50%-100%
- Tradeable Assets: FX, Metals, Indices
- Drawdown Limits: 4%-6% Max
- Price for Standard $100K Acct.: $495
- Standard Leverage: 30:1
The 5%ers offers a strong platform overall, although it is somewhat held back by a relatively poor profit split and strict drawdown limits. Still, the company is one of the only prop trading firms to offer accounts with instant funding. While these accounts require an expensive upfront fee, The 5%ers is a strong option for those who want to get up and running right away. Read more
BEST FOR FOREX
FTMO
- Profit Split: 80%-90%
- Tradeable Assets: FX, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
- Drawdown Limits: 10%-20% Max, 5%-10% Daily
- Price for Standard $100K Acct.: € 540
- Standard Leverage: 100:1
While FTMO offers access to some other asset classes, it is a firm primarily built for forex traders. Through the platform, users can trade most major pairs as well as a number of smaller cross pairs. FTMO is also notable for its high leverage limits and good payout structure. Read more
BEST OVERALL
The Funded Trader
- Profit Split: 80%-90%
- Tradeable Assets: FX, Oil, Metals, Indices, Crypto
- Drawdown Limits: 6%-12% Max, 3%-6% Daily
- Price for Standard $100K Acct.: $499
- Standard Leverage: 60:1
At first glance, The Funded Trader may not seem like a serious contender due to its presentation as a game-like platform. Under the surface, though, The Funded Trader is a solid prop trading firm with a good reputation, offering a variety of account options and asset classes. While the company does not stand out in any one area, traders looking for a generally strong platform will do well with The Funded Trader. Read more
BEST PREMIUM SERVICE
FidelCrest
- Profit Split: 80%-90%
- Tradeable Assets: FX, Stocks, Metals, Commodities
- Drawdown Limits: 10%-20% Max, 5%-10% daily
- Price for $250K Acct. (No $100K Option): €999
- Standard Leverage: 100:1
FidelCrest has relatively higher prices for its accounts than many other firms, making it one of the best prop trading firms for traders who require a premium service. The firm has fairly lenient risk limits, high leverage, and a solid profit split. Due to the extensive trial process, though, new traders will likely be best served by other firms. Read more
The Best Prop Trading Firms
Here’s a closer look at the best prop trading firms.
1. SurgeTrader
SurgeTrader is one of the best prop trading firms, and for a good reason. The company focuses on getting traders up and running quickly, requiring a one-phase trial with a 10% profit target.
While SurgeTrader emphasizes that traders can achieve up to a 90% profit split, this advantage comes with the requirement of an additional fee. The standard profit split is only 75%. Still, traders can expect to trade a wide variety of assets on the platform, making SurgeTrader a great option for traders whose strategies span multiple asset classes.
📚 Leean more: Interested in the reality of day trading profits? Check out our post “How Many Day Traders Make Money?“, where we delve into the numbers.
One of SurgeTrader’s downsides is a fairly low leverage limit, which caps potential profit opportunities for traders. In addition, the fees are higher than other platforms for comparable account sizes. Still, some traders may find SurgeTrader worth the higher price due to the platform’s ease of use and reputation.
➕ Pros:
- Easy-to-use platform
- Great asset coverage,
- Quick funding access
➖ Cons:
- Low leverage limits
- Small initial profit split
Features
| Feature | All Accounts |
|---|---|
| Profit Split | 75% (Up to 90%) |
| Tradeable Assets | FX, Oil, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Some Stocks |
| Risk Limits | 8% Max, 5% Daily |
| Trial Profit Target | 10%, One Phase |
| Leverage | 10:1 for Most Assets (Up to 20:1) |
Pricing
| Account Size | Standard Account |
|---|---|
| $25,000 | $250 |
| $50,000 | $400 |
| $100,000 | $700 |
| $250,000 | $1,800 |
| $500,000 | $3,500 |
| $1,000,000 | $6,500 |
2. Traders With Edge
While Traders With Edge is somewhat newer to the industry than some other members of this list, it has earned a positive reputation for the flexibility and freedom it offers traders. For example, Traders With Edge permits some trading styles that are deemed too risky for other firms, making the platform a potentially good choice for aggressive traders who don’t want unnecessary restrictions.
In addition, Traders With Edge offers multiple options for getting funding approval. Traders can either pursue the one-phase ‘Turtle’ challenge, which is good for slow and steady traders, or the two-phase ‘Hare’ challenge, oriented toward those who generate quick profits. For newer traders who are still exploring their style, trading on a platform that accommodates diverse approaches could be helpful for learning such a complex field. To bolster Traders With Edge’s reputation for flexibility, the platform has a fairly quick payout structure, offering withdrawals every two weeks.
➕ Pros:
- Flexible options for approval
- Allows aggressive trading styles
- Quick payouts
➖ Cons:
- Higher price
- A newer firm with less history
Features
| Feature | Turtle – Standard | Turtle – Aggressive | Hare – Standard | Hare – Aggressive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profit Split | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Tradeable Assets | FX, Metals, Commodities, Indices, Crypto | FX, Metals, Commodities, Indices, Crypto | FX, Metals, Commodities, Indices, Crypto | FX, Metals, Commodities, Indices, Crypto |
| Risk Limits | 5% Max, 2.5% Daily | 10% Max, 5% Daily | 10% Max, 5% Daily | 20% Max, 10% Daily |
| Trial Profit Target | 10%, One Phase | 20%, One Phase | 10%, 5%, One Phase | 20%, 10%, One Phase |
| Leverage | 20:1 | 20:1 | 50:1 | 50:1 |
Pricing
| Account Size | Turtle -Standard | Turtle -Aggressive | Hare -Standard | Hare -Aggressive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $55 | $110 | $69 | $138 |
| $10,000 | $100 | $200 | $110 | $220 |
| $25,000 | $250 | $500 | $220 | $440 |
| $50,000 | $450 | $900 | $330 | $660 |
| $100,000 | $750 | $1,500 | $550 | – |
| $200,000 | $1,000 | $3,000 | $997 | – |
| $400,000 | – | – | $1,994 | – |
| $500,000 | $3,500 | $7,000 | – | – |
| $1,000,000 | $7,500 | $15,000 | – | – |
3. TopStep
TopStep is a platform with an excellent reputation in the futures trading community. The firm has been in operation for a decade and is dedicated to engaging with traders who operate in the futures market. While this clear concentration on one market could be a value-add for focused traders, newer users should be wary of the lack of flexibility they will have to test strategies in new markets.
With that being said, TopStep is also one of the few firms that shows a clear desire to educate and train emerging traders. The platform offers access to coaching, educational courses, and a community of traders where experience can be shared.
Navigate the world of #PropTrading with ease – our newest post sheds light on the best firms out there... 📈
TopStep has a somewhat different trial process than most, requiring a monthly subscription while traders pass a two-step “Trader Combine.” Navigating the process can be worth it, as TopStep’s 90% profit ratio is one of the highest in the industry, making it one of the best prop trading firms options.
➕ Pros:
- Extensive history
- Education tools
- High profit ratio
➖ Cons:
- Limited asset options
- Monthly fee rather than one-time
- Strict risk limits and rules
- Small max account size
Features
| Feature | All Accounts |
|---|---|
| Profit Split | 100% up to $10K, then 90% |
| Tradeable Assets | Futures incl. Indices, Oil, Rates, Gold |
| Risk Limits | 3%-4% Max, 2% Daily |
| Trial Profit Target | 6%, 6%, Two Phases |
| Leverage | Dependent, Expressed in Total Contracts |
Pricing
| Account Size | Standard Account |
|---|---|
| $50,000 | $165/month |
| $100,000 | $325/month |
| $150,000 | $375/month |
4. The 5%ers
For those with no desire to wait before diving into live trading, The 5%ers is one of the only platforms to offer an instantaneous funding option. The “Hyper-Growth” program lets you get set up right away, with the possibility of expanding account funding if certain profit targets are hit. Traders should be aware of the high upfront cost of this program, however, especially compared to the account size.
For those who are a bit more patient, The 5%ers have several options for more traditional trials. These trials are actually quite a bit cheaper than the industry average, so this could be a good platform for those sensitive to high trial fees. Still, the biggest drawback to the platform is a poor profit split, with a standard payout ratio of only 50%. This low level might make the platform unattractive to successful traders.
➕ Pros:
- Instant funding options
- Inexpensive standard options
- Lower profit targets
➖ Cons:
- Strict drawdown limits
- Poor profit split
- Low leverage for some accounts
Features
| Feature | Bootcamp | Hyper Growth | High Stakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profit Split | 50%-100% | 50%-100% | 80%-100% |
| Tradeable Assets | FX, Metals, Indices | FX, Metals, Indices | FX, Metals, Indices |
| Risk Limits | 4% Max | 6% Max | 5% Max |
| Trial Profit Target | 5%, Three Phases | None, Instant Funds | 8%, 5%, Two Phases |
| Leverage | 10:1 | 30:1 | 100:1 |
Pricing
| Account Size | Bootcamp | Hyper Growth | High Stakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | – | – | $39 |
| $10,000 | – | $260 | – |
| $20,000 | – | $450 | $165 |
| $40,000 | – | $850 | – |
| $60,000 | – | – | $300 |
| $100,000 | $205 | – | $495 |
| $250,000 | $350 | – | – |
5. FTMO
FTMO is a prop trading firm focused on forex, although the platform also supports trading indices, crypto, and commodities. Forex users are likely to feel at home, though, with an ample mix of major pairs and cross pairs to trade.
FTMO’s trading challenge is not as simple as those of other firms, requiring a two-step process with different profit targets. While FTMO’s profit split starts at 80%, this can increase to 90% for a successful trader. FTMO’s “scaling plan” provides some additional incentives for traders to succeed once they are on the platform.
Additionally, FTMO has somewhat strict risk limits, including requiring positions to be closed out overnight for most accounts. This may be inappropriate for medium-term traders. Still, while FTMO may not be right for everyone, it has a strong reputation in the forex community and continues to be a popular choice overall.
📚 Learn more: Curious about paper trading platforms? Our recent post, “Best Paper Trading Platforms,” offers a close-up view of the best ones in the market.
➕ Pros:
- Good profit split
- High leverage
- Incentives for successful traders
- Great for forex
➖ Cons:
- Strict strategy limits
- Small max account size for aggressive strategies
Features
| Feature | Normal | Aggressive |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Split | 80%-90% | 80%-90% |
| Tradeable Assets | FX, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | FX, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| Risk Limits | 10% Max, 5% Daily | 20% Max, 10% Daily |
| Trial Profit Target | 10%, 5%, Two Phases | 20%, 10%, Two Phases |
| Leverage | 100:1 | 100:1 |
Pricing
| Account Size | Normal | Aggressive |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | € 155 | € 250 |
| $25,000 | € 250 | € 345 |
| $50,000 | € 345 | € 540 |
| $100,000 | € 540 | €1,080 |
| $200,000 | €1,080 | – |
6. The Funded Trader
The Funded Trader emphasizes the gamification of its platform, presenting its website as almost like a video game. Don’t be fooled. The company is a legitimate prop trading firm with a strong history. Some traders might enjoy the video game approach for the way it eases the pressure of trading, as well as the community that has sprung up around the firm.
The Funded Trader offers a number of different ways to get set up with an account, allowing good flexibility for different trading styles. Trial fees can vary widely among these different options, but the firm is notable for allowing slightly higher maximum drawdowns on its standard accounts than other platforms.
In addition, the leverage allowable on The Funded Trader is higher than traders might find elsewhere, with limits in certain scenarios being as high as 200:1. These factors mean this firm might be one of the best prop trading firms for traders running high-risk, high-reward strategies.
➕ Pros:
- Variety of account options
- Good profit split
- High leverage
- Community Discord server
➖ Cons:
- Complicated trading rules
Features
| Feature | Standard – Swing | Standard – Regular | Rapid – Swing | Rapid – Regular | Royal | Knight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profit Split | 80%-90% | 80%-90% | 80%-90% | 80%-90% | 80%-90% | 80%-90% |
| Tradeable Assets | FX, Oil, Metals, Indices, Crypto | FX, Oil, Metals, Indices, Crypto | FX, Oil, Metals, Indices, Crypto | FX, Oil, Metals, Indices, Crypto | FX, Oil, Metals, Indices, Crypto | FX, Oil, Metals, Indices, Crypto |
| Risk Limits | 12% Max, 6% Daily | 12% Max, 6% Daily | 8% Max, 5% Daily | 8% Max, 5% Daily | 10% Max, 5% Daily | 6% Max, 3% Daily |
| Trial Profit Target | 10%, 5%, Two Phases | 10%, 5%, Two Phases | 8%, 5%, Two Phases | 8%, 5%, Two Phases | 8%, 5%, Two Phases | 10%, One Phase |
| Leverage | 60:1 | 100:1 | 30:1 | 100:1 | 100:1 | 30:1 |
Pricing
| Account Size | Standard | Rapid | Royal | Knight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $129 | $129 | – | – |
| $25,000 | $189 | $229 | – | $189 |
| $50,000 | $315 | $299 | $289 | $289 |
| $100,000 | $549 | $499 | $489 | $489 |
| $200,000 | $979 | $899 | $939 | $939 |
| $300,000 | $1,469 | – | $1,399 | – |
| $400,000 | $1,958 | – | $1,869 | – |
7. FidelCrest
FidelCrest is a premium prop trading firm that offers flexibility and a high payout ratio in exchange for larger upfront costs. For example, its “Aggressive” $250K account has a profit split of 90% and a max drawdown of 20% but has a trial price of more than $2,000. With that being said, FidelCrest offers unlimited trial retries for all its account types, unlike some firms which charge an additional fee.
In addition, FidelCrest offers access to “Micro Trader” accounts, which come with significantly reduced account sizes. If you are looking for a prop trading firm, however, it’s likely that such accounts, which range from $15,000 to $60,000, will not move the needle on your trading strategies.
📚 Learn more: Get a grip on stock trading without risking your money – check out our post for a how-to guide.
Non-European traders should also keep in mind that FidelCrest has a 3rd party withdrawal fee of about $50 to send payments outside Europe, which could impact the bottom line of some traders.
➕ Pros:
- Good asset coverage
- High leverage
- Wide account size ranges
- High profit split
➖ Cons:
- Very expensive
- Non-Europe withdrawal fee
- Slow funding process
Features
| Feature | Pro Trader -Normal | Pro Trader -Aggressive | Micro Trader -Normal | Micro Trader -Aggressive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profit Split | 80% | 90% | 80% | 90% |
| Tradeable Assets | FX, Stocks, Metals, Commodities | FX, Stocks, Metals, Commodities | FX, Stocks, Metals, Commodities | FX, Stocks, Metals, Commodities |
| Risk Limits | 10% Max, 5% Daily | 20% Max, 10% Daily | 10% Max, 5% Daily | 20% Max, 10% Daily |
| Trial Profit Target | 10%, 10%, Two Phases | 20%, 20%, Two Phases | 10%, 5%, Two Phases | 15%, 15%, Two Phases |
| Leverage | 100:1 | 100:1 | 100:1 | 100:1 |
Pricing
| Account Size | Normal | Aggressive |
|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | €99 | €199 |
| $30,000 | €199 | €299 |
| $60,000 | €299 | €399 |
| $250,000 | €999 | €1,999 |
| $500,000 | €1,899 | €3,499 |
| $1,000,000 | €2,999 | – |
