A prop trading firm is a company that provides its money (significantly larger capital) to talented traders for their trading activities in the hopes of a profit split, assuming the trader is profitable. However, a trader’s profitability can largely depend on choosing the right prop firm. In this guide, we cut through the claims and marketing hype to provide a clear and comprehensive look at the best prop trading firms for 2025.
Traders’ choice in 2025
- OneFunded – Best Overall Prop Firm
- FTMO – Best for Professionals
- The5ers – Best for Long-Term Growth
- FXIFY – Best for Flexible Funding
- City Traders Imperium – Best for Mentorship
Understanding the Prop Trading Environment
Did you know that less than 15% of prop firm traders generate consistent profits over a full year despite global interest? We think that the many differences between prop firms in the industry and the fact that some traders struggle to make proper sense of it all are partly responsible for this statistic. So, before we explore the list of top firms, we must discuss the constituents, or factors, that make up prop firm trading.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Prop Firm
These are the main factors you need to look for.
The Deal Breakers: Money and Rules
This includes how much you can earn and what it costs to begin.
- Capital and Scaling: You should find out how much money the firm will let you trade with from scratch. What are the account size offers? Is it a little or a lot? Then, see if they have a plan to give you more money to trade when you do well. This is called scaling. It will help you make more money over time.
- Profit Split: When you make a profit, you get to keep a part of it. If you make one hundred dollars, a good split might mean you get to keep eighty or ninety dollars for yourself.
- Fees and Challenges: Do you have to pay a monthly subscription fee for the challenge, or is it a one-time fee? This information must be clearly spelled out. Read the fine print. If care is not taken, you may end up owing the firm, or have funds deducted from the profit in your funded account. Check to see that there are no hidden costs whatsoever.
The Tools of the Trade
This includes the instruments you can trade and the platforms offered by the prop firm.
- Trading Instruments: It will be a huge waste of your evaluation fee to find out after purchasing the challenge that the prop firm you chose focuses on an asset class you are not familiar with, e.g, Futures. Make sure the firm offers the markets you are interested in before you get started at all.
- Platform and Technology: Are you required to use their platform, or can you connect with popular ones you already know and love, like MetaTrader, cTrader, or TradingView? A familiar platform can make the transition much smoother.
- Risk Management Rules: These are the high-speed guardrails that keep you and the firm safe. Pay very close attention to the drawdown limit, which is the maximum loss your account is allowed to suffer from its starting point. Also, check for daily loss limits and any consistency rules that may prevent you from making one huge, risky trade.
Support and Trust
This covers everything from the firm’s payout schedule to education resources.
- Payout Process: Is it easy to get your money? Does the company send payouts every two weeks? Can you get your money through a bank transfer or as cryptocurrency? These are important to know before you commit to buying a challenge.
- Education and Community: Does the firm help you learn? Do they have tutorial videos you can watch? Is there an online community where you can talk to other traders? You may not need this help, but it is good to know it is there if you need it.
- Reputation: Scan through review websites and forums like TrustPilot and Reddit. You should know how long the firm has been operational. Read the experiences of users and ex-users. Also, search for what the firm had to say in response to user reviews. These will give you a general sense of the firm’s reputation.
List of 10 Best Prop Firms in 2025
We looked at a mix of these important factors to give you a holistic view. Here’s our top 10 selection for 2025.
| Prop Firm | Instant Funding | One Step | Two Step | Three Step | Profit Split | Account Sizes | Challenge Fees |
| OneFunded | No | Yes | Yes | No | 80% – 90% | 2K – 100K | $23 – $564 |
| FTMO | No | No | Yes | No | 80% – 90% | 10K – 100K | €89 – €439 |
| The5ers | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50%-100% | 5K – 250K | $65 – $850 |
| FXIFY | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 80% – 90% | 1K – 400K | $39 – $2360 |
| City Traders Imperium | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 80% -100% | 2.5K – 200K | $29 – $1499 |
| FundedNext | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 80% – 95% | 2K – 200K | $32 – $1099 |
| Topstep | No | No | Yes | No | 90%-100% | 50K – 150K | Monthly fee (from $49) |
| The Funded Trader | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 80% – 90% | 5K – 200K | $65 – $989 |
| Apex Trader Funding | No | Yes | No | No | 90%-100% | 25K – 300K | Monthly fee (from $49) |
| Earn2Trade | No | Yes | Yes | No | 80% | 25K – 200K | Monthly fee (from $90) |
1. OneFunded – Best Overall Prop Firm for Flexible and Transparent Trading
OneFunded is the overall best choice for traders. The firm has an environment that is fair for new and experienced traders as a result of its flexible offers and clear rules. Its special Rewards Center lets traders collect points that they can use to get discounts or even free challenges. This gives traders an extra opportunity to get funded.
Account Sizes, Profit Split, and Scaling
OneFunded offers a wide range of account sizes, starting from a very accessible $2,000 up to $100,000.OneFunded offers a generous profit split of up to 90 percent for the trader, ensuring you keep a large majority of the earnings you generate. At the moment, OneFunded does not provide scaling opportunities
Evaluation/Challenge Comparison
The table below compares the key rules and features of OneFunded’s main evaluation types.
| Feature | One-Step Challenge | Two-Step Challenge | 1F Limited Challenge |
| Number of Phases | 1 | 2 | 2 (Limited Time Offer) |
| Time Limit | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Profit Target | 10% | 8% (Phase 1), 5% (Phase 2) | 7% (Phase 1), 4% (Phase 2) |
| Maximum Daily Loss | 4% | 5% | 5% |
| Maximum Overall Drawdown | 6% | 10% | 11% |
| Challenge Fee | $29 – $564 (depending on account size) | $23 – $516 (depending on account size) | $25 – $193 (depending on account size) |
| Profit Split | Up to 90% | Up to 90% | Up to 90% |
| Account Sizes | $2,000 to $100,000 | $2,000 to $100,000 | $2,000 to $25000 |
| Payout Schedule | Bi-weekly (weekly available) | Bi-weekly (weekly available) | Bi-weekly (weekly available) |
| Scaling Plan | No | No | No |
| Trading Instruments | Forex, Crypto, Indices, Stocks, Metals | Forex, Crypto, Indices, Stocks, Metals | Forex, Crypto, Indices, Stocks, Metals |
| Trading Platform | TradeLocker, cTrader | TradeLocker, cTrader | TradeLocker, cTrader |
| EAs Allowed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Reputation and TrustPilot Score
Reviewers on Trustpilot and in trading communities have many good things to say about OneFunded, talking about how the company is very clear in its communication and has a very helpful support team. Most people feel that OneFunded is honest and excellent. This has helped the firm become very well-liked very quickly.
Potential Drawbacks
As a newer firm compared to decade-old giants, some very conservative traders might prefer a company with a longer history. It’s also worth noting that OneFunded has a maximum total balance of $200,000 across all your active accounts. While you can have unlimited accounts, this cap might be a consideration for elite traders seeking to manage multi-million dollar portfolios simultaneously.
2. FTMO – Best for Professional Traders Seeking Prestige and Structure
FTMO is widely considered the industry veteran and gold standard. It is known for its rigorous evaluation process and ultra-professional setup, including extensive performance analytics and psychological coaching. Traders who seek the highest level of challenge and prestige often look to FTMO.
Account Sizes, Profit Split, and Scaling
FTMO has evaluation accounts ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. While the profit split can go up to 90% for traders and 10% for the firm, the starting profit split is 80% for the trader and 20 % for the firm. Their scaling plan is well designed and executed, giving the best traders the scale to manage $2,000,000 max.
Evaluation/Challenge Comparison
FTMO primarily operates a two-step evaluation model. The table below details its structure.
| Feature | Normal Challenge |
| Number of Phases | 2 |
| Time Limit | Unlimited |
| Minimum Trading Days | 4 (both phases) |
| Profit Target | 10% (Phase 1), 5% (Phase 2) |
| Maximum Daily Loss | 5% |
| Maximum Overall Drawdown | 10% |
| Challenge Fee | €89 – €439 |
| Profit Split | 80%, scaling to 90% |
| Account Sizes | $10,000 to $100,000 |
| Payout Schedule | On-demand (after 14 days) |
| Scaling Plan | Yes, up to $2,000,000 |
| Trading Instruments | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Futures |
| Trading Platform | MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade |
| EAs Allowed | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes |
Reputation and TrustPilot Score
FTMO has a very good name, and people trust it a lot. This is seen in its high rating on TrustPilot, where it got a 4.8 out of 5 from more than twenty-nine thousand reviews. People say good things about the company because it is transparent, it pays people on time, and conducts business professionally. This has helped make it a top company in the market.
Potential Drawbacks:
The two-step challenge is considered a difficult one to pass. Also, FTMO is only available to traders in the United States as FTMO US, which is in partnership with Oanda. This may mean a significantly more stringent trading environment for US traders due to local laws.
3. The5ers (The5%ers) – Best for Steady Growth and Long-Term Traders
The5ers seem to be the outliers of the prop firm industry. While most other prop firms are marketing speed of some sort, they prioritize the slow and steady approach. Although they also offer direct funding to experienced traders.
Account Sizes, Profit Split, and Scaling
You can start with an account as small as $5,000. The best traders can scale their account all the way up to four million dollars. The way you share the money you make can vary. For their direct funding program, you get to keep fifty percent of the profits. If you do well and grow your account, you can eventually get to keep one hundred percent of the money you make.
Evaluation/Challenge Comparison
| Feature | Bootcamp Program | High-Stakes Program | Hyper Growth Program |
| Number of Phases | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Time Limit | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 | 3 profitable days per phase | 0 |
| Profit Target | 5% (all phases) | 8% (Phase 1), 5% (Phase 2) | 10% |
| Maximum Daily Loss | 4% | 5% | 6% |
| Maximum Overall Drawdown | 6% (Trailing)5% (Trailing, Funded) | 10% (Trailing) | 6% (Trailing) |
| Challenge Fee | Starts at $39 (partial)Paid in full upon funding | Starts at $210 (full fee) | Starts at $120 (full fee) |
| Profit Split | 50%, scales to 100% | 80%, scales to 100% | 50%, scales to 100% |
| Account Sizes | $5K – $250K (Evaluation)Starts at $100K (Funded) | $5K – $100K (Evaluation)Starts at $5K (Funded) | $10K – $40K (Evaluation)Starts at $10K (Funded) |
| Payout Schedule | Bi-weekly | Bi-weekly | Bi-weekly |
| Scaling Plan | Yes, up to $4M | Yes, up to $4M | Yes, aggressive scaling |
| Trading Instruments | Forex, Metals, Indices, Stocks, Crypto | Forex, Metals, Indices, Stocks, Crypto | Forex, Metals, Indices, Stocks, Crypto |
| Trading Platform | MT5, MatchTrader | MT5, MatchTrader | MT5, MatchTrader |
| EAs Allowed | Yes (with restrictions) | Yes (with restrictions) | Yes (with restrictions) |
| Copy Trading | Yes (with restrictions) | Yes (with restrictions) | Yes (with restrictions) |
Reputation and TrustPilot Score
With a 4.9/5 score on Trustpilot from over 18,000 reviews, The5ers are widely praised for their transparency, supportive environment, and unique scaling model.
Potential Drawbacks
The growth model may feel too slow for aggressive day traders or scalpers looking for rapid account expansion.
4. FXIFY – Best for Flexible Challenge Options and Instant Funding
FXIFY has built a strong reputation as a flexible and trader-focused prop firm, known for its diverse range of account models. It stands out by offering five distinct challenge types, allowing traders to select the model that perfectly fits their strategy.
Account Sizes, Profit Split, and Scaling
They offer account sizes starting from as low as $1,000 for Instant Funding up to $200,000. The profit share starts at 75% but can be boosted to 90% with an optional add-on. Their scaling plan allows accounts to grow to a maximum of $4 million.
Evaluation/Challenge Comparison
| Feature | Instant Funding | Lightning Challenge | One-Phase Challenge | Two-Phase Challenge | Three-Phase Challenge |
| Number of Phases | None | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Time Limit | Unlimited | 7 days | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Minimum Trading Days | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 per phase | 5 per phase |
| Profit Target | N/A | 5% | 10% | 10% (P1), 5% (P2) | 5% per phase |
| Maximum Daily Loss | 8% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 5% |
| Maximum Overall Drawdown | 8% Trailing | 4% Trailing | 6% Trailing | 10% Trailing | 5% Static |
| Challenge Fee | Starts at $69 | Starts at $59 | Starts at $59 | Starts at $59 | Starts at $39 |
| Profit Split | Up to 90% | Up to 90% | Up to 90% | Up to 90% | Up to 90% |
| Account Sizes | $1,000–$50,000 | $10,000–$100,000 | $5,000–$400,000 | $5,000–$400,000 | $5,000–$400,000 |
| Payout Schedule | Bi-weekly (after 14 days) | 7 days, then on-demand | On-demand (after 5 days) | On-demand (after 5 days) | On-demand (after 5 days) |
| Scaling Plan | No | No | Yes, up to $4M | Yes, up to $4M | Yes, up to $4M |
| Trading Instruments | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| Trading Platform | MT4, MT5, TradingView | MT4, MT5, TradingView | MT4, MT5, TradingView | MT4, MT5, TradingView | MT4, MT5, TradingView |
| EAs Allowed | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes (Internal) | Yes (Internal/External with verification) | Yes (Internal/External with verification) | Yes (Internal/External with verification) |
Reputation and TrustPilot Score
FXIFY is frequently praised on Trustpilot and in trading communities for its reliable payouts, responsive customer support, and the overall flexibility of its programs.
Potential Drawbacks
The variety of account options, while a strength, can be overwhelming for complete beginners who may not know which model is best for them. It requires careful research to select the right fit. Also, FXIFY does not offer swap-free accounts
5. City Traders Imperium – Best for Mentorship and Career Development
City Traders Imperium positions itself as a premium prop firm with a strong focus on trader education, mentorship, and long-term career development. They aim to build career traders, not just fund them, offering one-on-one mentorship and a vast library of advanced educational content.
Account Sizes, Profit Split, and Scaling
They offer funded accounts starting from as low as $2,500 with a clear scaling plan of up to $4 million. The profit split is competitive and can reach 100%, with some programs even including a fixed monthly salary for top traders.
Evaluation/Challenge Comparison
| Feature | Two-Step Challenge | One-Step Challenge | Instant Funding | Instant Funding Pro |
| Number of Phases | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Time Limit | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 per phase | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Profit Target | 10% (P1), 5% (P2) | 8% | No target | No target |
| Maximum Daily Loss | 5% | No daily loss | No daily loss | No daily loss |
| Maximum Overall Drawdown | 10% (Absolute) | 5% (Trailing) | 6% (Absolute) | 6% (Absolute) |
| Challenge Fee | Starts at $39 | Starts at $29 | Starts at $69 | Starts at $299 |
| Profit Split | Starts at 80% (scales to 100%) | Starts at 80% (scales to 100%) | Starts at 50% (scales to 100%) | Starts at 50% (scales to 100%) |
| Account Sizes | $2.5K–$200K | $2.5K–$100K | $2.5K–$200K | Higher starting level |
| Payout Schedule | Weekly | Weekly | On-demand | On-demand |
| Scaling Plan | Yes, up to $4M | Yes, up to $200K | Yes, up to $4M | Yes, up to $4M |
| Trading Instruments | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto |
| Trading Platform | MT4, MT5, Match-Trader | MT4, MT5, Match-Trader | MT4, MT5, Match-Trader | MT4, MT5, Match-Trader |
| EAs Allowed | Yes (with restrictions) | Yes (with restrictions) | Yes (with restrictions) | Yes (with restrictions) |
| Copy Trading | Yes (with restrictions) | Yes (with restrictions) | Yes (with restrictions) | Yes (with restrictions) |
| Weekend Holding | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| Monthly Salary | Yes (VIP) | No | Yes (VIP) | Yes (VIP) |
Reputation and TrustPilot Score
CTI is highly praised for its educational support and professional community. However, it is worth noting that it has fewer reviews on Trustpilot compared to some of the larger firms.
Potential Drawbacks
The evaluation and scaling process can feel more subjective than the purely numbers-based approach of other firms. The focus is on long-term growth, not quick profits.
6. FundedNext
FundedNext has rapidly become a major player, celebrated for offering some of the highest profit splits in the industry and exceptional flexibility. It appeals to traders who want to maximize their earnings and choose from various account models, including those with a more forgiving balance-based drawdown.
Account Sizes, Profit Split, and Scaling
The minimum account starting capital is $5,000, and the maximum starting capital is $200,000. FundedNext is heavy-handed with its profit share, giving 90% to traders on its standard accounts and 95% through its profit share program. That’s not all; top traders also get the chance to rise through the ranks to manage a maximum $4 million in capital.
Evaluation/Challenge Comparison
| Feature | Stellar 1-Step Challenge | Stellar 2-Step Challenge | Stellar Lite Challenge | Express Model |
| Number of Phases | 1 | 2 | 2 | Varies |
| Time Limit | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Varies |
| Minimum Trading Days | 2 | 5 (per phase) | 5 (per phase) | 10 (per phase) |
| Profit Target | 10% | 8% (Phase 1), 5% (Phase 2) | 8% (Phase 1), 4% (Phase 2) | 25% (Phase 1), 5% (Phase 2) |
| Maximum Daily Loss | 3% | 5% | 4% | 5% |
| Maximum Overall Drawdown | 6% | 10% | 8% | 10% |
| Challenge Fee | Starts at $49 | Starts at $99 | Starts at $32 | Varies |
| Profit Split | Up to 90% | Up to 90% | Up to 90% | Up to 90% |
| Account Sizes | $5,000–$200,000 | $5,000–$200,000 | $5,000–$200,000 | Varies |
| Payout Schedule | 5 days, then bi-weekly | 21 days, then bi-weekly | 21 days, then bi-weekly | Bi-weekly |
| Scaling Plan | up to $4M | up to $4M | up to $4M | up to $4M |
| Trading Instruments | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Futures | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Futures | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Futures | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| Trading Platform | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView |
| EAs Allowed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Reputation and TrustPilot Score
With a 4.6/5 score on Trustpilot from a massive 45,000+ reviews, traders consistently highlight FundedNext’se generous profit share, responsive support, and innovative account features.
Potential Drawbacks
The variety of account options and rules can be overwhelming for complete beginners. It is important to read the specific terms of your chosen program carefully.
7. Topstep
Topstep is the top company for people who want to trade futures. The firm has excellent educational resources. It is the first choice for people who want to build a career trading futures in a place that has clear rules and offers a lot of support.
Account Sizes, Profit Split, and Scaling
You can choose accounts between $50,000 and $150,000. Their profit share is quite different. You get to keep all of the first $10,000 you make. After that, you get to keep ninety percent of every dollar you make. Their scaling plan is also quite attractive and helpful to top traders.
Evaluation/Challenge Comparison
| Feature | Trading Combine (Evaluation) |
| Number of Phases | 2 (Step 1 and Step 2) |
| Time Limit | Unlimited |
| Minimum Trading Days | 2 (Per Phase) |
| Profit Target | Varies by account size |
| Maximum Daily Loss | Varies by account size |
| Maximum Overall Drawdown | Trailing drawdown (EOD) |
| Challenge Fee | Monthly Subscription (Varies) |
| Profit Split | 100% of first $10K, then 90% |
| Account Sizes | $50,000 – $150,000 |
| Payout Schedule | Daily/Weekly (after 5 winning days) |
| Scaling Plan | Yes |
| Trading Instruments | Futures |
| Trading Platform | TopstepX, NinjaTrader, TradingView |
| EAs Allowed | Yes (with restrictions) |
| Copy Trading | Yes (TopstepX and Quantower) |
Reputation and TrustPilot Score
Topstep is highly respected in the trading community, especially among futures traders. Users consistently commend the immense educational value and the professionalism of its platform and support.
Potential Drawbacks
The focus is primarily on futures, so it is not suitable for those interested in Forex or cryptocurrencies. The profit split structure, while attractive at higher levels, is different from the flat 80%-90% offered by many other firms.
8. The Funded Trader Program
The Funded Trader Program is known for being easy to comprehend. It is also known for being customer-centric. The company often holds promotions and events that bring traders together. This has helped it build a large and dedicated group of active supporters.
Account Sizes, Profit Split, and Scaling
Account sizes vary, ranging from $5,000 to $200,000 across different programs. The profit split is a competitive 80% to 90% for funded traders. They offer a scaling plan that allows traders to increase their capital up to a maximum of $2.5 million.
Evaluation/Challenge Comparison
| Feature | Standard Challenge | Rapid Challenge | Royal Challenge | Knight Challenge | Dragon Challenge |
| Number of Phases | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Time Limit | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Minimum Trading Days | 3 (P1), 3 (P2) | 3 (P1), 3 (P2) | 5 (P1), 5 (P2) | 3 | 0 (P1), 0 (P2), 0 (P3) |
| Profit Target | 10% (P1), 5% (P2) | 8% (P1), 5% (P2) | 8% (P1), 5% (P2) | 10% | 8% (P1), 5% (P2), 5% (P3) |
| Maximum Daily Loss | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| Maximum Overall Drawdown | 10% | 8% | 10% | 6% | 10% |
| Challenge Fee | Starts at $65 | Starts at $109 | Varies by account size | Varies by account size | Varies by account size |
| Profit Split | Up to 90% | Up to 90% | Up to 90% | Up to 90% | Up to 90% |
| Account Sizes | $5,000 – $200,000 | $5,000 – $200,000 | $5,000 – $200,000 | $5,000 – $200,000 | $5,000 – $200,000 |
| Scaling Plan | Up to $2.5M | Up to $2.5M | Up to $2.5M | Up to $2.5M | Up to $2.5M |
| Trading Instruments | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Gold, Crypto | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Gold, Crypto | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Gold, Crypto | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Gold, Crypto | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Gold, Crypto |
| Trading Platform | MT4, MT5 | MT4, MT5 | MT4, MT5 | MT4, MT5 | MT4, MT5 |
| EAs Allowed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Reputation and TrustPilot Score
The firm is well-regarded on platforms like Trustpilot and Reddit, although some traders have expressed concerns. It is important to note that the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a warning about the firm. FundedNext has a 4.6 rating out of 5 on TrustPilot.
Potential Drawbacks
As a firm that relies heavily on marketing and promotions, some traders prefer a more low-key, traditional approach. Also, there are mixed reviews about support and rule enforcement. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has also issued a warning about the firm providing or promoting financial services without permission.
9. Apex Trader Funding
Apex Trader Funding is a major name in the futures market, famous for its simple one-step evaluation and incredibly flexible trading rules. Its most notable feature is the absence of daily loss limits on most accounts, offering seasoned futures traders unparalleled freedom.
Account Sizes, Profit Split, and Scaling
They offer account sizes from $25,000 to $300,000. Traders keep 100% of the first $25,000 they make per account and then a 90% split on all profits after that. Their scaling plan allows you to control multiple accounts simultaneously, significantly increasing total buying power.
Evaluation/Challenge Comparison
| Feature | Full Plan (Rithmic/Tradovate) |
| Number of Phases | 1 |
| Time Limit | Unlimited |
| Minimum Trading Days | 7 |
| Profit Target | Varies by account size(e.g., $1,500 on $25K) |
| Maximum Daily Loss | None |
| Maximum Overall Drawdown | Trailing Drawdown |
| Challenge Fee | Monthly subscription (Varies) |
| Profit Split | 100% of first $25K, then 90% |
| Account Sizes | $25,000 to $300,000 |
| Payout Schedule | Bi-weekly (after 8 trading days) |
| Scaling Plan | Yes (via contract scaling) |
| Trading Instruments | Futures only |
| Trading Platform | Rithmic, Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView |
| EAs Allowed | Yes (with restrictions) |
| Copy Trading | Yes (with restrictions) |
Reputation and TrustPilot Score
Futures traders often love Apex’s outright focus on futures trading, added to the fact that the firm offers a simple trading environment and friendly rules. Apex has a trust pilot rating of 4.4 out of 5.
Potential Drawbacks
It is exclusively for futures trading. The profit cap on the 100% split can be a limitation for extremely high earners.
10. Earn2Trade
Earn2Trade is a strong contender in the futures space, known for its education-focused Gauntlet Mini program. A unique feature is its “Trader Career Path,” which can help traders obtain an NFA-required Series 3 license, providing a direct path to a formal trading career.
Account Sizes, Profit Split, and Scaling
Successful traders can manage accounts ranging from $25,000 to $150,000. The profit split is up to 80% for the initially funded accounts. They have a clear scaling plan based on performance.
Evaluation/Challenge Comparison
| Feature | Gauntlet Mini™ | Gauntlet™ | Trader Career Path (TCP) |
| Number of Phases | 1 | 2 | 1 (Evaluation)Multiple (Growth Path) |
| Time Limit | Unlimited | 60 days (P1), Unlimited (P2) | Unlimited |
| Minimum Trading Days | 15 | 15 (P1), No minimum (P2) | 15 (Evaluation) |
| Profit Target | Varies by account size(e.g., $1,750 on $25K) | Varies by account size(e.g., $9,000 on $150K) | Varies by account size(e.g., $1,750 on $25K) |
| Maximum Daily Loss | Varies by account size(e.g., $1,250 on $25K) | Varies by account size(e.g., $2,000 on $50K) | Varies by account size(e.g., $550 on $25K) |
| Maximum Overall Drawdown | Trailing Drawdown(e.g., $2,000 on $25K) | Trailing Drawdown(e.g., $3,000 on $50K) | Trailing Drawdown(e.g., $1,500 on $25K) |
| Challenge Fee | Monthly subscription(Starts at $75) | One-time fee(Starts at $175) | Monthly subscription(Starts at $90) |
| Profit Split | 80% | 80% | 80%, then scales with TCP tiers |
| Account Sizes | $25K – $150K | $50K – $150K | $25K – $200K (Live Sim) |
| Payout Schedule | Weekly | Weekly | Weekly |
| Scaling Plan | No | No | Yes, up to $200K+ |
| Trading Instruments | Futures | Futures | Futures |
| Trading Platform | Rithmic, NinjaTrader, Finamark, etc. | Rithmic, NinjaTrader, Finamark, etc. | Rithmic, NinjaTrader, Finamark, etc. |
| EAs Allowed | Yes (with restrictions) | Yes (with restrictions) | Yes (with restrictions) |
| Copy Trading | No | No | No |
Reputation and TrustPilot Score
Earn2Trade is highly regarded for its educational content and the professional opportunities it provides. It maintains a strong, positive reputation among its users, with most reviewers on Trustpilot having good things to say.
Potential Drawbacks
The profit split can be lower than some competitors. The process is very futures-industry focused, which may not appeal to everyone.
Prop Trading Firms in 2025: A Quick Comparison
This table lets you see how the top firms stack up against each other at a glance.
| Firm | Minimum Initial Capital Offer | Profit Share (up to) | Evaluation Fee (Lowest Tier) | Key Instruments | Unique Feature Highlight |
| OneFunded | $2,000 | 90% | $23 | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Stocks | Rewards Center, No time limits, transparent rules |
| FTMO | $10,000 | 90% | €89 | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Futures (demo) | Industry veteran with top-tier reputation & analytics |
| FundedNext | $2,000 | 95% | $35 | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Futures | Highest profit splits & balance-based drawdown option |
| Topstep | $50,000 | 100% | $49 | Futures | 100% profit on first $10k |
| The Funded Trader | $5,000 | 90% | $65 | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Gold, Crypto | Strong community, frequent promotions, diverse account types |
| Apex Trader Funding | $25,000 | 100% | $137 | Futures | No daily loss limit, 100% of the first $25k in profits |
| The5ers | $5,000 | Up to 100% | $65 | Forex, Metals, Indices, Stocks | Scalable to $4M, no time limits on most evaluations |
| FXIFY | $1,000 | 90% | $39 | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Multiple evaluation paths, scale up to $4M |
| City Traders Imperium | $2,500 | 100% | €29 | Forex, Indices, Commodities | Premium education, mentorship, and fast funding options |
| Earn2Trade | $25,000 | 80% | $90 | Futures | Path to a professional trading license |
The Role of Technology in Prop Firm Trading in 2025
Technology is changing the prop trading world very quickly. It is creating new chances to succeed, but it is also raising the bar.
Artificial Intelligence
Smart computer programs and AI are now a big part of trading. In the past, only big companies used them. Now, many prop firms and regular traders use AI. These smart programs analyze huge amounts of information to find patterns, predict what the market might do next, and make trading plans work even better.
Some programs can even place trades automatically at super high speeds, which removes the problem of people making decisions based on fear or excitement.
Trading Platforms
The platforms that traders use to access the markets are also getting better. Newer platforms can now place orders almost instantly. The user interface of these platforms is super modern and designed to enhance the experience of traders.
Tools are way easier to find than ever before, making trading easier, especially for traders who place many trades within a short timeframe
Analytical tools
Traders now use special tools to carefully study their own past trades. They can see exactly what they did well and what they did poorly. This helps them find tiny improvements in their plan and make smarter changes based on real proof, instead of just a feeling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Prop Trading Firms Legitimate?
Yes, most well-known firms with strong reputations are completely legitimate businesses. However, like in any industry, there can be bad actors. The key is to ensure you have enough information and social proof of the firm’s operation.
How Much Can a Funded Trader Make?
Your earnings are a direct result of three things: the amount of capital you are trading, the profit split you have with the firm, and, most importantly, your own skill and consistency.
Is Prop Trading Right for Beginners?
Yes, it can be. Prop firm trading should not be your first-ever trading experience. You need a solid understanding of trading fundamentals and, most critically, disciplined risk management. Otherwise, you may likely lose your evaluation fee quickly.
Suppose you are a beginner with a solid grasp of these key concepts, you can look for firms with educational resources and choose a smaller, less expensive challenge to start.
What’s the Difference Between Prop Firms and Brokers?
A prop firm provides you with its capital to trade. You share in the profits and losses of that firm’s money. A broker, on the other hand, provides you with a platform to trade your money. You pay the broker a small commission or spread on each trade, but you keep 100% of your profits and absorb 100% of your losses.
What Happens if I Fail an Evaluation or Violate Rules?
Suppose you fail an evaluation by breaking a risk rule or missing the profit target, you will lose the fee you paid for that challenge. The good news is that almost all firms allow you to try again, sometimes at a discount.