A prop trading firm is a company that gives individual traders a chance to trade using the firm’s money, rather than having to risk all of their own capital. In the futures space, this means trading contracts on assets such as indices, commodities, and currencies, using the firm’s account after passing an evaluation.

How Futures Prop Trading Firms Work?

• Traders first sign up for an evaluation or challenge offered by the prop firm.
• They trade on a simulated (demo) account following strict rules such as profit targets and drawdown limits.
• The goal is to prove trading discipline, strategy, and risk management, not just make profits.
• After passing, the firm provides a funded account using the firm’s capital.
• Traders can then trade real futures markets using this funded account.
• Profits made in the funded account are shared between the trader and the firm based on a pre-agreed percentage.
• Traders must continue following the firm’s risk rules, such as maximum daily loss, overall loss limit, and contract size.
• If rules are broken, the trader may lose the funded account and need to start again.
• The firm benefits because disciplined traders can generate profits while the firm manages overall risk.

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10 Best Futures Prop Trading Firms: Overview

Firm	Pricing (Evaluation Programs)	Profit Split	Markets / Instruments	Trading Platforms / Tools
My Funded Futures	Subscription evaluation accounts ($50k–$150k+). Exact pricing varies by account size.	80/20 split typical, with scaling and weekly payouts	US Futures (via CME instruments)	Tradovate, Rithmic, dxFeed, order-flow tools; automation permitted
Alpha Futures	Multiple account sizes; exact fees require viewing pricing page	up to 80%-90%	Futures (implied)	Not clearly listed publicly
Apex Trader Funding	Multiple account sizes ($25k–$300k). Prices vary; shown in store.	Up to 90%, with first portion sometimes at 100%	Futures	NinjaTrader, Rithmic, Tradovate, various tools
Elite Trader Funding	Multiple programs: 1-Step, Direct-to-Funded, etc.	First $12,500 at 100%, then up to 90%	Futures	TradingView, NinjaTrader, Rithmic, Tradovate
Funded Trading Plus	Experienced Trader, Master Trader, Sim Live programs	High trader-leaning splits; exact % by plan	CFDs across Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, etc.	MT5 (non-US), web/desktop CFD platforms
Take Profit Trader	One-step evaluation; multiple account sizes	Pays real money from simulated profits; exact split varies	Futures	NinjaTrader, Rithmic; automation allowed
BluSky Trading Company	Evaluation, Direct-2-Funded, Instant Sim plans	90% trader / 10% firm	Futures	Rithmic, NinjaTrader; utilities (calendar, blog)
Tradeify	Multiple evaluation tiers	Profit split defined in funded agreement	Futures	Tradovate, automation (TradersPost, TradingView integration)
Earn2Trade (E2T)	Gauntlet Mini & Trader Career Path; $50k–$200k virtual accounts	Split determined by partner proprietary firm (commonly ~80%)	Futures	Rithmic-based platforms like NinjaTrader, etc.
Hola Prime	Pro/Prime Challenges, Direct Accounts; from $59+	80–95% depending on payout frequency	CFDs (Forex, Crypto, Indices, Commodities, Metals) + Futures	DXTrade, MT4/MT5, Match-Trader, TradeLocker, cTrader

10 Best Futures Prop Trading Firms

1. My Funded Futures

• My Funded Futures was founded in June 2023 by Matthew Leech. It is headquartered in Texas, USA. 
• Provides simulated trading programs and education, not presented as a broker, FCM, or investment advisor.
• Offers funded futures trading accounts after passing an evaluation.
• Supports popular trading platforms like TradingView, Tradovate, and Rithmic.
• Core and Pro plan materials show an 80/20 profit split (80% to the trader, 20% to the firm) for self-funded accounts and throughout their scaling program.
• Allows trading in major futures markets such as indices, commodities, and currencies.
• Offers scaling options so traders can grow their funded account with good performance.
• Provides fast payouts once traders meet the minimum withdrawal requirements.
• Pros: Access to micro futures, which are lower-risk for beginners.
• Cons: Requires paying an evaluation fee before you can get funded.

2. Alpha Futures

• Alpha Futures, a prop trading firm linked with Alpha Capital Group, was essentially founded in 2018.
• Allows trading major futures contracts (commodities, indices, currencies) on a dedicated futures-funding model.
• Offers unlimited evaluation account resets (you can restart the challenge without an extra reset fee, in many cases).
• Profit-split arrangements up to 80%-90% for the trader once funded.
• Risk-management rules like a maximum overall drawdown (e.g., 4%) and a daily loss guard (e.g., 2%) to control risk.
• Pros: Advanced trading tools and platform support mean you can use professional-grade features.
• Cons: There is a cost (evaluation fee/subscription) before you become funded, so you’ll need to invest money upfront.

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3. Apex Trader Funding

• Apex Trader Funding was founded in 2021 by experienced trader Darrell Martin.
• Apex provides simulated, educational-only trading with virtual funds and does not offer real-market trading.
• Offers account sizes for funded/trading programs ranging from about US $25,000 up to US $300,000 in futures capital.
• Very generous payout split: you keep 100% of the first US $25,000 of profit in many plans, then 90% of profits thereafter.
• They list platforms like Rithmic, Tradovate, and WealthCharts (for certain plans), which are popular in futures trading.
• Traders are allowed to trade during holidays and major news events, with only small timing restrictions.
• Pros: High profit-split gives a large share of earnings to the trader rather than the firm.
• Cons: The monthly fee for evaluation can be high relative to small account sizes or for beginner traders.

4. Elite Trader Funding

• Elite Trader Funding was founded in 2022 by a group of three experienced professionals.
• They offer multiple evaluation models so that traders can select one that fits their trading style.
• Profit split is generous: you keep 100% of your first US $12,500 profits, then up to 90% thereafter.
• Offers several models (e.g., 1-Step Plan, Direct-to-Funded, and Elite accounts) with a range of evaluation account sizes.
• Traders are in futures contracts, supported via platforms like Tradovate and Rithmic.
• ETF supports TradingView, NinjaTrader, Rithmic, and Tradovate through its broker integrations.
• Pros: Helps different kinds of traders (scalpers, swing traders) with a variety of evaluation models.
• Cons: Monthly subscription fees apply after evaluation or once funded — this adds cost.

5. Funded Trading Plus

• Funded Trading Plus was founded in 2021. The firm was established by Simon Massey, James Frangleton, and Michael.
• Traders can start with an evaluation challenge to qualify for a funded account.
• Multiple program types: You can choose a one‐phase evaluation, a two‐phase evaluation, or an instant funding option.
• Profit splits can go up to 100% for traders who meet performance milestones.
• Provides simulated CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, metals, and cryptocurrencies, routed via partner liquidity providers.
• Withdrawals can be initiated early, sometimes as soon as profits are available they offer weekly or even faster payout options.
• Pros: Multiple program types allow for different levels, from smaller challenges to large funded accounts and scaling options.
• Cons: Some account types use a trailing drawdown, meaning your maximum allowed loss moves up as your profit increases.
  

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6. Take Profit Trader

• Take Profit Trader was founded in 2021 by James Sixsmith.
• It is a futures prop trading firm that pays traders based on simulated profits withdrawn from the trader’s PRO account.
• TPT offers a single-step evaluation with multiple account sizes; current challenge prices are displayed in the pricing/purchase section on their site.
• They support major futures trading platforms (for example, NinjaTrader 8, TradingView, Tradovate) so you can use tools you may already know.
• There is a profit-split structure: initially, you may get around 80% of profits and potentially upgrade to 90% after meeting certain criteria.
• Pros: Transparent and relatively simple structure compared to many firms with multiple evaluation steps and long waiting times.
• Cons: The focus on only futures means that if you trade stocks, crypto, or forex, you may be limited or need a different firm.

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7. BluSky Trading

• BluSky Trading, a US-based proprietary futures trading firm, was established in 2022.
• They present the Trading Evaluation as a realistic simulation and reference their pass rates, but they do not claim broker-dealer or FCM registration.
• They offer evaluations starting at a relatively low cost, so entry is more affordable.
• BluSky offers multiple Evaluation, Direct 2 Funded, Instant Sim Funded, and other plans with different account sizes and drawdown rules.
• After passing the evaluation and buffer stages, traders can access funded accounts with real capital and keep up to 90 % of profits.
• They emphasise clear, trader-friendly rules, making it easier to understand what you’re signing up for.
• Pros: Quick payout possibility once funded, which is attractive for traders wanting cash flow.
• Cons: Even with lower entry costs, you still must pay evaluation fees upfront before getting funded.

8. Tradeify

• Instant-funding option: You can bypass a long evaluation and begin trading with a funded account faster than many firms.
• Free built-in trade-journal & performance analytics: The platform includes tools to review your trades, track P&L, tag trades, and gain insights.
• They provide clearly stated risk rules (drawdown, contract size), and specialize in futures trading (indices, commodities, etc).
• Fast payout system: They advertise “lightning fast” withdrawals/payouts once you qualify.
• Pros: You can begin trading with the firm’s capital rather than risking all your own funds this reduces your personal capital risk.
• Cons: Some account tiers have daily-loss limits or other constraints. You must check carefully.

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9. Earn2Trade

• The educational content relies on simulated results, and it highlights the limits of hypothetical performance.
• Offers two main evaluation programs: Gauntlet Mini and Trader Career Path, suitable for beginners and experienced traders.
• Uses futures trading only, mainly on CME exchanges (like E-mini and Micro contracts).
• Provides clear rules for profit targets, minimum trading days, drawdowns, and risk management.
• Offers scaling plans, allowing traders to grow their account size over time.
• Pros: Wide range of futures markets available, including indices, commodities, and currencies.
• Cons: Monthly subscription fees can become expensive if you take a long time to pass.

10. Hola Prime

• Hola Prime was founded in 2024 by Somesh Kapuria as a proprietary trading firm.
• Hola Prime offers only simulated trading and educational tools, is not a broker, does not accept deposits, and makes no promises of rewards or returns.
• Hola Prime offers futures, forex, crypto, and indices funding programs for different types of traders.
• The prop firm provides very fast payouts, often completed within 1 hour.
• Supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader, and DXTrade, along with their proprietary ProjectX platform for futures trading.
• The company shares daily trading reports and mentorship, which support trader development.
• Pros: High profit-sharing percentages make the funding program appealing.
• Cons: Fast payouts may require strict verification steps, which some users may find slow.

Conclusion

Futures prop trading firms give traders a chance to use large capital without risking all of their own money. Each firm has different rules, fees, and profit splits. The best choice depends on your trading style, budget, and risk control. Always read the rules carefully and start small. With discipline and a clear plan, a funded account can help you grow as a futures trader

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