Trading with your own capital can be risky and limiting. That’s where prop trading firms come in. These firms allow skilled traders to use company funds to trade and share profits. The better you perform, the more capital you can manage. Choosing the right firm can make a big difference in your trading career.

What is a Prop Trading Firm?

A proprietary trading firm gives traders access to the firm’s capital, rather than having to trade only with their own money. The trader shows they can trade profitably (and manage risk) through an evaluation or challenge. If they pass, they get funded and earn a profit split.

When choosing a prop firm, you should look at: evaluation cost, rules (drawdown limits, trade style restrictions), profit-split, payout speed, instrument availability (forex, futures, crypto), and the firm’s reputation. 

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Types of Prop Firms

Prop trading firms generally fall into two main categories. Both offer access to company capital but differ in how you qualify for funding.

1. Evaluation-Based Firms – These firms require traders to prove their skills through one or two challenge phases before receiving live (e.g., FTMO, MyForexFunds).
2. Instant Funding Firms – These firms let you start trading with a funded account right away, no challenge required. Instead, you pay a higher upfront fee e.g., FundedNext, E8 Markets).
3. Hybrid Models – Some firms combine both options. They let traders choose between a challenge-based or instant funding program. This flexibility helps traders pick what suits their skill level and budget (e.g., FundedNext, FXIFY).

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Benefits and Risks

Benefits

• Access to large capital.
• Low personal risk.
• Professional growth and discipline.
• Opportunity to earn a consistent income.

Risks

• Strict rules and limits can lead to disqualification.
• No guarantee of success, skill, and psychology matter.
• Some firms may lack transparency, so do your research.

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10 Best Prop Trading Firms Comparative Analysis

Prop Firm	Funding Model	Max Profit Split	Key Trading Rules	Instruments Offered
FTMO	2-Phase Evaluation	90%	Max daily loss 5%; max overall loss 10%; min trading days typically 4+	Forex, indices, commodities, crypto, stocks (CFDs)
The 5%ers	Evaluation & Instant Funding	100% (after scale-up)	Drawdown limits vary by program; long-term growth	Forex, indices, commodities
Topstep	1–2 Phase Evaluation	90%	Max daily loss; weekly loss rules; trailing drawdown	Futures only
Funded Trading Plus	Evaluation + No-min-days options	90–100%	No min trading days, no time limit, weekly payouts	Forex, crypto, indices, commodities
FundedNext	Evaluation + Instant Funding	95%	Drawdown depends on plan; consistency rules	Forex, crypto, indices, metals
E8 Markets	Evaluation	100% (select plans)	Custom drawdown & targets	Forex, indices, crypto, commodities
Goat Funded Trader	Evaluation	95–100%	No min days; no time limits	Forex, crypto, commodities, indices
True Forex Funds	Evaluation	80%	Standard drawdown & target rules	Forex, commodities, indices, crypto
FXIFY	Evaluation	90%	Standard prop rules	Forex, indices, crypto, metals
Funding Pips	Evaluation	80–90%	Typical drawdown rules	Forex, indices, metals, crypto

10 Best Prop Trading Firms

1. FTMO

• FTMO is one of the most recognised and highly rated prop firms globally.
• FTMO was founded in 2015 by a group of young day traders in Prague, Czech Republic.
• FTMO says it does not act as a broker, does not accept deposits, and provides simulated, demo-based trading for educational purposes only.
• You can trade all instruments available on the platform, including Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, and Crypto, with a detailed symbols page grouping tickers by asset class.
• Two-step Evaluation Process (FTMO Challenge + Verification), plus Free Trial. One-time fee per evaluation, varying by account size and program type, shown on their pricing pages.
• They offer up to 90% profit split on funded accounts.
• Pros: The evaluation fee is refunded with the first profit payout.
• Cons: Strict rules (risk management, loss limits), so you need good discipline.

2. The 5%ers 

• Good for traders who want a slightly lower‐cost entry and long-term scaling.
• The 5%ers was founded in 2016 by Gil Ben Hur, a forex day trader.
• They offer account sizes up to multi-millions for successful traders and high profit shares.
• Strong emphasis on trader growth, community support, and educational material. 
• According to their help center, traders can trade Forex, Commodities, Indexes, Cryptocurrencies, and Energy Commodities.
• Trading is via MetaTrader 5 (MT5) (asset specs are MT5-based).
• Profit share up to 100% in some higher-level programs.
• Pros: Low entry cost (evaluation fee), good for growth. 
• Cons: Some rules might limit very aggressive trading strategies.

3. Topstep

• Specializes in futures trading (rather than just forex).
• The company began trading on the Chicago Board of Trade and was established as an LLC in July 2012. 
• Only exchange-listed futures on CME, COMEX, NYMEX & CBOT (e.g., equity index, energy, metals, rates futures).
• The primary platform is TopstepX, their own futures platform with TradingView-powered charts and tools, including The Tilt™ real-time sentiment indicator.
• They emphasize risk management: maximum loss limits, daily loss limits, and end-of-day drawdown measures.
• Pros: Strong reputation in the futures space.
• Cons: Less focused on forex/crypto, perhaps. 

4. Funded Trading Plus

• Funded Trading Plus was founded in 2021 by three founders and is led by CEO Simon Massey.
• Profit-split starts at around 80% and can scale up to 90% or even 100% as you meet performance milestones.
• Uses MT4/MT5/cTrader via partner brokers, plus its own dashboard and educational tools.
• Many programs have no minimum trading days, unlimited evaluation time, and weekly withdrawals for funded traders. 
• Pros: High profit splits for good performance and good scaling potential.
• Cons: May have less robust scaling or smaller maximum accounts compared to the top tier.

5. FundedNext

• FundedNext was founded in 2022 by entrepreneur Syed Abdullah Jayed.
• It is a proprietary trading firm operated by GrowthNext FZE, headquartered in Ajman, UAE. 
• Offers a modern model including both instant‐funding and challenge‐based programs.
• Multiple challenge types (2-Step, 3-Step, Express, Rapid, Futures, etc.) with one-time evaluation fees per account size.
• The profit split can reach 95% in many account plans (after the challenge).
• Supports MT4, MT5, and cTrader plus additional platforms like Match-Trader, Tradovate, NinjaTrader, and TradingView-based execution for futures, along with a prop trading dashboard.
• High trader reviews: strong praise for customer service, payout speed, and transparency.
• Pros: Flexible programs suitable for different styles and risk levels. 
• Cons: Newer firms may carry slightly more risk (less longer track record).

6. E8 Markets

• E8 Markets was founded in 2021. It is a proprietary trading firm with its headquarters in Dallas, Texas. 
• Offers customizable evaluation parameters (account size, drawdown, profit target), allowing trader-tailored setup. 
• Profit splits up to 100% claimed in some plans. 
• E8 offers 1-, 2-, and 3-phase evaluations plus E8/E8X signature accounts, each with one-time fees based on account size and clearly defined payout and scaling rules.
• MT5 is explicitly listed as the trading platform operated by E8 Markets Ltd. They also offer an E8X dashboard and educational academy.
• Pros: Flexible options make it good for a variety of traders.
• Cons: Possibly fewer educational resources than more established names.

7. Goat Funded Trader

• GFT is a relatively new prop-trading firm that allows traders to access firm capital via various challenge types. 
• Goat Funded Trader was founded in May 2023. It is a proprietary trading firm, headquartered in Hong Kong
• Allows trading of forex, crypto, commodities, indices, and other instruments under its funding program.
• Offers challenge accounts and instant/simulated funding scalable up to $2M in simulated capital.
• Profit-split starts around 80% and can go up to 95–100% depending on plan/add-ons.
• traders can trade FX pairs, CFD indices, metals, commodities, stocks and cryptocurrencies.
• No fixed minimum trading days required and no time limits on many challenge types give traders flexibility and less pressure.
• Pros: Good for traders who don’t want heavy pressure.
• Cons: Possibly higher fees, less established. Always check the fine print.

8. True Forex Funds

• True Forex Funds positioned itself as a prop-trading firm that allowed traders to access the firm’s capital once they passed certain evaluation rules.
• True Forex Funds was founded in 2021 and was based in Gyor, Hungary. 
• They claimed an 80% profit split for funded traders (i.e., traders would keep 80% of profits).
• Their marketing also emphasized a “trader-friendly” dashboard, transparency, and quick payouts.
• the official website has been reduced to a closure announcement it no longer provides live details on past pricing, trading instruments, or platforms.
• Pros: Good flexibility in trading instruments, multiple asset types, and leverage options.  
• Cons: Might require more self-discipline because of less structure.

9. FXIFY

• A prop firm that emphasizes good support, fast payouts, and strong customer feedback.
• FXIFY was founded in 2023 by Peter Brown and Bobby Winters.
• FXIFY offers on-demand withdrawals, so once you’re funded and profitable, you can request your earnings without long waiting times.
• Profit-split can go up to 90% of the profits for the trader.
• Instant Funding, 1-Phase, 2-Phase, 3-Phase, etc., each with its own account sizes and one-time or program fees, plus on-demand payouts
• Pros: Good service and modern interface.
• Cons: As always, check rules and ensure you understand the payout mechanics.

10. Funding Pips

• Offers flexible evaluation programmes so you can pick what suits your trading style.
• Funding Pips was founded in 2022. It is a proprietary trading firm headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 
• Another option focusing on forex/trading platforms and evaluation processes. 
• Flexibility in account sizes and scaling. Funded accounts can grow as you perform, instruments offered include forex, indices, metals, and crypto.
• Funding Pips gives access (via its partnered broker setup) to CFDs on currencies, commodities, energies, indices, and cryptocurrencies.
• Pros: Good alternative if you’re comparing different firms.
• Cons: Might have narrower instrument choice or a smaller community.

Best Prop Trading Firms: Conclusion

Prop trading firms let traders use large capital without risking their own money, making it easier to grow in the financial markets. Choosing the right firm, understanding its rules, and maintaining strong risk management are essential.

With discipline, consistency, and continuous learning, prop trading can become a reliable path to building a successful trading career.

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