How We Evaluate Prop Firms
We use a comprehensive 7-factor scoring system to rank each prop firm. Here's what matters most when choosing where to trade:
1. Reputation & Trust (25%)
Years in business, Trustpilot rating, payout proof, regulatory status
2. Rules & Requirements (20%)
Drawdown type, daily limits, consistency rules, minimum trading days
3. Profit Split & Payouts (20%)
Split percentage, payout frequency, withdrawal methods, fees
4. Scaling Potential (15%)
Maximum account size, scaling requirements, multi-account policies
5. Challenge Costs (10%)
Entry fees, monthly fees, reset costs, refund policies
6. Platform & Tools (5%)
Trading platforms offered, execution quality, available instruments
7. Support & Community (5%)
Customer service response time, educational resources, trader community
FTMO
Profit Split
80-90%
Evaluation
2-Phase
Challenge Cost
$155-$1,080
Max Scaling
Up to $2M
Pros
- Industry leader
- Static drawdown
- Free retake after 1 year funded
Cons
- Stricter consistency rule
- Higher challenge costs
- No weekend holding
Take Profit Trader
Profit Split
80-90%
Evaluation
1-Phase
Challenge Cost
$150-$360
Max Scaling
Up to $150k
Pros
- Simple 1-phase evaluation
- No daily drawdown
- Fast payouts
Cons
- Trailing drawdown
- Smaller max account
- Limited instruments
Apex Trader Funding
Profit Split
90%
Evaluation
1-Phase Available
Challenge Cost
$127-$287
Max Scaling
Up to $300k
Pros
- Lowest challenge costs
- Fast payouts
- 1-phase option
Cons
- Limited markets
- Newer firm
- Smaller max account
E8 Funding
Profit Split
80%
Evaluation
Instant Funding Available
Challenge Cost
$98-$598
Max Scaling
Up to $400k
Pros
- Instant funding option
- Weekend holding allowed
- News trading allowed
Cons
- Lower profit split
- More complex rules
- Higher refund tiers
Funded Trading Plus
Profit Split
80-100%
Evaluation
1-Phase or 2-Phase
Challenge Cost
$119-$999
Max Scaling
Up to $2.5M
Pros
- Up to 100% profit split
- No time limits
- Static drawdown
Cons
- Newer firm
- Limited platform options
- Scaling requires consistency
Which Prop Firm Should You Choose?
🎯 For Beginners
Start with Apex Trader Funding or E8 Funding. Lower costs, simpler rules, and more forgiving drawdown limits make them ideal for your first challenge.
Recommended: $50k account challenge ($127-$149)
📈 For Forex/Crypto Traders
FTMO is the gold standard. Industry-leading reputation, static drawdown (easier), and excellent scaling to $2M+ accounts.
Recommended: Start with $100k challenge ($540)
🚀 For Futures Traders
TopStep specializes in futures. 90% profit split, excellent support, and direct connections to CME markets.
Recommended: $50k or $150k Combine ($165 or $325)
💰 For Budget-Conscious Traders
Apex Trader Funding or E8 Funding offer the lowest entry costs. You can start challenges for under $100.
Recommended: $25k-$50k account challenges ($98-$149)
⚡ For Experienced Traders
FTMO or E8 Instant Funding. Skip evaluations entirely with instant funding, or go for $200k+ accounts with aggressive scaling.
Recommended: $200k challenge or instant funding options
Frequently Asked Questions
Which prop firm has the highest profit split?
TopStep and Apex Trader Funding both offer 90% profit splits. However, total earnings depend on scaling potential and account size, not just split percentage.
Can I trade with multiple prop firms simultaneously?
Yes! Most firms allow this. In fact, successful prop traders often run 3-10 accounts across different firms to diversify income and reduce risk.
What's better: static or trailing drawdown?
Static drawdown is easier. It's measured from your starting balance, giving you more room to recover from losses. Trailing drawdown moves with your equity high, making it harder to come back from drawdowns.
How long does it take to get paid after passing?
Typically 7-14 days for your first payout, then faster for subsequent withdrawals. Apex and FTMO are known for fastest payouts (as quick as 24-48 hours for regulars).
Are prop firms legit or a scam?
Established firms like FTMO, TopStep, and Apex are legitimate businesses with thousands of verified payouts. However, avoid firms with less than 2 years history or Trustpilot ratings below 4.0.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Prop Firm?
Use our interactive comparison tool to filter by your trading style, budget, and goals. Compare rules, splits, and costs side-by-side.