10 Best Prop Trading Firms in 2026: Compare Fees, Profit Splits & Funding

The prop trading model has an extremely simple business proposition. All you have to do is take the test, trade with our money, and pocket the majority of the profits. With no personal liability aside from paying for the testing process, it is no wonder this model has become so popular.

But before we begin the list of the best prop trading firms, here are some statistics to ponder, followed by the top ten brokers that are truly worth investing in for 2026: FTMO, FundedNext, The 5%ers, Topstep, Apex Trader Funding, MyFundedFutures, FXIFY, FundingPips, Trade The Pool, and Velotrade – offering forex trading, futures, genuine US equities, and cryptocurrencies – sorted according to criteria that determine if you will be getting your payout or not.

How a prop firm challenge actually works

If you’re coming from crypto trading and this whole model is new, it’s four steps, not ten:

1. Pay an evaluation fee ($30-$1,000+ depending on firm and account size) for a simulated account with a profit target and a drawdown limit.
2. Hit the target without breaching the drawdown, in one, two, or three phases depending on the firm. No skill certification required – just rules.
3. Get “funded.” In almost every case, this still isn’t your money or even the firm’s money moving in the market – it’s a simulated account the firm monitors and pays you against, based on what you would have earned. A handful of firms (The 5%ers, Trade The Pool) route funded traders into real capital or real markets.
4. You get paid your share at a frequency determined by the company – weekly, bi-weekly, or whenever you want, based on the product you purchased.

The business works only because most traders fail step 2, and a meaningful share of those who pass refuse to request step 4. That’s not a conspiracy – it’s the same math as a gym that sells more memberships than treadmill space.

Filter by what you actually trade, first

Splits and prices become noise if the company doesn’t serve your geographic location. Here is where to begin:

• Futures (CME/CBOT/NYMEX): Topstep, Apex Trader Funding, MyFundedFutures – nothing else on this list touches futures.
• Forex & CFDs: FTMO, FundedNext, The 5%ers, FundingPips, FXIFY – the most crowded, most competitive category.
• Real US stocks & ETFs (not CFDs): Trade The Pool is the only one here that routes you into actual equities via Interactive Brokers.
• Crypto-native rules: Velotrade is the only firm built crypto-first rather than forex-first with crypto bolted on; FundedNext and FXIFY offer crypto CFDs as one instrument among several.

Once you know your category, the rest of this list is about which firm in it actually pays.

Top 10

The 10 firms, fast

No single “best” here – a futures scalper and a swing trader in real US stocks aren’t shopping for the same thing. What follows is ordered roughly by how deep and verifiable each firm’s payout history is: oldest and most proven first, newest and least tested last. 

1. FTMO – the benchmark

FTMO is a relatively old brand in prop trading and is more oriented toward forex and CFDs. FTMO will be a good choice for those who place great emphasis on reputation and reliability, rather than just picking the most affordable challenge.

• Prague, 2015 · Two-part verification · Accounts up to $200K · Ticker-by-ticker trailing drawdown
• More than $200 million in audited payments came through the 2023 shake-out unscathed, and the firm bought up regulated broker OANDA toward the end of 2025.
• Best for: the most thorough track record in the industry.
• Skip if: traders who take advantage of news spikes, as this principle goes against their approach.

Pros

• Long and proven track record
• Strong reputation among traders
• Clear evaluation structure
• Good account scaling potential
• Suitable for different trading styles

Cons

• High starting fees compared to other companies
• Less flexible compared to younger companies
• Some trading strategies may be restricted
• Not ideal for aggressive news traders

2. FundedNext – most aggressive split

FundedNext has become one of the more recognizable newer prop firms, mainly thanks to its flexible programs and competitive profit-sharing conditions. Its relatively low entry prices also make it available to traders who want to test the prop trading model without a large upfront commitment.

• Dubai, 2022 · one-phase Stellar plan with no deadline · scales up to $4 million
• Unique 15% profit sharing while under evaluation · claims over $15 million paid within a single month
• Best for: percentage take-home and payment speed as opposed to company 
• Skip if: track record depth outweighs everything else for you – it’s a 4-year-old firm.

Pros

• Low starting price
• Attractive profit-sharing potential
• Several account options
• Fast payout options
• Flexible challenge structures

Cons

• Shorter track record than FTMO
• Many plans can be confusing
• Conditions vary between programs
• Less proven over a full market cycle

3. The 5%ers – built to scale

The 5%ers focuses more on long-term account growth than simply offering the highest initial profit split. Its programs are designed for traders who can keep uniform performance and want to increase their available capital gradually.

• Israel, 2016 · real money invested after funding, not all simulated · static drawdown
• Hyper Growth track doubles your account at every 10% milestone, up to $4M
• Best for: traders who think in years and are working to accumulate capital.
• Skip if: you want an 80%+ split from account #1 – entry tiers start at 50%.

Pros

• Strong emphasis on long-term scaling
• Good for consistent traders
• Several funding models
• Established reputation
• Suitable for gradual capital growth

Cons

• Reduced proportion of initial profits
• Takes time to scale up
• Not suitable for traders pursuing rapid gains
• Risk management is essential

4. Topstep – the original, futures only

Topstep has been around the longest in futures prop trading and deals only in futures. Their niche makes them a suitable platform for prop traders who trade CME futures but not forex or crypto.

• Chicago, 2012 · CME/CBOT/NYMEX only, no forex or crypto
• January 2026 onward: flat 90/10 ratio for all new entrants; evaluation will be on a monthly subscription basis, not one-time
• Best for: futures traders wanting the longest pedigree in the category.
• Skip if: you trade anything but futures – there’s no product for you.

Pros

• Long track record in futures
• Strong industry reputation
• Futures-focused environment
• Established trading infrastructure
• Good fit for serious futures traders

Cons

• Futures trading only
• Subscription-based model monthly
• Not ideal for forex or cryptocurrency traders
• Futures trading-specific regulations may take some time to learn

5. Apex Trader Funding – built to stack accounts

Apex Trader Funding is designed around futures trading and stands out for its multiple-account approach. This may be especially helpful for experienced traders with a tested strategy who are comfortable managing several accounts at once.

• Austin, 2021 · one-off payment after the March 2026 “Apex 4.0” revamp · up to 20 accounts simultaneously
• The catch: there is a strict payout ladder that allows $18,000 withdrawal per $100,000 account during six payouts, and then it is closed
• Best for: traders managing multiple accounts at once.
• Skip if: you are looking for a single account that keeps growing over time 

Pros

• Multiple accounts can be traded simultaneously
• High payout potential
• Competitive pricing for entry
• Large number of futures markets
• Appealing to seasoned traders

Cons

• Restrictions on payouts require alertness
• Multiple accounts add complexity
• Easy to take on too much risk
• Less suitable for beginners

6. MyFundedFutures – fastest cash, shakiest rules

MyFundedFutures specializes in futures and offers various plans for different kinds of traders. The site’s main strengths are flexible accounts and fast payouts, which make it attractive to futures traders.

• Dallas, 2023 · 5 plans · payout intervals up to 48 hours apart · over $126 million in payouts through about 57,000 transactions
• Unexpected adjustment in split ratio from 90% to 80% within an hour in February 2026, reversed later due to opposition and implementation of new daily deals
• Best for: traders who value immediate payments and understand their trading conditions in advance.
• Skip if: traders who value stability instead of quick payments.

Pros

• Many account types available
• Fast payment opportunities
• Low prices to start with
• Flexible accounts’ structures
• Good option for futures traders

Cons

• The rules may vary
• Various plans make it difficult to compare
• Conditions call for attentive reading
• Shorter track record than Topstep

7. FXIFY – broker-backed, strategy-permissive

FXIFY is primarily focused on forex and also supports markets such as crypto CFDs. The firm is particularly interesting for traders who use automated systems or EAs and want fewer restrictions on how they implement their plans.

• London, 2023 · deals executed through the use of FXPIG, a regulated broker · low spreads, genuine STP execution
• Exceptionally kind to EAs and automated trading · 80% is the default split; 90% is an additional charge
• Best for: systematic traders and EA traders who need proper execution.
• Skip if: you don’t want to pay extra for the split rate offered.

Pros

• EA-friendly
• Good for automated strategies
• Competitive spreads
• Flexible account options
• Crypto CFDs are available

Cons

• Some features may cost extra
• Shorter history than the oldest firms
• Rules differ between account types
• Not suitable for futures-focused traders

8. FundingPips – cheapest serious option

FundingPips has attracted customers through its cheap challenges and flexible payout systems. With low entry levels, FundingPips lets traders trade prop without much upfront spending.

• Dubai, 2022 · Registration fee of $29, with verified payouts of $260M+ in over 127,000 transactions
• Split is determined in tiers ranging from 60% to 100%, based on how often you’d like to be repaid
• Best for: budget-friendly traders who want proof of the company’s success.
• Skip if: you want one simple split figure – the tiered system requires more reading.

Pros

• Low cost of entry
• Easy to use for beginners
• Flexible payout options
• Large trader base
• Strong payout history for its age

Cons

• Different payout structures can be confusing
• Low price does not always mean better value
• Rules call for close attention
• Shorter history than FTMO or Topstep

9. Trade The Pool – the one with real stocks

Trade The Pool is different from most firms on the list because it focuses on actual US stocks and ETFs rather than stock CFDs. This makes it a much more natural option for equity traders who want to work with individual companies and a broad stock universe.

• Israel, 2022: The people behind The 5%ers · deal with actual US equities and ETFs using Interactive Brokers, not CFDs
• 12,000+ tickers · one-phase evaluation · 70% split (lower than forex firms, but you’re trading real shares)
• Best for: equity traders tired of forex-only prop firms and synthetic stock CFDs.
• Skip if: you’re looking for forex-style payout percentages – 70% is the price you pay for actual market participation.

Pros

• Genuine US stocks & ETFs
• Wide variety of financial instruments
• Suitable for specific stock strategies
• Excellent option for equity trading
• Available through Interactive Brokers

Cons

• Less profit-sharing than some forex brokers
• No futures
• Not designed for traditional forex trading
• More specialized than general prop firms

10. Velotrade – crypto-first, but brand new

Velotrade is a newer prop firm built specifically around cryptocurrency trading. Its rules account for the 24/7 nature of crypto markets, giving traders more freedom around weekends and major news events, though its limited history remains the main consideration.

• Launched early 2026 · static drawdown, no consistency rule, news/weekend trading allowed · 90% split from payout #1
• Genuinely well-designed for crypto traders – but nearly every source about it is Velotrade’s own marketing, and there’s no multi-year independent payout record yet
• Best for: crypto traders tired of forex rules bolted onto crypto markets.
• Skip if: track record is a hard requirement for you.

Pros

• Designed specifically for crypto traders
• Weekend trading allowed
• News trading allowed
• No consistency rule
• High profit split from the start

Cons

• Very short operating history
• No long-term independent payout record
• Limited third-party reviews
• Rules may evolve as the firm grows
• Higher uncertainty than established competitors

The math nobody puts on the pricing page

Let us take a $100,000 funded futures trading account that gained 6% after a month. That is a realistic gain, nothing extraordinary or valiant; here is the actual amount paid by “profit split”:

Same profit, three genuinely different outcomes. This is why “headline split” is the fourth thing to check, not the first.

Red flags – walk away if you see these

• Delays in payment that stealthily go beyond the promised timeframe
• Rule or split changes announced with little or no notice
• A jurisdiction and legal entity you genuinely can’t pin down
• Growth that looks funded by new challenge fees rather than trading profit
• Almost all “reviews” of the firm traced back to the firm’s own blog

None of the 10 above show those signs today. “Today” is doing real work in that sentence – recheck a firm’s current rules before every evaluation, not just your first one.

Bottom line, by use case

Before you pay for anything

1. Ask each firm these four questions – the answers matter more than the split on the homepage:What’s the maximum I can withdraw from this account, ever – not just the split percentage?
2. What happens to my payout if I breach a rule the day after I request it?
3. How long has the firm been paying people, and is that verifiable outside the firm’s own site?
4. What changed in their rules in the last six months, and how much notice did traders get?

If the company’s support team cannot address all four of those, then there is your answer.

The lowest amount for the account which you will be able to afford losing two times – during evaluation and once more if you receive funding and lose it in the first month – is what you need here. It is not pessimistic; it is how reality works in this business right now. Everything else – split, platform, scalability – becomes relevant after this point.

Summary

• Prop trading is possible, but it all boils down to numbers. As much as 14% will clear the test, only 7% will receive the money, depending on the firm’s manual.
• Track record beats splits. Topstep (2012), FTMO (2015), and The 5%ers (2016) have a decade-plus of verifiable payouts; the newer names – FundedNext, FundingPips, Trade The Pool, Apex, MyFundedFutures, FXIFY – are genuinely good products with a shorter paper trail, and Velotrade is a 2026 launch worth watching, not yet worth trusting with real conviction.
• Match the firm to the market first, the split second. Futures traders have three real options here (Topstep, Apex, MyFundedFutures); stock traders effectively have one (Trade The Pool); crypto-native rules exist at exactly one firm (Velotrade) for now.
• The fine print is the product. The caps on gains, the safety buffer, and the one day of profitability determine more successful funded account experiences than trading skills will – study the funding stage conditions before paying for the test, not afterward.
• Size your initial bet as if the numbers are correct, because they are. Bet small, be prepared to fail the evaluation test, and take any profits as a pleasant bonus.