We compared 6 forex prop firms on the rules that decide whether you get funded and paid: the real price of a $100,000 challenge, whether the drawdown is static or trailing, what happens around news and weekends on a funded account, and how payouts work. Every figure comes from the firm's own website, and we have received payouts from three of these firms ourselves.
Advertiser disclosure: we earn a commission when you buy through some links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This never changes our rankings. How we make money
Our top picks
No forex prop firm is best for everyone. These are the firms that come out on top for the most common priorities.
Our highest-rated forex firm: evaluations since 2015, a static 10% maximum loss with no consistency rule on the 2-Step, and the fee refunded with your first reward.
Overnight and weekend holding is allowed on every program, High Stakes has a static maximum loss and no consistency rule, and the Bootcamp gets you a funded $100,000 account for $300 in total.
Ranked by our overall score. Each entry sums up who the firm suits and the trade-offs to know before you buy; the full review has every rule and source.
Best for traders who want a long track record (evaluations since 2015), a static 10% maximum loss and no consistency rule on the 2-Step Challenge, and their fee back with the first reward. The 2-Step split starts at 80% until the Scaling Plan lifts it to 90%, and Standard funded accounts restrict news trading and weekend holding unless you choose the Swing account type with 1:30 leverage.
✓Operating since 2015, with more than $650 million in rewards paid (FTMO's figure)
✓2-Step fee refunded in full with your first reward
✓Static 10% maximum loss and no consistency rule on the 2-Step
✓No time limit on any challenge
✓MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView
✓Swing account type for holding through news and weekends
✕2-Step split starts at 80%; 90% needs the Scaling Plan or Premium Programme
✕Prices are set in euros: a 100K 2-Step lists at €540 (about $604)
✕Standard funded accounts: no trading around major news and no weekend holding
✕1-Step and Instant Account fees are not refunded
✕1-Step and Instant use a trailing maximum loss and a consistency rule
Best for traders who want a large, established firm with static loss limits, no consistency rule on the standard payout cycle and their fee back on the 2-Step. Know the fine print before buying: only 40% of profit from trades around high-impact news counts on funded accounts, your open risk may never exceed 3%, EAs are banned on accounts from $50,000, and every payout carries a processing fee of up to 3.5%.
✓Static daily and maximum loss limits on all Stellar challenges
✓2-Step fee refunded with your first reward
✓No time limit, overnight and weekend holding allowed
✓No consistency rule on the standard payout cycle
✓Rewards processed within 24 hours, with a $1,000 promise if late
✓Scale-up to $4 million with a 90% split
✕Only 40% of profit counts from trades 5 minutes around high-impact news
✕Open risk capped at 3% of the account at any time
✕First 2-Step reward only after 21 days
✕Processing fee of up to 3.5% on every payout
✕EAs not allowed on accounts of $50,000 and above
✕Many add-ons and payout options to compare at checkout
Best for traders who want a long-running firm with a static maximum loss, overnight and weekend holding allowed and an account that keeps growing with each 10% target. Mind the details: 50K and 100K High Stakes accounts have a tighter 4% daily and 8% maximum loss and payouts capped at $3,000 and $4,000 per request, and every cash withdrawal costs 3.5%.
✓Operating since 2016, with 262,000 traders onboarded (The5ers' figure)
✓Static maximum loss on every program and no time limit
✓No consistency rule on High Stakes
✓Overnight and weekend holding allowed
✓Scaling on every 10% target, up to 100% split and fixed monthly payouts on High Stakes
✓Hub credits after each passed step and 70% of the High Stakes fee back with the first payout
✓Cheap entry: a 100K Bootcamp costs $300 in total
✕50K and 100K High Stakes accounts: 4% daily loss and 8% maximum loss
✕3.5% commission on every cash withdrawal
✕Payout cap of $3,000 (50K) or $4,000 (100K) per High Stakes request
✕No orders 2 minutes around high-impact news on High Stakes
✕Accounts expire after 30 days without a new trade (60 days when funded)
✕Several programs and variants with different rules to compare
Best for traders who want a cheap entry, a static maximum loss and control over their payout schedule, from weekly to on demand. The trade-off is complexity: five models with different rules, positions closed every evening on funded accounts unless you pay for the Swing add-on, and a 35% consistency rule plus a striking system if you want the 100% on-demand split.
✓Low prices: 2-Step from $29 (5K) and a 100K Pro for $466, or $372.80 with the FP code
✓Static maximum loss on every challenge
✓No time limit, and no minimum trading days on 2-Step Pro and 1-Step Flex
✓Choice of weekly (60%), bi-weekly (80%) or on-demand (100%) rewards
✓Rewards processed in 1–3 working days; Pay to Card can arrive within 30 minutes in some countries
✓Phase 2 account issued as soon as Phase 1 is passed
✕Master Accounts close all positions daily unless you buy the Swing add-on
✕On-demand 100% split needs a 35% consistency score, 7 profitable days and comes with a striking system
✕No profit from trades opened or closed 5 minutes around high-impact news on Master Accounts
✕VPN and VPS use is banned when accessing your account
✕Five models with different rules, which makes comparing them hard
Best for traders who want a choice of risk levels in one firm, static drawdowns on the two-step plans and on-demand payouts processed within 2 business days, often at a deep discount. Read the fine print: funded Alpha Pro accounts can't hold over the weekend, every funded account has a 2–3% maximum loss per asset, half your profit must come from trades longer than 2 minutes, and only trade-management EAs are allowed.
✓Static maximum loss on Alpha Pro and Alpha Swing
✓Three Alpha Pro risk levels (6%, 8%, 10%) and three Alpha One levels
✓On-demand payouts, processed within 2 business days
✓Frequent own discount codes, 45% off on October 26, 2026
✓Weekend holding allowed on Alpha Swing and Alpha One
✓Scaling up to $2 million on Pro and Swing
✕Maximum loss per asset of 2–3% on funded accounts (1% on Direct)
✕40% best-day rule on on-demand payouts
✕No weekend holding on funded Alpha Pro or Alpha Direct
✕Average trade duration must exceed 2 minutes
✕No fully automated EAs; VPNs need a static IP and prior notice
Best for traders who want a single-phase challenge they can shape themselves, with uncapped payouts on demand and a 100K account for $341.60 with the E8 code. The catch is the rulebook: E8 One's drawdown trails your closed profits and comes with a 40% best-day rule and a news ban once funded, while E8 Pro removes any profit above 2% a day and pays out only half your profit at a time.
✓One-step challenges that can be passed in a single day
✓Fully customizable E8 One: drawdown from 4% to 14%, split of 80%, 90% or 100%
✓No payout caps on E8 One or E8 Pro
✓Overnight and weekend holding allowed
✓100K E8 One for $341.60 with the code E8
✓Median payout approved in 11 hours and paid in 24 (E8's figures)
✕E8 One drawdown trails your closed profits until it locks at the starting balance
✕40% best-day rule before every E8 One payout
✕E8 Pro removes any daily profit above 2% and keeps 50% of profit as a buffer
✕No trading 5 minutes around high-impact news on a funded E8 One account
✕MT5 and cTrader are not available to US traders
✕Fees are only refundable before you trade, and no refund with the first payout
Forex prop firms compared side by side
Each firm's main plan on a $100,000 account, checked on October 26, 2026. Prices are list prices before any discount code.
The main plan is not always the cheapest route. Many firms sell a lighter one-step, three-step or instant plan for less, and most run their own discount codes. These are the cheapest routes we found to a funded $100,000 account at each firm, with the firm's own public code where it has one. Our cost score uses the same figures.
Firm
Cheapest route
List price
With the firm's own code
FTMO
1-Step
€499
€399 deal
FundedNext
Stellar Lite
$399.99
No public code
The5ers
Bootcamp (3 steps)
$300
No public code
FundingPips
Zero (instant)
$444
$355.20 with FP
Alpha Capital Group
Alpha One 6% or Pro 6%
$397
$218.35 with HALLOWEEN45 (to Oct 31)
E8 Markets
E8 One
$488
$341.60 with E8
Codes and deals change often and some end soon; check the firm's site before you buy. FTMO prices are in euros.
The rules that change once you are funded
Most forex challenges let you trade news and hold over weekends, but funded accounts are often stricter, and a consistency rule can hold up your first payout. This is where traders who passed easily get caught out. Read our trailing drawdown guide and consistency rule guide for worked examples, or see the prop firms without a consistency rule.
Firm
News on funded account
Weekend holding
Consistency rule
Watch out for
FTMO
No orders 2 min before/after (Standard); free on Swing
Not on Standard; allowed on Swing
None
Swing type needed for news and weekends, at 1:30 leverage
FundedNext
Only 40% of profit counts 5 min before/after
Allowed
None on the standard cycle
Open risk may never exceed 3% of the account
The5ers
No orders 2 min before/after
Allowed
None
3.5% commission on every cash payout
FundingPips
Profit removed 5 min before/after
Positions closed daily unless Swing add-on
35% on the on-demand cycle only
Striking system on the 100% on-demand cycle
Alpha Capital Group
No trades 5 min before/after
Not on Alpha Pro; allowed on Swing and One
40% on on-demand payouts
Account closes if one asset's open loss hits 2% (100K)
E8 Markets
No trading 5 min before/after
Allowed
40% best day before each payout
Drawdown trails your closed profit until it locks
Payouts compared
Compare the split together with how soon and how often you can withdraw, and whether you get your fee back.
Firm
Profit split
Payout timing
Fee refund
FTMO
80% (90% after scaling)
Every 14 days
100% with first reward
FundedNext
80%
After 21 days, then every 14
100% with first reward
The5ers
80%, rising to 100%
Every 14 days
70% with first payout
FundingPips
60% weekly, 80% bi-weekly, 100% on demand
Weekly, bi-weekly or on demand
No
Alpha Capital Group
80% (90% add-on)
On demand or every 14 days
No
E8 Markets
80%, 90% or 100% (chosen at checkout)
On demand
No
Payouts we have received
PropLumio's author, Modestas R., has traded funded accounts at three of the firms on this page and received these payouts. Each review shows the certificate the firm issued, and the author page lists them all. The amounts are small and rules have changed since, so treat them as proof that these firms pay, not as a forecast.
FundingPipsrequested March 17, 2026; certificate issued March 18, 2026$582.32
1. Check whether the drawdown is static or trailing
A static maximum loss stays at the same level however much you make, which suits traders who let winners run. A trailing one (E8 One, FTMO 1-Step, Alpha One, most instant accounts) follows your highest balance until it reaches the starting balance, so early profits raise your floor. See the trailing drawdown guide.
2. Read how the daily loss is measured
The same 5% can mean different things: some firms measure it from the day's starting balance, others from the higher of balance and equity, which is stricter when you hold open profit overnight. Each review explains the exact calculation with an example.
3. Match the funded-account rules to your style
If you trade news or hold over weekends, check the funded rules in the table above, not just the challenge rules. FTMO and Alpha Capital offer swing accounts for this; FundingPips sells a Swing add-on.
4. Compare the real cost, including refunds
A refundable fee (FTMO 2-Step, FundedNext 2-Step) can make a pricier challenge cheaper in the end if you pass. Several firms also run their own discount codes most of the time, and lighter plans can reach a funded account for less.
5. Look at how you get paid
Check how soon the first payout comes, whether a consistency rule or minimum profitable days apply, payout caps, and fees taken by the firm or payment provider. FundingPips and FundedNext tie the split to the payout schedule you choose.
6. Check the firm itself
Prefer firms with a long, verifiable history, a named company and address, and rules published in full. All the firms here state that their accounts are simulated, so your payouts depend on the firm itself. Be wary of firms that change rules for existing accounts or hide restrictions in the terms.
How we rank forex prop firms
Every firm is scored from 1 to 5 on cost (25%), rules (25%), payouts (20%), trust (20%) and platforms (10%), using fixed rules written for forex: cost is the cheapest one-time fee for a funded $100,000 account with the firm's own public code, rules and payouts are scored on the main plan, and euro prices are converted at the ECB rate. We take every price and rule from the firm's website and help center and show the check date on each review. Affiliate commissions do not affect scores or positions. Read the full methodology, or compare with our best futures prop firms.
Forex prop firm FAQ
What is the best forex prop firm?+
FTMO scores highest in our ranking of 6 forex prop firms, but the best choice depends on how you trade. Swing traders should look for weekend holding (The5ers, FundedNext), news traders for lenient news rules, and anyone on a budget at the total cost to get funded.
Which forex prop firms use a static drawdown?+
Of the firms we review, FTMO (2-Step), FundedNext (Stellar challenges), The5ers (High Stakes and Growth), FundingPips (all challenges) and Alpha Capital Group (Alpha Pro and Swing) use a static maximum loss that never trails. E8 One, FTMO 1-Step and Alpha One trail your balance until the limit reaches the starting balance.
Can you trade news with a forex prop firm?+
Usually yes during the challenge. On funded accounts most firms restrict it: FTMO (Standard) and The5ers block orders 2 minutes around high-impact news, FundingPips, E8 One and Alpha Capital 5 minutes, and FundedNext only counts 40% of the profit. FTMO Swing and E8 Pro have no news restriction.
Can you hold forex trades over the weekend at a prop firm?+
At The5ers, FundedNext and E8 Markets, yes, on funded accounts too. FTMO allows it only on the Swing account type, Alpha Capital on Alpha Swing and Alpha One, and FundingPips only with its paid Swing add-on.
How much does a forex prop firm challenge cost?+
For a $100,000 account, the main plans we compare cost between $405 (The5ers High Stakes) and $652 (FundingPips 2-Step Standard with a 5% daily loss) at list price, and FTMO charges €540 for its 2-Step. Cheaper routes exist: The5ers' Bootcamp reaches a funded 100K for $300, and several firms publish their own discount codes.
Which forex prop firms refund the challenge fee?+
FTMO (2-Step) and FundedNext (Stellar 2-Step) refund the full fee with your first reward, FundedNext's 1-Step and Lite with the third. The5ers returns 70% of the High Stakes fee with the first payout. FundingPips, E8 Markets and Alpha Capital Group do not refund fees.
Which forex prop firms accept US traders?+
Several do, usually with fewer platforms. FTMO serves US clients through ftmo.oanda.com (MT5 and TradingView), FundedNext on Match-Trader, E8 Markets on TradeLocker and Match-Trader, Alpha Capital Group on DXtrade and TradeLocker, and The5ers on TradingView. Check each firm's current terms for your state.
Do forex prop firms really pay out?+
The established ones do. PropLumio's author has received payouts from The5ers, E8 Markets and FundingPips, shown with their certificates on this page. Payouts depend on following every rule, and accounts are simulated, so choose firms with a long track record and clearly written terms.
Trading forex and CFDs on margin carries a high level of risk and is not suitable for everyone. This page is for information only and is not financial advice. Rules and prices change often; always confirm the current terms on the firm's website before you buy a challenge.
