Best futures prop firms (2026)

We compared 15 futures prop firms on what actually decides whether you get funded and paid: the real cost of the challenge, how the drawdown works, the rules that fail most accounts, and how payouts are handled. Below are our top picks, a filterable comparison table and a full ranking with the reasoning behind every position.

By Modestas R. · Data verified October 25, 2026 · How we rate firms

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

There is no single best futures prop firm for everyone. These are the firms that come out on top for the most common priorities.

Best overall
Topstep
Highest score in our rating (4.9/5) across cost, rules, payouts, trust and platforms.
Read review ›
Lowest starting price
Top One Futures
Challenges start at $39, the lowest entry price in this list.
Read review ›
Best end-of-day drawdown
FTMO Futures
Our highest-rated pick among the remaining firms whose drawdown only updates at the session close, so open-profit swings do not tighten your limit.
Read review ›
Highest profit split
Apex Trader Funding
Funded traders keep up to 100% of profits.
Read review ›
Best static drawdown
Phidias Propfirm
Our highest-rated pick with a drawdown that never trails, the most forgiving type for swing-style trading.
Read review ›

Futures prop firm comparison

Filter by account size, drawdown type and platform, or sort by rating, price and profit split.

Account sizeDrawdown typePlatformSort by

Firm	Price from	Accounts	Profit split	Drawdown	Platforms	Code
Topstep ★ 4.9 · Read review	$49/mo	$50K – $150K	90%	EOD	TopstepX, Quantower	—	Visit site
FTMO Futures ★ 4.8 · Read review	$119/mo	$50K – $150K	90%	EOD	NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView	—	Visit site
Tradeify ★ 4.6 · Read review	$99	$25K – $150K	90%	EOD	Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Tradesea, WealthCharts	—	Visit site
Blue Guardian Futures ★ 4.6 · Read review	$72	$25K – $150K	90%	EOD	Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, DeepCharts	—	Visit site
Phidias Propfirm ★ 4.6 · Read review	$55	$25K – $150K	80% (75% → 100% on Premium)	Static or EOD	R\|Trader Pro, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, DeepCharts, Quantower, ATAS, Sierra Chart, Bookmap, MotiveWave	—	Visit site
FundedNext Futures ★ 4.5 · Read review	$141.99	$25K – $150K	90–95%	EOD	Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView	—	Visit site
Alpha Futures ★ 4.4 · Read review	$89/mo	$25K – $150K	90%	EOD	AlphaTrader, TradingView, WealthCharts, DeepCharts, Quantower	—	Visit site
Apex Trader Funding ★ 4.2 · Read review	$167	$25K – $150K	100% (90% live)	Intraday or EOD	NinjaTrader, Tradovate, WealthCharts	—	Visit site
TradeDay ★ 4.0 · Read review	$100/mo	$25K – $150K	50–80%	Intraday or EOD	Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Jigsaw, R\|Trader Pro, Quantower, ATAS, MotiveWave, Bookmap, Sierra Chart, MultiCharts, WealthCharts	—	Visit site
My Funded Futures ★ 3.8 · Read review	$105	$25K – $150K	80–90%	EOD	NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Quantower, ATAS, Volumetrica, DeepCharts, Hyperprop	—	Visit site
Top One Futures ★ 3.8 · Read review	$39	$25K – $150K	90%	EOD	Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, BlackArrow, WealthCharts	—	Visit site
Goat Funded Futures ★ 3.8 · Read review	$138	$25K – $150K	80–90% (100% of the first $10K on Instant Classic)	EOD	NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Quantower, DeepCharts, ATAS, Tradesea, TickBlaze	—	Visit site
FuturesElite ★ 3.7 · Read review	$96	$25K – $150K	90% (80% on Instant)	EOD	Tradovate, NinjaTrader, WealthCharts, Quantower, ATAS, DeepCharts	—	Visit site
E8 Futures ★ 3.6 · Read review	$120	$25K – $200K	80% (up to 100% on E8 Zero)	EOD	Tradovate, TradingView	—	Visit site
Take Profit Trader ★ 3.5 · Read review	$150/mo	$25K – $150K	80%	EOD	NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Quantower, MotiveWave, MultiCharts, Bookmap	—	Visit site

The best futures prop firms, ranked

Ranked by our overall score. Each entry explains who the firm suits and the trade-offs to know before you buy.

1.
Topstep
★ 4.9 / 5
Read review Visit site
From
$49/mo
Profit split
90%
Drawdown
EOD
Accounts
$50K–$150K
Best for traders who want one of the longest-running futures prop firms, low monthly evaluation prices and a real path to live capital. Budget for the $149 activation fee (or the higher No Activation Fee price), accept TopstepX as the platform, and expect capped payouts until you are called up to Live.
- ✓Evaluation from $49 a month, with no time limit to pass
- ✓End-of-day trailing Maximum Loss Limit that locks once you build a cushion
- ✓90/10 profit split and a choice of Standard or Consistency payout paths
- ✓Live Funded Account with uncapped and, later, daily payouts
- ✓Up to 5 funded accounts and trade copiers across your own accounts
- ✓Back2Funded reactivation if you lose a funded account before your first payout
- ✕$149 activation fee per funded account on the Standard path
- ✕55% consistency target in the Combine, so you cannot pass in one day
- ✕Funded payouts capped at 50% of balance and $2,000–$6,000 per request
- ✕Scaling Plan limits contracts until your funded balance grows
- ✕Limited platform choice (TopstepX or Quantower), and Live traders pay professional data fees
2.
FTMO Futures
★ 4.8 / 5
Read review Visit site
From
$119/mo
Profit split
90%
Drawdown
EOD
Accounts
$50K–$150K
Best for traders who want a long-established firm, an end-of-day drawdown that locks at the starting balance and no consistency rule once funded. Pick Growth for the cheapest entry and a soft daily loss limit, or Pro for full withdrawals and higher payout caps. The limit of three Sim-Funded accounts makes it less suited to traders who scale across many accounts.
- ✓No activation fee and no time limit on the Evaluation
- ✓End-of-day trailing drawdown that locks at the starting balance
- ✓No profit target or consistency rule on the Sim-Funded Account
- ✓Pro withdraws up to 100% of profit with caps up to $8,000 per request
- ✓News trading and automated strategies are allowed
- ✕Evaluation is a monthly subscription, so a slow pass costs more
- ✕Consistency rule in the Evaluation: best day at most 40% (Growth) or 50% (Pro) of profit
- ✕Only 3 Sim-Funded accounts at a time
- ✕Growth payouts limited to 50% of profit, capped at $2,500–$4,000
- ✕Sim-Funded accounts start with fewer contracts until profit unlocks scaling
3.
Tradeify
★ 4.6 / 5
Read review Visit site
From
$99
Profit split
90%
Drawdown
EOD
Accounts
$25K–$150K
One of the most trader-friendly rule sets in futures: end-of-day drawdown everywhere, no activation fee, a 90/10 split and no news restrictions at all. The catch is in the payout caps: each withdrawal is limited by plan and account size, and Select Daily trades a smaller drawdown and a daily loss limit for daily access to profits.
- ✓End-of-day trailing drawdown on all evaluations and funded accounts
- ✓One-time payment, no activation fee
- ✓90/10 profit split on every funded plan
- ✓No restrictions on news trading
- ✓Choice of daily payouts (Select Daily) or larger 5-day payouts (Select Flex)
- ✓Instant funding option (Lightning) and a path to live capital (Tradeify Elite)
- ✕Payout caps per request (for example $1,250 on Select Daily 50K)
- ✕Select Daily funded accounts have a daily loss limit and a smaller drawdown than the evaluation
- ✕Growth evaluation has a daily loss limit; Growth funded has a 35% consistency rule
- ✕Lightning Funded is expensive ($345–$796) and cannot be reset
- ✕Positions must be closed by 4:45 PM ET
4.
Phidias Propfirm
★ 4.6 / 5
Read review Visit site
From
$55
Profit split
80% (75% → 100% on Premium)
Drawdown
Static or EOD
Accounts
$25K–$150K
Best for traders who want a fast route to real capital (Express to Live), the rare option to hold overnight and over weekends (Premium), and a wide choice of platforms. Note the small static drawdowns on Express to Live, activation fees on monthly plans and the 30% consistency rule on funded Fundamental and Premium accounts.
- ✓Express to Live: no minimum days, no consistency rule, no daily loss limit, LIVE on the first payout
- ✓Premium: overnight and weekend holds and a split that reaches 100% from the 5th payout
- ✓End-of-day or static drawdown, never intraday trailing
- ✓News trading allowed on all accounts
- ✓Up to 15 CASH accounts and a wide choice of platforms
- ✕Express to Live drawdowns are small ($650 on 50K)
- ✕Activation fees of $83–$169 on monthly plans
- ✕30% consistency rule on funded Fundamental and Premium accounts
- ✕Fundamental needs 10 trading days between payouts
- ✕No bots or fully automated trading
5.
Blue Guardian Futures
★ 4.6 / 5
Read review Visit site
From
$72
Profit split
90%
Drawdown
EOD
Accounts
$25K–$150K
Best for traders who want a one-time fee with no activation fee, news trading and a choice of payout styles: larger caps on Standard, no daily loss limit on Reserve or daily payouts on Express. Check which model your rules come from, since daily loss limits, consistency rules and payout caps all differ, and accounts bought before July 6, 2026 follow older rules.
- ✓One-time fee, no activation fee and no time limit on evaluations
- ✓End-of-day trailing drawdown that locks at the starting balance plus $100
- ✓News trading allowed on all accounts
- ✓Four models, including daily payouts (Express) and no daily loss limit (Reserve)
- ✓Bundle discounts when buying several accounts at once
- ✕Rules differ a lot by model and purchase date, which is easy to mix up
- ✕Payout caps on every model until live
- ✕40% consistency rule on Standard funded accounts
- ✕No bots or fully automated trading
- ✕Maximum of 5 funded accounts at a time
6.
FundedNext Futures
★ 4.5 / 5
Read review Visit site
From
$141.99
Profit split
90–95%
Drawdown
EOD
Accounts
$25K–$150K
Best for traders who want a one-time fee, no activation fee and an end-of-day drawdown, with a choice between a 95% split (Flex), fast 3-day or daily rewards (Rapid) and skipping the evaluation (Direct). Each funded account ends after five rewards with capped withdrawals, so plan to rotate accounts.
- ✓One-time fee, no activation fee and no time limit to pass
- ✓End-of-day trailing drawdown that locks at the starting balance plus $100
- ✓Up to 95% reward share on Flex and 90% on Rapid and Direct
- ✓News trading, bots, VPN/VPS and copying your own trades are allowed
- ✓24-hour reward processing promise, with $1,000 added if a reward is late
- ✕Funded accounts conclude after 5 Performance Rewards
- ✕Withdrawals capped per cycle ($800–$4,000 depending on model and size)
- ✕Consistency rules: 40% in the Flex Challenge and Rapid Pro funded account, 20% on Direct
- ✕Micro-scalping profit is deducted when it reaches 40% of a cycle's profit
- ✕Only 5 active funded accounts per household
7.
Alpha Futures
★ 4.4 / 5
Read review Visit site
From
$89/mo
Profit split
90%
Drawdown
EOD
Accounts
$25K–$150K
Best for traders who want a 90% split from the first payout, no activation fee and an end-of-day drawdown that does not reset when you withdraw, plus the option of very large payouts on Advanced. Plan for a monthly subscription, a 2-minute news rule on most funded accounts and a short list of platforms that does not include NinjaTrader or Tradovate.
- ✓90% profit split from the first payout and no activation fee
- ✓End-of-day trailing drawdown that is not reset by withdrawals
- ✓Advanced: no daily loss guard, no funded consistency rule, no news rule and $15,000 payout caps
- ✓Withdraw up to 4 times a month, with no fixed payout dates
- ✓Path to live capital and the Alpha Prime trading floor
- ✕Evaluations are monthly subscriptions
- ✕40% consistency rule on Zero and Standard funded accounts
- ✕2-minute news restriction on Zero, Standard and Direct funded accounts
- ✕Scaling plan on Zero and Standard funded accounts
- ✕No NinjaTrader, Tradovate or Rithmic
8.
Apex Trader Funding
★ 4.2 / 5
Read review Visit site
From
$167
Profit split
100% (90% live)
Drawdown
Intraday or EOD
Accounts
$25K–$150K
Best for traders who want to pass fast and run many accounts: one-day passes, up to 20 funded accounts and 100% of approved sim payouts. Plan around the 30-day limit with no resets, the 50% consistency rule and payout caps once funded, and the six-payout limit per account.
- ✓One-time evaluation fee with no monthly rebill and frequent sitewide coupons
- ✓Pass in a single day: no minimum trading days and no consistency rule in the evaluation
- ✓100% of approved payouts in the Performance Account
- ✓Up to 20 Performance Accounts at the same time
- ✓Choice of end-of-day or intraday trailing drawdown, and NinjaTrader, Tradovate or WealthCharts
- ✕30 days to pass, with no resets and no extensions
- ✕Activation fee of $89–$159 per Performance Account unless you buy a No Activation Fee evaluation
- ✕50% consistency rule, safety net and payout caps on Performance Account payouts
- ✕Maximum of 6 payouts per Performance Account
- ✕No automation, no hedging and an inactivity rule on funded accounts
9.
TradeDay
★ 4.0 / 5
Read review Visit site
From
$100/mo
Profit split
50–80%
Drawdown
Intraday or EOD
Accounts
$25K–$150K
A solid choice if you want a long-running firm, no activation fee and a wide choice of platforms. Read the payout rules carefully: on Quick Pay you keep only 50% of payouts until an account has more than $4,000 in profit, while Fast Pass pays 80/20 but needs five qualifying profitable days between payouts.
- ✓No activation fee and no monthly fee once funded
- ✓Two routes: Quick Pay (day-one payouts) and Fast Pass (pass in 3 days)
- ✓Choice of intraday or end-of-day drawdown on Quick Pay
- ✓Copy trading allowed, including from your personal accounts
- ✓Free level 1 CME data in evaluation and Funded Sim; wide platform support
- ✓Operating since 2020; publishes a 36% evaluation pass rate (Jan–Jun 2026)
- ✕Quick Pay pays 50/50 until an account has more than $4,000 in profit
- ✕Quick Pay Funded Sim always uses an intraday drawdown
- ✕Evaluation is a monthly subscription
- ✕Positions auto-closed 10 minutes before the close and around tier 1 news
- ✕Funded Live traders pay $156/month per exchange for professional data
10.
Top One Futures
★ 3.8 / 5
Read review Visit site
From
$39
Profit split
90%
Drawdown
EOD
Accounts
$25K–$150K
Best for traders who want a very cheap way into an evaluation (Elite Access for $39), daily payouts (Elite Daily) or low-cost instant funding (Ignite). Expect capped payouts until live, a 10-second minimum trade time, no bots and a news blackout on funded Elite accounts, and budget for the activation fee on Elite Access.
- ✓$39 one-time Elite Access evaluation with $35 resets and no daily loss limit
- ✓Elite Daily: no activation fee and daily payouts from day one
- ✓End-of-day trailing drawdown that locks once you build a cushion
- ✓Up to 10 Elite Access or Ignite accounts, with copy trading across same-type accounts
- ✓Choice of Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, BlackArrow or WealthCharts
- ✕Elite Access activation fee of $139–$359 after passing
- ✕Payouts capped per request until you reach a live account
- ✕Consistency rules: 40% on funded Elite Access and the Elite Daily evaluation, 20% on Instant, 15% on Ignite
- ✕10-second minimum trade time, no bots and no overnight positions
- ✕No refunds on any purchase; Elite Access must be passed within 30 days
11.
My Funded Futures
★ 3.8 / 5
Read review Visit site
From
$105
Profit split
80–90%
Drawdown
EOD
Accounts
$25K–$150K
One of the cleanest fee structures in futures prop trading: you pay once, there is no activation fee and no renewal. Rapid is the standout plan, with a 90/10 split and daily payouts, but its funded account uses an intraday trailing drawdown and you must build a buffer first. Choose Rapid EOD or Pro if you prefer an end-of-day drawdown.
- ✓One-time payment, no activation fee and no monthly renewal
- ✓Rapid plan: 90/10 split and daily payouts with no consistency rule once funded
- ✓Choice of intraday (Rapid) or end-of-day (Rapid EOD, Builder, Pro) funded drawdown
- ✓No daily loss limit on Rapid and Pro
- ✓Copy trading allowed across all account types
- ✓Most payouts approved automatically within seconds
- ✕Rapid funded accounts use an intraday trailing drawdown
- ✕Payouts need a buffer above the drawdown before the first withdrawal
- ✕Builder caps each payout at $1,000–$2,000 and allows up to 5 sim payouts
- ✕50% consistency rule in most evaluations
- ✕Positions auto-closed at 4:10 PM ET; no tier 1 news trading once funded
12.
Goat Funded Futures
★ 3.8 / 5
Read review Visit site
From
$138
Profit split
80–90% (100% of the first $10K on Instant Classic)
Drawdown
EOD
Accounts
$25K–$150K
Best for traders who want lots of choice under one roof: daily payouts, a no-consistency Flex plan, a one-day pass or instant funding, with no activation fee and a two-day payout guarantee. Read the plan you buy carefully: splits, drawdown types, holding-time rules and payout windows all differ, and every payout carries a 3% fee.
- ✓Six plans, including evaluation and instant funding, all one-time fees
- ✓No activation fee on any plan and no time limit on evaluations
- ✓Daily Payouts plan: request every 24 hours with no funded consistency rule
- ✓Payouts within 2 business days or an extra $500
- ✓Eight supported platforms with market data included
- ✕3% processing fee on every payout
- ✕80/20 default split on EOD, Flex and 1-Day-Pass (90/10 costs 20% more)
- ✕Payout windows twice a month on most plans
- ✕Holding-time and microscalping rules differ by plan
- ✕2-minute news buffer on all funded accounts
13.
FuturesElite
★ 3.7 / 5
Read review Visit site
From
$96
Profit split
90% (80% on Instant)
Drawdown
EOD
Accounts
$25K–$150K
Best for traders who want a one-time fee with no activation fee, instant upgrades and bundle discounts across many accounts. Weigh that against the 3% fee on every payout, restricted news windows on funded accounts and a list of excluded countries that includes several EU states.
- ✓One-time fee, no activation fee and no time limit
- ✓Funded account created instantly when you pass
- ✓No consistency rule and no buffer on funded Elite accounts
- ✓Up to 10 funded accounts with bundle discounts (the 5th Elite account is free)
- ✓Wide platform choice: Tradovate, NinjaTrader, WealthCharts, Quantower, ATAS and DeepCharts
- ✕3% processing fee on every payout
- ✕Funded trades in Tier-1 news windows are voided
- ✕Payout caps on every plan until live
- ✕Nitro funded accounts switch to an intraday trailing drawdown
- ✕Long list of excluded countries
14.
E8 Futures
★ 3.6 / 5
Read review Visit site
From
$120
Profit split
80% (up to 100% on E8 Zero)
Drawdown
EOD
Accounts
$25K–$200K
Best for traders who want an established US-based brand, no activation fee and either a one-day pass (Signature) or daily payouts with no funded consistency rule (E8 Zero). Payout caps, the four-payout limit per account and Tradovate as the only platform are the main trade-offs.
- ✓One-time fee, no activation fee and no time limit
- ✓End-of-day drawdown that locks at the starting balance
- ✓E8 Zero: daily payouts with no consistency rule or minimum days once funded
- ✓News trading allowed on both products
- ✓Free new challenge of the same size after the fourth payout
- ✕80% standard profit split
- ✕Maximum of 4 payouts per account (5 for older accounts)
- ✕Payout caps, a buffer equal to the drawdown on Signature, and a 35% best-day rule
- ✕Tradovate (with TradingView) is the only futures platform
- ✕No free trial for futures challenges
15.
Take Profit Trader
★ 3.5 / 5
Read review Visit site
From
$150/mo
Profit split
80%
Drawdown
EOD
Accounts
$25K–$150K
Best for traders who want fast, frequent payouts and an end-of-day drawdown during the test. Watch the switch to an intraday trailing drawdown and the buffer requirement once you reach PRO, and budget for the $130 activation fee unless you buy with a no-fee promotion.
- ✓Day-one and daily payouts in the PRO account
- ✓End-of-day trailing drawdown during the test
- ✓No daily loss limit and no scaling plan
- ✓Up to 5 funded accounts, with copiers allowed across your own accounts
- ✓Live PRO+ accounts with a 90/10 split for top traders
- ✕Test is a monthly subscription, so a slow pass costs more
- ✕$130 activation fee per PRO account (waived with some promotions)
- ✕PRO switches to an intraday trailing drawdown with a buffer before full withdrawals
- ✕50% consistency rule and 3-day minimum during the test
- ✕No overnight positions and no trading bots

Real cost to get funded

The challenge price is only part of what you pay. Many futures prop firms charge an activation fee once you pass, and some bill market data separately. Here is the evaluation price plus activation fee for a $50,000 account, assuming you pass on the first attempt (and, for monthly subscriptions, within the first month).

Firm	Evaluation	Activation fee	Total to get funded
Topstep	$49/mo	$149	$198
FTMO Futures	$119/mo	None	$119
Tradeify	$165	None	$165
Phidias Propfirm	—	$149	—
Blue Guardian Futures	$209	None	$209
FundedNext Futures	$141.99	None	$141.99
Alpha Futures	$129/mo	None	$129
Apex Trader Funding	$590	$129	$719
TradeDay	$131/mo	None	$131
Top One Futures	$39	$189	$228
My Funded Futures	$209	None	$209
Goat Funded Futures	$238	None	$238
FuturesElite	$160	None	$160
E8 Futures	$170	None	$170
Take Profit Trader	$170/mo	$130	$300

— means we have not verified this figure yet. Prices change often and discounts are common; check the firm's site before you buy.

Drawdown and rules compared

The drawdown rule ends more challenges than the profit target does. End-of-day drawdown only moves at the session close; intraday drawdown follows your open profit in real time; static drawdown never moves. A consistency rule can also delay your payout after one big day. Read our trailing drawdown guide and consistency rule guide for worked examples, or see the prop firms without a consistency rule.

Firm	Drawdown type	Consistency rule	Platforms
Topstep	EOD	Yes	TopstepX, Quantower
FTMO Futures	EOD	Yes	NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView
Tradeify	EOD	Yes	Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Tradesea, WealthCharts
Phidias Propfirm	Static or EOD	Yes	R\|Trader Pro, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, DeepCharts, Quantower, ATAS, Sierra Chart, Bookmap, MotiveWave
Blue Guardian Futures	EOD	Yes	Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, DeepCharts
FundedNext Futures	EOD	Yes	Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView
Alpha Futures	EOD	Yes	AlphaTrader, TradingView, WealthCharts, DeepCharts, Quantower
Apex Trader Funding	Intraday or EOD	Yes	NinjaTrader, Tradovate, WealthCharts
TradeDay	Intraday or EOD	Yes	Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Jigsaw, R\|Trader Pro, Quantower, ATAS, MotiveWave, Bookmap, Sierra Chart, MultiCharts, WealthCharts
Top One Futures	EOD	Yes	Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, BlackArrow, WealthCharts
My Funded Futures	EOD	Yes	NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Quantower, ATAS, Volumetrica, DeepCharts, Hyperprop
Goat Funded Futures	EOD	Yes	NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Quantower, DeepCharts, ATAS, Tradesea, TickBlaze
FuturesElite	EOD	Yes	Tradovate, NinjaTrader, WealthCharts, Quantower, ATAS, DeepCharts
E8 Futures	EOD	Yes	Tradovate, TradingView
Take Profit Trader	EOD	Yes	NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Quantower, MotiveWave, MultiCharts, Bookmap

Payouts compared

A high profit split means little if you have to wait weeks for your first withdrawal. Compare the split together with how often you can request a payout and how many trading days you need first.

Firm	Profit split	Payout frequency	Min. trading days
Topstep	90%	After 5 winning days (Standard) or 3 days (Consistency); daily in Live	5 winning days (Standard) or 3 days (Consistency)
FTMO Futures	90%	Every 4 qualifying days (Growth) or 5 (Pro); daily in Live	4 (Growth) or 5 (Pro) qualifying days
Tradeify	90%	Select Daily: daily; Select Flex and Growth: every 5 winning days; Lightning: on profit goals	Depends on plan
Phidias Propfirm	80% (75% → 100% on Premium)	Every 5 days (Premium) or 10 days (Fundamental); Express to Live pays a fixed bonus and goes LIVE	5 (Premium) or 10 (Fundamental) days between payouts
Blue Guardian Futures	90%	Every 3 days (Standard), after 5 winning days (Reserve) or daily (Express)	Depends on model: 3 days on Standard, 5 winning days on Reserve
FundedNext Futures	90–95%	Daily, every 3 days or every 5 benchmark days, by model	Depends on model: 5 benchmark days on Flex, none on Rapid Daily
Alpha Futures	90%	Up to 4 times a month, after every 5 winning days of $200+	5 winning days of $200+ between requests (Direct: profit target instead)
Apex Trader Funding	100% (90% live)	Every 5 qualifying trading days (up to weekly)	5 days with a minimum daily profit
TradeDay	50–80%	Quick Pay: from day one; Fast Pass: after 5 profitable days	None (Quick Pay) / 5 profitable (Fast Pass)
Top One Futures	90%	Daily (Elite Daily) or after 5 profitable days (Elite Access)	1 (Elite Daily) or 5 profitable days (Elite Access)
My Funded Futures	80–90%	Rapid: daily; Builder: every 48 hours; Pro: after 14 days	Depends on plan
Goat Funded Futures	80–90% (100% of the first $10K on Instant Classic)	Every 24 hours (Daily Payouts) or in two monthly windows (other plans)	Depends on plan: none on Daily Payouts, 5–7 winning days on others
FuturesElite	90% (80% on Instant)	After 6 profitable days (Elite), every 24 hours (Nitro) or after the funded target (Prime)	Depends on plan: 6 profitable days on Elite, 10 on Instant
E8 Futures	80% (up to 100% on E8 Zero)	Daily (E8 Zero) or after 5 profitable days between payouts (Signature)	None on E8 Zero; 5 profitable days between Signature payouts
Take Profit Trader	80%	Daily, from day one in PRO	None

How we rank futures prop firms

Every firm is scored from 1 to 5 on the same five criteria: cost (25%), rules (25%), payouts (20%), trust (20%) and platforms (10%), using fixed rules, and the weighted scores are placed on a 3.5 to 4.9 rating scale. Each review shows its score breakdown. We take prices and rules from each firm's official website, help center and terms, and record the date we last verified them. Affiliate commissions do not affect scores or positions, and we list firms we do not earn from. Read the full methodology.

How to choose a futures prop firm

1. Match the drawdown to how you trade

If you let winners run and accept pullbacks in open profit, an intraday trailing drawdown will feel tight. Prefer end-of-day or static drawdown. If you scalp with quick exits, intraday drawdown is workable and often cheaper.

2. Compare the total cost, not the sticker price

Add the evaluation fee, the activation fee and any data fees, and think about how many resets you might need. A cheap challenge with strict rules can cost more than a pricier one you are likely to pass.

3. Read the payout rules before you buy

Check how soon you can request your first payout, how often after that, minimum trading days, payout caps and any buffer you must keep above the drawdown. See how prop firms work.

4. Check the rules that fail accounts

Consistency rules, daily loss limits, news-trading restrictions and position limits differ a lot between firms. Know them before your first trade.

5. Make sure your platform is supported

Most futures prop firms run on Rithmic or Tradovate data and support platforms such as NinjaTrader and Tradovate. If you rely on a specific platform, filter the comparison table above by it.

Futures vs forex prop firms

Futures prop firms give you access to exchange-traded contracts such as the E-mini S&P 500, Nasdaq, crude oil and gold, with centralized pricing and volume. Fees are usually per contract, and most evaluations are on platforms connected to Rithmic or Tradovate. Forex and CFD prop firms trade over-the-counter instruments, usually on MetaTrader, cTrader or similar platforms, with rules that are typically based on a percentage of the account. Choose the market you already know how to trade; the right firm comes second. Prefer forex? See the best forex prop firms.

Futures prop firm FAQ

What is the best futures prop firm?+

It depends on how you trade. Topstep scores highest in our ranking overall, but traders who hold trades through pullbacks may prefer a firm with an end-of-day or static drawdown, and budget-focused traders should compare the total cost to get funded, not just the challenge price.

What is the cheapest futures prop firm?+

Top One Futures has the lowest starting price in our list at $39. Check activation and data fees too, since they can make a cheaper challenge more expensive overall.

Which futures prop firms use an end-of-day drawdown?+

In our list: Topstep, FTMO Futures, Tradeify, Phidias Propfirm, Blue Guardian Futures, FundedNext Futures, Alpha Futures, Apex Trader Funding, TradeDay, Top One Futures, My Funded Futures, Goat Funded Futures, FuturesElite, E8 Futures, Take Profit Trader. End-of-day drawdown only updates at the session close, so intraday swings in open profit do not tighten your limit.

Are futures prop firms legit?+

Established futures prop firms do pay traders, but they are evaluation businesses: a large part of their revenue comes from challenge fees paid by traders who do not pass. Stick to firms with a payout track record, clear written rules and responsive support, and read the full terms before you buy.

Do futures prop firms let you keep your profits?+

Yes, funded traders keep a share of profits, usually between 80% and 90%, subject to the firm's payout rules such as minimum trading days, payout caps and buffers.

Can you have multiple futures prop firm accounts?+

Many futures prop firms allow several funded accounts at once, up to a firm-specific limit. Rules on copying trades across accounts vary, so check each firm's terms first.

Trading futures involves substantial risk of loss 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.