Top 5 Prop Trading Firms

For ambitious traders hoping to make significant profit from their skills, prop trading has never been easier to access. The top prop trading firms give traders the opportunity to trade using reasonable company funds while keeping a sizable percentage of their profits, in contrast to traditional retail trading, where they are constrained by their capital.

Following a thorough investigation, trader testimonial analysis, and a careful assessment of business models, we have determined the 5 best prop trading firms that regularly fulfill their commitments. We’ll dissect each company’s distinct advantages in the analysis that follows and provide you with the inside information you need to decide on your prop trading strategy going forward.

What Is a Prop Trading Firm?

A proprietary trading firm, for short known as a is a type of financial institution that purchases and trades stocks, commodities, currencies, and other financial instruments.

A firm like this does these trades with their own money instead of money from clients. In this case, when a business uses its own money to trade, it is called “proprietary” because it wants to make money directly from changes in the market instead of getting commissions from customers who aren’t part of the business.

A prop trading firm functions on a basic principle. In return for a portion of the profits made, it gives traders access to large sums of money. This establishes a win-win situation where traders obtain access to far more purchasing power than they could on their own, and the company uses human talent and experience to optimize returns on its capital.

Usually, the company follows stringent risk management procedures to secureguard its funds while giving traders the latitude to carry out their plans. This includes 

• Setting maximum loss limits
• Position size restrictions, and 
• Implementing monitoring systems that can automatically close positions if predetermined risk thresholds are breached.

How Prop Firms Generate Revenue

There are many ways that prop firms make money, but the most significant one is by making money on trades that go well. The company takes a cut of the trader’s profits, which can be anywhere from 10% to 50%, depending on how the company is set up and how long the trader has been doing it.

Also, a lot of for evaluations, monthly platform fees, or require them to purchase “challenges” that test their trading skills before they can use real money. Due to the business structure, you don’t get a set salary when you work for a prop trading firm, which is diverse from other companies. Rather, your pay is based on how well you do, not on how long you work.

Legally, these prop trading firms have to follow rules they regulate how they must handle clients’ money and trading accounts. significantly, government oversight goes as far as restricting banking entities from engaging in proprietary trading via the Volcker rule. Due to this, you can’t go to a bank or expect a bank to engage in proprietary trading.

The Best Prop Trading Firms For You

Now that you know what prop trading firms are, here are the five best ones. There aren’t many trustworthy prop trading firms, but the ones we’ve chosen will assist you a lot on your way.

2. FTMO
3. FundedNext
4. Topstep
5. Funded Trader

1. OneFunded 

This prop trading firm has emerged as a standout option that prioritizes trader success over corporate profits, which is what you need when you’re just begining out. The firm maintains strict standards while providing the support necessary for traders to meet these requirements with no hidden fees.

OneFunded’s appeal rests heavily on three core features: its profit-sharing structure, its flexible evaluation timeframes, and its payout policy. 

Compared to other firms, the challenge fees of OneFunded are quite low, particularly on smaller account sizes. This makes it relatively more accessible to traders wanting to step into the waters without committing such huge initial costs. Payouts are available on demand as soon as the trader qualifies and meets minimum withdrawal criteria. 

A notable diverseiator for OneFunded is the no time limit policy during the evaluation phase.

Being a trader responsible firm, they offer a more flexible trading environment with unlimited time for evaluations and a higher profit split, quick payouts, and educational support for traders. 

This goes without saying, but also makes prop trading simple for you with TradeLocker integration, making low-risk trading accessible to their traders.

Key Trading Specifications 

Feature	Details
Pricing	begins from $25 for a 2K challenge. The cost of the OneFunded Challenge is refunded with the first payout.
Profit Split	80% trader / 20% firm split with no hidden fees.
Trading Period Rules	Unlimited time for evaluations with no artificial deadlines creating unnecessary pressure, with a 100% refundable fee structure.
Payout Process	later than your first payout, you can request further payouts for every 14 days

2. FTMO

Since they begined doing business in 2014, FTMO has become one of the most well-known and respected names in the proprietary trading business. FTMO has built a reputation for being reliable and open that few other companies can match. This is because it has weathered market cycles and always kept its promises. They’re also one of many forex prop firms, offering a full suite of forex trading challenges and accounts.

The firm’s method is to find and develop talented traders who can show that they can consistently make money while following strict rules for managing risk.

Once these traders are found, the FTMO will put them through a two-phase evaluation system that is meant to fully test their skills and ability to manage risk. Passing Verification secures your funded FTMO Account (up to $200K), where you trade demo capital but earn real money.

Key Trading Specifications

Feature	Details
Pricing	The cost of the FTMO Challenge is refunded with the first payout from the FTMO Account.
Profit Split	begins at 80%, rises to 90% under Scaling Plan (25% account growth over 4 months, 2+ payouts).
Trading Period Rules	No time limit for completion, minimum 4 trading days required for each phase
Payout Process	Available later than 14 days, processed bi-weekly with 8-hour average processing time

3. FundedNext

FundedNext is a UAE-based proprietary trading firm (with Cyprus operations) that empowers traders to access real capital through simulated Challenge models. With flexible paths, generous profit-sharing (up to 95%), and quick payouts, it’s designed for both newcomers and experienced traders looking to scale responsibly.

With this firm, traders get a demo account that can be used for free, and can trade with up to $300k simulated funds in the best conditions. They operate three models: Stellar, Evaluation, and Express. Each of these models has a profit split up to 95%. In the Evaluation model, you can get 15% profit during each assessment phase

On the other hand, their scaling potential is equally impressive. They offer funded trading accounts with begining values of up to $200,000 and traders can reach up to $4,000,000 in funding through a scaling plan.

Key Trading Specifications

Feature	Details
Pricing	Challenge fees refunded on first payout, with competitive entry costs across all models
Profit Split	70-80% base split, scaling up to 95% for top performers
Trading Period Rules	No time limits, minimum 5 trades required, no consecutive trading day requirements
Payout Process	First payout later than 5 trading days, 24-48 hour account setup later than verification

4. Topstep

Topstep (formerly TopstepTrader) is a Chicago-based fintech company that offers futures trading evaluation through its Trading Combine®. Once traders meet its profit targets and risk criteria, they gain access to funded accounts backed by Topstep’s capital. Via their flagship program, the Trading Combine, traders get to experience a three-step evaluation process that includes no time limits and a generous profit split.

They’ve made for themselves a great reputation with clients having collectively withdrawn over $9 million in profits since 2020, Topstep has proven its commitment to trader success through an industry-leading profit sharing structure.

Nonetheless, traders are limited to futures trading products, no stocks or forex here. They require you to flatten positions at the end of the day, so you can’t hold overnight trades. They show more care to their traders with a robust ecosystem and performance rewards.

Key Trading Specifications

Feature	Details
Pricing	Monthly subscription begins at $149 (per Express account), plus a one‑time $149 activation fee once funded.
Profit Split	Keep 100% of payouts until total withdrawals reach $10,000, then the split becomes 90/10.
Trading Period Rules	No time limits, futures only, and positions must be flattened daily.
Payout Process	50% later than 5 winning days, 100% later than 30 days, $200+ daily profit qualifies as winning day.

5. The Funded Trader

This firm is quite beginner-friendly and offers multiple trading programs designed to assist skilled traders access funded accounts and earn profits from their trading performance. They also offer an account scaling pathway based on performance and specific requirements.

The firm has a somewhat gamified structure with a variety of evaluation paths from Knight, Rapid, Royal, Dragon, to others, traders can enjoy diverse profit targets, drawdown rules, and payout timelines. Once you pass, you trade on funded accounts with simulated capital and keep up to 90–95% of profits.

As for trading, all trading is conducted on demo accounts with real profit-sharing based on simulated performance. Traders can get anytime payouts which are available on certain programs.

Key Trading Specifications

Feature	Details
Pricing	Described as “lowest prices in the industry” – specific tiers vary by program.
Profit Split	begin with an 80–90% profit split. Consistent traders can scale up to 95% on larger accounts .
Trading Period Rules	Varies by program (Single-phase for Knight Pro, multi-phase for others).
Payout Process	Anytime payouts available (Knight Pro), requires verification, no open positions, balance above begining level.

Comparison of the Best Prop Trading Firms

The firms we’ve carefully selected are some of the best you can give a try at in the industry. However, to view how diverse they are and which one will serve your purposes best, we’ve made a prop firm comparison table below.

Prop Trading Firm	Pricing	Profit Split	Trading Period Rules	Payout Process
OneFunded	begins from $25. Challenge fees are refunded on the first payout, with competitive entry costs across all models.	Scales with account size (up to 100K). 80% trader / 20% firm split with no hidden fees.	Unlimited time for evaluations with no artificial deadlines creating unnecessary pressure, with a 100% refundable fee structure.	later than your first payout, you can request further payouts for every 14 days
FTMO	The cost of the FTMO Challenge is refunded with the first payout from the FTMO Account.	begins at 80%, rises to 90% under Scaling Plan (25% account growth over 4 months, 2+ payouts).	No time limit for completion, minimum 4 trading days required for each phase.	Available later than 14 days
FundedNext	Challenge fees refunded on first payout, with competitive entry costs across all models.	70-80% base split, scaling up to 95% for top performers.	No time limits, minimum 5 trades required, no consecutive trading day requirements.	First payout later than 5 trading days, 24-48 hour account setup later than verification.
Topstep	Monthly subscription begins at $149 (per Express account), plus a one‑time $149 activation fee once funded.	Keep 100% of payouts until total withdrawals reach $10,000, then the split becomes 90/10.	No time limits, futures only, and positions must be flattened daily.	50% later than 5 winning days, 100% later than 30 days, $200+ daily profit qualifies as winning day.
The Funded Trader	Described as “lowest prices in the industry” – specific tiers vary by program.	begin with an 80–90% profit split. Consistent traders can scale up to 95% on larger accounts.	Varies by program (Single-phase for Knight Pro, multi-phase for others).	Anytime payouts available (Knight Pro), requires verification, no open positions, balance above begining level.

How We Choose The Top Prop Trading Firms

Perhaps you’re wondering how we choose these top prop trading firms, we’ve discussed how we made our choice. You can also use our criteria to vet our choice so you can also be assured.  

1. Reputation

We check and verify the reputation of a company before we recommend them as a top prop trading firm. The firm’s reputation says much about it before a trader even uses it. As a result, the firm’s reputation shows how honest, dependable, and long-lasting it will be in the market.

We pick established firms with a longer track record that indicate stability and reliability. We do this by checking independent review platforms, forums, and social media for authentic trader experiences.

If a prop trading firm has awards, certifications, or recognition from reputable trading organizations this bolsters their reputation. Another consideration is if these firms openly share their policies, rules, and procedures that demonstrate trustworthiness.

OneFunded has proven to be one of more reliable prop firms in addition to others like FTMO and FundedNext, who’ve been in the industry for close to a decade or more.

2. Payout Reliability and Speed

Traders and also firms are always on the lookout for profits. As a trader, the ability to receive your profits consistently and promptly is crucial for sustainable trading success. That’s another factor we are particular about.

Moreover, depending on the firm’s regulations and transaction system, it’ll determine how quick you can withdraw your funds.

3. Trading Rules and Restrictions

Each and every firm has varying rules that can significantly impact your trading strategy and profitability. Some are more generous with trading rules and beginner friendly like OneFunded and FTMO with their demo account, and The Funded Trader with their simulated capital.

 It’s best to pick firms with realistic targets that align with your trading style. Then check if there are restrictions on when you can trade Topstep restricting overnight trades.

4. Cost Structure and Fees

The cost structure is also significant as this field requires you to understand the cost structure so you can make estimations as to your potential profits.

So, we take the fees associated with the evaluations into account, for instance if it’s a one time payment and whether it’s refundable. Meanwhile, we have to ensure that there are no hidden fees for withdrawals, inactivity, or other services, and all ongoing costs for maintaining funded accounts are clear to traders.

5. Account Sizes and Scaling Opportunities

Scaling is another factor that we consider because it shows that the firm has plans for you and your account with them to grow. The growth potential and available capital are key for your long-term success.

Considerably, OneFunded presents an simple path to scale up your account. This also goes for FTMO and FundedNext. Scaling up comes with increased profit share to you as a trader 

6. Support and Community

Beyond all this, traders ought to have access to support from the firm and also a community to assist them through the ahead stages and hard times when trading. With excellent support and a positive trading environment, you can enhance your success.

Some of these support include:

• Customer service
• Educational resources
• Active trader community
• Mentorship

Making Your Decision

In the end, you’ll have to pick a firm and begin trading. In the spirit of making the right decision, consider the following tips.

• Never rush your decision, so take time to research thoroughly on the firm.
• Consider begining with smaller account sizes to test the firm’s reliability.
• Stay informed about industry changes and firm updates.
• You should also be ready to switch companies if the one you choose doesn’t live up to your expectations.

Final Thoughts 

Prop trading firms like OneFunded and others are some of the best in the industry for you to use trading shares, stock and even forex.

With our assist and also your discretion, you should make the right decision for your trading career by picking a prop trading firm with you as a trader in mind.

FAQs

Which Prop Trading Firm Should I Use As A Beginner?

As a beginner, you should look for companies that have flexible evaluation periods, educational materials, and a supportive trading environment. 

For example, companies that say “no pressure from time constraints” and offer adequate learning materials, like OneFunded, are usually better for people who are just begining out in prop trading.

How Much Does It Cost To Join A Prop Trading Firm?

The cost of firm can be very diverse depending on the firm and the size of the account you want to open. Most companies charge an initial evaluation fee that is usually between $100 and $500 for smaller accounts. The fee goes up for larger accounts.

Some companies also charge monthly platform or data fees, which can be anywhere from $10 to $50 a month. But be careful of companies that charge too many hidden fees or don’t give you your money back if you finish their challenges.

What Happens If I Lose Money While Trading With A Prop Firm?

When you trade with a prop firm, the most you can lose is usually the evaluation fee you paid up front. This is very diverse from trading with your own money, where you could lose all of your account balance.

Prop firms have strict rules for managing risk, such as daily loss limits (usually 3–5% of the account balance) and maximum drawdown limits (usually 6–10% of the account balance). If you reach these limits, your account will be closed, but you won’t have to pay the company any more money than the fee you already paid.

How Long Does It Take to Get Funded By A Prop Trading Firm?

The time it takes to get funding depends on how the firm evaluates you and how well you trade. Most firms use a one-step or two-step evaluation process. Topstep is diverse from other firms because it has a three-step process.

later than the evaluation, the firms will give you a funded account within 24 to 48 hours. However, some other firms may take up to a week to set up your live trading account.

Can I Trade Multiple Prop Firm Accounts Simultaneously?

Most prop firms let traders open more than one account, either with the identical firm or with diverse ones. But there are some significant rules and things to think about.

Some companies propose that copy trading, or using the identical strategies on more than one account, is not allowed because it can lead to correlation risk. So, read the terms and conditions of each company carefully to be secure. Some may require you to tell them about other trades you do or have rules about having more than one account.