Prop Firm Comparison Table 2026

All Firms Side by Side

Complete overview of major prop firms with key metrics in one comprehensive table

Master Comparison Table: Futures Firms

Firm	Challenge Fee	Max Account	Profit Split	Daily DD	Total DD	Instruments	Best For
TopStep	$225-$399	$200K	80%	5%	10%	Futures	Budget traders
Apex Trader	$349-$499	$200K	80%	5-10%	10%	Futures	Flexibility
Earn2Trade	$298-$398	$200K	80%	5%	10%	Futures	Beginners
Take Profit Trader	$149-$299	$100K	80%	5%	10%	Futures	Cost conscious

Master Comparison Table: Forex Firms

Firm	Challenge Fee	Max Account	Profit Split	Daily DD	Total DD	Instruments	Best For
FTMO	$99-$299	$100K	80%	5%	10%	Forex, Crypto	Budget entry
FundedNext	$249-$499	$200K	80%	6%	10%	Forex, Crypto	Scaling
MyFundedTrader	$99-$299	$100K	80%	5%	10%	Forex, Crypto	Swing traders

                Key Findings 2026: TopStep and Take Profit Trader offer the best value for challenge-based futures trading. FTMO and MyFundedTrader lead in forex with lowest entry costs. FundedNext stands out for traders targeting $200K+ accounts and needing 6% daily drawdown flexibility.
            

Detailed Metrics Explained

Challenge Fee

One-time cost to start the evaluation. Lower fees = more affordable, but may indicate newer or less-established firms. Higher fees often indicate larger, more established firms with better support. For beginners, lower fees reduce risk. For professionals, choose based on firm quality, not just price.

Max Account Size

Largest account size available after scaling. $100K is sufficient for most traders. $200K+ is for serious full-time traders targeting six-figure monthly income. Apex, Earn2Trade, and FundedNext allow $200K—the maximum among challenge firms.

Profit Split

Percentage of profits you keep. 80% is the industry standard across all quality firms. Some instant funding firms offer 70-77%. Higher splits (90%+) are rare and often signal newer, unproven firms. Stick with 80%+ established firms.

Daily Drawdown (DD)

Maximum loss allowed in a single day. 5% is standard. 6% is more forgiving (FundedNext). 10% is very flexible (Apex Plus). Lower drawdown limits = less margin for error on losing days. Choose based on your trading style and risk tolerance.

Total Drawdown

Maximum total loss from peak account balance. 10% is universal across all quality firms. Once exceeded, your account is closed. This is the hard stop that separates successful traders from unsuccessful ones.

Instruments

What you can trade. Futures firms = CME micro futures only. Forex firms = currency pairs, crypto, indices, commodities. Choose based on your specialty. Diversified instruments = more trading opportunities.

Cost Analysis: Total Investment Required

Scenario: Starting with $25K Account

TopStep (Best Budget Choice): $225 challenge fee | $225 total investment

Apex Trader: $349 challenge fee | $349 total investment

FTMO (Best Forex Value): $199 challenge fee | $199 total investment

FundedNext: $349 challenge fee | $349 total investment

Winner: FTMO at $199, followed by TopStep at $225.

Scenario: Full-Time Trading ($100K+ Account)

Challenge Cost: $400-$500 one-time

Monthly Profit (assuming 5% win rate): $5,000/month = $4,000 to you (80%)

ROI Timeline: Challenge pays for itself in less than 1 week

For serious traders, the $400-$500 challenge fee is irrelevant compared to monthly income potential.

How to Choose the Right Firm

Step 1: Determine Your Instrument

Prefer futures? Choose: TopStep, Apex, Earn2Trade, Take Profit Trader
Prefer forex/crypto? Choose: FTMO, FundedNext, MyFundedTrader

Step 2: Set Your Budget

Under $300? Choose: FTMO ($99), TopStep ($225), Take Profit Trader ($149)
$300-$500? Choose: Apex, Earn2Trade, FundedNext

Step 3: Choose Your Flexibility Level

Need more breathing room? Choose: Apex Plus (10% DD) or FundedNext (6% DD)
Standard rules OK? Choose: Any firm with 5% DD

Step 4: Consider Your Trading Style

Day trader/scalper? All firms work, but Apex & FundedNext offer best flexibility
Swing trader? MyFundedTrader best (full overnight flexibility)
Beginner? Earn2Trade (most support) or FTMO (cheapest)

FAQ

Which firm is best for beginners?

Earn2Trade (free practice) or FTMO (lowest cost + good education). Both are beginner-friendly with strong support and educational resources.

Which firm scales fastest?

Apex (8 phases) and FundedNext (8 phases) offer the most aggressive scaling. TopStep's Growth Ladder is more conservative but reliable.

Can I use multiple firms simultaneously?

Yes, absolutely. Many successful traders maintain accounts with 3-5 firms simultaneously to diversify income and leverage each firm's strengths.

Do all firms really pay 80% profits?

Yes, the reputable firms listed all pay 80/20. Be wary of firms claiming 90%+ splits—they often have hidden fees or lower account quality.

What drawdown limit is most forgiving?

6% daily (FundedNext) is more forgiving than 5% (most firms). 10% daily (Apex Plus) is extremely forgiving but costs extra. Choose based on your losing streak tolerance.

Recommended Starting Path

For New Traders: Start with FTMO $5K challenge ($99). Learn, prove your edge. If successful, scale to $25K. Total cost: $298. Low risk, high learning.

For Experienced Traders: Skip to FundedNext $25K ($349) or Apex $50K ($449). You've already proven your edge elsewhere, so pay for the best platforms and scaling opportunities.

For Full-Time Income Seekers: Multi-firm approach: TopStep $50K + FTMO $50K + FundedNext $50K = $150K total capital with ~$500 total cost. Diversifies risk and maximizes income potential.

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