10 Best Funded Trader Programs of 2026

Funded trader programs offer the best of both worlds. You can make money doing something you love while at the same time not risking any of your capital. But what are the best funded trader programs, what funded trading accounts are available, and how do the prop firms compare? Let’s go through the list of all prop firms, their evaluations, accounts, and their pros and cons.

best funded trader programs

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Best Funded Trader Programs

1. TradeDay

TradeDay has shaped the futures prop firm space since its founding in 2020 by James Thorpe and Steve Miley. The recently launched TradeDay 2.0 keeps what made it popular, day-one payouts and multiple funded accounts, while adding a faster FastPass route and lower entry pricing from $62.50.

tradeday
  • Account sizes are $50,000, $100,000 and $150,000
  • Intraday and end-of-day drawdown accounts are available
  • The minimum number of trading days is 5 on QuickPay (no minimum on FastPass)
  • The profit split is 80/20 – 90/10 on FastPass , and 50/50 – 90/10 on Quick Pay
  • Traders can have up to 6 accounts at the same time
  • No activation fee

Trading Platforms

During signup, traders can choose between Tradovate, NinjaTrader, Jigsaw and TradingView.

Credibility Check

The company discloses the contact information of TradeDay LLC on the 2nd Floor, 412 S. Wells, Chicago, Illinois 60607. You can reach them via support@tradeday.com, phone, and chat. The rating on Trustpilot is currently 4.6/5, with 1,348 ratings.

Costs

TradeDay 2.0 offers three account sizes, the 50K, 100K and 150K, each available with an intraday or end-of-day drawdown calculation. With the current 50% discount, the 50K accounts start at $62.50 per month. There is no activation fee.

Payments

The membership is billed as a monthly subscription that renews every 30 days until the trader passes or cancels. Payouts are processed through Riseworks via bank wire or crypto, with US bank wire withdrawals free, international wires at $15, and a $250 minimum payout request with no buffer to clear on Quick Pay.

Pros:

  • Day-one payouts on the Quick Pay model with no buffer to clear
  • Up to 6 accounts can be traded at the same time
  • Choice of intraday or end-of-day drawdown with a good mix of supported platforms

Cons:

  • The minimum withdrawal amount is $250

Special Offer: Accounts are currently 50% off, starting at $62.50 per month, with no activation fee once funded. You can also trade up to 6 accounts at the same time and choose your preferred drawdown type

TradeDay: 50% Off & No Activation Fee

Read our TradeDay review for more insights about this prop firm and funded trader programs.

2. Funded Trading Plus

Funded Trading Plus is a forex prop firm based in the United Kingdom that runs its funded programs in a simulated environment. They offer a wide range of accounts, including instant funding, but also 1-step and 2-step challenges with a reward split of 80%-100%.

Funded Trading Plus
  • Account sizes range from $5,000 to $200,000, with scaling up to $5,000,000
  • The instant and 1-step accounts use a trailing maximum loss; the 2-step uses a permanent static drawdown
  • No minimum trading days, with rewards from day one on the 1-step
  • The reward split starts at 80% and can be raised to 100%
  • Instant funding, 1-step, and 2-step challenges available

Trading Platforms

Depending on location, traders can use MetaTrader 5, Match-Trader, cTrader, DXtrade, or TradingView. US-based traders trade on Match-Trader, as MetaTrader and cTrader are not available to US residents.

Credibility Check

The program is operated by Acello Ltd, trading as Funded Trading Plus, a company registered in England and Wales (number 12696083) at 30 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7AU. The brand traces back to Trade Room Plus, founded in 2013, and has run its prop firm since 2021. You can reach the team via 24/7 live chat and support@fundedtradingplus.com. The rating on Trustpilot is currently 4.4/5, with 2,653 ratings.

Costs

Funded Trading Plus runs three routes. Instant Funding covers $5,000 to $100,000 and costs $249 to $4,499, with a 6% daily and 6% trailing maximum loss. The 1-Step Express covers $10,000 to $200,000 and costs $99 to $999, using a single 10% profit target with a 4% daily and 6% trailing loss. The 2-Step Classic covers $10,000 to $200,000 and costs $89 to $549, using two 7% targets with a 4% daily and an 8% permanent static drawdown, plus a consistency rule (35% in evaluation, 50% once funded). Optional add-ons lift the split to 90%, shorten the reward cycle to every 3 days, or unlock scaling up to $5,000,000.

Payments

Payments are made at checkout by card or crypto. Payouts are processed via bank transfer and crypto, with a $50 minimum withdrawal. The first reward can be requested from day one on the 1-step, then every 7 days.

Pros:

  • US traders are accepted directly and trade on Match-Trader, with no offshore broker workaround
  • The reward split starts at 80% and can reach 100%, with rewards available from day one
  • A wide choice of challenge types and account sizes up to $200,000, scalable much further

Cons:

  • The account breaches on inactivity after 30 days without trading
  • The 2-step carries a consistency rule (35% in evaluation, 50% once funded)

Special Offer: Get 20% off all accounts up to $100K by using the coupon code “DTFTP” (in the checkout form, there is a field “Have a coupon? Click here to enter your code”. Click on it and enter the code there. Then click apply coupon.)

Visit FundedTradingPlus.com

Our Funded Trading Plus review get’s into more details.

3. Earn2Trade

Earn2Trade connects traders with a proprietary trading partner. Those who pass the evaluation receive a guaranteed funding offer. Earn2Trade offers two flexible funded trading evaluation programs, the Trader Career Path and the Gauntlet Mini.

earn2trade

In the Earn2Trade Trader Career Path, traders pick a starting level of $25,000 (TCP25), $50,000 (TCP50), or $100,000 (TCP100), pass a one-step evaluation, and then move to a funded account that grows through a progression plan. A TCP25 scales up to $200,000, while the TCP50 and TCP100 scale up to $400,000.

The Earn2Trade Gauntlet Mini is a 1-step program with account sizes from $50,000 to $200,000. Traders pay a monthly fee, complete a minimum of 10 trading days, and trade according to the rules.

Rules

  • The minimum number of trading days is 10, traded during approved times
  • Drawdown type depends on the program: the Gauntlet Mini and the TCP25 use an end-of-day drawdown, while the TCP50 and TCP100 use a trailing drawdown
  • Earn2Trade processes payouts weekly, on Wednesdays ($100 minimum)
  • The profit split is 80/20, so traders keep 80% of profits
  • Traders follow the progression ladder while maintaining consistency

Trading lessons, webinars, and access to Journalytix are included in the monthly price. After completion, traders receive an offer for a funded account.

Trading Platforms

Around 20 platforms can be used. NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, R|Trader, and Finamark are free during the evaluation, and others such as MultiCharts, Bookmap, Jigsaw Trading, ATAS, Sierra Chart, and Quantower are supported with the trader’s own license.

Credibility Check

The company operates as Earn2Trade LLC, with a registered office at 30 N Gould St STE 4000, Sheridan, WY 82801, USA. You can reach the team via email at support@earn2trade.com. Earn2Trade’s rating on Trustpilot is currently 4.7/5, based on 4,829 reviews.

Costs

The Trader Career Path is billed monthly: the TCP25 is $150, the TCP50 is $190, and the TCP100 is $350 per month. The Gauntlet Mini runs from $170 per month for the $50,000 account up to $550 per month for the largest size. A one-time $139 activation fee applies to non-professional LiveSim accounts and is deducted from the first withdrawal.

Payments

Payments to Earn2Trade are made via credit card, debit card, and PayPal. Payouts are processed weekly through Rise, Deel, Bayzat, or direct crypto, depending on region, with a $100 minimum. Gauntlet Mini LiveSim withdrawals are capped at $4,000 until the account moves to a live account.

Pros:

  • A structured growth plan that scales funded accounts up to $400,000
  • A large selection of free platforms, plus more than 15 others supported
  • A guaranteed funding offer from the proprietary trading partner on passing

Cons:

  • Gauntlet Mini LiveSim withdrawals are capped at $4,000 until moved to a live account
Earn2Trade: 50% off with the discount code DISCOUNT

Read our Earn2Trade review for more insights about this prop firm and funded trader programs.

4. FundedNext

FundedNext is a global prop firm that funds traders on both forex/CFD and futures accounts, and it is one of the few large firms to openly welcome US traders on both sides. With more than 69,000 Trustpilot reviews, it also has the deepest public track record of any firm on this list.

fundednext
  • US traders are accepted directly: CFD accounts run on Match-Trader, while futures accounts are natively US-accessible
  • CFD (Stellar) account sizes run from $6,000 to $200,000; futures challenges from $25,000 to $150,000
  • Profit split is up to 95% on CFD accounts, and 80% on futures, rising to 90% with the Flex add-on
  • One-step and two-step CFD models, plus four one-step futures models (Rapid, Legacy, Bolt, Flex)
  • No time limit on the core CFD challenges, with a 5-day minimum on the Stellar 2-Step

Trading Platforms

US-based CFD traders use Match-Trader, since MetaTrader is not available to US residents (traders elsewhere can also use MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView). Futures accounts are traded on platforms such as NinjaTrader.

Credibility Check

FundedNext is operated by GrowthNext F.Z.E., registered in the Ajman Free Zone, United Arab Emirates (registration No. 28831), with affiliated entities FundedNext Limited in Hong Kong and FundedNext Ltd in the Comoros, and payments handled through Incenteco Trading LTD in Cyprus. Support is available via live chat and email. FundedNext’s rating on Trustpilot is currently 4.5/5, based on 69,735 reviews, the largest review base of any firm on this list.

Costs

On the CFD side, the Stellar 2-Step starts at $59.99 for a $6,000 account and uses an 8% then 5% profit target with a 10% maximum loss and a 5% daily loss limit. Futures challenges are charged as one-time fees: the Legacy from $79.99, the Flex from $69.99 (launch price), and the Rapid and Bolt from $99.99, across $25,000 to $150,000 accounts.

Payments

CFD payouts can be requested after 10 trading days, then on a bi-weekly or monthly cycle, with a $100 minimum. Futures performance rewards carry a $250 minimum and are paid through RiseWorks or crypto (USDT/USDC), with a processing fee of up to 3.5%.

Pros:

  • One of the only large global prop firms to openly serve US traders on both forex/CFD and futures, with no offshore broker workaround
  • An enormous, well-established track record (69,000+ Trustpilot reviews) and a high CFD profit split of up to 95%
  • A wide range of models and account sizes across two asset classes

Cons:

  • Futures withdrawals require a $250 minimum and carry a processing fee of up to 3.5%

See Also: FundedNext funded account review

5. My Funded Futures

My Funded Futures is a US-based futures prop firm that has built its reputation on fast, frequent payouts. It runs a single standardized evaluation feeding several funded plan options, and it holds the highest Trustpilot score of any firm on this list.

my funded futures
  • Account sizes of $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, and $150,000
  • A 2-day minimum evaluation with a 50% consistency rule (evaluation only) and no daily loss limit
  • Several funded plans: Rapid (90/10 split, daily payouts), Pro (80/20, larger caps), and Flex (80/20, smaller accounts)
  • No activation fee on any plan
  • Profit targets scale from $1,500 on the $25K account up to $9,000 on the $150K

Trading Platforms

Traders can use NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, and Quantower. Only futures listed on the CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX exchanges are available to trade.

Credibility Check

The firm operates as MyFunded Futures, LLC. It does not publish a registered office address on its website, which is worth noting, though it discloses detailed program performance statistics and is contactable at support@myfundedfutures.com alongside an active Discord and social presence. My Funded Futures’ rating on Trustpilot is currently 4.9/5, based on 18,761 reviews, the highest score of any firm on this list.

Costs

Pricing is a monthly subscription with no activation fee. The flagship Rapid plan runs $157 per month for the $50,000 account, often discounted through promotions, with the other sizes priced proportionally. The evaluation uses an end-of-day drawdown, while the Rapid funded account switches to an intraday trailing drawdown that follows the equity high and then locks permanently once it sits $100 above the starting balance.

Payments

Payout terms depend on the plan. Rapid pays daily, with a $500 minimum once a buffer is built (for example $2,100 on the $50K account) and a 90/10 split. The Pro plan pays every 14 days with a $1,000 minimum and an 80/20 split, while the Flex plan pays after 5 winning days with a $250 minimum. Most payout requests are approved instantly.

Pros:

  • Daily payouts and a 90/10 split on the Rapid plan, with no activation fee on any account
  • A fast 2-day evaluation with no daily loss limit
  • The highest Trustpilot rating on this list, 4.9 across more than 18,000 reviews

Cons:

  • The Rapid funded account uses an intraday trailing drawdown, stricter than a static or end-of-day limit until it locks
  • A profit buffer must be built before the first payout, for example $2,100 on the $50K Rapid
  • The company does not publish a registered office address

Read our My Funded Futures review for more insights.

6. Lucid Trading

Lucid Trading is a fast-growing US-based futures prop firm that has made same-day payouts and one-time pricing its calling card. It launched in 2025, making it the youngest firm on this list, but it has scaled quickly and built a strong early payout reputation.

lucid trading
  • One-time account fees with no monthly subscription and free funded-account activation
  • Account sizes of $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, and $150,000
  • A 90/10 profit split, with the LucidDirect plan paying 100% of the first $10,000
  • End-of-day drawdown across plans, with no daily loss limit on the LucidFlex evaluation
  • Three main paths: LucidPro (lower-cost evaluation), LucidFlex (most flexible rules), and LucidDirect (straight-to-funded)

Trading Platforms

Supported platforms include NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Quantower, Sierra Chart, Tradesea, and Rithmic. Only futures listed on the CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX exchanges are available to trade.

Credibility Check

Lucid Trading is based in Dover, Delaware (3500 S Dupont Hwy, Dover DE 19901). The firm reports more than $150 million paid to traders and over 250,000 sign-ups, with support through live chat and an active Discord community. Its rating on Trustpilot is currently 4.7/5, based on 4,120 reviews, a strong figure for a firm this young.

Costs

Every account is a one-time purchase with no recurring fees. The entry-level LucidPro evaluation runs from $135 for the $25,000 account up to $370 for the $150,000, while the more flexible LucidFlex and the straight-to-funded LucidDirect are priced higher (a LucidFlex $50,000, for example, is $225). The VAULT coupon lowers those at checkout, taking a LucidPro $50,000 from $185 to $129.50. Resets are a flat fee by size, from $90 to $245.

Payments

Payouts are a standout. The firm advertises an average payout time of around 15 minutes and allows daily withdrawals once funded, with no payout windows. US traders withdraw through instant Plaid bank transfers or WorkMarket by ADP (bank transfer or PayPal), while international traders can use crypto.

Pros:

  • One-time pricing with no monthly fees, free activation, and very fast, often same-day, payouts
  • A 90/10 profit split, with LucidDirect paying 100% of the first $10,000
  • A strong 4.7 Trustpilot rating built quickly across thousands of reviews

Cons:

  • The newest firm on this list, with roughly a year of operating history, so its long-term track record is still unproven
  • The straight-to-funded LucidDirect carries stricter rules and longer payout delays than the evaluation route
  • Profit is earned in a simulated environment and must clear move-to-live steps before reaching real capital

Our Lucid Trading funded account review explains the details.

7. Tradeify

Tradeify is a US-based futures prop firm that stands out for a reason most of its rivals cannot match: the company behind it is a CFTC-registered introducing broker and a National Futures Association member. In a category where most firms operate with no regulatory footprint at all, that is a meaningful credibility signal.

tradeify

Only two futures trading challenges are one-step challenges, which we will focus on.

  • Three account paths: Growth (evaluation), Select (evaluation with a payout choice), and Lightning (instant funding, no evaluation)
  • Account sizes of $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, and $150,000, all one-time purchases with no activation fee
  • A 90/10 profit split on all simulated funded accounts
  • An end-of-day trailing drawdown that locks once profit exceeds the starting drawdown by $100
  • Backed by a CFTC-registered introducing broker and NFA member

Trading Platforms

At checkout, traders choose a broker connection: Tradovate (which unlocks NinjaTrader and TradingView), Rithmic (Tradesea, Quantower, Sierra Chart, and R|Trader), or WealthCharts. Only CME-group futures are traded, and non-professional market data is free once the data agreement is signed.

Credibility Check

Tradeify is operated by Tradeify Holdings, Corp, with its brokerage arm Tradeify Brokerage LLC (doing business as Slay Markets) registered with the CFTC as an introducing broker and a member of the National Futures Association (NFA ID 0575972). Its principal place of business is 1700 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 305, Boca Raton, Florida. That regulated standing is rare in the prop space and is the single biggest reason to take Tradeify seriously. Its rating on Trustpilot is currently 4.6/5, based on 2,859 reviews.

Costs

Every plan is a one-time purchase with no activation fee. The Growth evaluation is the cheapest route, running from $99 for the $25,000 account to $369 for the $150,000. The Select evaluation, which drops the daily loss limit and lets traders pick a Daily or Flex payout path after passing, runs from $109 to $369. Lightning Funded skips the evaluation entirely and funds instantly, priced from $345 for the $25,000 up to $796 for the $150,000, with no resets available if the account fails.

Payments

Payouts are processed through Rise, the main method, or Plane. The Lightning and Select Daily paths allow daily payout eligibility, while the Growth path requires hitting a profit threshold (from $100 on the $25K up to $250 on the $150K) before a withdrawal. All simulated funded accounts pay at the 90/10 split.

Pros:

  • The operating company is a CFTC-registered introducing broker and NFA member, a level of regulatory standing almost no competing prop firm has
  • Three genuinely different paths, including true instant funding, all at a 90/10 split with no activation fees
  • A wide platform choice across Tradovate, Rithmic, and WealthCharts connections

Cons:

  • The drawdown is an end-of-day trailing model rather than a static limit, so the floor climbs with profits until it locks
  • Lightning Funded accounts have no resets, so a failed account must be repurchased at full price, and Lightning is the most expensive route
  • Profit is earned in a simulated environment, with real capital reached only through the Elite live program

See Also: Tradeify review

8. Apex Trader Funding

Apex Trader Funding is the most popular futures prop firm in the US by sheer volume, and in early 2026 it rebuilt its entire model. The new “Apex 3.0” lineup replaces monthly subscriptions with one-time fees, simplifies the rulebook, and lets sim-funded traders keep 100% of their requested payouts.

apex trader funding
  • One-time evaluation fees with no recurring billing on all new accounts
  • A choice between End-of-Day and Intraday trailing-drawdown products
  • Account sizes of $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, and $150,000
  • 100% of requested rewards on sim-funded accounts, with a 90/10 split only at the live stage
  • Up to 20 accounts, payouts every 5 trading days, and a 50% consistency rule
  • As little as one day to pass, with no consistency rule during the evaluation

Trading Platforms

At signup, traders choose a broker connection: Rithmic, Tradovate, or WealthCharts. These unlock platforms including NinjaTrader, TradingView, Quantower, and Sierra Chart. Apex is futures-only, covering equity, currency, energy, metal, agricultural, micro, and crypto futures across the CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX, plus EUREX products on Tradovate.

Credibility Check

Apex Trader Funding Inc. was founded in 2021 by CEO Darrell Martin and is based at 2028 E. Ben White Blvd, Ste 240-9873, Austin, TX 78741, focusing exclusively on the futures markets. It is one of the largest firms in the space, reporting more than $500 million paid to traders since 2022. Its rating on Trustpilot is currently 4.3/5, based on 19,436 reviews, solid, but lower than the boutique firms ranked above it, which is part of why the 3.0 overhaul leaned so heavily into “no payout denials” and simpler rules.

Costs

Evaluations are one-time purchases with 30 days of access and no resets, and Apex runs a near-permanent discount code worth around 90% off. The Intraday-drawdown evaluation starts at $199 for the $25,000 account (about $19.90 with the code), while the more forgiving EOD-drawdown version of that size lists at $390 (about $39). Prices scale up with account size, with the $150,000 EOD evaluation listing at $1,090, or roughly $109 with the code. A small one-time activation fee (recently $69) applies when moving to the funded Performance Account, unless the higher “No Activation Fee” purchase option is chosen at checkout.

Payments

Sim-funded traders can request a payout every 5 trading days and keep 100% of the requested amount, subject to a 50% consistency rule and a minimum daily profit requirement on qualifying days. Apex 3.0 removed the old payout-denial reviews, the MAE rule, and the 5:1 risk-reward rule. US traders are paid by ACH, and international traders via Plane.

Pros:

  • A genuinely simplified 2026 rulebook: no payout denials, no MAE rule, no 5:1 risk-reward rule, and one-time fees instead of subscriptions
  • Sim-funded traders keep 100% of requested payouts, with the 90/10 split only at the live stage
  • Huge scale and track record, with over $500 million paid since 2022 and a choice of EOD or Intraday drawdown

Cons:

  • The 4.3 Trustpilot rating is the lowest among our top eight, reflecting a history of payout-process friction that the 3.0 changes aim to fix
  • The EOD-drawdown evaluations cost noticeably more than the Intraday versions, and the headline prices depend on heavy, near-permanent coupons
  • A 50% consistency rule and a minimum-daily-profit requirement still gate payouts

See Also: Apex Trader Funding Review

9. Take Profit Trader

Take Profit Trader built its name on one thing: getting traders paid fast. This US-based futures prop firm lets PRO traders withdraw profits from day one, with no payout windows and no minimum number of profitable days, which is still its single biggest selling point.

take profit trader
  • A one-step model: pass a Test, become a sim-funded PRO trader, then upgrade to a live PRO+ account
  • Account sizes of $25,000, $50,000, $75,000, $100,000, and $150,000
  • Day-one withdrawals on PRO accounts with no payout window and no maximum
  • An 80/20 split on PRO accounts, rising to 90/10 on live PRO+ accounts
  • Up to 5 funded accounts, in any mix of PRO and PRO+

Trading Platforms

Take Profit Trader connects to 15+ platforms through CQG, Rithmic, and Tradovate data feeds, including NinjaTrader, TradingView, Tradovate, R|Trader, Quantower, and MotiveWave. It trades futures only, and round-turn commissions run $5.00 on minis and $0.50 on micros.

Credibility Check

Take Profit Trader is operated by TakeProfitTrader LLC and was founded by James Sixsmith, with the founders featured in outlets including CNBC, Forbes, and Business Insider. The firm is upfront that it is not a broker and is not itself regulated, routing all orders through regulated brokers and CME-approved data providers (Tradovate, NinjaTrader, and Rithmic). Its rating on Trustpilot is currently 4.4/5, based on 9,523 reviews.

Costs

Take Profit Trader uses a monthly subscription for the Test rather than a one-time fee. The Test runs $150/month for the $25,000 account, $170 for the $50,000, $245 for the $75,000, $330 for the $100,000, and $360 for the $150,000. Once a trader passes, the PRO account carries a single one-time $130 fee with no further monthly billing, and up to 3 PRO account resets are available. As a representative example, the $50,000 Test requires a $3,000 profit target against a $2,000 end-of-day trailing drawdown, trading up to 6 minis or 60 micros.

Payments

PRO traders can withdraw from day one, with no minimum profitable days, no maximum withdrawal, and no payout window, the policy the firm is known for. Withdrawals are paid through Plaid to US bank accounts, or via PayPal or Wise, typically within one business day. PRO accounts pay at 80/20 and carry a buffer requirement, meaning profits can be withdrawn above a required cushion; the live PRO+ stage removes the buffer and raises the split to 90/10.

Pros:

  • Genuine day-one payouts with no payout window, no minimum days, and no withdrawal cap, still among the most trader-friendly policies in the category
  • The PRO account is a one-time $130 fee with no recurring billing, and up to 3 resets are available
  • A large, established review base at a solid 4.4 Trustpilot rating

Cons:

  • The Test is billed monthly, unlike the one-time-fee model most competitors have moved to, so a slow pass costs more
  • The sim-funded PRO stage pays only 80/20 and adds an intraday drawdown plus a buffer requirement; the easier 90/10, no-buffer, end-of-day setup arrives only at the live PRO+ stage
  • The firm is explicitly unregulated, relying on its broker and data partners for oversight

See Also: Take Profit Trader explained

10. Topstep

Topstep is the firm that effectively created the futures prop model, and it remains the most established name in the category.

topstep

This Chicago-based futures prop firm has paid out more than $1.4 billion since its early days and still runs one of the most recognized programs in the industry, though newer competitors have caught and passed it on cost and flexibility.

  • A 1-step program: pass a single Trading Combine, then trade a funded account and earn payouts
  • Account sizes of $50,000, $100,000, and $150,000
  • A 90/10 profit split, with traders keeping 100% of their first $10,000 in lifetime profits
  • An end-of-day trailing Maximum Loss Limit, the firm’s single core rule
  • Instant payouts and a proprietary platform, TopstepX

Trading Platforms

Topstep trades CME-group futures through its own proprietary platform, TopstepX. TopstepX is built around the firm’s risk rules, with integrated journaling and discipline tools.

Credibility Check

Topstep is operated by Topstep LLC and is based in Chicago, with roots going back to the 2010 founding of Patak Trading Partners, giving it roughly 15 years of operating history, far longer than any other firm on this list. It reports more than $1.4 billion paid to traders, a 92.26% payout approval rate, and a community of over 200,000 traders. Its rating on Trustpilot is currently 3.5/5, based on 14,140 reviews, the lowest score in this roundup and the only “Average” rather than “Excellent” rating here. Some of that reflects the firm’s age and scale, since a longer history and larger base accumulate more complaints, but it also points to real friction that the streamlined newcomers above have largely avoided.

Costs

The Trading Combine is a monthly subscription rather than a one-time fee. On the Standard path it runs $85/month for the $50,000 account, $129 for the $100,000, and $199 for the $150,000, with a one-time funded-account activation fee paid only after passing. A “No Activation Fee” path costs slightly more per month ($95, $149, and $229) but removes that post-pass fee. Each rebill includes a monthly reset credit, and resets otherwise cost the same as the monthly price. As a representative example, the $50,000 Combine requires a $3,000 profit target against a $2,000 end-of-day Maximum Loss Limit and a 50% consistency target, trading up to 5 minis or 50 micros.

Payments

Funded traders keep 90% of profits (100% of the first $10,000 in lifetime profits), with a $125 minimum payout and approved payouts paid instantly. Payouts can be requested in as little as 3 days and are withdrawable from any funded account, subject to payout caps that scale by account size. An optional “Responsible Trading Advantage” adds a daily loss limit in exchange for doubled payout caps and a monthly discount. Traders qualify for payouts either through 5 winning days of $150 or more, or through a consistency path that keeps the best day within 40% of total profit.

Pros:

  • The longest track record in the category, with more than $1.4 billion paid and a stated 92% payout approval rate
  • A trader-friendly end-of-day trailing drawdown and 100% of the first $10,000 in profits kept
  • A polished proprietary platform in TopstepX, plus instant payouts and strong educational resources

Cons:

  • The 3.5 Trustpilot rating is the lowest in this roundup and the only “Average” score, a real gap against the boutique firms above it
  • A monthly-subscription model and payout caps that look expensive and restrictive next to the one-time-fee, higher-cap newcomers
  • Only three account sizes, with no $25,000 entry point for smaller or newer traders

See Also: Topstep Review

Bottom Line

Funded trader programs remain one of the lowest-risk ways to trade meaningful size. Instead of putting personal capital on the line, a trader risks only the cost of an evaluation, and in return gets access to firm capital, professional platforms, and a clear, rules-based path to payouts. The trade-off is that every firm enforces drawdown limits, consistency rules, and payout mechanics that materially shape what an account is actually worth, which is exactly why the differences between these firms matter.

For futures traders, TradeDay is the top pick. Its rebuilt 2.0 program pairs a choice of drawdown styles with fast, no-buffer payouts and a strong Trustpilot record, and it does so without the gimmicks that weigh down larger competitors. My Funded Futures is the runner-up, carrying the highest rating in the group and a flexible set of plans that suit both fast-payout and slower, larger-account styles. Traders who want a forex option alongside futures are best served by FundedNext, while anyone prioritizing raw scale and the longest track record can still look to Apex or Topstep, provided they accept the trade-offs in cost and rules that pushed those firms down the list.

Choosing the right program comes down to matching a firm’s rules to a trading style: drawdown type, payout speed, consistency requirements, and cost all weigh differently depending on how a trader actually operates. If you want to get into more details about prop trading, you can read our guide about what is a prop trading firm and how does prop trading work.

Top Offers

If you are looking for a funded trader account with an excellent price-performance ratio, you may focus on TradeDay and Earn2Trade:

Comparison

Tradeable Assets and Profit Share

Funded Trading ProgramsTradeable AssetsProfit Share
TradeDayFutures80%-90%
Funded Trading PlusForex80%-100%
Earn2TradeFutures80%
FundedNextForex & Futures80%-95%
My Funded FuturesFutures80%-90%
Lucid TradingFutures90%-100%
TradeifyFutures80%-90%
Apex Trader FundingFutures90%-100%
Take Profit TraderFutures80%-90%
TopstepFutures90%-100%

Free Trial and Discounts

Funded Trader ProgramsFree TrialDiscount
TradeDay50% off
Funded Trading Plus20% off (code DTFTP)
Earn2Trade50% off
FundedNext
My Funded Futures
Lucid Trading
Tradeify
Apex Trader Funding
Take Profit Trader
Topstep

Costs Comparison and Headquarters

Prop FirmCosts for the $50,000 Account (1-Step)Headquarters
TradeDayfrom $62/mUnited States
Funded Trading Plus$349 (one-time)United Kingdom
Earn2Tradefrom $85/mUnited States
FundedNextfrom $69.99 (one-time)United Arab Emirates
My Funded Futures$157/mUnited States
Lucid Trading$185 (one-time)United States
Tradeifyfrom $145 (one-time)United States
Apex Trader Fundingfrom $249 (one-time)United States
Take Profit Trader$170/mUnited States
Topstepfrom $85/mUnited States

Payment Methods and Withdrawal Methods

Funded Trader ProgramsPayment MethodsWithdrawal Methods
TradeDayCredit card, debit card, PayPalRiseworks (bank transfer, crypto)
Funded Trading PlusCredit card, debit card, cryptoBank transfer, crypto
Earn2TradeCredit card, debit card, PayPalRise, Deel, crypto
FundedNextCredit card, debit card, cryptoRiseWorks, crypto, bank transfer
My Funded FuturesCredit card, debit cardRise, crypto
Lucid TradingCredit card, debit card, cryptoPlaid (bank), WorkMarket/ADP (bank, PayPal), crypto
TradeifyCredit card, debit card, cryptoRise, Plane
Apex Trader FundingCredit card, debit cardACH (US), Plane (international)
Take Profit TraderCredit card, debit cardPlaid, PayPal, Wise
TopstepCredit card, debit card, PayPalACH, wire, SWIFT

Futures vs. Forex Funded Accounts

The core differences between futures and forex funded accounts come down to where the instruments trade, how their prices are set, and which platforms a trader can use.

Futures trade on centralized, regulated exchanges such as the CME, which means there is a single official price for each contract at any given moment. A funded trader can verify every fill against the exchange tape and confirm that the entry, exit, and trade-management prices genuinely traded. Forex and CFDs trade over the counter, where each broker or liquidity provider sets its own quotes. That difference matters most inside a simulated challenge, where the price feed a trader is evaluated on can vary from one provider to the next.

That transparency, combined with exchange-level oversight, is a large part of why the futures side of the prop industry has been the more stable one. Several of the most prominent collapses and regulatory actions in this space, including the CFTC’s enforcement action against MyForexFunds, have landed on the forex and CFD side, which is one reason many traders treat established futures firms as the lower-risk option.

None of this makes forex prop trading a poor choice. A forex or CFD program opens up currency pairs, indices, metals, and other markets that futures accounts handle differently, and it suits traders who are already comfortable on MetaTrader-style platforms or who want exposure beyond CME-listed products. Funded Trading Plus and FundedNext both earn their place on this list for that reason, and both accept US traders without an offshore workaround.

For most traders, though, the deciding question is simpler than asset class: which firm offers the fairest drawdown rules, the most reliable payouts, and the track record to back them up. That is the lens this list is built around.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best funded trader program?

For futures traders, TradeDay is the top pick, pairing a choice of intraday or end-of-day drawdown with fast, no-buffer day-one payouts, up to 6 accounts, and a strong independent review record. My Funded Futures is the runner-up, with a strong reputation among funded traders and flexible plans for both fast-payout and larger-account styles. Traders who want a forex option alongside futures are best served by FundedNext, while Apex and Topstep suit those prioritizing raw scale and the longest track record.

How do funded trading accounts work?

A trader pays an evaluation fee, proves they can reach a profit target while staying inside drawdown and daily-loss limits, and on passing receives a funded account in exchange for a share of the profits, commonly 80% to 100%. Most funded accounts are simulated, with the firm paying real money on the profits generated rather than placing live market orders. Some firms also offer instant funding that skips the evaluation for a higher upfront fee.

What is the difference between futures and forex funded accounts?

Futures trade on centralized, regulated exchanges such as the CME, so there is a single official price per contract and every fill can be verified against the exchange tape. Forex and CFDs trade over the counter, where each broker or liquidity provider sets its own quotes, a difference that matters most inside a simulated challenge. That transparency is part of why the futures side of the industry has been more stable, with several prominent collapses and regulatory actions landing on the forex and CFD side.

Are funded trader accounts worth it?

For many active traders, yes, because the main benefit is limited risk: a trader pays only an upfront or monthly evaluation fee instead of risking a personal account, and a successful trader keeps up to 90% or more of the profits. The trade-off is that every firm enforces drawdown limits, consistency rules, and payout mechanics that materially shape what an account is worth. The value depends on matching a firm’s rules to a trading style and choosing one with a reliable payout record.