Best Prop Firms in the World: Payouts, Rules and Fees

Best Prop Firms can make the difference between a funded account and a failed challenge, and most traders who fail do not lack skill. They usually pick a firm whose rules, payout process, or fee structure does not suit how they trade. This guide compares five firms on payouts, evaluation rules, platforms, and fees so you can find a good match.

Profit splits across the industry often sit between 80% and 90%, but the headline number is only part of the picture. Payout frequency, minimum withdrawals, and the rules you must follow to keep your account often matter more. Treat the figures below as a snapshot and confirm current terms on each firm’s website before you pay. For background on trading terms, Investopedia is a useful reference.

Best Prop Firms at a Glance

The table below summarizes the headline terms. Use it as a starting point, then check the rules that match your trading style.

GFunded: Strong Education and Scaling

GFunded started as a university project and has grown into one of the most recognized names in the industry. The firm reports more than 3.5 million customers, services in over 140 countries, and more than $500 million paid in rewards. Its learning tools include the GFunded Academy, a Psychology Course, Account MetriX, an Economic Calendar, and a Trading Journal.

Payout Rules

• Profit split: 80% to start, with a chance to reach 90% through the Scaling Plan
• Payout schedule: every two weeks, with rewards taking about 8 hours to process
• Minimum trading period: at least 14 days before you can request a reward
• Withdrawal methods: bank wire, instant transfer via Visa Direct or Mastercard Send (up to $20,000), Skrill, and cryptocurrencies, all without extra fees
• Minimums: $20 closed profit for bank wire, $50 for crypto

Your account must show positive profit with no open positions or pending orders. The “Claim Reward” button appears in Account MetriX after the minimum trading period.

Evaluation Rules

The evaluation has two phases. The Challenge requires a 10% profit target, a 5% maximum daily loss, a 10% maximum total loss, and at least 4 trading days. Verification requires a 5% profit target with the same daily and total loss limits and at least 4 trading days. After passing both and verifying your identity, you receive your GFunded Account.

Platforms and Pricing

GFunded offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and DXtrade. Account fees are one-time and cover both the Challenge and Verification. Your first reward withdrawal refunds these fees, and special deals run on certain sizes, such as the $100,000 Challenge.

Account Size	One-time Fee	Maximum Daily Loss	Maximum Loss	Profit Target (Challenge)	Profit Target (Verification)
$10,000	Varies	$500	$1,000	$1,000	$500
$25,000	Varies	$1,250	$2,500	$2,500	$1,250
$50,000	Varies	$2,500	$5,000	$5,000	$2,500
$100,000	Varies	$5,000	$10,000	$10,000	$5,000
$200,000	Varies	$10,000	$20,000	$20,000	$10,000

Best For

• Disciplined traders: consistency is tracked through a “Discipline Score”
• Growth-oriented traders: the Scaling Plan grows accounts by 25% every 4 months, up to $2 million
• Risk-conscious traders: GFunded does not set universal limits on risk per trade, and focuses on professional behavior instead

Top performers can join the Premium Program for accounts up to $1 million, profit shares up to 90%, and one free GFunded Challenge.

FundedNext: Fast Payouts and Flexible Challenges

FundedNext is a UAE-registered firm that has operated since 2022. It is best known for its guarantee to pay rewards within 24 hours or provide $1,000 extra. The firm reports more than $150 million distributed to over 43,000 traders, and it offers 24/7 support.

Payout Rules

• Profit split: starts at 80% and climbs to 90% through the Scale-Up program, with top traders reaching 95%
• Stellar 1-Step: payouts every 5 business days
• Stellar 2-Step and Stellar Lite: first payout after 21 days, then every 14 days
• Futures accounts: first payout after 10 days
• Daily profit targets apply ($100 for $25K accounts, $200 for $50K and $100K)

Some accounts follow a 40% rule, meaning no single trading day should make up more than 40% of total profit. This encourages balanced trading rather than one large risky move.

Evaluation Rules

Futures challenges use fixed profit targets. Rapid targets are $1,500 (25K), $3,000 (50K), and $5,000 (100K). Legacy targets are $1,250, $2,500, and $6,000 for the same sizes. Maximum loss limits are based on the highest recorded end-of-day balance.

Platforms and Pricing

CFD traders can use MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, or Match-Trader. Futures traders can use Tradovate, NinjaTrader, or TradingView. US clients can only use cTrader and Match-Trader. Futures fees are $109.99 for $25K, $199.99 for $50K, and $279.99 for $100K, and these fees are returned after you pass the challenge.

Account Size	Fee (Stellar 2-Step)	Max Daily Loss	Max Total Loss	Phase 1 Target	Phase 2 Target
$6,000	$49.99	5% ($300)	10% ($600)	8% ($480)	5% ($300)
$15,000	$109.99	5% ($750)	10% ($1,500)	8% ($1,200)	5% ($750)
$25,000	$189.99	5% ($1,250)	10% ($2,500)	8% ($2,000)	5% ($1,250)
$50,000	$269.99	5% ($2,500)	10% ($5,000)	8% ($4,000)	5% ($2,500)
$100,000	$529.99	5% ($5,000)	10% ($10,000)	8% ($8,000)	5% ($5,000)
$200,000	$1,049.99	5% ($10,000)	10% ($20,000)	8% ($16,000)	5% ($10,000)

Best For

• Speed-focused traders: payouts are fast, with the firm citing 24-hour processing
• Patient strategists: no time limits on challenges
• Novice traders: entry accounts start at $6,000 for $49.99
• Scaling-oriented traders: accounts can grow up to $4 million with good performance

The 5%ers: Low Entry Costs and Three Evaluation Paths

The 5%ers is an Israel-based firm known for its three evaluation paths and profit splits from 80% to 100%. It is one of the most affordable options, with a $5,000 account in the two-step evaluation starting at $39. There are no further fees after that one-time payment.

Payout Rules

• Frequency: funded traders can withdraw every two weeks, after reaching funded status
• Minimum withdrawal: $150
• Methods and commissions: Rise and cryptocurrency (2%), bank transfers (3%), Hub Credits (no commission)
• Profit retention: you can keep profits in your account to increase your maximum drawdown allowance
• Scaling: withdrawals do not affect your progress toward scaling targets, but each scaling resets the payout cycle

Evaluation Rules

• Instant Funding: 10% profit target, 3% maximum daily loss, 6% maximum overall loss, leverage 1:30
• High-Stakes (Two-Step): 8% and 5% profit targets, 5% maximum daily loss, 10% maximum trailing loss, at least three profitable trading days, leverage up to 1:100
• Bootcamp (Three-Step): 6% target per stage, 5% maximum trailing loss, stop-loss risk capped at 2% of evaluation capital, leverage 1:10

The firm suggests risking no more than 1-2% of account value per trade. If you need help with position sizing, read our guide on how to calculate lot size in forex.

Platforms and Pricing

MetaTrader 5 is the main platform. Raw spread trading starts from 0.0 pips, with a commission of $8.00 per standard round lot. Tradable assets include forex, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and indices. A stock trading program is in development. The firm also gives you MT5 login credentials so you can test trading conditions before committing.

Evaluation Type	Account Sizes	Fee Range
Instant Funding	$10,000 – $40,000	$260 – $850
Two-Step Evaluation	$5,000 – $100,000	$39 – $545
Bootcamp	$20,000 – $250,000	$95 – $350

Best For

• Budget-conscious traders: evaluation fees start at $39
• Risk-averse traders: lower profit targets, such as 8% for Phase 1 of the two-step evaluation
• Diverse trading styles: full-time, part-time, overnight, and weekend traders can all trade under the firm’s conditions

Apex Trader Funding: One-Step Evaluation and Early Profit Share

Apex Trader Funding, based in Austin, is a newer firm that has grown quickly. Its one-step evaluation and its rule that traders keep 100% of their first $25,000 in profits per account set it apart. The firm reports more than $378 million paid out and a community spanning over 150 countries.

Payout Rules

• Profit split: 100% of the first $25,000 per account, then 90/10 (trader/firm)
• Timing: reviewed within 2 business days, then processed within 3-4 business days
• Minimum requirement: 8 trading days since your last payout, including at least 5 days with profits of $50 or more
• Safety net: applies to the first three payouts only (drawdown limit plus $100)
• Consistency rule: no single trading day can account for more than 30% of total profit

US traders receive funds by ACH direct deposit, while international traders are paid through Plane. You can keep trading right after requesting a payout.

Evaluation Rules

The profit target ranges from $1,500 for a $25K account to $15,000 for a $300K account. The trailing drawdown follows your peak unrealized balance rather than a fixed level, and you need 7 non-consecutive trading days. A 5:1 maximum risk-reward ratio is enforced, and all trades must be closed by 4:59 PM ET each day. Breaching the trailing drawdown fails the evaluation, but you can restart for an $80 reset fee, with no limit on attempts.

Platforms and Pricing

Traders can use Rithmic (through NinjaTrader), Tradovate, and NinjaTrader, which is included free with funded accounts. WealthCharts is available exclusively to Apex members and includes 22 trading scanners. Algorithmic trading and copy trading software are supported.

Apex charges monthly fees that cover trading platform and market data costs. A $100K static account with a fixed drawdown is also available for traders who prefer predictability over the trailing model.

Account Size	Rithmic Monthly Fee	Tradovate Monthly Fee	Profit Target	Trailing Threshold
$25K	$147	$167	$1,500	$1,500
$50K	$187	$207	$3,000	$2,500
$100K	$287	$307	$6,000	$5,000
$150K	$387	$407	$8,000	$7,000
$250K	$557	$577	$12,500	$11,000
$300K	$657	$677	$15,000	$13,000
$100K Static	–	$137	$2,000	Fixed $625

Best For

• Scalpers and day traders: who close all positions daily
• Capital-hungry traders: seeking accounts up to $300K
• Multi-account managers: the firm allows up to 20 funded accounts at once

SabioTrade: A Complete Trading Ecosystem

SabioTrade is a Dublin-based firm that provides access to over 250 instruments, including forex, metals, cryptocurrencies, and stocks. Its one-step evaluation has a 10% profit target and no time limits. The firm builds its offering around its own platform, SabioTraderoom, which uses QuadCode technology, the same technology behind IQ Option.

Payout Rules and Evaluation Rules

• Profit split: 80% on Standard accounts, up to 90% on Platinum accounts
• Timing: withdrawals within 24 hours, on a weekly payout cycle with no minimum amount
• Consistency: 5-7 trades of similar size before a withdrawal request
• Trade limit: no single trade should exceed 40% of total profit
• Evaluation: 10% profit target with no time restrictions, a 3% daily loss limit based on the previous day’s balance, and a 6% maximum trailing drawdown from the highest point reached
• Activity: at least one trade every 30 days
• Banned strategies: high-frequency trading, scalping, and hedging

Platforms and Pricing

SabioTraderoom is available as a web platform, a desktop application for Windows and Mac, and a mobile app. It includes over 100 technical indicators, multi-charting, economic calendars, and market sentiment tools. Evaluation fees are refunded after your first profit withdrawal.

Account Type	Balance	Profit Share	One-Time Fee
Standard	$20,000	80%	$119
Premium	$50,000	80%	$289
Gold	$100,000	80%	$479
Platinum	$200,000	90%	$939

Best For

• Educational-focused traders: the academy offers webinars, trade analysis, and daily signals
• New traders: available entry points with a full support system and an active Discord community
• Flexibility seekers: no time limits on completing the evaluation

Conclusion

The right firm depends on how you trade. Aggressive day traders may value Apex’s larger accounts and early profit share, while part-time traders may prefer The 5%ers’ flexibility. New traders often start with the lowest entry costs, and experienced traders may look for scaling options and higher splits.

Read each firm’s evaluation rules, payout structure, and platform options before you pay. Choose a firm that fits your strategy rather than reshaping your trading to fit its system. For help comparing offers, see our guide to forex deposit bonuses and their rules.

Key Takeaways

Choosing the right Best Prop Firms matters more than most traders expect. Most failed challenges come from a mismatch between the firm and the trader’s style, not from weak trading skills.

• GFunded leads in education and scaling: learning resources, scaling up to $2M, and 80-90% profit splits with bi-weekly payouts
• FundedNext focuses on speed: a 24-hour payout guarantee, multiple challenge models, and scaling up to $4M
• The 5%ers offers affordability: entry fees from $39 for a $5K account, with profit splits up to 100%
• Apex maximizes early profits: traders keep 100% of their first $25K in profits, then a 90/10 split
• SabioTrade suits learners: a one-step evaluation, its own platform, and educational resources

Match each firm’s rules, payout structure, and evaluation process to your own approach. Compare costs and platforms before you commit.

FAQ

What are the main differences between the best prop firms?

The main differences are the evaluation process, profit splits, payout schedules, and trading platforms. For example, GFunded uses a two-phase evaluation with profit splits up to 90%, while Apex Trader Funding uses a one-step evaluation and gives 100% of the first $25,000 in profits.

How do prop firms assess a trader’s performance?

Most firms use evaluation phases with a profit target, maximum loss limits, and a minimum number of trading days. Some also check trade consistency, such as FundedNext’s 40% rule or Apex’s 30% consistency rule.

What are the typical costs of joining a prop firm?

Costs vary widely. The 5%ers lists a $5,000 two-step account from $39, while some larger accounts cost several hundred dollars. GFunded and SabioTrade refund evaluation fees after a first withdrawal, and Apex charges monthly fees for platform and data access.

Are prop firm accounts real or simulated?

Most firms in this guide describe their accounts as using simulated capital, with payouts based on your trading performance. Check each firm’s terms to confirm how its funded accounts work.

What happens if a trader breaks a firm’s rules?

Breaking a rule usually ends the evaluation or removes access to a funded account. Some firms, such as Apex Trader Funding, let you restart for a reset fee, so read each firm’s reset and breach policy before you trade.

Risk warning: Trading forex and CFDs on margin carries a high level of risk. Bonus terms are set by each broker and may change; always check the broker's official terms before claiming.