Introduction
This article provides a factual comparison of challenge-based proprietary trading firms. These firms evaluate traders using demo or simulated accounts and offer capital allocations to successful candidates. All firms listed are confirmed to be active and operational.
FTMO
Overview
- Offers a funded trader program based on passing one or more evaluation stages.
- Profit split can reach up to 90%.
- Evaluation fees are fixed and tiered according to funding levels.
Features
- Traders begin with a demo evaluation account with strict risk controls.
- Maximum funded capital can reach up to US $2 million.
- Offers access to popular trading platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.
FundedNext
Overview
- Provides funding for forex, indices, commodities, and CFD traders.
- Profit split ranges from 80% to 95%.
- Evaluation fees start at relatively low levels depending on account size.
Features
- Offers rapid scaling based on trader performance.
- Supports multiple platforms and instruments across various asset classes.
- Provides real-time analytics and performance tracking tools.
Apex Trader Funding
Overview
- A U.S.-based proprietary trading firm focused on futures.
- Initial funding ranges from US $25,000 to $300,000.
- Offers a 100% profit split on the first US $25,000 in profits and 90% thereafter.
Features
- Evaluation process uses NinjaTrader-compatible platforms.
- Provides clear daily loss and maximum drawdown rules.
- Traders retain access to data feeds and support tools.
DNA Funded
Overview
- Offers accounts for trading forex, indices, and commodities.
- Profit split up to 90% depending on trader performance.
- Maximum funding level around US $600,000.
Features
- Provides access to platforms like TradeLocker and DXTrade.
- Allows scaling and add-ons including account merging.
- Offers flexible challenge formats and trading conditions.
Topstep
Overview
- Focuses on futures trading, offering capital accounts from US $50,000 to $150,000.
- Profit split is 100% on the first US $10,000 and 90% beyond that.
- Uses monthly subscription evaluation rather than one-time fees.
Features
- Offers its own platform called TopstepX as well as TradingView integration.
- Subscription includes practice accounts and ongoing coaching.
- Enforces daily loss limits and other compliance checks.
Earn2Trade
Overview
- Offers evaluation programs for futures traders with accounts from US $25,000 to $200,000.
- Uses a monthly subscription model.
- Profit split is typically around 80%.
Features
- Platforms include NinjaTrader and Finamark.
- Offers education-focused evaluation programs.
- Traders can reset their evaluation and adjust parameters.
The Trading Pit
Overview
- Funds traders across futures and forex with accounts ranging from US $20,000 to $250,000.
- Profit split from 60% to 80%.
- Evaluation fees vary by funding level.
Features
- Platforms include Quantower, ATAS, and others.
- Offers scaling up to €5 million based on performance milestones.
- Includes a multi-phase evaluation process.
TradeDay
Overview
- Offers futures accounts with sizes from US $10,000 to $250,000.
- 100% profit on first US $10,000; 90% thereafter.
- Uses a monthly subscription model with flexible evaluation timelines.
Features
- Platforms include NinjaTrader and Tradovate.
- Subscription includes real-time data and access to evaluation metrics.
- Emphasizes rule adherence and consistency.
My Funded Futures
Overview
- Funds traders in futures with account sizes of US $50,000 to $150,000.
- Profit splits range from 80% to 90%.
- Offers inactivity grace periods and simplified challenge rules.
Features
- Platforms supported include NinjaTrader and TradingView.
- Provides optional add-ons such as trailing drawdowns and account resets.
- Offers straightforward pricing structure and rules.
Comparison Metrics
Funding and Profit Splits
| Firm | Max Capital | Profit Split | Evaluation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO | Up to US $2M | Up to 90% | One-time fee |
| FundedNext | Up to US $4M | Up to 95% | One-time fee |
| Apex Trader | Up to US $300K | 100% first $25K | One-time fee |
| DNA Funded | Up to US $600K | Up to 90% | One-time fee |
| Topstep | Up to US $150K | 100% first $10K | Monthly subscription |
| Earn2Trade | Up to US $200K | ~80% | Monthly subscription |
| The Trading Pit | Up to €5M (scaling) | Up to 80% | One-time fee |
| TradeDay | Up to US $250K | 100% first $10K | Monthly subscription |
| My Funded Futures | Up to US $150K | Up to 90% | One-time or hybrid |
Platforms
- MT4/MT5: FTMO, FundedNext
- NinjaTrader: Apex, Earn2Trade, TradeDay, My Funded Futures
- TradeLocker/DXTrade: DNA Funded
- Quantower/ATAS: The Trading Pit
- TopstepX/TradingView: Topstep
Evaluation Structures
- One-time fee: FTMO, FundedNext, Apex, DNA Funded, The Trading Pit
- Monthly subscription: Topstep, Earn2Trade, TradeDay
- Hybrid options: My Funded Futures
Scaling Options
- FundedNext and The Trading Pit allow scaling to multi-million-dollar levels.
- Topstep and Earn2Trade offer performance-based scaling.
- FTMO and DNA Funded also offer scaling, based on profitability and consistency.
Summary
This comparison outlines the key operational details of prominent challenge-based prop trading firms. Firms such as FTMO, FundedNext, and Apex Trader Funding offer traders access to substantial capital with high profit splits after passing evaluation programs. Others like Topstep and Earn2Trade use subscription models focused on futures trading. DNA Funded and The Trading Pit offer a broader mix of instruments and flexible scaling. Evaluation structure, platform availability, and trading conditions vary significantly across firms, offering traders a wide range of options depending on their goals and strategies.
