Why Prop Trading Firms Matter for Futures Traders
Proprietary trading firms let you trade with their capital after passing an evaluation. Instead of risking your own money on a $50K-$300K futures account, you pay a one-time evaluation fee (typically $97-$657) and prove you can trade profitably within their rules. Pass the eval, and you keep 80-90% of the profits on a funded account.
The catch: every firm has different rules around drawdown limits, consistency requirements, overnight holding, and payout schedules. Choosing the wrong firm for your trading style wastes money on failed evaluations. This guide breaks down 10 firms side by side so you can pick the right one.
Quick Comparison: Top 10 Firms at a Glance
| Firm |
Eval Fee (50K) |
Profit Target |
Max Drawdown |
Payout Split |
Overnight? |
Consistency Rule? |
| Apex Trader Funding | $167 | 6% | 2% EOD trailing | 90% | PA only | No |
| MyFundedFutures | $165 | 8% | 4% intraday trailing | 90% | Yes | No |
| TakeProfitTrader | $150 | 6% | 3% trailing | 80% | No | 30% rule |
| TopStep | $165 | 8%+4% | 3% trailing | 90% | No | 30% (Step 2) |
| Tradeify | $137 | 6% | 3% EOD trailing | 80% | Yes | No |
| Lucid Trading Co | $149 | 6% | 4% EOD trailing | 85% | Yes | No |
| Earn2Trade | $245 | 10% | 6% trailing | 80% | No | 40% rule |
| OneUp Trader | $175 | 6% | 2.5% intraday trailing | 80% | Yes | No |
| Funded Trading Plus | $189 | 8% | 5% EOD trailing | 85% | Yes | No |
| Trade The Pool | $185 | 8% | 4% trailing | 85% | Yes | 30% (some) |
1. Apex Trader Funding — Most Popular
Apex is the most widely used futures prop firm, known for straightforward rules and aggressive 90% payout splits from day one. Their EOD trailing drawdown (not intraday) is forgiving for day traders, and there is no consistency rule or daily profit cap. Account sizes range from $25K to $300K with evaluation fees from $147 to $657. Frequent discount codes (up to 80% off) make it even more accessible. The main drawback: the $300K Full Account has stricter drawdown rules, and there is no free trial.
Best for: Aggressive traders, NQ scalpers, and anyone who wants simple rules with high payouts.
2. MyFundedFutures — Best for Overnight Holders
MyFundedFutures stands out by allowing overnight and weekend holding with no consistency rule. The 90% payout split kicks in from the first withdrawal, and the fast 7-day first payout is among the quickest in the industry. Evaluation fees are competitive ($165-$350 for $50K-$150K accounts). The trade-off is an intraday trailing drawdown that resets end of day, and account sizes cap at $150K.
Best for: Swing traders, overnight NQ holders, and traders who hate consistency rules.
3. TakeProfitTrader — Best Budget Option
TakeProfitTrader offers some of the lowest evaluation fees in the industry ($125-$299), a simple one-step eval with no time limit, and free retakes on some plans. The downsides are a 30% consistency rule, no overnight holding, and a lower 80% payout split. If you are budget-conscious and trade intraday only, this is a strong starting point.
Best for: Budget-conscious traders, day traders only, and beginners testing prop trading.
4. TopStep — The Original
TopStep has been around since 2012 and is the most established name in futures prop trading. They offer coaching, community, and performance analytics that newer firms lack. The 2-step evaluation (8% then 4%) is longer but well-structured. Funded traders keep 100% of the first $10,000, then 90%. The downsides: higher fees, stricter rules, and a consistency rule on Step 2 make passing harder than newer competitors.
Best for: Experienced traders who want a trusted name, community features, and structured coaching.
5. Tradeify — Best Value
Tradeify is a newer firm offering overnight and weekend holding with no consistency rule at some of the lowest prices in the market ($97-$267). The $25K account at $97 is the cheapest overnight-capable evaluation available. Payout splits are 80-90% depending on account size. Being newer means less track record and a smaller community, but the value proposition is hard to beat.
Best for: Swing traders on a budget and NQ overnight holders who want simple rules at the lowest cost.
6. Lucid Trading Co — Flexible Rules
Lucid Trading Co takes a performance-focused approach with flexible evaluation paths, overnight trading allowed, and no consistency rule. Payout splits range from 80-90%. The firm is smaller with less brand recognition, but their trader-centric support and personalized approach appeal to intermediate traders who want more than a faceless platform.
Best for: Traders wanting flexible rules, personalized support, and overnight holding capability.
7. Earn2Trade — Best for Beginners
Earn2Trade is the education-first prop firm, bundling a structured trading curriculum with their Gauntlet evaluation. The monthly subscription model ($150-$345) reduces upfront risk compared to one-time fees, but costs add up if you take months to pass. Rules are stricter: 10% profit target, 40% consistency rule, no overnight holding, and no news trading. The 80% payout is lower than competitors.
Best for: Beginner traders who want structured education alongside their evaluation.
8. OneUp Trader — Best for Patient Traders
OneUp Trader uses a subscription model with no time limit on evaluation, making it ideal for traders who need more time to prove consistency. Overnight and weekend holding are allowed, there is no consistency rule, and account sizes go up to $250K. The drawback: monthly subscription costs accumulate, intraday trailing drawdown is tighter (2-3%), and first payout takes 30 days.
Best for: Patient traders on flexible timelines who want overnight capability and large account sizes.
9. Funded Trading Plus — Best for Multi-Asset
Funded Trading Plus is a UK-based firm offering futures alongside forex, stocks, and crypto in one account. The 7-day first payout and overnight/weekend holding are appealing. Payout splits of 80-90% are competitive, and their scaling program goes up to $2.5M. The UK base can mean slower withdrawals for US traders, and higher profit targets (8-10%) on some plans.
Best for: Multi-asset traders and international traders wanting fast first payouts.
10. Trade The Pool — Multi-Asset Alternative
Trade The Pool offers futures, stocks, and options in a unified account with competitive drawdown rules and no news trading restrictions. Overnight holding is allowed. Evaluation fees range from $99 to $275. Some plans have a 30% consistency rule. The firm is less futures-focused than dedicated futures prop firms, which may matter for pure NQ or ES traders.
Best for: Multi-asset traders who want stocks and futures in one evaluation account.
How to Choose the Right Firm
Your choice depends on three factors: trading style, budget, and risk tolerance.
If you trade intraday only: Apex or TakeProfitTrader offer the simplest rules and lowest costs for day-only strategies.
If you hold overnight: MyFundedFutures, Tradeify, or OneUp Trader all allow overnight positions without penalty.
If you are budget-conscious: Tradeify ($97 for 25K) and TakeProfitTrader ($125 for 25K) are the cheapest entries.
If you want the highest payout: Apex and MyFundedFutures both offer 90% from day one.
If you are a beginner: Earn2Trade bundles education, and TopStep offers coaching and community.
If you want multiple assets: Funded Trading Plus or Trade The Pool cover futures, stocks, and more.
Final Thoughts
Every firm on this list is legitimate and has paid out real money to funded traders. The differences come down to rule fit, not quality. Pick the firm whose drawdown type, holding policy, and consistency rules match how you already trade. Do not change your strategy to fit a firm — find the firm that fits your strategy.
We will publish updated reviews and strategy-specific prop firm guides every Sunday. Check back weekly for the latest rule changes, discount codes, and payout reports.