Proprietary trading, also known as prop trading, is when a company uses its own money to trade in the financial markets. These firms aim to make profits directly from market activity rather than earning fees or commissions by trading on behalf of clients.
In 2026, many firms offer funded accounts to individual traders through structured programs.
Traders are required to meet certain rules and performance targets in order to access and keep these accounts.
In this article we're going to review some of the best prop firms available in 2026.
Top 3 Best Prop Firms
There are many proprietary trading firms available today, but only a few best prop firms stand out when it comes to funding options, trading conditions, and support. In this section, we take a closer look at three of the best prop firms in 2026.
1. Elites Funding
Elites Funding is one of the best prop firms offering evaluation-based access to simulated capital for retail traders.
The company uses TraderLocker, which allows their users to trade forex and other markets.
Traders can apply for funded accounts by completing a challenge, with no personal responsibility for losses.
Elites Funding positions itself among the best prop trading firms by combining strict risk rules, accessible programs, and flexible scaling options.
Evaluation Model and Trading Conditions
Elites Funding offers two evaluation programs for traders:
- Standard Evaluation
- Express Challenge.
In the Standard Evaluation, traders go through a 2-phase process, where each phase has a 10% profit target and maximum drawdown limits of 5% per day and 10% overall.
The Express Challenge is a one-step option with the same 10% target but tighter drawdown rules: 3% daily and 6% overall.
Both programs have no time limits and require a minimum of four trading days.
Account sizes available include $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, and $200,000. All accounts come with 1:100 leverage. Trades are executed in a simulated environment through TradeLocker. Qualified traders can earn up to 80% of the profits.
Elites Funding also offers additional support features, including educational materials, a live chat helpdesk, and a user dashboard.
It also includes a Free Retake feature, which allows traders to restart their challenge under certain conditions without extra cost.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Free retake option included during evaluations | Limited to TradeLocker platform |
Up to 80% profit split | Restrictions on certain trading strategies |
No liability for trading losses 1:100 leverage on all accounts | Demo-based trading environment only |
Two evaluation types available | |
No liability for trading losses |
Best For
ElitesFunding is one of the best prop firms for forex with flexible challenges, high profit splits, and structured risk limits, especially those who prefer no time limits and no loss liability.
2. FTMO
FTMO is one of the best prop firms, known for its structured evaluation process and long-standing presence in the industry.
Based in the Czech Republic, the company offers funded trading accounts in a demo environment with capital allocations of up to $200,000.
Traders who meet the firm’s trading objectives can earn up to 90% of the profits generated, without risking their own money.
FTMO has supported over 240,000 accounts globally and is widely considered one of the best forex prop firms, offering competitive profit splits, educational tools, and access to a professional trading career through its partnership with Quantlane.
Evaluation Model and Trading Conditions
FTMO's process is divided into three main stages:
- FTMO Challenge,
- Verification
- FTMO Trader
Both the Challenge and Verification stages are conducted in a simulated environment and are required to qualify for an FTMO Account.
Step 1: FTMO Challenge
Traders must hit a 10% profit target while keeping within a maximum daily loss of $500 and a total drawdown limit of $1,000.
A minimum of four trading days is required. There is no time limit to complete the challenge. The refundable entry fee for a $10,000 account is €89.
Step 2: Verification
The profit target is reduced to 5% ($500), while the risk rules remain the same. This phase confirms the trader’s consistency and adherence to FTMO’s trading standards.
Step 3: FTMO Trader
Once verified, traders receive a funded FTMO Account with up to $200,000 in virtual capital. Despite trading in a demo environment, traders receive up to 90% of their simulated profits as real payouts.
FTMO also provides a Scaling Plan that allows successful traders to increase their account size by 25% every four months, up to a maximum of $2,000,000, provided certain criteria are met.
This includes achieving at least 10% net profit and maintaining a positive account balance.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Structured evaluation with clear rules | All trading is done in a demo environment |
Up to 90% profit split | Risk limits are strict and non-negotiable |
No time limits on challenges | No live capital accounts at any stage |
Refundable fees upon success | |
Scaling plan up to $2 million | |
Option to become a salaried trader via Quantlane |
Best For
Best for traders looking for best prop trading firms with a clear, multi-step evaluation system, a generous profit split, and long-term career potential.
FTMO is especially suited for forex traders aiming for consistent growth and structured performance tracking.
3. Funded Trading Plus
Funded Trading Plus is one of the best prop firms offering global access to funded accounts through a flexible evaluation model.
The firm is known for its simplified rules, fast withdrawals, and transparent payout structure.
Traders can receive up to 100% of profits under certain conditions, making it one of the best prop firms in the industry.
The company is open to traders worldwide and supports forex, indices, and other instruments on platforms like Match Trader and DX Trader.
With scaling opportunities up to $2.5 million and no mandatory minimum trading days or time limits, Funded Trading Plus positions itself among the best prop trading firms for traders seeking freedom and transparency.
Evaluation Model and Trading Conditions
The firm offers multiple programs with a focus on flexibility.
In the initial Phase One, traders aim to hit a 10% simulated profit target while staying within a maximum daily loss of 4% and a total drawdown of 6%. There is no minimum number of trading days, and the evaluation period is unlimited.
Upon passing, traders become FT+ Traders and move into a live-simulated phase, where the profit split increases to 80/20, with further upgrades to 90/10 after reaching 20% profit, and 100/0 after 30%.
Withdrawals can be made starting on the first day, and every 7 days after that, with no fees and a low $50 minimum threshold.
The firm allows use of Expert Advisors (EAs), weekend holding, and imposes no hard cap on position size, as long as it remains within margin limits. Accounts use a maximum simulated leverage of 30:1, and fees are refundable once the trader reaches a 10% profit level.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Profit split up to 100% after scaling | Trading is conducted in a simulated environment |
Withdrawals allowed from day one | Higher initial profit target (10%) in evaluation |
No time limits or minimum trading days | Limited platform availability (Match Trade, DX Trader only) |
Scaling plan available up to $2.5 million | |
Refundable fee upon reaching target | |
EAs allowed, weekend holding permitted |
Best For
Best for traders looking for best prop firms with no time pressure, high scaling potential, and flexible withdrawal terms.
Funded Trading Plus stands out for its transparency, refund policy, and payout structure, making it well-suited to traders focused on long-term performance and autonomy.
Comparison of the Top 3 Best Prop Firms (2026)
Feature / Firm | Elites Funding | FTMO | Funded Trading Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
Profit Split | Up to 80% | Up to 90% | Up to 100% (scaling) |
Account Sizes | $25K, $50K, $100K, $200K | $10K, $25K, $50K, $100K, $200K | Up to $2.5M (scalable from smaller sizes) |
Evaluation Steps | 1-step or 2-step | 2-step (Challenge + Verification) | 1-step |
Profit Target (Initial Phase) | 10% | 10% (Phase 1), 5% (Phase 2) | 10% |
Drawdown Rules | Max 5–6% daily / 10% overall | $500 daily / $1,000 total | 4% daily / 6% total |
Minimum Trading Days | 4 (no time limit) | 4 days (no time limit) | None |
Time Limit | No limit | No limit | No limit |
Platforms | TradeLocker (demo) | MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXTrader | Match Trader, DX Trader |
Scaling Plan | Yes (based on performance) | Yes (up to $2M, based on 4-month cycles) | Yes (up to $2.5M, no time restrictions) |
Payout Frequency | Varies (not specified) | Weekly or bi-weekly (after funded phase) | First day, then every 7 days |
Refund Policy | Free retake included during evaluation | Refund after passing evaluation | Refund after 10% profit in evaluation |
EAs / Bots Allowed | Limited (some strategies prohibited) | Depends on account; some strategies restricted | Yes, EAs allowed |
Weekend Holding | Not specified | Allowed in funded stage | Allowed |
Live / Demo Environment | Demo | Demo | Demo |
Best For | Flexible challenges and no loss liability | Structured career path with professional opportunity | High scaling potential and quick withdrawals |
What Are Prop Firms?
A proprietary trading firm is a company that trades financial markets using its own capital.
These firms aim to make direct profits by buying and selling instruments like currencies, stocks, or futures. The prop firm does not manage client portfolios or charge trading commissions
Prop trading firms give traders access to company-funded accounts.
In return, traders agree to follow specific rules and usually share a portion of their profits with the firm.
How Do Prop Firms Work?
The best prop firms use an evaluation system to determine the traders which qualify for funding.
This system test a trader’s ability to follow risk management rules, hit profit targets, and trade consistently.
If the trader passes the evaulation, he will receive access to an account.
Profits made from trading are usually split between the firm and the trader, based on their agreement.
Prop firms may offer up to 90% back, while others use a tiered model where the percentage increases after performance targets are reached.
Prop firms make money in several ways. In addition to their share of trading profits, they may charge entry fees for evaluations or monthly platform fees.
What Instruments Can Be Traded?
The types of financial instruments offered by the best prop firms vary.
Some prop firms specialize in forex, while others on:
- futures
- stocks
- options
- cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin.
For example, some of the best prop firms give access to currency pairs with high leverage. The best futures prop firms often provide access to contracts on stock indexes, energy, or interest rates.
Why Traders Use Prop Firms
Traders join prop firms for several reasons:
Reason | |
|---|---|
Access to capital | Instead of risking personal funds, traders can use the firm’s capital. |
Profit-sharing opportunities | Many firms offer generous profit splits. |
Professional tools | Traders often get access to trading platforms, real-time data, and analytics. |
Training and support | Some firms provide education, mentorship, and technical assistance. |
Scaling options | Successful traders may be able to increase the size of their accounts over time. |
For beginners and intermediate traders, the best prop firms offer a way to grow without needing large initial investments.
Common Rules and Risk Controls
To protect their capital, the best prop firms set clear trading rules that should be followed. These may include:
- Profit targets and minimum trading days
- Maximum daily loss and overall drawdown limits
- Restrictions on trading styles (e.g., no high-frequency or martingale strategies)
- Platform and execution policies
Failing to meet these requirements usually results in disqualification from the program.
Are Prop Firms Legitimate?
Many best prop firms operate transparently and have earned positive reputations. Still, not all firms are equal. T
raders should research each firm’s terms, platform, and public feedback before committing.
While most prop firms are not regulated in the same way as brokers, some maintain high standards of risk control, fair profit sharing, and support.
To stay safe, traders should:
- Read all agreements carefully
- Understand the evaluation and payout conditions
- Avoid firms that lack transparency or have unclear rules
How We Chose the Best Prop Firms
To identify the best prop firms for this list, we reviewed a wide range of publicly available information. This included official firm websites, terms and conditions, platform documentation, and user reviews from trading communities.
Key Criteria Considered
Profit Split
We looked at how much of the trading profit is paid out to the trader.
Most firms offer between 70% and 90%, but we gave preference to those with competitive profit splits and no complicated payout conditions.
Evaluation Rules
Evaluation challenges are the main entry point for most traders. We examined how many steps are required, whether time limits apply, and how difficult the profit and risk targets are to meet.
Risk Controls
Drawdown and daily loss limits help protect both the firm and the trader. We compared these limits across firms, including whether they allow some margin for losses while keeping risk rules realistic.
Account Sizes and Scaling
We included firms offering a range of starting capital sizes, with clear paths for scaling the account based on performance. This is important for traders who want to grow over time.
Supported Instruments
Firms were selected based on the markets they allow traders to access. This includes forex, futures, indices, crypto, and other asset classes. Including a variety helps ensure that both beginners and advanced traders can find a suitable firm.
Payout Structure
We reviewed how and when firms pay traders — such as weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly — and what methods they support (bank transfer, PayPal, crypto, etc.). Clear payout policies are essential to a good trading experience.
Fees and Refunds
Most firms charge a fee to enter an evaluation. We compared those fees and looked for refund options, discounts, or free retake policies where available.
Support and Community
Reliable customer service and educational tools can make a big difference, especially for beginners. We noted which firms provide live chat, knowledge bases, webinars, or access to mentorship and community groups.
Reputation and Transparency
The best prop firms were also evaluated based on their standing in the trading community. This includes reviews from real users, clarity of terms and rules, and how openly the firm communicates about its services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a prop trading firm?
A prop trading firm, short for proprietary trading firm, is a company that uses its own money to trade financial markets.
Instead of managing client funds, these firms let approved traders use the firm’s capital in exchange for a share of the profits.
How do I qualify for a prop firm funded account?
Most prop firms use an evaluation process. This usually involves meeting profit targets, following risk rules, and trading for a minimum number of days in a demo or simulated account. If you meet the conditions, you may receive a funded account.
What are the best prop firms for beginners?
The best prop firms for beginners are those with clear rules, flexible time limits, low fees, and strong educational support. Firms that offer free retakes, simple platforms, and responsive customer service are often better suited for new traders.
Can I lose money with a prop firm?
With most prop firms, traders do not risk their own capital. However, if you pay an evaluation fee or violate trading rules, you may lose access to the account. It's important to read all terms carefully before starting.
Can I trade forex and crypto with a prop firm?
Many firms support multiple instruments, including forex, crypto, indices, and commodities. The best forex prop firms often provide high leverage and flexible account sizes, depending on the firm’s model and trading platform.
