List of all futures prop firms

Why Choosing the Right Proprietary Trading Firm Matters

What is a Futures Funding Firm?

A futures prop firm funds traders to trade futures contracts using the firm’s capital. Instead of risking your own money, you pass an evaluation to prove your trading skills and risk management to access funded accounts. These firms have different rules, payout structures, and risk management guidelines, so choosing the right one is key to boost your success.

Every trader is different. Some are just starting out, while others are already making consistent profits and want to diversify. The best firm for you depends on:

• Your trading style (scalping, swing trading, long-term trend following)
• Your experience level (beginner, experienced, consistent payouts)
• Your risk tolerance and profit targets
• Whether you want live trading or simulated accounts

Picking the wrong firm can mean risk of not getting your payouts, getting denied because of tricky rules, or payout caps that limit your success. You want a propfirm that matches your trading strategies, pushes you to grow, but doesn’t set you up for failure with impossible rules.

Where Are You in Your Trading Journey?

Just Starting Out

If you’re new to funded trading, you’ll want a firm that:

• Offers demo accounts to practice or cheap evaluations and activation fees
• Has straightforward, easy-to-understand rules
• Provides solid educational trading resources, coaching

Already Getting Payouts

For experienced traders who’ve proven themselves:

• Look for the most trusted firms to guaranty your payouts
• Consider firms with faster access to live accounts
• Focus on those offering live capital scaling and real long term partnership (like Phidias Propfirm)

Trading Rules That Match Your Style

Day Trading vs Swing Trading

Some firms don’t allow holding positions overnight. If you’re a swing trader, this is a deal-breaker. Make sure to check:

• Maximum holding periods
• Overnight trading permissions
• Weekend holding rules
• Holiday trading restrictions

For now, the only allowing futures Swing Trading is Phidias PropFirm with their Swing Accounts (See here).

Trading restrictions and accounts limit loss

Every firm has them, but they vary widely:

• Trailing drawdown: En of Day (EOD), intraday trailing (should avoid), Static
• Daily loss limits: Is there a max daily loss, if yes does it fail the account when reached or just lock your account for the day ?
• News trading restrictions: Can you trade during high-impact news events?
• DCA Rule: Do they allow for averaging down your entry ?

Payout Structure

The Money Talk

Let’s be real – this is crucial:

• Initial profit splits
• Minimum balance buffer
• Caped payouts
• Payout window / payout frequency
• Minimum withdrawal amounts
• How fast to you get paid
• Wire transfer fees

Hidden Costs to Watch For

Don’t get caught off guard by:

• Monthly professional data fees when switched to live funded account
• Activation fees
• Platform fees
• Reset costs
• Withdrawal fees

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Warning Signs

Stay away from firms that:

• Have no track record of payouts
• Lower challenge prices than competitors
• Have some payouts delays
• Have subjective payout rules (easy to get denied for no reasons)
• Charge excessive reset fees
• Have sketchy customer support (slow response time or rude staff)

Making Your Final Decision

Checklist Before Committing

✓ Read real trader reviews

✓ Test their customer support

✓ Understand ALL trading rules completely

✓ Calculate total costs including resets

✓ Check their payout history (on X or Trustpilot)

✓ Verify their regulatory status (do they have current lawsuits from traders)

Pro Tips from Experienced Funded Traders

1. Start with one account, generally the cheapest account that meets your needs – you can always buy more and switch to a bigger account after your first payout.
2. Join trader communities to learn from others’ experiences
3. Keep screenshots of your trades and communication with the firm
4. Always read the fine print about scaling programs
5. Test the support team before buying an evaluation trading program

Remember, the best prop firm is the one that matches your trading style and goals and pays you! Don’t just chase the highest profit split or lowest entry cost – think about the whole package and how it fits your trading journey.

Breaking Down the Major Players

Gold Standard Firms

These are the time-tested veterans of the industry that have proven themselves:

Phidias PropFirm

• Known for: Highest traders in live accounts
• Trading style: Accommodates various styles (swing traders, scalpers…)
• Unique feature: Lower starting costs
• Best for: Traders looking for a serious and long term funding partner

Take Profit Traders

• Known for: Ultra Fast Daily Payouts, competitive pricing
• Trading style: More relaxed trading rules
• Unique feature: Quick scaling program
• Best for: Aggressive traders looking to scale fast

Topstep

• Known for: Rock-solid reputation, great customer service
• Trading style: Day trading focused
• Unique feature: Free educational content and coaching
• Best for: Traders who want a proven track record

MyFundedFutures

• Known for: Flexible rules, competitive pricing
• Trading style: Allows both day and swing trading
• Unique feature: Multiple account sizes available
• Best for: Traders who need flexibility in holding positions

Which Futures Prop Firm is Best for You?

Choosing the best firm depends on your goals:

• If you’re just starting, look for firms with low-cost evaluations and simple rules (e.g., Phidias Prop Firm).
• If you want live trading, look for firms that offer real capital instead of simulated accounts (e.g., Phidias Prop Firm or Take Profit Traders).
• If you already have payouts, choose a firm with higher profit splits and weekly withdrawals (e.g., MyFundedFutures).