Proprietary trading firms (prop firms) have revolutionized how day traders access capital in 2025. Instead of risking your own money, prop firms provide funded accounts ranging from $50,000 to $400,000 or more, allowing you to keep 80-100% of profits while trading their capital. But with dozens of firms competing for your business, which one actually delivers the best value?
This comprehensive guide compares the top 9 prop firms for day traders in 2025, with real pricing data, profit split structures, evaluation requirements, and expert recommendations. Whether you trade futures, forex, or stocks, you'll discover which prop firm matches your trading style and experience level.
80-100%
Profit Split Range
$49-$377
Monthly Fees
$50K-$400K
Account Sizes
Up to $2M
Max Scaling
What is a Prop Firm and How Does It Work?
A proprietary trading firm provides capital to traders who pass an evaluation process. Instead of trading your own money, you trade the firm's capital and share profits. Here's how it works:
- Pay Evaluation Fee: Monthly subscription ($49-$377) or one-time challenge fee
- Pass Evaluation: Meet profit targets (typically 5-10%) while staying within drawdown limits (4-5% daily, 8-10% total)
- Get Funded Account: Receive $50,000 to $400,000 in trading capital
- Trade and Profit: Keep 80-100% of profits, firm keeps 0-20%
- Scale Up: Grow account to $2 million+ based on consistent performance
The key advantage: you risk only the evaluation fee (not your entire trading capital), while accessing 10-100x more buying power than most traders could afford personally.
Top 9 Best Prop Firms for Day Traders (2025 Rankings)
#1 Best for Futures Apex Trader Funding
Overview
Apex Trader Funding dominates the futures prop trading space in 2025 with the industry's most generous profit structure and streamlined one-step evaluation.
100%
First $25K Profits
90%
After $25K
$147-$377
Monthly Fee
Key Features
- Profit Split: 100% of first $25,000, then 90% thereafter (industry-leading)
- Account Sizes: $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, $250K, $300K
- Monthly Fees: $147 ($25K) to $377 ($300K)
- Evaluation: Simple one-step process, faster than multi-phase competitors
- Markets: Futures only (ES, NQ, MES, MNQ, all major CME contracts)
- Platforms: NinjaTrader, Quanttower, Tradovate, Rithmic
- Payouts: Bi-weekly, reported as fast and reliable
Evaluation Rules
- Profit Target: 10% of account size
- Daily Loss Limit: $2,000-$6,000 (depending on account size)
- Trailing Max Drawdown: $2,500-$6,000
- Minimum Trading Days: 5 days
- No time limit to complete evaluation
Best For: Futures day traders who want maximum profit retention and fast payout processing. The 100% on first $25K means if you're consistently profitable, you keep every dollar up to $25,000 per account, making it possible to run multiple accounts.
#2 Best for Forex FTMO
Overview
FTMO is the most established and reputable prop firm globally, known for strict but fair evaluation processes and reliable payouts since 2015.
80-90%
Profit Split
Up to $400K
Account Size
$2M
Max Scaling
Key Features
- Profit Split: 80% initially, scales to 90% for consistent traders
- Account Sizes: Up to $400,000 per account
- Max Scaling: Up to $2,000,000 total allocation
- Challenge Fee: Starts around $155 (refunded after first withdrawal)
- Markets: Forex, indices, commodities, crypto
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade
- Reputation: 9+ years in business, industry gold standard
Evaluation Rules (2-Phase)
- Phase 1: 10% profit target, 10% max drawdown, 5% daily loss limit
- Phase 2: 5% profit target, same drawdown rules
- Minimum 10 trading days (4 days minimum per phase)
- 30-day time limit per phase
- No news trading restrictions on funded accounts
Best For: Forex and indices traders who value reputation and long-term stability. FTMO's stricter evaluation filters out gamblers, resulting in a more professional trader community and reliable payout structure.
#3 Best for Beginners TopStep
Overview
TopStep specializes in futures trading education and offers the lowest entry price point, making it ideal for newer traders learning the ropes.
100%
First $10K Profits
90%
After $10K
$49
Starting Fee
Key Features
- Profit Split: 100% of first $10,000, then 90% thereafter
- Account Sizes: $50K, $100K, $150K
- Monthly Fees: $49 ($50K), $99 ($100K), $149 ($150K)
- Reset Fees: Same as monthly fee if you fail evaluation
- Markets: Futures only (all major contracts)
- Platforms: NinjaTrader, TradingView, Quantower, Sierra Chart
- Education: Extensive learning resources and community support
Evaluation Rules (Trading Combine)
- Profit Target: $3,000 ($50K), $6,000 ($100K), $9,000 ($150K)
- Daily Loss Limit: $2,000 ($50K), $4,000 ($100K), $6,000 ($150K)
- Max Drawdown: $2,000 ($50K), $4,000 ($100K), $6,000 ($150K)
- Minimum 5 trading days
- No maximum time limit
Best For: Beginners and traders on a budget. The $49 entry point is the lowest in the industry, and TopStep's educational resources help newer traders develop proper habits before risking larger capital.
#4 Best Instant Funding Blueberry Funded
Overview
Blueberry Funded ranks first among instant funding prop firms, offering genuine immediate capital access with no evaluation process required.
Key Features
- Profit Split: 80-90% depending on account type
- Instant Access: Trade live capital within minutes of signup
- No Evaluation: Skip the challenge phase entirely
- Entry Fees: Starting at $69+ for immediate funding
- Markets: Forex, indices, commodities
- Regulation: Strong regulatory oversight, trusted reputation
Best For: Experienced traders with proven strategies who want to skip evaluations and start earning immediately. Higher entry cost but no waiting period.
Complete Comparison Table
| Prop Firm | Best For | Profit Split | Monthly Fee | Account Size | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apex | Futures | 100% first $25K, 90% after | $147-$377 | $25K-$300K | 1-step |
| FTMO | Forex | 80-90% | ~$155+ | Up to $400K | 2-phase |
| TopStep | Beginners | 100% first $10K, 90% after | $49-$149 | $50K-$150K | Combine |
| Blueberry | Instant Funding | 80-90% | $69+ | Varies | None |
| FXIFY | Low Cost Entry | 90% | $69+ | $1K-$50K | Optional |
| Funded Trading Plus | Experienced Traders | 80-90% | Varies | Custom | Bypass option |
How to Choose the Right Prop Firm
Consider Your Trading Style
Futures Traders: Choose Apex Trader Funding or TopStep. Both specialize in futures with compatible platforms (NinjaTrader, Quanttower) and understand futures market dynamics.
Forex Traders: Choose FTMO or FXIFY. They offer MT4/MT5 platforms, tight spreads, and rules designed specifically for forex market conditions.
Experienced Traders: Consider instant funding firms like Blueberry Funded or Funded Trading Plus. Skip evaluations if you have a proven track record.
Beginners: Start with TopStep ($49 entry) to learn proper risk management with lower financial risk.
Evaluate Profit Split Structures
Not all profit splits are created equal:
- 100% on First $X: Apex (first $25K) and TopStep (first $10K) let you keep 100% of initial profits, maximizing early earnings
- Flat 80-90%: FTMO and most others offer consistent percentages throughout
- Scaling Splits: Some firms increase your split (80% → 90%) based on consistent performance
Understand Total Costs
Calculate your total investment:
- Monthly Subscriptions: $49-$377 per month until you pass
- Reset Fees: Cost to restart evaluation after failure
- Platform Fees: Some firms charge extra for premium platforms
- Data Fees: Real-time market data may cost extra
Example Cost Analysis: If you fail TopStep twice before passing, total cost = $49 (month 1) + $49 (reset) + $49 (month 2) = $147 to get funded with $50K account. Compare this to Apex at $147/month but potentially passing faster with the simpler one-step process.
Success Tips for Passing Prop Firm Evaluations
- Master Drawdown Rules: 75% of failed evaluations violate drawdown limits. Never risk more than 1-2% per trade.
- Focus on Consistency: Firms want consistent 1-2% daily gains, not one 20% winner followed by losses.
- Practice on Demo First: Spend 1-2 weeks on demo replicating exact evaluation rules before paying fees.
- Trade During Peak Hours: Highest liquidity reduces slippage risk that can trigger drawdown violations.
- Don't Rush Profit Targets: Most evaluations have no time limit. Taking 30-60 days is better than failing in 5 days.
- Keep Detailed Records: Track every trade to understand which strategies work within evaluation parameters.
- Start Small: Begin with smallest account size ($25K-$50K) to minimize fees while learning firm rules.
Master Prop Firm Trading
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best prop firm for day traders in 2025?
The best prop firm depends on your trading focus: Apex Trader Funding is best for futures day traders with 100% of first $25,000 profits then 90% split, one-step evaluation, and monthly fees from $147. FTMO is best for forex traders with 80-90% profit splits, established 9-year reputation, and accounts up to $400K. TopStep is ideal for beginners with the lowest $49 entry fee and 100% of first $10,000 profits. Blueberry Funded is best for instant funding with no evaluation required, though higher entry costs.
How much does it cost to join a prop firm?
Prop firm costs vary significantly in 2025: TopStep starts at just $49/month for $50K account evaluation, making it the cheapest entry point. Apex Trader Funding ranges from $147/month ($25K account) to $377/month ($300K account). FTMO challenge fees start around $155 for smaller accounts, but this fee is refunded after your first withdrawal. Instant funding firms like Blueberry and FXIFY start at $69+ for direct capital access with no evaluation. Always factor in potential reset fees ($49-$150) if you fail initial evaluations.
What profit split do prop firms offer?
Prop firm profit splits in 2025 range from 80-100%: Apex Trader Funding offers the most generous structure with 100% of first $25,000 in profits, then 90% thereafter. TopStep provides 100% of first $10,000, then 90% after that. FTMO starts at 80% and scales to 90% for consistent traders managing larger accounts. Most instant funding firms offer 80-90% splits. The industry standard is 80-90% for traders, 10-20% for the firm. Always calculate actual dollar amounts, not just percentages—100% of first $25K at Apex often exceeds a flat 90% at competitors.
Can beginners pass prop firm challenges?
Yes, beginners can absolutely pass prop firm challenges with proper preparation and discipline. Success rates improve significantly when you: practice on demo accounts first for 1-2 weeks replicating exact evaluation rules, understand drawdown rules (typically 4-5% daily loss limit, 8-10% total drawdown), focus on consistency over large wins (firms want steady 1-2% daily gains), manage risk properly by never risking more than 1-2% per trade, and choose beginner-friendly firms like TopStep ($49 entry, extensive education) or firms with easier rules and no time limits. Recent data shows traders adhering to 4% daily and 6% total drawdown limits were 75% more likely to pass evaluations.
Are prop firms worth it for day traders?
Prop firms are absolutely worth it for day traders who: have proven profitable strategies but lack sufficient capital to scale, can pass evaluations consistently (typically requiring 10%+ account growth within drawdown limits), prefer trading firm capital over risking personal funds, and want to scale beyond personal account limits to $100K-$2M+. Major benefits include: access to $50,000-$400,000+ capital for just $49-$377/month, keeping 80-100% of all profits generated, no personal capital at risk after passing evaluation, and ability to run multiple accounts simultaneously. However, evaluation fees and strict drawdown rules (4-5% daily limits) mean only disciplined traders with solid risk management succeed long-term. If you can't profitably trade a $5K-$10K personal account first, you're not ready for prop firm evaluations.
Conclusion
Choosing the best prop firm in 2025 depends on your specific trading style, experience level, and capital access preferences. Futures traders get maximum value from Apex Trader Funding's generous 100% first $25K profit structure, while forex traders benefit from FTMO's established reputation and $2M scaling potential. Beginners should start with TopStep's $49 entry point to learn proper risk management with minimal financial exposure.
The prop firm industry has matured significantly, offering legitimate paths to trading substantial capital ($ 50K-$400K+) while keeping 80-100% of profits. However, success requires discipline, proper risk management, and realistic expectations. Practice evaluation rules on demo accounts first, never violate drawdown limits, and focus on consistency over home-run trades.
Remember: prop firms aren't magic solutions for unprofitable traders. They provide capital leverage for traders who already have proven, profitable strategies but lack personal capital to scale. If you can't consistently profit with a $5K-$10K personal account, address those fundamentals before investing in prop firm evaluations.
Start with the firm that matches your trading focus (Apex for futures, FTMO for forex, TopStep for beginners), commit to the evaluation process, and join thousands of funded traders earning substantial income with someone else's capital.
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