Your profit split determines how much money you actually keep from your trading. While most prop firms advertise their splits prominently (80%, 90%, 100%), understanding the nuances - like "100% of first $25K" structures, scaling improvements, and hidden costs - is critical for maximizing earnings. This guide breaks down every major prop firm's profit split with real earnings calculations.
Quick Answer: Top 3 Profit Splits
- Apex Trader Funding - 100% first $25K, then 90% (best overall for futures)
- TopStep - 100% first $10K, then 90% (best for consistent traders)
- FundedNext - Up to 95% for CFDs, 100% for futures (best for forex)
What Is a Prop Firm Profit Split?
A profit split (also called profit share) is the percentage of your trading profits you keep versus what the prop firm takes. It's the most important factor determining your take-home earnings.
Example: You earn $5,000 in trading profits on a funded account.
- 80% split: You keep $4,000, firm takes $1,000
- 90% split: You keep $4,500, firm takes $500
- 100% split: You keep all $5,000, firm takes $0
The split compensates the prop firm for providing trading capital, platforms, risk management systems, customer support, and absorbing losses when traders breach accounts. Higher splits mean more money in your pocket.
Industry Standard: 80-20 Split
The traditional prop trading industry standard is an 80-20 split (trader keeps 80%, firm takes 20%). Most budget and mid-tier firms offer this as their standard rate:
- FTMO: 80% (upgradeable to 90%)
- FundedNext: 80% standard (add-ons for 90-95%)
- Most budget firms: 80% standard
- The Funded Trader: 80-90%
Never accept less than 70%. Any firm offering 60% or 50% splits (unless you're at The 5%ers entry level) is taking too much of your hard-earned profits.
100% Profit Split Firms: Apex vs TopStep
Two firms stand out with 100% profit split structures on your initial earnings: Apex Trader Funding and TopStep. But they work very differently.
Apex Trader Funding WINNER 100% first $25K
Structure: Keep 100% of your first $25,000 in profits, then 90% of all profits beyond that.
How It Works:
- You pass Apex's evaluation and receive a $50K funded account
- You earn your first $10K in profit → You keep all $10,000 (100%)
- You earn another $20K (now $30K total) → You keep all of first $25K + 90% of remaining $5K = $25,000 + $4,500 = $29,500 total
- Effective split on $30K profit: 98.3%
Real Earnings Example: $50K Apex Account Earning $40K
- First $25K: You keep $25,000 (100%)
- Next $15K: You keep $13,500 (90%)
- Total kept: $38,500 out of $40K (96.25% effective split)
- Apex takes: $1,500 total
Account Sizes: $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, $250K, $300K
Pricing: $147-$377/month (recurring subscription model)
Best For: Aggressive traders targeting $20K-$50K+ monthly profits
Pros:
- Highest initial 100% threshold in the industry ($25K)
- 90% ongoing split is excellent
- Simple, one-step evaluation
- No daily loss limits (only max drawdown)
- Fast payouts (on-demand, 1-2 days)
Cons:
- Monthly recurring fees ($147-$377) reduce effective earnings
- Futures-focused (not suitable for forex traders)
- Subscription model means ongoing costs even during slow months
TopStep 100% first $10K
Structure: Keep 100% of your first $10,000 in profits, then 90% of all profits beyond that.
How It Works:
- You complete TopStep's evaluation and get funded
- You earn your first $10K in profit → You keep all $10,000 (100%)
- You earn another $20K (now $30K total) → You keep all of first $10K + 90% of remaining $20K = $10,000 + $18,000 = $28,000 total
- Effective split on $30K profit: 93.3%
Real Earnings Example: $50K TopStep Account Earning $30K
- First $10K: You keep $10,000 (100%)
- Next $20K: You keep $18,000 (90%)
- Total kept: $28,000 out of $30K (93.3% effective split)
- TopStep takes: $2,000 total
Account Sizes: $50K, $100K, $150K
Pricing: $165/month (subscription model, no evaluation fee)
Best For: Consistent traders earning $5K-$20K monthly
Pros:
- 100% of first $10K keeps your initial earnings high
- 90% ongoing split is excellent
- 15+ year track record, $200M+ paid out
- Lower monthly costs than Apex ($165 vs $147-$377)
- No separate evaluation fee (subscription covers everything)
- Institutional backing and strong reputation
Cons:
- 100% threshold is lower than Apex ($10K vs $25K)
- Bi-weekly payouts (less flexible than Apex's on-demand)
- Recurring monthly fee reduces net earnings
- Consistency rule (can't make 80% profit in one day)
Apex vs TopStep: Which Is Better?
It depends on your average monthly profits:
| Monthly Profit | Apex Earnings (After $150 Fee) | TopStep Earnings (After $165 Fee) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $5,000 (100%) - $150 = $4,850 | $5,000 (100%) - $165 = $4,835 | Apex (+$15) |
| $10,000 | $10,000 (100%) - $150 = $9,850 | $10,000 (100%) - $165 = $9,835 | Apex (+$15) |
| $15,000 | $15,000 (100%) - $150 = $14,850 | $10K (100%) + $4.5K (90%) - $165 = $14,335 | Apex (+$515) |
| $25,000 | $25,000 (100%) - $150 = $24,850 | $10K (100%) + $13.5K (90%) - $165 = $23,335 | Apex (+$1,515) |
| $30,000 | $25K + $4.5K (90% of $5K) - $150 = $29,350 | $10K + $18K (90% of $20K) - $165 = $27,835 | Apex (+$1,515) |
| $50,000 | $25K + $22.5K (90% of $25K) - $150 = $47,350 | $10K + $36K (90% of $40K) - $165 = $45,835 | Apex (+$1,515) |
Conclusion: Apex pays more at every profit level, with the advantage increasing significantly above $15K/month. However, TopStep's 15-year reputation, institutional backing, and lower monthly cost make it attractive for conservative traders who prioritize stability over maximum split.
90-95% Profit Split Firms
Several firms offer 90-95% splits without the 100% initial threshold structure. These are excellent for forex traders and those wanting high splits from day one.
FundedNext Up to 95%
Standard Split: 80% (upgradeable to 90-95% with add-ons)
Special Feature: 15% profit sharing during evaluation phase (reduces your risk)
Futures Split: Up to 100% for futures contracts
Why It's Special: FundedNext is the only major firm offering profit sharing during the evaluation. If you earn $1,000 during your Phase 1 challenge, you receive $150 (15%) even if you eventually fail. This reduces evaluation risk significantly.
Real Earnings: $10K Account with 95% Split
- Monthly profit: $1,500
- Your earnings: $1,425 (95%)
- FundedNext takes: $75 (5%)
- Annual earnings on consistent $1,500/month: $17,100
Account Sizes: $5K to $200K
Evaluation Cost: $32 (Stellar Lite) to $499+
Payout Speed: 24 hours (fastest in industry)
Track Record: $147M paid to traders
Best For:
- Forex traders wanting high splits without futures focus
- Traders who want evaluation profit sharing (15%)
- Those prioritizing fast payouts (24-hour processing)
FTMO 80-90%
Standard Split: 80%
Scaling Split: 90% (unlocked through Scaling Plan)
How Scaling Works: After 4 months of profitable trading with 10% cumulative profit, FTMO increases your account size AND improves your split to 90%. This creates a powerful compound effect.
FTMO Scaling Example: $10K → $100K Over 2 Years
- Months 1-4: $10K account, 80% split, earn $800/month ($200 to FTMO)
- Months 5-8: Scale to $20K, 90% split, earn $1,800/month ($200 to FTMO)
- Months 9-12: Scale to $50K, 90% split, earn $4,500/month ($500 to FTMO)
- Year 2: Scale to $100K, 90% split, earn $9,000/month ($1,000 to FTMO)
- Total Year 2 Earnings: $108,000
Maximum Scale: $400K (highest in the industry)
Evaluation Cost: $69 (5K) to $1,080 ($200K)
Track Record: Industry leader, millions paid monthly
Best For:
- Traders with long-term scaling ambitions ($100K-$400K)
- Those wanting established reputation and trust (7+ years)
- Forex traders needing tight spreads (0.6-0.8 pips)
Complete Profit Split Comparison Table
| Prop Firm | Standard Split | Maximum Split | Special Structure | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apex | 90% | 100% (first $25K) | 100% → 90% hybrid | Highest 100% threshold |
| TopStep | 90% | 100% (first $10K) | 100% → 90% hybrid | 15+ year reputation |
| FundedNext | 80% | 95-100% | 15% during eval | 24-hour payouts |
| FTMO | 80% | 90% | Improves with scaling | Scales to $400K |
| Take Profit Trader | 80% | 90% | Standard 80-90% | Immediate withdrawals |
| The Funded Trader | 80% | 90% | Standard 80-90% | Aggressive scaling |
| Goat Funded Trader | 80% | 100% | 100% upgrade available | Upgrade to 100% option |
| The 5%ers | 50-60% | 100% | Progressive increase | Long-term 100% goal |
| Budget Firms | 80% | 80% | Fixed 80% | Low entry cost |
Does a Higher Profit Split Always Mean More Earnings?
Not necessarily. The profit split is only one factor in total earnings. Here's what else matters:
1. Trading Costs (Spreads and Commissions)
Wide spreads can erase the benefit of a higher profit split for active traders.
⚠️ Example: 95% Split with Wide Spreads vs 80% Split with Tight Spreads
Firm A: 95% split, 1.5 pip EUR/USD spread
Firm B: 80% split, 0.8 pip EUR/USD spread
Scenario: You trade 100 lots of EUR/USD, earning $10,000 gross profit
- Firm A: $10,000 profit - $150 spread costs (1.5 pips × 100 lots) = $9,850 × 95% = $9,357 to you
- Firm B: $10,000 profit - $80 spread costs (0.8 pips × 100 lots) = $9,920 × 80% = $7,936 to you
Winner: Firm A by $1,421, but only because the profit was large. For smaller profits or more trades, tight spreads can outweigh higher splits.
Rule of Thumb: Scalpers and high-frequency traders should prioritize spreads; swing traders should prioritize profit splits.
2. Payout Frequency
- On-demand/Immediate: Apex, Take Profit Trader - access profits anytime
- Bi-weekly: FTMO, FundedNext, TopStep - reliable but ties up capital for 14 days
- Monthly: Some budget firms - significant capital lockup
A 90% split paid monthly means your capital is tied up 4 weeks. An 85% split paid bi-weekly gives you faster capital rotation for reinvestment or personal use.
3. Account Sizes and Scaling
An 80% split on a $100K account ($4,000 on $5K profit) beats a 95% split on a $10K account ($475 on $500 profit). Always consider how large you can scale.
- FTMO: 80-90% split, scales to $400K = $18K-$36K on $40K monthly profit
- Maven Trading: 80% split, caps at ~$100K = $4K on $5K monthly profit
4. Monthly Fees and Ongoing Costs
Apex and TopStep charge recurring monthly fees ($150-$377), which reduce effective earnings:
Effective Split Calculation with Monthly Fees
Apex: $10K profit, 100% split, $150 monthly fee = $9,850 net = 98.5% effective split
FTMO: $10K profit, 80% split, no monthly fee = $8,000 net = 80% effective split
Break-even point: Apex becomes more profitable when monthly profits exceed ~$800
How to Choose the Right Profit Split for You
Select your profit split based on your trading profile:
Choose 100% First-Profit Structures (Apex, TopStep) If:
- You consistently earn $10K-$50K+ monthly
- You trade futures (ES, NQ, micros)
- You want maximum earnings on your best months
- You're comfortable with monthly recurring fees
Choose 90-95% Straight Splits (FundedNext, FTMO 90%) If:
- You trade forex and need high splits without futures focus
- You want simplicity (no hybrid split calculations)
- You value fast payouts (FundedNext's 24 hours)
- You want evaluation profit sharing (FundedNext's 15%)
Choose 80% Standard Splits (FTMO, Budget Firms) If:
- You prioritize scaling to $400K+ (FTMO's 80→90% path)
- You value tight spreads and low trading costs
- You want the lowest evaluation entry cost (budget firms)
- You're starting your prop trading journey
Can You Negotiate Profit Splits?
Generally, no. Established prop firms have standardized splits to maintain fairness across their trader base. However, there are pathways to increase your split:
- Scaling Programs: FTMO, FundedNext, and others increase splits when you scale accounts
- Add-On Purchases: Goat Funded Trader, DNA Funded, and FundedNext offer 90-100% upgrades for $50-$200 extra at purchase
- Elite Trader Programs: After 6-12 months of exceptional performance, some firms offer custom terms to top performers (rare and not advertised)
- Multiple Accounts: Combining accounts doesn't change per-account splits but doubles earning capacity
💡 Pro Tip: Focus on Total Earnings, Not Just Split Percentage
A 95% split on a $10K account earning $500/month = $475 to you. An 80% split on a $100K account earning $5K/month = $4,000 to you. The second scenario earns you 8.4x more despite a 15% lower split. Prioritize firms offering strong scaling paths over those with the highest advertised splits.
Final Recommendation: Best Profit Split for Your Goals
Maximum Short-Term Earnings: Apex Trader Funding
100% of first $25K then 90% creates the highest take-home for traders earning $20K-$50K+ monthly. The $150-$377 monthly fee is easily justified at these profit levels.
Best Balance of Split and Reputation: TopStep
100% of first $10K then 90%, combined with 15+ years of operation, $200M+ in payouts, and lower monthly costs ($165) makes this ideal for consistent $5K-$20K monthly earners.
Best for Forex Traders: FundedNext
Up to 95% split, 24-hour payouts, 15% profit sharing during evaluations, and $147M track record. Excellent for forex traders who can't use futures-focused firms.
Best Long-Term Scaling: FTMO
80% improving to 90% with scaling to $400K creates massive long-term earning potential. A $400K account at 90% split earning 5% monthly = $18,000 to you per month ($216K annually).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which prop firm has the best profit split?
Apex Trader Funding offers the best overall profit split structure: 100% of the first $25,000 in profits, then 90% thereafter. For example, on a $50K account earning $30K, you keep all of the first $25K + 90% of the remaining $5K ($4,500) = $29,500 total (98.3% effective split). TopStep is second with 100% of first $10K then 90%, while FundedNext offers up to 95% for CFDs and 100% for futures. For forex traders, FundedNext's 95% split or FTMO's 90% (after scaling) are the most competitive options available.
What is a prop firm profit split?
A prop firm profit split is the percentage of trading profits you keep versus what the prop firm takes. The industry standard is 80-20 (you keep 80%, firm takes 20%), though top firms now offer 90-95% or even 100% structures. For example, if you earn $5,000 in a month: 80% split = you keep $4,000, firm takes $1,000; 90% split = you keep $4,500, firm takes $500; 100% split = you keep all $5,000. The split compensates the firm for providing capital, platform access, risk management infrastructure, and support while absorbing losses when traders breach accounts. Better profit splits directly increase your take-home earnings - a 90% split earns you $500 more per $5K profit compared to 80%, which compounds to $6,000 extra annually on consistent $5K monthly profits.
Does a higher profit split always mean more earnings?
Not necessarily. Higher profit splits increase earnings only if other factors are equal. Consider these critical factors: (1) Payout frequency - a 90% split paid monthly ties up your capital longer than an 80% split paid bi-weekly, affecting reinvestment opportunities; (2) Trading costs - firms with 90% splits but 1.5 pip spreads may cost more than 80% split firms with 0.8 pip spreads, as per-trade costs add up quickly for active traders; (3) Account sizes - an 80% split on a $100K account ($4,000 on $5K profit) beats a 95% split on a $10K account ($475 on $500 profit) by a factor of 8.4x; (4) Scaling opportunities - FTMO's 80% split scaling to $400K accounts can outperform a 95% split capped at $50K in long-term earnings; (5) Monthly fees - recurring subscription fees ($150-$400/month) effectively reduce your profit split percentage. Always calculate total monthly earnings after all costs including spreads, commissions, and fees rather than just comparing advertised split percentages.
How do Apex and TopStep profit splits compare?
Apex and TopStep both offer 100% initial profit structures but differ significantly in implementation and results: Apex: 100% of first $25,000, then 90%; TopStep: 100% of first $10,000, then 90%. For $30K in total profits: Apex = $25K (100%) + $4.5K (90% of $5K) = $29,500 kept (98.3% effective split); TopStep = $10K (100%) + $18K (90% of $20K) = $28,000 kept (93.3% effective split). Apex advantage: $1,500 more earnings on $30K profit, which scales proportionally with higher earnings. However, TopStep has lower monthly costs ($165 vs $147-$377 for Apex), no separate evaluation fee (subscription model covers everything), and a stronger 15+ year reputation with $200M+ in verified payouts. Best choice: Apex suits aggressive traders targeting $20K-$50K+ monthly profits who want maximum splits; TopStep suits consistent $5K-$15K monthly earners who value institutional backing and lower base costs.
Can I negotiate a higher profit split with a prop firm?
Generally no, established prop firms maintain standardized splits to ensure fairness across their trader base. However, there are legitimate pathways to increase your profit split: (1) Scaling programs - FTMO automatically increases from 80% to 90% when you scale beyond certain account sizes and time thresholds; FundedNext, Apex, and others maintain or improve splits as you progress; (2) Add-on purchases - firms like Goat Funded Trader, DNA Funded, and FundedNext offer 90-100% profit split upgrades for an additional fee ($50-$200) at initial purchase; (3) Elite trader programs - after proving consistent profitability for 6-12 months, some firms extend custom terms to top performers including better splits, but this is rare and not publicly advertised; (4) Multiple accounts - combining multiple funded accounts doesn't change the per-account split but effectively doubles or triples your total earning capacity. Best strategy: Choose a firm offering your desired split structure upfront rather than hoping to negotiate later, as individual negotiations create fairness issues and are rarely granted by reputable firms.
Ready to Maximize Your Trading Earnings?
Choose a prop firm with the profit split structure that matches your trading volume and goals.
Disclaimer: Trading involves substantial risk of loss. Profit splits are only valuable if you can consistently generate profits while managing risk. This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always evaluate total costs including spreads, commissions, and fees before choosing a prop firm.