Prop Firm Scaling Plan Guide | How to Scale from $50K to $400K Account
Getting funded is just the beginning. The real prize is scaling your prop firm account from $50,000 to $100,000, $200,000, and beyond to $400K+ where serious money is made.
Most traders don't understand how prop firm scaling works, the specific requirements to request increases, or the timeline it realistically takes. In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down scaling plans from FTMO (up to $2M), TopStep (contract scaling), Apex ($300K max), and other top firms with exact requirements, realistic timelines, and proven strategies to scale faster.
What is a Prop Firm Scaling Plan?
A scaling plan is a structured path to increase your trading capital or position sizes after demonstrating consistent profitability and responsible risk management.
Two Types of Scaling
1. Account Size Scaling (FTMO, FundedNext, Earn2Trade)
Your actual account balance increases:
- $50,000 → $100,000 → $200,000 → $400,000+
- Profit targets increase proportionally ($5K → $10K → $20K)
- Drawdown limits increase (more room for larger trades)
- Profit split percentages may improve (80% → 90%)
2. Contract Scaling (TopStep, Apex)
Your account balance stays the same, but maximum position size increases:
- Start: 2 contracts maximum
- After $1,500 profit: 3 contracts
- After $2,000 profit: 5 contracts
- Account size remains $50K, but earning potential grows with more contracts
💡 Which is Better?
Account scaling is better for long-term wealth building. Doubling your account from $50K to $100K doubles your buying power and allows profits to compound faster.
Contract scaling gives quicker access to larger position sizes without waiting months for full account increases. Better for aggressive traders who want immediate earning potential.
FTMO Scaling Plan: Up to $2,000,000
FTMO Scaling Overview
Maximum Account Size: $2,000,000 per trader
Multiple Accounts: Can manage up to 2× $200K accounts simultaneously ($400K combined allocation)
Scaling Type: Account size scaling
FTMO Scaling Requirements
To request account size increase:
- Profit Target: Achieve 10% profit on current account size
- Payout Requirement: Receive 3 successful payouts
- Trading Period: Minimum 90 days of active trading
- Good Standing: No rule violations, maintain drawdown limits
- Consistency: Demonstrate balanced profit distribution (avoid 80%+ from one trade)
FTMO Scaling Path Example: $50K → $200K
From $50,000 to $200,000 Account
Profit split: 80%, Daily loss limit: $2,500, Max drawdown: $5,000
Requirements: Earn $5,000 profit (10% of $50K), Receive 3 payouts, Trade for minimum 90 days
Timeline: 4-6 months
New account: $100K, $5K daily loss limit, $10K max drawdown, 90% profit split (after first payout)
Requirements: Earn $10,000 profit (10% of $100K), Receive 3 more payouts, Trade for another 90+ days
Timeline: 6-8 months
New account: $200K, $10K daily loss limit, $20K max drawdown, 90% profit split
Minimum: 9-12 months
Realistic: 18-24 months for most traders
Fast track: Elite traders can do it in 12-15 months
FTMO Profit Potential by Account Size
| Account Size | 10% Profit | Your Take (90%) | Monthly (Conservative 3%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $5,000 | $4,500 | $1,350/month |
| $100,000 | $10,000 | $9,000 | $2,700/month |
| $200,000 | $20,000 | $18,000 | $5,400/month |
| $400,000 (2× $200K) | $40,000 | $36,000 | $10,800/month FULL-TIME INCOME |
| $2,000,000 | $200,000 | $180,000 | $54,000/month |
TopStep Scaling Plan: Contract-Based Growth
TopStep Scaling Overview
Maximum Account Size: $150,000 (not $200K)
Scaling Type: Contract-based (position size increases, not account balance)
Philosophy: Prove you can handle larger positions before increasing account size
TopStep Contract Scaling ($50K Account)
| Profit Milestone | Max Contracts Allowed | Max Profit Potential per Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Start ($0 profit) | 2 contracts | $100 per point (2× ES at $50/point) |
| $1,500 profit | 3 contracts | $150 per point |
| $2,000 profit | 5 contracts | $250 per point 2.5× EARNING POWER |
Timeline: Most traders reach 5-contract level within 2-4 months if consistently profitable.
💡 TopStep Advantage
While TopStep doesn't offer traditional account size scaling to $200K+, the contract scaling happens much faster (2-4 months vs 12-24 months for account scaling). This gives aggressive traders quicker access to higher earning potential without waiting years.
TopStep Account Size Options
- $50,000 Account: Most popular, $165/month
- $100,000 Account: Larger contracts allowed from start
- $150,000 Account: Maximum TopStep offers
Note: You start with larger contract limits on bigger accounts, but the scaling methodology is the same.
Apex Trader Funding: Up to $300,000
Apex Scaling Overview
Maximum Account Size: $300,000
Scaling Type: Hybrid (contract + account size)
Unique Feature: 100% profit on first $25K, then 90%
Apex Scaling Structure
Apex uses a more flexible scaling approach:
- Start with evaluation account: $25K - $300K available
- Pass one-step evaluation: 7 minimum trading days, hit profit target
- Get funded instantly: No second phase
- Scale contracts: As you profit, increase position sizes
- Multiple accounts: Can purchase multiple Apex accounts through subscription model
Apex Account Size Pricing (Monthly Subscription)
| Account Size | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $167/month | $2,004/year |
| $150,000 | $277/month | $3,324/year |
| $300,000 | $377/month | $4,524/year |
Strategy: Many traders start with $50K or $150K to prove consistency, then upgrade to $300K once profitable. The monthly fee becomes negligible when earning $5K-10K/month.
Complete Prop Firm Scaling Comparison
| Prop Firm | Max Account Size | Scaling Type | Time to $200K | Multiple Accounts? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO | $2,000,000 BEST | Account size | 12-24 months | 2× $200K max |
| TopStep | $150,000 | Contract-based | N/A (max $150K) | Yes (position limits apply) |
| Apex | $300,000 | Hybrid | Immediate (purchase $300K) | Yes (multiple subscriptions) |
| FundedNext | $300,000+ | Account size | 12-18 months | Yes |
| Earn2Trade | $400,000 | Account size | 24-30 months | Yes |
| My Funded Futures | $150,000 | Account size | 12-18 months | Yes |
Strategies to Scale Faster
Strategy #1: Target 3-5% Monthly Returns During Scaling Period
💡 The Sweet Spot
Most traders try to hit 10% per month to scale faster → this leads to overtrading and blowing accounts.
Better approach: Target conservative 3-5% monthly returns with rock-solid consistency. This ensures:
- You hit the 10% milestone reliably within 3-4 months
- You maintain good trading metrics (consistency, drawdown control)
- You build confidence in your strategy
- You avoid blowing the account and restarting
Strategy #2: Request Scaling Exactly When Eligible
Don't wait. The moment you hit all requirements:
- Log into your prop firm dashboard
- Submit scaling request with performance summary
- Include trading journal showing consistency
- Emphasize drawdown control and risk management
Common mistake: Traders wait "to be safe" and continue trading on the smaller account for 6 more months, missing compounding opportunities.
Strategy #3: The "Multiple Firm" Approach
Instead of waiting 24 months to scale one FTMO account to $200K, use this strategy:
Month 0-3: Get First Funding
Pass FTMO $50K evaluation, get funded, start trading conservatively
Month 3-6: Add Second Firm
While trading FTMO $50K, pass TopStep $50K evaluation. Now trading 2 accounts = $100K combined
Month 6-12: First Scaling Milestone
FTMO $50K → $100K. TopStep scales contracts. Combined allocation: $150K+
Month 12-18: Add Third Account or Scale Further
FTMO hits $200K, TopStep at max contracts, consider adding Apex $150K. Total: $350K+ across 3 firms
Month 18-24: $400K+ Allocation
FTMO $200K + TopStep $150K + Apex $150K = $500K combined allocation in 2 years vs waiting 4+ years for one firm to scale to $500K
⚠️ Important: Risk Management with Multiple Accounts
Never trade correlated strategies across multiple accounts. If you're trading the same ES strategy on 3 accounts, one bad market day can wipe all three simultaneously.
Better approach:
- Account 1 (FTMO): ES day trading
- Account 2 (TopStep): NQ scalping
- Account 3 (Apex): Swing trading overnight positions
This diversification protects your income stream if one strategy underperforms.
Strategy #4: Optimize Payout Frequency
Balance between taking payouts (required for scaling) and leaving capital in account to hit profit targets faster:
Example on FTMO $50K:
- Month 1: Earn $2,500 (5%), withdraw $1,500 (first payout), keep $1,000 in account
- Month 2: Earn $2,000 more (total $3,000), withdraw $1,500 (second payout), keep $1,500 in account
- Month 3: Earn $3,000 more (total $6,000), withdraw $1,500 (third payout), keep $4,500 in account
- Month 4: Final push to $10,000 total profit (10% milestone hit!)
Result: You got 3 required payouts ($4,500 total withdrawn) while still accumulating the $10,000 profit needed for scaling. Request scaling in Month 4-5 instead of Month 8-10.
Strategy #5: Track Metrics That Matter for Scaling
Prop firms evaluate these metrics when approving scaling requests:
| Metric | What Firms Want to See | How to Achieve It |
|---|---|---|
| Consistency | No single day >30% of profits | Take profits daily, don't let winners run too big |
| Max Drawdown | Never exceed 60% of max allowed | If daily limit is $2,500, never go below -$1,500 intraday |
| Win Rate | 50%+ (ideally 55-65%) | Be selective with entries, cut losses quickly |
| Average Win:Loss | 1.5:1 or better | Let winners run slightly beyond profit target, cut losers at hard stop |
| Trading Frequency | 3-5 days per week | Trade consistently, avoid 2-week gaps |
Common Scaling Mistakes That Delay Growth
Mistake #1: Overtrading to Hit Milestones Faster
The Problem: Trader has $7,500 profit on FTMO $50K after 2 months. Gets impatient, starts taking 20 trades per day to hit $10,000 faster. Blows $3,000 in one bad week, drops to $4,500. Now has to start over.
The Solution: Stick to your proven strategy. If you're earning 3-5% per month consistently, you'll hit milestones on schedule without risk.
Mistake #2: Not Requesting Scaling When Eligible
The Problem: Trader hits all requirements (10% profit, 3 payouts, 90 days), but doesn't request scaling for 4 more months "just to be safe."
The Cost: 4 months of trading on $50K instead of $100K = missed $2,000-4,000 in additional profits from larger position sizes.
The Solution: Submit scaling request the moment you're eligible. Worst case, they ask for another month. Best case, you're scaled immediately.
Mistake #3: Taking Too Many Payouts Too Soon
The Problem: Trader withdraws every dollar earned. Earns $1,000, withdraws $1,000. Earns $800, withdraws $800. After 6 months, has $10,000 in payouts but account shows $0 net profit.
Why It Matters: Firms base scaling on profit remaining in account, not total payouts. You need to show $10,000 cumulative profit for next scale.
The Solution: Leave at least 50-60% of profits in account until you hit scaling milestone, then withdraw.
Mistake #4: Scaling Before You're Ready
The Problem: Trader gets lucky, hits 10% profit in 6 weeks with 70% from one trade. Requests scaling, gets approved, immediately loses $5,000 on $100K account because strategy isn't truly consistent.
The Solution: Even if you hit profit target, wait until you have 3-6 months of consistent performance. If you can't consistently earn 3-5% monthly on $50K, you'll struggle even more on $100K.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prop Firm Scaling
A prop firm scaling plan is a structured path to increase your trading capital or position sizes after demonstrating consistent profitability.
Two main types exist:
- Account Size Scaling (FTMO, FundedNext): Your account balance increases from $50K → $100K → $200K → $400K+ based on profit targets and number of payouts
- Contract Scaling (TopStep, Apex): Your maximum position size increases (e.g., 2 contracts → 3 → 5) as you hit profit milestones
Scaling requirements typically include:
- Achieving 10-15% profit on current account
- Receiving 3-5 successful payouts
- Maintaining good trading metrics (consistency, drawdown management)
- Trading actively for 30-90 days
- Submitting a scaling request through your account dashboard
FTMO offers the most generous scaling potential, up to $2,000,000 per trader:
- Starting account: $10K-$200K initial funded account
- First scaling: After 10% profit + 3 payouts, request account increase (e.g., $50K → $100K)
- Subsequent scaling: Continue hitting 10% profit milestones with 3 payouts between each scale
- Maximum: Scale up to $2M total, or manage 2× $200K accounts simultaneously ($400K combined)
- Profit split: Starts at 80%, increases to 90% after first payout
- Timeline: Most traders take 3-6 months per scaling milestone (90 days minimum active trading + 3 payout cycles)
Example path: $50K (Month 0) → $100K (Month 5) → $200K (Month 12) → $400K (Month 20) = realistic 20-24 month timeline to $400K
Account Scaling (FTMO, FundedNext):
- Your actual account balance increases
- Example: $50K → $100K account means your buying power doubles, profit target doubles ($5K → $10K), and drawdown limits double ($2.5K → $5K daily loss)
Contract Scaling (TopStep, Apex):
- Your account balance stays the same, but maximum position size increases
- Example: $50K account, start with 2 ES contracts max. After $1,500 profit → 3 contracts allowed. After $2,000 profit → 5 contracts allowed. Account balance remains $50K throughout.
Which is better?
- Account scaling: Better for long-term growth (more capital compounds faster)
- Contract scaling: Quicker access to larger position sizes without waiting for full account increases
Timeline varies by firm and trader performance:
FTMO (Fastest Path):
- Minimum: 9-12 months (3-4 months per scaling milestone × 3 scales)
- Realistic: 18-24 months for most traders
- Requirements: $50K → $100K (10% profit + 3 payouts) = 4-6 months, $100K → $200K (10% profit + 3 payouts) = 6-8 months
TopStep: Does not offer account scaling to $200K (max account size is $150K). Instead, scales contracts over 2-4 months.
FundedNext: Similar to FTMO, 12-18 months realistic timeline
Earn2Trade: Can scale to $400K, typical timeline 24-30 months
Factors that slow scaling:
- Inconsistent profitability
- Failing to request scaling when eligible
- Not trading actively enough (need 90+ days per cycle)
- Taking too many payouts too early (delays profit accumulation)
Yes, most firms allow multiple accounts with some restrictions:
FTMO:
- 2 accounts maximum per trader ($200K + $200K = $400K max combined)
- Cannot have 2 challenges running simultaneously (must pass one before starting another)
TopStep:
- Multiple accounts allowed, but combined position limits apply
- Cannot exceed maximum contracts across all accounts combined
Apex:
- Multiple accounts allowed through their subscription model
- Each account operates independently
FundedNext: Multiple accounts allowed, can run evaluations simultaneously
Best strategy:
- Start with one firm, get funded and demonstrate consistency (3-6 months)
- Add second firm once first account is stable
- Scale both accounts simultaneously for faster capital growth
- Never risk correlation (don't trade identical strategies on both accounts)
🚀 Ready to Scale Your Prop Firm Account?
Understanding scaling requirements is crucial - but the foundation is consistent profitability.
FuturesHive teaches the exact trading system that scales from $50K to $400K+ accounts: 3-5% monthly returns, risk management for large capital, position sizing strategies, and drawdown control that satisfies every prop firm's scaling requirements.
Learn the proven strategy that scales to six-figure prop firm accounts →