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Top-Rated Prop Firms in the US

By Christopher Lewis
Reviewer Adam Lemon
Fact-checker DailyForex.com Team
Christopher Lewis has been trading Forex and has over 20 years experience in financial markets. Chris has been a regular contributor to Daily Forex since the early days of the site. He writes about Forex for several online publications, including FX Empire, Investing.com, and his own site, aptly named The Trader Guy. Chris favours technical analysis methods to identify his trades and likes to trade equity indices and commodities as well as Forex. He favours a longer-term trading style, and his trades often last for days or weeks.

Adam Lemon began his role at DailyForex in 2013 when he was brought in as an in-house Chief Analyst. Adam trades Forex, stocks and other instruments in his own account. Adam believes that it is very possible for retail traders/investors to secure a positive return over time provided they limit their risks, follow trends, and persevere through short-term losing streaks – provided only reputable brokerages are used. He has previously worked within financial markets over a 12-year period, including 6 years with Merrill Lynch.

The DailyForex.com team is comprised of analysts and researchers from around the world who watch the market throughout the day to provide you with unique perspectives and helpful analysis that can help improve your Forex trading.

The US is home to the world’s most traded currency and its second-biggest Forex market. Some US prop firms deploy a monthly subscription plan for live capital in unleveraged trading accounts, while others follow the traditional retail model. How do you know when you’re dealing with trustworthy prop firms in the US?

Read my in-depth review of American prop firms, learn the pros and cons, and see my quick guide to choosing a prop trading account in the US.

1
4.8/5
The ratings shown on DailyForex.com are determined by hours of research from our editorial team into over 10 factors, including account fees, deposit/withdrawal options, regulatory status, tradable assets, and more.
A maximum profit share of 90% & cryptocurrency withdrawals
A free $10,000 demo challenge to qualify for a paid-for evaluation
2
4.7/5
The ratings shown on DailyForex.com are determined by hours of research from our editorial team into over 10 factors, including account fees, deposit/withdrawal options, regulatory status, tradable assets, and more.
A maximum profit share of 90% & cryptocurrency withdrawals
A free demo trial & DXtrade for US-based prop traders

  • Sabiotrade, daily trading signals on the Quadcode platform and full-year mentorship.
  • FTMO, the best prop trading firm with a genuine path for salaried prop traders.

Sabiotrade

In Summary daily trading signals on the Quadcode platform and full-year mentorship

Traders receive the Quadcode-powered trading platform, the one IQ Option offers, as a desktop platform, web-based alternative, and mobile app. It makes SabioTrade stand out since it does not offer algorithmic trading. It also differentiates itself from other retail prop trading firms by offering trading signals and a full-year mentorship. Therefore, I rank SabioTrade among the best prop firms in the USA.

SabioTrade offers five account plans from $20,000 to $650,000 for a one-time evaluation fee between $119 and $2,989. The maximum leverage is 1:30 with a 10% profit target, no minimum trading day requirements, and a maximum drawdown of 6%.

Read more on Sabiotrade »
4.8/5 in this category

Pros & Cons

  • Dashboard-integrated trading platform by QuadCode Markets
  • Quick 1-step assessment
  • Funded accounts $10,000-$200,000
  • Profit share between 70% and 90%
  • No weekend positions

FTMO

In Summary the best prop trading firm with a genuine path for salaried prop traders

I rank FTMO among the best prop firms in the USA as it offers traders a clear path to transition from retail to professional prop trading with a contract and a fixed salary. Prop traders can choose from five funded accounts starting at $10,000 with a one-time €89 evaluation fee and a maximum of $200,000 for €1,080. The maximum leverage is 1:100.

FTMO allows the usage of EAs, features a premium program, and requires traders to trade for at least four days during the evaluation. The two-step verification has a 10%-5% profit target with a maximum drawdown of 10%.

Read more on FTMO »
4.7/5 in this category

Pros & Cons

  • Reasonable profit targets and generous maximum loss levels
  • 80% to 90% profit share with a fast withdrawal process
  • Customizable two-step evaluation period with free retrials where applicable
  • MT4, MT5, and cTrader accounts with generous leverage
  • No information about which broker or brokers FTMO uses

Is Forex Prop Trading a Good Idea in the US?

Every trader must answer the viability of prop trading based on their preferences, skills, and strategy. While prop firms in the US provide capital, they also implement strict risk management rules, potential consistency rules, strategy restrictions, or uncompetitive trading rules.

Rules and Regulations of Prop Trading in the US

Retail prop firms remain duly registered companies, but they are unregulated. They partner with regulated brokers that provide the trading infrastructure. The rules of prop trading depend on the prop firm but consist of strict risk management rules and trading strategy restrictions. Therefore, each potential prop trader must carefully evaluate the prop firm and conclude if it fits their strategy.

Pros and Cons of Prop Trading in the US The Cons of Prop Trading

Before paying for a funded account evaluation or monthly subscription, I advise traders to consider the pros and cons of prop trading in the US.

The Pros of Prop Trading

  • Access to trading capital
  • A generous profit split
  • Well-established prop firm partnerships with trusted brokers

The Cons of Prop Trading

  • Unregulated business
  • Time zone is not ideal for trading the London trading session
  • Tight risk management rules
  • Some consistency rules make select trading strategies uncompetitive
  • Not all prop firms allow algorithmic trading
  • Performance pressure
  • Inexperienced traders rush to prop firms offering educational content

How to Choose a Prop Trading Account in the US

Many prop firms have similar core trading conditions, but differences exist. I recommend traders evaluate the trading conditions and risk management rules of prop firms in the US diligently.

Prop traders should ensure their prop firms excel in the following aspects:

1. Reputation - Prop firms are unregulated but duly registered businesses, and traders should avoid newly established ones.

2. Trading Costs - Traders must compare monthly subscription fees versus one-time evaluation fees and associated trading conditions. Trading fees depend on the partner broker of prop firms.

3. Trading Platform - Most prop firms in the US offer TradeLocker for algorithmic trading and DXtrade for manual traders.

4. Profit Split - Prop traders should only consider a profit split of 80%+.

5. Asset Selection - Most prop firms in the US allow Forex, cryptocurrencies, commodities, equities, and futures.

6. Trading Strategies - Trading restrictions that impact the viability of strategies exist at almost all prop firms in the US.

7. Support - Prop traders should ensure fast, responsive customer support, as trading with legitimate prop firms involves a contract and the receipt of payouts.

8. Payouts - The best prop firms in the US allow cryptocurrency transactions, but bank wires remain the primary option.

What Can You Trade with a Prop Firm in the US?

The best prop firms in the US offer Forex, cryptocurrencies, commodities, metals, equities, ETFs, and futures, but the asset selection always depends on the prop firms, their partner broker, and their trading conditions.

Bottom Line

The best prop firms in the US can assist skilled traders in transitioning to full-time trading, but they can also limit the successful execution of trading strategies based on their trading rules and restrictions. While most prop firms present themselves as professional businesses, prop traders must evaluate and understand the trading rules and restrictions.

Prop traders should also consider that most retail prop firms rely on evaluation fees or monthly subscriptions for their income. Regulators label it shadow trading or a trading game as no live trading occurs. Therefore, US-resident prop traders must carefully evaluate prop firms before applying for a fee-based evaluation.

FAQs

What are prop trading fees in the US?

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Prop trading fees are a profit share between 10% and 20% of trading income and a one-time evaluation or a monthly subscription fee.

Do prop traders need a license?

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Retail prop traders in the US do not require a license.

Is prop trading in the US free?

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Prop trading is not free in the US. Prop traders pay one-time or recurring fees, dependent on the prop firm

How much do prop traders make in the US?

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No precise data exists, but companies claiming specialization in international income data report average annual salaries for prop traders in the US between $101,533 and $129,303, plus performance-based bonuses. Please note that this applies to professional prop traders with contracts and not to retail prop traders who pass challenges and evaluations.

Is prop trading legal in the US?

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Prop trading is legal in the US. Retail prop traders may experience shadow trading rather than actual trading, depending on the prop firm.

Are prop firms legal in the US?

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Prop firms are legal in the US, but they remain unregulated businesses.

Christopher Lewis
Christopher Lewis has been trading Forex and has over 20 years experience in financial markets. Chris has been a regular contributor to Daily Forex since the early days of the site. He writes about Forex for several online publications, including FX Empire, Investing.com, and his own site, aptly named The Trader Guy. Chris favours technical analysis methods to identify his trades and likes to trade equity indices and commodities as well as Forex. He favours a longer-term trading style, and his trades often last for days or weeks.