Retail prop firms continue to expand, and retail prop traders have a growing choice of futures prop firms, but not all are equally competitive, and many scam futures prop firms operate. I filtered through the noise to present you with the best futures prop firms so you can focus on trading and not worry about being paid. Learn what futures prop firms are, what trading instruments they offer, how big the funded accounts are, and what profit split to expect.
Top Futures Proprietary Trading Firms
TopStep
In SummaryTop Step offers three funded accounts, $50,000, $100,000, and $150,000, with monthly fees of $49, $99, and $149, respectively. The minimum trading volumes and profit targets per account type are five contracts and $3,000, ten contracts and $6,000, and fifteen contracts and $9,000. Top Step supports 16 trading platforms, placing it among the best futures prop firms.
Traders can also have up to five Express Funded Accounts, which require a one-time activation fee of $149 per account. A scaling plan replaces the maximum position size, and traders can request their first payout after achieving five profitable trading days with $200+ in profits.
Pros & Cons
- Up to three Express Funded accounts once traders pass the Trading Combine
- Choice of 16 trading platforms, including five free options
- Profit share of 80%, but traders keep the first $10,000
- Only futures trading with a limited asset selection
- $125 minimum payout and only bank wire transactions
Apex Trader Funding
In SummaryRetail prop traders at Apex Trader Funding can choose from eight Rithmic/NinjaTrader or Tradovate/NinjaTrader funded accounts with a $25,000 minimum and a $300,000 maximum, including a $100,000 static account. Monthly subscription fees start from $147 and max out at $657, which includes the monthly costs for Ninja Trader and real-time data fees of $75 and $55. Therefore, I rank Apex Trader Funding among the best futures prop firms.
Traders can manage up to 20 funded accounts for which Apex Trader Funding offers a trade copier. After the seven-day one-step evaluation program, funded traders can request withdrawals bi-monthly.
Pros & Cons
- Algorithmic and multi-account management support
- An excellent choice of trading tools
- There is no time limit during the evaluation process
- A maximum profit share of 90% and 100% of the first $25,000
- Limited choice of payment processors
My Funded Futures
In SummaryI rank My Funded Futures among the best futures prop firms as it allows traders to upgrade from demo trading to live portfolios after 30 profitable trading days or after reaching the withdrawal threshold in the Started Sim Funded accounts. Traders can choose from six trading platforms and have $50,000, $100,000, and $150,000 funded account options with monthly subscription fees and three sub-account options. The lowest and highest monthly subscription costs are $80 and $375, respectively.
My Funded Futures does not charge an activation fee, and the Starter Plus and Expert plans have no daily loss limits.
Pros & Cons
- Weekly payouts for qualifying traders
- Low monthly subscription fees for a US-based prop firm
- A quality choice of supported trading platforms
- A maximum profit share of 90% and 100% of the first $10,000
- Withdrawals require a Rise Works account
Top Step
TopStep offers futures traders three funded accounts with daily payment processing.
- Profit share of 90%, but traders keep the first $10,000
- The Tilt indicator & a built-in trade copier for multi-account management
Top Step offers three funded accounts, $50,000, $100,000, and $150,000, with monthly fees of $49, $99, and $149, respectively. The minimum trading volumes and profit targets per account type are five contracts and $3,000, ten contracts and $6,000, and fifteen contracts and $9,000. Top Step supports 16 trading platforms, placing it among the best futures prop firms.
Traders can also have up to five Express Funded Accounts, which require a one-time activation fee of $149 per account. A scaling plan replaces the maximum position size, and traders can request their first payout after achieving five profitable trading days with $200+ in profits.
My Funded Futures
My Funded Futures offers a path to upgrade from demo trading to live trading.
- Profit share of 90%, but traders keep the first $10,000
- Upgrades to live trading accounts & bi-monthly withdrawals
I rank My Funded Futures among the best futures prop firms as it allows traders to upgrade from demo trading to live portfolios after 30 profitable trading days or after reaching the withdrawal threshold in the Started Sim Funded accounts. Traders can choose from six trading platforms and have $50,000, $100,000, and $150,000 funded account options with monthly subscription fees and three sub-account options. The lowest and highest monthly subscription costs are $80 and $375, respectively.
My Funded Futures does not charge an activation fee, and the Starter Plus and Expert plans have no daily loss limits.
Apex Trader Funding
Apex Trader Funding features no scaling requirements and does not have daily drawdown limits.
- Profit share of 90%, but traders keep the first $25,000
- Tick Strike indicator & trade copier for multi-account management
Retail prop traders at Apex Trader Funding can choose from eight Rithmic/NinjaTrader or Tradovate/NinjaTrader funded accounts with a $25,000 minimum and a $300,000 maximum, including a $100,000 static account. Monthly subscription fees start from $147 and max out at $657, which includes the monthly costs for Ninja Trader and real-time data fees of $75 and $55. Therefore, I rank Apex Trader Funding among the best futures prop firms.
Traders can manage up to 20 funded accounts for which Apex Trader Funding offers a trade copier. After the seven-day one-step evaluation program, funded traders can request withdrawals bi-monthly.
What Is a Futures Proprietary Trading Firm?
A futures prop firm offers traders funded accounts and futures trading infrastructure in partnership with well-established brokers. US futures prop firms charge a monthly subscription fee for funded accounts.
Futures prop firms also earn revenues from the profit split, which can be as low as 50%, but the average is between 80% and 95%. While access to capital is the primary benefit of trading with a futures prop firm, traders should consider the trading conditions and rules, as they can be very conservative.
How Should I Choose a Futures Prop Firm?
The choice of futures prop firms depends on the trader, their preferences, and their requirements, but all competent futures prop firms share similarities in their core offering. My in-depth review focused on the below aspects, as they are relevant to every trader.
Traders should evaluate the following aspects of futures prop firms:
1. Reputation - Futures prop firms are unregulated but duly registered businesses. I recommend traders avoid newly established futures prop firms and stick to those with 10+ years of experience. Reading reviews can help, but traders should approach them with caution and avoid reviewers without a history.
2. Trading Costs - Monthly subscription fees levied by US-based futures prop firms present a recurring cost traders should consider. While they are reasonable and ensure only traders with consistent profitability become prop traders, they differ between futures prop firms. Trading fees depend on the broker of future prop firms, and transparent firms list the costs.
3. Profit Share - I recommend traders ignore all futures prop firms with a profit split below 80% and look for 90%+.
4. Asset Selection - Futures prop firms usually offer futures contracts listed on the CME Futures, including those listed on the CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX.
5. Trading Platform Choices - While the trading platform selection depends on individual preferences, I recommend one that supports algorithmic trading. Futures traders who wish to manage multiple accounts should ensure the availability of a copy trader, allowing them to copy trades between their accounts (copy trading from other traders remains prohibited at all legit futures prop firms).
6. Trading Strategies - Traders must verify that their futures prop firms allow the trading style they wish to execute. Some futures prop firms are open, while others restrict or prefer select strategies.
7. Support - Trading with legit futures prop firms involves a contract and receiving payouts. Therefore, I only recommend futures prop firms with fast, responsive customer support available 24/5.
My Criteria for Rating the Best Futures Prop Trading Firms
I have reviewed dozens of futures prop firms based on nine criteria. My review was in-depth and, from a trader’s perspective, ignored the marketing tactics deployed by some to confuse retail traders. Therefore, I have sourced the list of my best futures prop firms, ensuring the most comprehensive approach to identifying the best choices for traders.
The nine criteria used in my research consist of:
- Reputation and Security
- Trading Costs
- Asset Selection
- Account Types
- Trading Platforms
- Unique Features
- Customer Support
- Account Opening Process
- Profit Share Payouts
What Can You Trade with a Futures Prop Firm?
The asset selection depends on the brokers that futures prop firms partner with. They usually consist of futures contracts listed on the CME Futures, including those listed on the CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX.
Most futures prop firms offer the following futures contracts:
- Equity Futures
- Foreign Exchange Futures
- Agricultural Futures
- Energy Futures
- Interest Rate Futures
- Metal Futures
- Crypto Futures
How Big Are the Funded Accounts?
During my analysis of futures prop firms, funded accounts were as small as $25,000 and as high as $300,000. Some futures prop firms allow traders to manage multiple accounts. Please note that the higher the funded account balance, the higher the monthly subscription fees.
How Much Is the Profit Split?
The profit split depends entirely on futures prop firms. I have seen them as low as 50% and advise traders to ignore them. The average is between 80% and 95%. All futures prop firms I have listed offer a 90% profit split, and traders keep 100% of the first $10,000 to $25,000.
What Trading Platforms Are Usually Available?
Traders usually get a choice of trading platforms with some well-known options and a few niche alternatives.
Here are the trading platform choices I found during my futures prop firm analysis:
Quantower
NinjaTrader 7 & 8
TradingView
Tradovate
Sierra Chart
T4
ATAS (Order Flow Trading)
Jigsaw
R|Trader
Volfix
MultiCharts
MotiveWave
Bookmap X-RAY
Trade Navigator
Investor/RT
Are Futures Prop Firms Legit?
Futures prop firms are legit companies but remain unregulated entities. Therefore, futures traders should only trade with futures prop firms that have 10+ years of operational experience with a positive track record.
Futures Prop Firms – Pros and Cons
Traders should consider the pros and cons of futures prop firms.
The Pros of Futures Prop Firms
- Access to capital
- Traders do not risk their capital
- Strict risk management enforcement
The Cons of Futures Prop Firms
- Monthly subscription fees
- Restrictive trading conditions
- Scams and frauds are widespread
- Many futures prop firms keep traders in demo accounts
Bottom Line
Skilled traders who lack capital can consider futures prop firms if they accept the monthly recurring costs and trading conditions. I recommend traders avoid futures prop firms with less than ten years of experience and a profit split below 90%.