Best Prop Firms for Futures, Rules, Fees, and Payouts

Published on : January 29, 2026

Comparing prop firms for futures trading feels like navigating a maze of rules, fees, and payout structures.

My analysis of numerous options shows that GFunded leads with minimal funding costs, zero activation fees and flexible payouts. The digital world of futures prop trading reveals major differences between companies. To cite an instance, Apex Trader Funding lets you choose from six account sizes between $25,000 and $300,000. TradeDay and Topstep’s offerings are more streamlined with three funded account sizes from $50,000 to $150,000.

These top prop firms’ profit splits and evaluation methods really catch your attention. Apex keeps things simple – traders get 100% of their first $25,000 profit per account and 90% after that. Leading firms like FundingPips take a different approach with bi-weekly payouts and profit splits that can reach 100%.

Money matters show stark contrasts between firms. GFunded Select asks $103 monthly plus zero activation fee for a $50,000 account – that’s $103 total for month one. Apex Trader Funding needs $35 for evaluation and $130-$160 activation fee, which adds up to $165-$195.

This piece breaks down everything about the best prop firms for futures trading. You’ll learn what matters most to pick the right firm based on your trading style and budget.

GFunded

GFunded distinguishes itself in the prop firm world with clear rules and trader-friendly terms. This futures-focused proprietary trading firm enables traders through simplified processes that maximize their chances while keeping personal financial risk low.

GFunded evaluation process

GFunded has multiple paths to funded trading through a 3-step process. Traders must complete a trading challenge to show their skills. Successful traders then move to a simulated funded stage where they start generating real profits. Consistent performers can advance to live funded accounts with real capital.

Traders can skip the original evaluation with GFunded‘s Lightning Funded program. This lets them start at the simulated funded stage and generate profits right away while proving consistency. The instant funding path needs a one-time fee between $244 and $510 based on account size.

GFunded has two main evaluation types:

Growth Evaluation:
- Needs just 1-day minimum assessment
- Costs about $97/month
- Uses a 35% consistency rule on funded payouts
- Uses end-of-day trailing drawdown
Select Evaluation:
- Needs 3-day minimum assessment
- Uses a 40% consistency rule during evaluation
- Gives daily payouts with 0% consistency restrictions once funded

Both evaluations use an end-of-day (EOD) trailing drawdown that stops trailing (locks) when the balance goes above the starting capital plus the maximum drawdown amount plus $100. The EOD trailing drawdown calculation happens at market close instead of updating tick-by-tick, giving more flexibility during intraday trading.

Lightning Funded accounts also use an EOD trailing drawdown but have a progressive consistency rule. This starts at 20% for the first payout, goes up to 25% after the first payout, and reaches 30% after the second payout.

GFunded profit split and payout rules

GFunded‘s simulated funded accounts offer a 90/10 profit split (90% to the trader, 10% to GFunded), whatever the account type or purchase date. Traders get this split from their first payout request with no grace period.

After passing Select evaluation, traders pick between two payout policies:

Select Flex (5-Day) Policy:

Built for traders who like to build larger profit milestones
No daily loss limit and wider drawdown parameters
Payouts after every 5 winning days
No minimum account balance needed for payouts

Select Daily Policy:

Built for traders wanting quick access to profits with daily eligibility
Has tighter risk management with daily loss limits
Needs account balance above buffer threshold
Minimum payout of $250

Growth accounts have specific minimum payout amounts: $500 for $50k accounts, $1,000 for $100k accounts, and $1,500 for $150k accounts. Maximum payouts grow progressively with each successful withdrawal. These start at $1,500-$2,500 (based on account size) for the first payout and can reach $25,000 per account after the sixth payout.

Traders qualify for GFunded Elite Live account (real capital trading) after getting five total payouts. GFunded tracks payouts at the user level instead of per individual account.

GFunded pricing and account sizes

GFunded matches different trading goals with multiple account sizes:

Account Type	Available Sizes	Pricing Model
Lightning Funded	$25k, $50k, $100k, $150k	One-time fee
Growth/Select Evaluation	$50k, $100k, $150k	Monthly subscription

Lightning Funded one-time fees are:

$25k Account: ~$349
$50k Account: ~$509
$100k Account: ~$629
$150k Account: ~$729

Monthly subscription pricing for evaluation accounts:

$50k Select: $159/month (as low as $111 with discount code)
$100k Select: $259/month (as low as $181 with discount code)
$150k Select: $359/month (as low as $251 with discount code)

Position size limits grow with account size. To cite an instance, a $50k Lightning account bought after September 12, 2025, allows 4 mini contracts OR 40 micro contracts. Contract limits increase as account equity grows through a progressive scaling system.

GFunded platform compatibility

GFunded supports two trading platforms:

Tradovate: Available as web, desktop, and mobile applications
NinjaTrader 8: Uses Tradovate credentials

Trading must happen in “Simulation” mode on both platforms. ProjectX, a legacy platform, will not work for new accounts as of December 23rd, 2025, and stops completely on February 28th, 2026.

GFunded specializes in futures trading with mini and micro contracts. All the same, traders must pick either minis OR micros – they can’t hold both contract types at once.

Round-trip fees include commission plus exchange/regulatory fees:

Mini contracts (ES, NQ, RTY, YM): ~$5.76 per round trip
Micro contracts (MES, MNQ, M2K, MYM): ~$1.82 per round trip

GFunded best for

GFunded works great for:

Speed-focused traders: Growth plan aids the fastest move from evaluation to funding, letting traders pass evaluation in just 1 day.
Swing traders: Select plan fits traders who wait for high-probability setups that might bring bigger returns, as it removes consistency rules once funded.
Scalpers and day traders: Lightning Funded accounts give instant access to simulated capital with day-one payout eligibility.
Disciplined risk managers: End-of-day trailing drawdown calculation helps traders who manage intraday volatility without hitting maximum loss limits.
Futures specialists: GFunded caters to futures traders who can control risk while seeking $25k-$150k in capital.

GFunded excels for traders who value clear rules, quick payouts, and performance tracking tools like automated journaling. Quick payouts, transparent rules, and responsive customer support make GFunded a trusted name in prop trading.

My Funded Futures

My Funded Futures has earned its spot in the proprietary trading world. Their straightforward evaluation system and trader-friendly policies make them stand out. This futures-focused prop firm started in 2023 as MyFundedFX’s sister company. They give traders access to accounts up to $150,000 with efficient rules and quick payouts.

My Funded Futures evaluation process

My Funded Futures stands out with a simple one-step evaluation that traders can complete in just two days. They skip the usual multi-phase challenges that competitors use. Traders can move at their own pace since there are no time limits.

The evaluation structure stays the same for all account types with these parameters:

Parameters	$50K	$100K
Profit Target	$3,000 (6%)	$6,000 (6%)
Maximum Loss Limit (EOD)	$2,000	$3,000
Daily Loss Limit	None	None
Consistency Rule	50% (Evaluation Only)	50% (Evaluation Only)
Minimum Trading Days	2 Days	2 Days

The 50% consistency rule plays a key role. No single day’s profit can exceed 50% of the total profit target. This rule makes sure traders show steady performance instead of relying on one lucky trade. Most traders finish the evaluation in 5-10 trading days, even with the two-day minimum.

A big plus is that there’s no daily loss limit during evaluation. MFFU uses an end-of-day trailing drawdown calculation. Your drawdown threshold updates only after each day’s close if you end positive. This gives you much more room for intraday moves.

My Funded Futures profit split and payout rules

My Funded Futures rewards traders with competitive profit splits. Core and Pro accounts give an 80/20 profit split (80% goes to the trader). Rapid accounts now offer a better 90/10 split since January 2026.

Each account type has its own payout structure:

Core Plan:

You can ask for payouts after 5 winning days with at least $100 net profit per day
Minimum withdrawal sits at $250
Standard Core Plan caps requests at $1,000
Flex Add-On lets you take 50% up to $3,000

Scale Plan:

Payouts available after 5 winning days
Daily profit minimums change with account size:
- $50K accounts need $100/day
- $100K accounts need $200/day
- $150K accounts need $300/day
Payout limits grow with each successful payout, starting at $1,500 and reaching $3,500 by the fifth payout for $50K accounts

Pro Plan:

Payouts every 14 calendar days
Buffer targets must be met before payouts:
- $2,100 for $50K accounts
- $3,100 for $100K accounts
- $4,600 for $150K accounts
Minimum withdrawal: $1,000
Sim-funded stage caps at $100,000 per request

Rapid Plan:

Daily payouts (reset after market close)
No activation fee
$2,100 buffer needed for payouts
$500 minimum payout, with possible daily requests up to $100,000

Most payout requests happen instantly. Manual reviews take just 6-12 business hours on weekdays. This speed makes MFFU “the fastest payouts in the industry”.

Traders can move from simulated funding to live accounts by showing steady profits. Core Plans need 5 straight payouts, while Pro Plans get reviewed after 3 consecutive payouts or $20,000 in profits.

My Funded Futures pricing and account sizes

My Funded Futures gives you three main account choices:

Core Plan:

$50K account costs $77
Perfect for traders wanting a budget-friendly start
No daily loss limits on funded accounts
No activation fees

Pro Plan:

$50K account: $227
$100K account: $344
$150K account: $477
Gives you maximum flexibility with bi-weekly payouts

Rapid Plan:

$50K account: $157
$100K account: $267
$150K account: $347
Lets you get paid daily

Every plan uses identical evaluation rules with no activation fees – something rare in this industry. You won’t pay extra to activate your funded account after passing evaluation.

Traders can scale their positions as profits grow. Scale accounts specifically let you increase position sizes as you show consistent results.

My Funded Futures platform compatibility

Traders can choose from several platforms:

NinjaTrader 8: Most traders pick this one for its full charting features, advanced orders, and automated strategy support
Tradovate: A simple web and mobile platform that works great for basic trading
TradingView: You can link your existing TradingView setup to execute orders

Third-party reviews mention Volsys/Volbook support too. This platform variety beats many competitors.

All evaluations run on demo accounts in simulated environments. You can prove your skills without risking your money while trading in realistic market conditions.

My Funded Futures best for

My Funded Futures works great for:

New futures traders who want a simple evaluation at low cost – their Core plan’s $77 fee for a $50K account ranks among the cheapest
Traders who need quick money since most payouts happen instantly or within 24-48 hours
Active day traders who love having no daily loss limits and end-of-day drawdown calculations
News traders who can freely trade during major economic news
Traders looking for clear growth paths through consistent performance goals

The firm shines for traders who hate complex two-phase evaluations. Their supportive community helps traders share strategies. You can focus on trading instead of dealing with complicated rules.

Topstep

Topstep created the “Trading Combine” evaluation model in 2012, making them pioneers in the futures prop firm industry. Many competitors have since copied this model. Their reputation speaks through 4.3 stars from over 11,500 Trustpilot reviews and a 12.4% pass rate, setting the standard for futures trading.

Topstep evaluation process

The company optimized its evaluation process from a two-step to a one-step model. Traders can now get funded in as little as 2 days. This single Trading Combine follows a simple structure that emphasizes trading discipline.

The main goal is reaching your profit target without exceeding your Maximum Loss Limit (MLL). Traders must also meet these requirements:

Trade a minimum of 5 days
Meet the consistency target (no single trading day can exceed 50% of your profit target)
Stay within daily loss limits

Topstep calculates Maximum Loss Limit at the end of each trading day, unlike many competitors who use intraday high water marks. This approach lets traders handle intraday volatility better without failing the evaluation immediately.

Traders can work with various futures contracts including E-mini S&P 500, NASDAQ 100, Crude Oil, Gold, Interest Rates, and micro contracts for Gold, Crude Oil, and Bitcoin.

Topstep profit split and payout rules

New funded traders keep 90% of all profits, while Topstep takes just 10% – one of the most generous profit splits you’ll find. Traders who joined before January 12, 2026, keep 100% of their first $10,000 in profits, followed by a 90/10 split.

The payout policy keeps things simple:

Request payouts after just five winning trading days
Withdraw up to $5,000 or 50% of your balance per request
No hidden hurdles or unnecessary restrictions

Payouts usually take 1-2 business days to process. Traders should wait for the payout to show on their dashboard before placing new trades to avoid problems.

Your Maximum Loss Limit automatically resets to $0 after your first payout. Your remaining account balance becomes your maximum potential loss.

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Topstep best for

These traders will find Topstep especially valuable:

Disciplined traders who appreciate structure and clear rules. The one-step evaluation with straightforward objectives creates a clear path to funding.
Traders seeking quick funding can benefit from the optimized evaluation process that enables funding in as little as 2 days.
Futures specialists looking for a firm with over 10 years of futures trading expertise.
Traders wanting competitive payouts can withdraw profits weekly after just five winning days.
Community-oriented traders get access to a large Discord community and daily live group coaching through TopstepTV.
Risk-conscious traders benefit from Topstep’s end-of-day drawdown calculation instead of intraday metrics.

Topstep works best for traders who see trading as a discipline and want structure, group coaching, and tools that build strong trading habits. Their supportive environment and focus on developing real trading skills have helped fund over 10,000 accounts throughout their history.

Apex Trader Funding

Apex Trader Funding started in 2021 and stands out by letting traders handle up to 20 funded accounts at once. This creates amazing scaling opportunities for consistent performers. The company operates from Austin, Texas, and focuses only on futures markets across 150 countries.

Apex Trader Funding evaluation process

Apex keeps things simple with a one-step evaluation that focuses on profit targets and risk management. You need to:

Hit account-specific profit targets ($3,000 for a $50K account)
Stay within the trailing drawdown threshold ($2,500 for a $50K account)
Trade for at least seven days (they don’t need to be consecutive)
Stay professional and follow the code of conduct

The evaluation doesn’t have daily loss limits – that’s a big plus. The system uses a trailing threshold that moves with your highest unrealized profits. A $50K account starts at $50,000 with a threshold at $47,500 ($2,500 below the original balance). When your balance reaches $50,875 during a trade, the threshold moves to $48,375 (staying $2,500 behind your highest point). This movement stops once your unrealized balance goes beyond the plan’s starting balance by the drawdown amount plus $100 in funded accounts.

Apex Trader Funding profit split and payout rules

The profit splits here are among the best you’ll find. Traders keep 100% of their first $25,000 in profits per account and 90% after that. Getting a payout requires you to:

Complete 8 trading days since your last payout
Have 5 profitable days with $50+ profit each
Meet the “safety net” requirement for your first three payouts

The safety net means keeping a balance equal to your drawdown limit plus $100. Your first five withdrawals have maximum limits based on account size – from $1,500 for a $25K account to $3,500 for a $300K account. After your fifth payout, these limits disappear.

Payouts take 2 business days for review and 3-7 more days to reach your bank. Each account works independently, so you can request maximum payouts from all accounts every 8 days. This setup can create significant income streams with multiple accounts.

Apex Trader Funding pricing and account sizes

Apex gives you seven evaluation account options from $25K to $300K, plus a $100K static account option. Monthly fees cover platform and data access:

Account Size	Monthly Fee	Profit Target	Contract Limit
$25K	$147	$1,500	4 micros
$50K	$167	$3,000	10 micros
$100K	$207	$6,000	14 micros
$300K	$250	$20,000	35 micros
$100K Static	$137	$2,000	2 contracts

Total costs with platform fees and data range from $277 for a $25K account to $787 for a $300K account. Failed? No problem – you can reset your account for $80 as many times as needed.

Apex Trader Funding platform compatibility

Apex works with several trading platforms to suit different trading styles:

Tradovate: Web, desktop, and mobile applications
Rithmic: Connects with multiple third-party platforms
NinjaTrader: Popular for advanced charting and automation
WealthCharts: Specialized charting solutions

You can also use ATAS, BookMap, EdgePro X, Finamark, Jigsaw, MotiveWave, Quantower, Sierra Chart, and VolFix through Rithmic. This wide platform support makes Apex a great fit for traders with different platform preferences.

Apex Trader Funding best for

Apex Trader Funding works best for:

Scale-focused traders who want to run multiple accounts (up to 20) at once
Volume traders who like getting payouts every 8 days from each account
Risk-tolerant traders who appreciate trading without daily loss limits
News traders who want to trade during economic announcements
Experienced futures traders who can handle trailing drawdowns and consistent performance targets

The biggest advantage here is the scaling potential. No other major futures prop firm lets you manage 20 funded accounts simultaneously, which means disciplined traders can earn substantial payouts.

Take Profit Trader

Take Profit Trader stands out with its three-tier funding model that gets traders their profits faster. The platform lets traders withdraw money from day one after they pass the optimized evaluation process.

Take Profit Trader evaluation process

The platform uses a single-step evaluation called the “Test” phase. Traders need to hit profit targets while following risk management rules. Each account requires a 6% profit target, which ranges from $1,500 for $25K accounts to $9,000 for $150K accounts.

Key evaluation rules include:

No daily loss limits (removed in January 2025)
End-of-day trailing drawdown limits (3-6% depending on account size)
Minimum 5 trading days requirement
50% consistency rule (no single day can account for more than 50% of total profits)
Maximum position size limits based on account tier

Traders move to the PRO account stage after paying a one-time $130 activation fee.

Take Profit Trader profit split and payout rules

The profit-sharing works in two tiers:

PRO accounts: 80/20 split (trader keeps 80%)
PRO+ accounts: 90/10 split (trader keeps 90%)

PRO traders must build a “buffer” equal to their maximum drawdown amount before withdrawing funds. A $50K account needs a $52K balance before profit withdrawal. PRO+ accounts don’t need this buffer.

Traders get their withdrawals within 24 hours to wallet, plus 12 hours for approval. They can use Plaid, PayPal, and Wise. Withdrawals above $250 have no fees, while smaller amounts cost $50.

Take Profit Trader pricing and account sizes

Account Size	Monthly Fee	Profit Target	Max Drawdown
$25K	$150	$1,500 (6%)	$1,500 (6%)
$50K	$170	$3,000 (6%)	$2,000 (4%)
$75K	$245	$4,500 (6%)	$3,000 (4%)
$100K	$330	$6,000 (6%)	$4,000 (4%)
$150K	$360	$9,000 (6%)	$4,500 (3%)

Traders only pay these fees during evaluation. After passing, they pay the one-time $130 activation fee for their PRO account with no monthly charges.

Take Profit Trader platform compatibility

The platform supports over 15 trading platforms across two data feeds:

CQG Data Feed: NinjaTrader, TradingView, and Tradovate Rithmic Data Feed: R Trader, QuanTower, MotiveWave, ATAS, plus several others

Traders can stick with their preferred tools instead of learning a new platform.

Take Profit Trader best for

Take Profit Trader works best for:

Traders who want immediate access to profits (day-one withdrawals)
Scalpers and day traders who need freedom from daily loss limits
Experienced traders looking for high profit splits (up to 90%)
People who prefer clear evaluation objectives
Traders avoiding recurring fees after passing evaluation

Take Profit Trader rewards performers who want quick access to their profits without waiting periods or minimum trading requirements.

Conclusion

The top futures prop firms show clear differences in how they evaluate traders, charge fees, and share profits. GFunded shines with its end-of-day trailing drawdown and flexible payouts – a perfect fit for both day and swing traders. My Funded Futures has one of the cheapest entry points in the business with its $77 Core Plan. Topstep keeps things simple with a one-step evaluation and an impressive 90/10 profit split.

Each firm has its own sweet spot when it comes to trading styles and priorities. Apex Trader Funding works great for traders who want to scale up – you can run up to 20 funded accounts at once. Take Profit Trader lets you withdraw profits right from day one after passing their evaluation.

The firm you pick ended up depending on your trading goals and how much risk you can handle. Traders watching their budget might lean toward My Funded Futures. Those looking to scale big would find Apex Trader Funding more their speed. On top of that, GFunded fits traders who want clear rules and fast payouts, while Topstep’s structured setup and rich support resources appeal to others.

Think about your trading style, money limits, and future goals before you decide. The right prop firm should line up with how you trade and offer fair rules and profit-sharing. Pick carefully, and you can access big trading capital without risking your own money – maybe the best thing these futures prop firms bring to the table.

Key Takeaways

Here are the essential insights for choosing the right futures prop firm based on your trading style and goals:

• Evaluation costs vary dramatically: My Funded Futures offers the lowest entry at $77 for a $50K account, while others charge $150-$360 monthly plus activation fees.

• Profit splits range from 80/20 to 100%: Apex keeps traders’ first $25K at 100%, while Topstep offers 90/10 splits across all profit levels.

• Scaling opportunities differ significantly: Apex allows up to 20 simultaneous funded accounts, while most firms limit traders to single accounts or smaller portfolios.

• Payout speed and flexibility matter: Take Profit Trader offers day-one withdrawals, while others require 5-14 days between payout requests with varying minimum amounts.

• Risk management approaches vary: Some firms use intraday drawdown calculations while others like GFunded use end-of-day trailing drawdowns, providing more flexibility for volatile trading.

The key to success lies in matching your trading style with the right firm’s structure. Day traders benefit from firms with no daily loss limits and flexible drawdowns, while swing traders should prioritize firms with generous profit splits and minimal consistency requirements. Consider your budget, scaling ambitions, and preferred payout frequency when making your selection.

FAQs

Q1. Which futures prop firm offers the highest profit split? Apex Trader Funding provides one of the most generous profit splits, with traders keeping 100% of the first $25,000 in profits per account and 90% thereafter.

Q2. How quickly can I get funded with a futures prop firm? Several firms offer rapid funding options. For example, Topstep and My Funded Futures allow traders to get funded in as little as 2 days if they meet the evaluation criteria.

Q3. Are there prop firms that allow daily payouts for futures trading? Yes, Take Profit Trader offers day-one withdrawals after passing their evaluation process, while firms like Rapid from My Funded Futures provide daily payout capabilities.

Q4. Which futures prop firm is best for scaling to multiple accounts? Apex Trader Funding stands out by allowing traders to manage up to 20 funded accounts simultaneously, offering significant scaling potential for consistent performers.

Q5. How do prop firms calculate drawdowns for futures trading? Drawdown calculation methods vary. GFunded firms like GFunded use end-of-day trailing drawdowns, while others may use intraday calculations. For example, Topstep calculates the Maximum Loss Limit at the end of each trading day, providing more flexibility for intraday volatility.