The Best Prop Trading Firms in 2025

While everyone says the main attraction of prop firms is access to huge trading capital without risking your own money, the reality is that you often have to risk your own money upfront to buy a "challenge" or pass an evaluation. So, the attractiveness of prop firms is not in free capital; it is in the potential for a specific kind of life that it gives, one of autonomy and significant reward, assuming that you can prove your skill and become profitable with that large, funded account.

Finding the right firm has never been more crucial than in 2025. The industry is booming, having grown by over 600% in the last four years, and is now estimated to be worth a massive $20 billion. This explosion means more choices for traders, but also more confusion. In this guide, we cut through the claims and marketing hype to provide a clear and comprehensive look at the top prop trading firms for 2025. 

What Exactly is a Prop Trading Firm?

Think of a prop firm as a professional sports team, and you are the athlete trying out. Prop firms provide the "stadium" and the "equipment" for you to play the trading game. More specifically, they provide their own capital (the money you trade with), advanced technology, and a platform. In return for a chance to use this capital, you agree to share a percentage of the profits you make with the firm.

It is important to know that not all prop firms operate the same way. The newest and popular model is the challenge-based firm. Here, you pay a one-time fee to take a trading evaluation (the "challenge"). If you pass by meeting specific profit targets without breaking risk rules, you get a funded account. Traditional prop firms operate more like a full-time job, hiring traders directly without an upfront fee. 

So, why are traders so interested? The appeal is simple:

1. Access to Capital: Most people do not have $1 million lying around, just waiting to be used. Prop firms do, and they make the funds available to interested traders who can prove their skill.
2. Advanced Tools: Prop firms provide trading software and data analytics that may be too costly for individual traders to get.
3. Structured Environment: Prop trading rules help traders develop discipline, a core part of long-term success.

It is absolutely important to note that this is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It is a professional journey that requires discipline and a solid strategy. Prop firms are not giving away free money; they are making a business bet on your ability to be consistently profitable.

The Contenders: Best Prop Trading Firms in 2025

Our selection of these 5 Best Prop firms is based on their reputation in the trading community, what current traders are saying in reviews, how much capital they offer, their profit splits, and any unique features or innovations they bring to the table. 

We focused on firms that are frequently discussed in major online trading forums and have a track record of reliability. Remember, the "best" firm is the one that fits your personal trading style and goals. Think of this list as your starting line-up of top contenders.

List of Top 5 Prop Trading Firms

1. OneFunded – is a top-tier choice for traders in 2025
2. FTMO – the industry veteran and gold standard in prop trading
3. FundedNext – major player, celebrated for its high profit splits and flexible account options.
4. Topstep – leading force, particularly in the futures trading space
5. The Funded Trader Program – has strong reputation for its straightforward challenges and excellent customer engagement

Here is a detailed look at the leading prop trading firms for this year.

1. OneFunded

OneFunded is a top-tier choice for traders in 2025, due to its dedication to creating a balanced and trader-friendly environment that appeals to both newcomers and experienced traders. 

• Evaluation Process: OneFunded typically allows traders to choose between a one-step or two-step challenge: both are designed to be clear and achievable without overly complex rules.
• Capital & Scaling Opportunities: Upon completing the challenge phase, successful traders are given access to substantial initial capital. 
• Profit Share: OneFunded offers a generous profit split of up to 90 percent for the trader, ensuring you keep a large majority of the earnings you generate.
• Key Features & Unique Selling Points: What truly sets OneFunded apart are its flexible challenge formats and unique Rewards Center. The 1F limited challenge is an advanced two-phase evaluation designed to offer the most generous trading conditions, and the rewards center lets you earn points for simple tasks that can be redeemed for huge discounts or even free challenges.
• Risk Management Overview: The daily loss limits on the single-step and 2-step challenges are 4% and 5% respectively. On the other hand, the maximum drawdowns are 6% and 10% respectively.
• Trader Reviews & Reputation: On Trustpilot and trading forums, users frequently praise OneFunded for its transparent communication and excellent customer service. The general sentiment is that it is a trustworthy and professional firm.
• Potential Drawbacks: As a newer firm compared to decade-old giants, some very conservative traders might prefer a company with a longer history. It's also worth noting that OneFunded has a maximum total balance of $200,000 across all your active accounts. While you can have unlimited accounts, this cap might be a consideration for elite traders seeking to manage multi-million dollar portfolios simultaneously.

OneFunded focuses on trader success, offering flexible evaluation periods, low challenge fees, and transparent profit-sharing.

2. FTMO

FTMO is often considered the industry veteran and gold standard in prop trading, known for its rigorous evaluation and professional setup.

• Evaluation Process: FTMO uses a well-known two-step evaluation process. You must pass both phases, which involve hitting a specific profit target while strictly respecting daily and overall loss limits.
• Capital & Scaling Opportunities: Account sizes range from $10,000 to $200,000. Once funded, their scaling plan allows you to grow to a peak management of $2,000,000 in capital.
• Profit Share: FTMO offers an 80% profit split with the potential to reach 90% with scaling.
• Key Features & Unique Selling Points: FTMO provides extensive trader metrics and analytics to help you improve, it offers access to multiple platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader, and DXtrade), and has a reputation for incredibly reliable payouts.
• Risk Management Overview: Their rules are strict, including a 5% daily drawdown and 10% overall drawdown on the initial balance. This demands high discipline.
• Trader Reviews & Reputation: With a 4.8/5 score on Trustpilot from over 29,000 reviews, FTMO is widely praised for its trustworthiness and professional operation.
• Potential Drawbacks: The main downside is that their challenge fees are the highest among prop firms, and their profit targets are quite demanding —10% for the first phase and 5% for the second.

FTMO is one of the most established prop firms since 2014. Known for strict risk rules and reliable payouts, it is a favorite among forex traders.

3. FundedNext

FundedNext has rapidly become a major player, celebrated for its high profit splits and flexible account options.

• Evaluation Process: FundedNext offers a variety of evaluation models: one-step and two-step challenges, giving traders the flexibility to choose what suits them best.
• Capital & Scaling Opportunities: You can start with accounts from $5,000 to $200,000. Through their scaling plan, it is possible to manage up to $4 million in capital.
• Profit Share: They offer one of the highest profit splits in the industry, going up to 95% for funded traders.
• Key Features & Unique Selling Points: A major advantage is its platform choice, supporting MT4, MT5, cTrader, and even TradingView. They also occasionally run promotions with passing rewards and discounts.
• Risk Management Overview: FundedNext provides a "balance-based" drawdown option in some programs, which can be more forgiving than the traditional "initial balance" drawdown used by other firms.
• Trader Reviews & Reputation: With a 4.6/5 score on Trustpilot from a massive 45,000+ reviews, traders highlight the firm's generous profit share and responsive support.
• Potential Drawbacks: The variety of account options and rules can be overwhelming for complete beginners. It is important to read the specific terms of your chosen program carefully.

FundedNext offers high profit splits (up to 95%) and multiple account models to suit beginners and professionals alike.

4. Topstep

Topstep is a leading force, particularly in the futures trading space, with a strong focus on trader education and development.

• Evaluation Process: Topstep's evaluation, known as the "Trading Combine," is designed to mimic real trading and test your discipline. It involves hitting a profit target while staying within defined loss limits.
• Capital & Scaling Opportunities: FundedNext offers accounts ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 in three different categories. Topstep is known for a clear and structured scaling plan that rewards consistent performance.
• Profit Share: Traders keep 100% of the first $10,000 in profits per account and then 90% of all profits after that.
• Key Features & Unique Selling Points: Their standout feature is an extensive library of educational resources, including webinars, video lessons, and performance coaching. They also have a proprietary platform, "TopstepTrader," designed specifically for their evaluations, but it is not the only platform available.
• Risk Management Overview: The rules are built to enforce discipline, with a maximum trailing drawdown and daily loss limits that are strictly enforced.
• Trader Reviews & Reputation: Topstep is highly respected in the trading community, especially among futures traders. Users often commend the educational value and the professionalism of the platform.
• Potential Drawbacks: The focus is primarily on futures, so it is not suitable for those interested in Forex or cryptocurrencies. The profit split structure, while attractive at higher levels, is different from the flat 80%-90% offered by many other firms.

Topstep specializes in futures trading with a three-step evaluation process and strict risk rules.

5. The Funded Trader Program

The Funded Trader Program has built a strong reputation for its straightforward challenges and excellent customer engagement, often running popular promotions and community events.

• Evaluation Process: They offer both one-step and two-step evaluation models with clear profit targets. Their rules are generally considered to be balanced and achievable for disciplined traders.
• Capital & Scaling Opportunities: Account sizes vary, ranging from around $5,000 to $200,000 across 3 different programs with specific add-ons. They offer a scaling plan that allows traders to increase their capital up to a maximum $2.5 million after demonstrating consistent profitability.
• Profit Share: The profit split is decent, typically up to 90% or more for funded traders, making it a lucrative option.
• Key Features & Unique Selling Points: The Funded Trader Program is known for its active presence on social media and its frequent trading challenges with prizes. They have cultivated a strong sense of community among their traders.
• Risk Management Overview: They use standard risk management rules, including a maximum drawdown limit. The rules are clearly stated on the website for different programs and are designed to be fair.
• Trader Reviews & Reputation: The firm is well-regarded on platforms like Trustpilot and Reddit, although some traders have expressed some concern.
• Potential Drawbacks: As a firm that relies heavily on marketing and promotions, some traders prefer a more low-key, traditional approach. Also, there are mixed reviews about support and rule enforcement. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has also issued a warning about the firm providing or promoting financial services without permission. 

Designed for beginners, The Funded Trader provides multiple evaluation programs and flexible profit splits.

Comparison of Prop Trading Firms

How We Select the Best Prop Trading Firms

Choosing a prop trading firm can be overwhelming, so we’ve laid out the criteria we use to pick the best ones. You can also use these benchmarks to evaluate firms yourself and make an informed decision.

Reputation

A firm’s reputation is the first thing we look at. How long has it been in the industry? How do other traders rate it? A solid reputation is a sign of reliability, trustworthiness, and staying power.

We focus on firms with established track records. Independent reviews, trader forums, and social media are great ways to gauge real experiences. Awards, certifications, or recognition from reputable trading organizations further strengthen a firm’s credibility. Transparency in policies, rules, and procedures is another key indicator of trustworthiness.

Examples of top-rated firms include OneFunded, FTMO, and FundedNext, all of which have demonstrated reliability over several years.

Payout Reliability and Speed

Earning profits is only meaningful if you can access them consistently. We prioritize firms that pay traders quickly and without unnecessary delays. Withdrawal speed depends on a firm’s systems and regulations, so we check this thoroughly.

Trading Rules and Restrictions

Each firm has its own set of rules, which can impact your trading strategy and potential profits. Beginner-friendly firms, like OneFunded and FTMO, offer demo accounts or simulated capital to help traders learn without risk.

Look for realistic profit targets, flexible trading times, and minimal restrictions. Some firms, such as Topstep, limit overnight trades, which might affect your strategy.

Cost Structure and Fees

Understanding the fees upfront is critical. We analyze evaluation fees, whether they’re one-time or refundable, and look for hidden costs like withdrawal or inactivity fees. A transparent fee structure ensures you know exactly what you’re paying and what to expect in terms of profits.

Account Sizes and Scaling Opportunities

The potential to grow your account matters for long-term trading success. Firms like OneFunded, FTMO, and FundedNext provide clear paths to scale accounts, along with higher profit shares as your capital increases. Scaling shows a firm’s commitment to your growth as a trader.

Support and Community

Trading can be challenging, especially at the start. Access to solid support and an active community can make a big difference. Top firms offer:

• Responsive customer service
• Educational resources
• Active trader communities
• Mentorship programs

These resources help traders improve faster and stay motivated.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which Prop Trading Firm Should I Use as a Beginner?
Look for firms with flexible evaluation periods, educational support, and a positive learning environment. OneFunded, for example, offers “no pressure” evaluation periods and comprehensive learning resources.

How Much Does It Cost to Join a Prop Trading Firm?
Costs vary depending on account size. Most firms charge $40–$150 for smaller accounts. Larger accounts cost more. Some firms also charge small monthly fees for platforms or data access ($10–$50/month). Avoid firms with hidden or non-refundable fees.

What Happens if I Lose Money While Trading?
With prop firms, your personal risk is usually limited to the evaluation fee. Firms enforce strict risk management rules, such as daily loss limits (3–5%) and maximum drawdowns (6–10%). Hitting these limits closes the account, but you won’t owe additional money.

How Long Does It Take to Get Funded?
Funding depends on evaluation type and trading performance. Most firms provide funded accounts within 24-48 hours after evaluation, although some may take longer.

Can I Trade Multiple Accounts at Once?
Most firms allow multiple accounts, either with the same or different firms. However, rules vary. Some firms restrict copy trading or correlated strategies, so read terms carefully.

Conclusion

The prop trading industry in 2025 is full of opportunity. Sign up for these various prop firms for free and see if they have free trials that you can take to get a hang of their unique trading environments. In the absence of free trials, you can apply the rules from various prop firms to your personal demo trading to test which set of rules best suits you.

Remember, the goal is not just passing a challenge; it is about becoming financially independent and growing professionally. The capital is out there waiting for skilled traders. With dedication and the right approach, you can position yourself to claim it.