Prop firm directory

Funding paths built for discipline, not gambling.

Prop trading is a rules business. These two firms offer different evaluation structures, payout rhythms and platform choices. The right one is the one whose rulebook you can follow without breaking your process.

Firms compared

Up to 95%

Advertised reward share

Simulated

Evaluation accounts

Editorial standard

What matters more than the headline

Account size and reward share are the easy numbers to market. These are the three things that decide whether an evaluation actually fits your trading.

Read the rulebook first

Profit targets get the attention; daily loss limits, maximum drawdown and consistency rules decide whether you keep the account.

Treat the fee as research cost

An evaluation fee buys access to a simulated challenge, not a guaranteed payout. Budget for it the same way you budget for any trading cost.

Match the model to your style

News restrictions, overnight holding, EAs and minimum trading days can rule out an otherwise attractive programme.

Shortlist

The current prop-firm shortlist

Two established routes into simulated funding. Compare the rulebooks, platforms and payout mechanics before paying for an evaluation.

Logos belong to their respective owners

Fast payouts

FundedNext

Multiple evaluation models and a 95% reward share

FundedNext offers simulated evaluation accounts across several models, with reward shares advertised up to 95% and a payout cycle the firm promotes from 24 hours. It supports MT4, MT5 and cTrader, so most MetaTrader and cTrader workflows can stay intact.

Best for

Traders who want flexible challenge models and a faster advertised payout rhythm.

Reward share: Up to 95%
Payout cycle: Advertised from 24 hours
Platforms: MT4 · MT5 · cTrader
Account type: Simulated evaluation

Multiple challenge models
MT4/MT5/cTrader
Fast payout focus

Start FundedNext challenge

Affiliate link · no added cost

Since 2015

FTMO

The established evaluation with four platform choices

FTMO has been running its evaluation model since 2015 and offers 1-Step and 2-Step challenges plus an Instant Account. Accounts go up to $200,000, the advertised reward ratio reaches 90%, and traders can work on MT4, MT5, TradingView or cTrader.

Best for

Traders who want a long-established rulebook and a choice of four trading platforms.

Reward ratio: Up to 90%
Account size: Up to $200,000
Platforms: MT4 · MT5 · TradingView · cTrader
Track record: Operating since 2015

4 platforms
1-Step or 2-Step
Instant Account available

Join FTMO

Affiliate link · no added cost

Comparison

Two rulebooks, side by side

The headline numbers are only part of the decision. Read the platforms and payout language together with each firm's current objectives.

Firm	Best for	Platforms	Reward share
FundedNext	Fast reward cycle	MT4, MT5, cTrader	Up to 95%
FTMO	Established evaluation	MT4, MT5, TradingView, cTrader	Up to 90%

FundedNext

Best for: Fast reward cycle
Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader
Reward share: Up to 95%

FTMO

Best for: Established evaluation
Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, cTrader
Reward share: Up to 90%

Buyer's guide

How to evaluate a prop firm before paying the fee

A practical sequence for evaluating the rules, platform and payout mechanics before you pay a challenge fee.

Model the drawdown, not just the target

A 10% target with a 5% daily loss limit demands a different approach from a slower two-step programme. Write the rules down before you trade.

Check the platform and restrictions

Confirm MT4, MT5, cTrader or TradingView support, then check news trading, overnight holding, EAs and minimum trading days.

Understand the payout mechanics

Profit split, minimum payout, processing time and consistency rules all affect what you actually receive. A high reward share is meaningless if the payout conditions do not fit your style.

Start with one evaluation

Do not buy multiple challenges to solve a strategy problem. Prove one rule set on a demo or a single evaluation before scaling.

Prop firm FAQ

Questions to answer before you pay a challenge fee

Are prop firm accounts real money?

No. Evaluation and funded accounts are simulated. The firm may pay performance-based rewards from its own funds, but you are not trading a live brokerage account with your own capital.

What is the difference between 1-Step and 2-Step?

A 1-Step evaluation usually moves to the funded stage after one phase. A 2-Step adds a verification phase. Profit targets, drawdown limits and minimum trading days can differ, so compare the exact objectives.

How do payouts work?

Payouts depend on the firm's profit split, minimum payout amount, schedule and consistency rules. A fast advertised cycle does not remove the requirement to meet the objectives. Read the current policy before starting.

Can I use EAs or trade news?

It depends on the firm, account type and model. Some programmes restrict news trading, overnight holding or automated strategies. Confirm the restrictions before paying for an evaluation.

Which firm is right for me?

Choose the rulebook you can follow consistently. FTMO is the established option with four platforms; FundedNext offers multiple models and a faster advertised payout cycle. Neither replaces a tested strategy.

Transparency

Prop-firm disclosure: Evaluation and funded accounts are simulated. Fees are paid to the firm, and rewards depend on meeting its objectives and payout rules. FxFirebird may earn a commission from the FundedNext and FTMO links on this page at no extra cost to you. This page is not investment advice.

Risk note: a challenge fee is not an investment and does not guarantee a payout. Trade only with a strategy you have tested.

Keep building

Next in the stack

A broker, a funding path and a machine are separate decisions. Compare the next one when you are ready.

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