Prop Firm Comparison Calculator
Compare rules, fees, profit splits, and drawdown limits across major prop firms. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
Reviewed for accuracy by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer
Prop Firm Comparison Calculator
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Formula: Total Payout = Account Size x Monthly Return x Profit Split x Months
Worked example — All firms yield similar payouts at 80% split. MFF has lowest fee ($480), highest ROI. Scaling plans differ significantly for long-term growth.
Formula
Total Payout = Account Size x Monthly Return x Profit Split x Months
For each firm, monthly payout equals the account size times the monthly return rate times the profit split percentage. The ROI is calculated as (Total Payout - Challenge Fee) / Challenge Fee x 100. Scaling adjustments increase account size at defined milestones.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Comparing $100K Accounts Across 4 Firms
Problem:A trader achieves 5% monthly returns consistently. Compare total 12-month payouts, challenge costs, and ROI across FTMO, MFF, Funded Next, and True Forex Funds.
Solution:Monthly gross profit: $100K x 5% = $5,000 FTMO: Fee ~$600, 80% split = $4,000/mo, 12-mo payout = $48,000, ROI = 7,900% MFF: Fee ~$480, 80% split = $4,000/mo, 12-mo payout = $48,000, ROI = 9,900% Funded Next: Fee ~$520, 80% split = $4,000/mo, 12-mo payout = $48,000, ROI = 9,130% TFF: Fee ~$560, 80% split = $4,000/mo, 12-mo payout = $48,000, ROI = 8,470%
Result:All firms yield similar payouts at 80% split. MFF has lowest fee ($480), highest ROI. Scaling plans differ significantly for long-term growth.
Example 2: Impact of Profit Split Differences
Problem:Compare a firm offering 80% split vs 90% split on a $200,000 account with 4% monthly returns over 12 months.
Solution:Monthly gross: $200K x 4% = $8,000 80% split: $8,000 x 0.80 = $6,400/mo, Annual = $76,800 90% split: $8,000 x 0.90 = $7,200/mo, Annual = $86,400 Difference: $800/mo or $9,600/year Over 24 months: $19,200 difference The 90% split effectively earns 12.5% more
Result:90% split earns $9,600 more annually on $200K account at 4% monthly. Over 2 years, the difference is $19,200.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best prop firm for my trading style?
Choosing the best prop firm depends on several key factors aligned with your trading style and goals. First, consider your trading frequency and timeframe. Firms with minimum trading day requirements of 10 or more days are better for active traders, while firms requiring only 4 to 5 days suit swing traders. Second, evaluate the drawdown rules. Scalpers need firms with generous daily drawdown limits since their strategies involve frequent small losses. Third, check instrument availability, as not all firms offer the same range of forex pairs, indices, or commodities. Fourth, compare profit splits and scaling plans to determine long-term earning potential. Finally, research the firm's payout reliability and reputation through verified reviews from actual traders.
What is the difference between balance-based and equity-based drawdown?
Balance-based and equity-based drawdown rules significantly affect how you can trade and manage risk. Balance-based drawdown measures the maximum loss from the highest account balance, meaning your drawdown limit increases as your account grows from profits. This is more favorable because profitable trading creates a larger buffer before hitting the limit. Equity-based drawdown measures from the starting equity (or highest equity), including unrealized floating profits and losses. This means even a temporary floating loss counts against your drawdown limit. Some firms use a trailing drawdown that locks in as the account grows, which is the most restrictive type. Understanding which type your firm uses is critical for position sizing and risk management.
What are the typical challenge fees for prop firm accounts?
Challenge fees for prop firm accounts vary by firm and account size, typically ranging from $150 to $2,500. For $25,000 accounts, fees generally range from $150 to $250. For $50,000 accounts, expect $250 to $400. The popular $100,000 account size costs between $400 and $600 at most major firms. Larger $200,000 accounts cost $800 to $1,200, and $400,000 accounts range from $1,800 to $2,500. Most firms offer discount codes and periodic promotions that can reduce these fees by 10 to 25 percent. Some firms also offer free retries or discounted second attempts if you fail the challenge. The challenge fee is essentially the only money you risk, as the firm provides all trading capital once you pass.
How do profit targets differ across prop firms?
Profit targets during the challenge phase vary significantly across prop firms and directly affect difficulty. Most firms use a two-phase evaluation: Phase 1 typically requires 8 to 10 percent profit, and Phase 2 requires 5 percent. FTMO requires 10 percent in Phase 1 and 5 percent in Phase 2. MyFundedFX requires 8 percent and 5 percent respectively, making it slightly easier. Some firms offer one-phase evaluations with a single 10 percent target. Instant funding accounts (no challenge required) exist but usually have higher fees and lower profit splits. The funded phase often has no profit target, but most firms require a minimum number of trading days before withdrawal. Lower profit targets are generally better because they allow more conservative trading approaches that are sustainable long-term.
What drawdown rules should I look for in a prop firm?
The ideal drawdown rules balance risk protection with trading flexibility. Look for firms offering at least 5 percent daily drawdown and 10 percent maximum total drawdown, which are industry standard. Avoid firms with trailing drawdown that follows your equity upward, as this creates a ratcheting mechanism that makes it progressively harder to stay within limits. Static drawdown from the initial balance is most favorable because it provides a fixed safety net. Some firms offer relative drawdown based on a percentage of the current balance rather than the starting balance, which adjusts as the account grows. Also check whether the drawdown is calculated on closed trades only or includes floating (open) positions, as this significantly affects how you can manage trades overnight.
How reliable are prop firm payouts?
Payout reliability varies significantly across prop firms, and this should be a primary selection criterion. Established firms like FTMO have processed millions of dollars in payouts with a strong track record since 2015. Newer firms may offer attractive terms but have shorter track records. To assess reliability, check independent review platforms like Trustpilot for verified payout confirmations from traders. Look for firms that process payouts within 1 to 5 business days through multiple methods (bank transfer, cryptocurrency, PayPal). Be cautious of firms that frequently change their rules, delay payouts beyond stated timeframes, or have excessive withdrawal fees. Several prop firms have closed suddenly in the past, taking trader profits with them, so diversifying across multiple reputable firms reduces this risk.
What is the ROI on prop firm challenge fees?
The return on investment for prop firm challenge fees can be exceptionally high compared to traditional trading. For example, a $100,000 FTMO account costs approximately $500 for the challenge. If a trader earns 5 percent monthly ($5,000 gross, $4,000 with 80 percent split), the challenge fee is recovered in the first month. Over 12 months, the total payout would be approximately $48,000 on a $500 investment, representing a 9,500 percent ROI. However, this calculation assumes passing the challenge and trading consistently, which many traders fail to achieve. Industry estimates suggest that only 5 to 15 percent of traders pass the challenge phase. When factoring in the probability of passing and the cost of failed attempts, the expected ROI is lower but still favorable for skilled traders.
Can I trade news events with prop firm accounts?
News trading policies vary widely across prop firms and can significantly impact your strategy. Some firms like FTMO allow news trading with no restrictions, making them suitable for traders who specialize in high-impact economic releases. Other firms restrict trading within 2 to 5 minutes before and after major news events, automatically closing positions or prohibiting new ones during these windows. A few firms prohibit news trading entirely. If news trading is part of your strategy, verify the specific rules before purchasing a challenge. Check whether the restriction applies to all news or only high-impact events (NFP, FOMC, CPI). Also confirm whether holding positions through news (entered before the restricted window) is allowed, as some firms close positions while others only prevent new entries.
What happens during weekends and overnight with prop firm accounts?
Weekend and overnight holding policies affect swing traders significantly. Most prop firms allow holding positions overnight and through weekends, but some impose restrictions. FTMO allows weekend holding with no additional requirements. Some firms require additional margin for weekend positions or limit the number of lots that can be held. A few firms close all positions automatically at market close on Friday. For overnight holds, be aware that swap fees (rollover charges) apply and count against your profit. Some firms offer swap-free (Islamic) accounts that eliminate overnight charges. Weekend gaps can cause significant drawdown, so even if your firm allows weekend holding, consider whether the gap risk is worth it relative to your maximum drawdown limit. A large weekend gap could instantly violate your drawdown rules.
How do I compare the true cost of different prop firms?
Comparing the true cost requires looking beyond the challenge fee to understand the total cost of accessing funded capital. Calculate the cost per dollar of funded capital by dividing the challenge fee by the account size. For example, a $500 fee for $100,000 equals $0.005 per funded dollar. Then factor in the profit split to determine the effective cost of profits. An 80 percent split means you keep $0.80 of every dollar earned, while a 90 percent split keeps $0.90. Over 12 months of 5 percent monthly returns, the difference between 80 and 90 percent split on $100,000 is $6,000 in additional income. Also consider the cost of failed attempts by estimating your pass rate. If you pass 50 percent of challenges, double the effective challenge fee. Hidden costs include withdrawal fees, platform fees, and data subscriptions that some firms charge separately.
References
Reviewed for accuracy by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer · Editorial policy
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