How It Works
At CompareFuturesProp, our rankings provide a comprehensive, data-driven evaluation of prop trading firms, scoring each firm based on the factors that matter most to traders. We apply a detailed, weighted scoring system, which reflects a firm's performance across multiple categories such as trading costs, account options, evaluation challenges, and platform usability. Each category's score feeds into an overall rating, prioritising aspects that directly impact a trader's experience and earnings potential. We thoroughly look at the pros and cons of prop trading with each firm, helping traders make well informed decisions.
01Challenge Accounts
02Spread & Commission Fees
03Trading Platforms
01Challenge Accounts
In our methodology, each prop trading firm is evaluated on its approach to onboarding and challenge structures, as these processes often reveal the firm's transparency, accessibility, and fairness in funding.
Each prop firm's scoring in this area depends on the flexibility, clarity, and cost of their evaluation challenges.
What we access:
Prop Challenge Levels
We assess the variety and accessibility of each challenge at each funding level (e.g., $5,000 to $500,000) offered by each prop firm. Firms with broader, more accessible entry points receive higher scores, as they provide options for a range of traders.
Challenge Account Sizes
We evaluate the range of account sizes available at each challenge tier, from entry-level accounts starting at $5,000 to professional allocations reaching $500,000 or more. Firms that offer a wider selection of account sizes earn higher scores, as they cater to traders at every stage of their career.
Evaluation Structure & Phases
We review the number of evaluation phases each firm requires before granting a funded account, including one-step, two-step, and instant funding models. Firms with clear, streamlined evaluation processes and transparent success criteria receive higher scores for accessibility and ease of progression.
Scoring Example:
Excellent
Low fees, flexible drawdown (5% daily, 10% overall), achievable profit targets under 10%, varied challenges.
Good
Moderate fees, standard drawdowns and targets (10–12% for Phase 1, 5–8% for Phase 2), limited flexibility.
Poor
High fees, restrictive drawdowns, high targets above 12%, limited challenge formats or rigid requirements.
Overall Prop Firm Scores
The overall score is a comprehensive assessment that combines each category's individual rating, creating a single, consolidated score that reflects the prop firm testing results in 2026, and overall performance.
This score helps traders quickly gauge a firm's strengths and limitations, with a higher score indicating a firm that excels across essential aspects such as challenge accessibility, trading costs, platform usability, and payout policies.
Each category is weighted based on its impact on a trader's experience and potential earnings. For instance, factors like challenge accounts and profit payouts receive higher weights due to their direct influence on a trader's financial success, while factors like customer support and community contribute to the firm's accessibility and supportiveness.
Outstanding
Low fees, flexible drawdown (5% daily, 10% overall), achievable profit targets under 10%, varied challenges.
Good
Moderate fees, standard drawdowns and targets (10–12% for Phase 1, 5–8% for Phase 2), limited flexibility.
Below Average
High fees, restrictive drawdowns, high targets above 12%, limited challenge formats or rigid requirements.
By combining individual scores into an overall rating, our methodology provides a balanced view of each prop trading firm, helping traders identify which firms best align with their trading goals and preferences. This consolidated rating offers a clear, data-driven way to compare prop firms side by side.