Prop Firm Test Challenges: What Really Matters
Passing a prop firm test challenge is the gateway to trading with firm capital. But the devil is in the details—every firm’s test comes with its own rules, costs, and hidden trade-offs. This guide uses real, current data to help you choose the right challenge for your trading style and goals.
Core Prop Firm Test Rules at a Glance
| Firm | Rating | Profit Target | Max Drawdown | Daily Drawdown | Profit Split | Account Sizes | Challenge Cost | Trading Period | Leverage | News/Weekend | Instruments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO | 4.8 | 10% | 10% | 5% | 80/20 → 90/10 | $10K–$200K | $155–$1,080 | 30d/60d | 1:100 | Yes/Yes | FX, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Stocks |
| E8 Markets | 4.5 | 8% | 8% | 5% | 80/20 | $5K–$250K | $48–$988 | Unlimited | 1:50 | Yes/No | FX, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| FundedNext | 4.6 | 10% | 10% | 5% | 80/20 → 90/10 | $6K–$200K | $59–$999 | 30d/60d | 1:100 | Yes/Yes | FX, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| The5ers | 4.3 | 6% | 6% | 3% | 50/50 → 100% | $6K–$100K | $95–$875 | Unlimited | 1:30 | No/No | FX, Metals, Indices |
| Apex Trader Funding | 4.4 | 6% | 6% | 0% | 100%/25K → 90/10 | $25K–$300K | $147–$657 | Unlimited | Full | Yes/No | Futures |
| TopStep | 4.5 | 6% | 4% | 2% | 90/10 | $50K–$150K | $49–$149/mo | Unlimited | Full | Yes/No | Futures |
| MyFundedFX | 4.4 | 8% | 8% | 5% | 80/20 → 92.75% | $5K–$300K | $49–$1,499 | Unlimited | 1:100 | Yes/Yes | FX, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| My Funded Futures | 4.9 | 6% | 4% | 0% | 80/20 → 90/10 | $50K–$150K | $77–$477/mo | Unlimited | Full | No/Yes | Futures |
| Funded Trading Plus | 4.5 | 10% | 6% | 4% | 80/20 → 100% | $5K–$200K | $119–$999 | Unlimited | 1:30 | Yes/Yes | FX, Crypto, Indices, Commodities |
| Goat Funded Trader | 4.4 | 10% | 6% | 4% | 80/20 → 95% | $5K–$200K | $47–$997 | Unlimited | 1:100 | Yes/Yes | FX, Metals, Commodities, Indices, Crypto |
| Blue Guardian | 4.6 | 10% | 6% | 4% | 85/15 → 90/10 | $10K–$200K | $87–$897 | Unlimited | 1:100 | No/Yes | FX, Crypto, Indices, Commodities |
| Lux Trading Firm | 4.2 | 10% | 6% | 0% | 80/20 | $100K–$1M | $299–$4,999 | Unlimited | 1:10 | No/Yes | FX, Indices, Commodities, Metals |
| City Traders Imperium | 4.3 | 10% | 10% | 5% | 80/20 → 100% | $2.5K–$100K | $39–$549 | Unlimited | 1:30 | Yes/Yes | FX, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Metals |
| Tradeify | 4.6 | 6% | 4% | 2.5% | 90/10 | $50K–$150K | $139–$509 | Unlimited | Full | Yes/No | Futures |
| Take Profit Trader | 4.5 | 6% | 4% | 2.2% | 80/20 → 90/10 | $25K–$150K | $150–$357 | Unlimited | Full | Yes/No | Futures |
Key Prop Firm Test Differences: What Actually Impacts Your Odds?
Drawdown Rules: The Real Risk Constraint
Most traders underestimate how quickly a 5% daily or 10% overall drawdown can be hit, especially in volatile markets. For example, with FTMO, a $50K account has a $2,500 daily loss limit and a $5,000 max drawdown. At The5ers, that same $50K account would be stopped out at just $1,500 daily loss (3%) and $3,000 overall (6%).
Some firms, like Apex Trader Funding and My Funded Futures, have no daily drawdown, but enforce a trailing drawdown instead. This can feel less restrictive, but trailing drawdowns (especially intraday) can still cut your test short if you scale up position size too quickly.
Profit Targets: Ambition vs. Realism
Profit targets range from 6% (Tradeify, TopStep, Apex, The5ers) up to 10% (FTMO, FundedNext, Funded Trading Plus, Goat Funded Trader). Hitting 10% in 30 days is far harder than 6% in unlimited time, especially if you’re trading conservatively to avoid drawdowns. E8 Markets and MyFundedFX offer a more moderate 8% target, which can be a sweet spot for many traders.
Trading Periods: Deadline Pressure vs. Flexibility
FTMO and FundedNext set a 30-day limit for Phase 1 and 60 days for Phase 2. By contrast, E8 Markets, The5ers, and most futures firms let you take as long as you want. This can be decisive if you trade part-time or want to avoid forced trades near the end of a challenge period.
Unlimited trading periods reduce psychological pressure, but some traders find they lose focus without a deadline. Know your own psychology.
Account Sizes and Scaling Potential
Larger starting accounts mean higher challenge fees, but also more realistic position sizing and the ability to withstand volatility. FTMO tops out at $200K, MyFundedFX and E8 Markets go up to $300K and $250K, while Lux Trading Firm starts at $100K and can scale up to a theoretical $10M (with strict rules). Scaling plans vary: FTMO can scale to $2M, FundedNext and The5ers up to $4M, and Funded Trading Plus up to $5.25M on its premium track.
If your goal is to manage seven-figure capital, check not just the advertised scaling but the real requirements (e.g., 10% profit milestones, no major drawdowns, often for months at a time).
Profit Splits: Immediate vs. Long-Term Payout Potential
Most firms start at 80/20, but several scale up: FTMO and FundedNext reach 90/10, MyFundedFX advertises up to 92.75%, Goat Funded Trader up to 95% (with add-ons), and Funded Trading Plus and City Traders Imperium claim 100% (often with conditions).
Some futures firms like Apex offer 100% of the first $25K in profits, then drop to 90/10. Blue Guardian starts at 85/15, higher than most forex peers. Be aware that the highest splits often require additional milestones, add-on purchases, or proof of consistent performance.
Instrument Access: Forex, Futures, or Both?
If you only trade forex, most firms will suit you. If you’re a futures specialist, your choices are narrower: Apex Trader Funding, TopStep, My Funded Futures, Tradeify, and Take Profit Trader are futures-only. Some multi-asset firms (e.g., FTMO, E8, FundedNext) include crypto and indices, but not US equity or options.
Leverage is another constraint: FTMO and FundedNext offer 1:100, but Lux Trading Firm is just 1:10, and The5ers is 1:30. Lower leverage means you need more capital for the same trade size, which can be an issue for short-term forex traders.
Challenge Costs: Upfront Fees and Refunds
Challenge costs range widely: from $39 at City Traders Imperium for a $2.5K account, to $1,499 at MyFundedFX for a $300K account, and up to $4,999 at Lux Trading Firm for a $1M starting account. Some challenges are a one-time fee (FTMO, E8, FundedNext), while others (TopStep, Apex, My Funded Futures) are monthly subscriptions. Refunds are often issued only after your first payout or after several successful payouts (e.g., Blue Guardian after 4th payout).
Non-Obvious Trade-Offs: What the Ads Don’t Tell You
Strictness of Rules and Enforcement
Some firms have "hard" rules—one breach and your account is gone. Others have "soft" breaches (e.g., drawdown triggers a warning, not instant disqualification). Blue Guardian’s Guardian Shield can close trades at a 1-2% loss; a second breach terminates your account. The5ers and Lux Trading Firm have very strict risk controls: mandatory stop-losses, no EAs, and profit caps per trade.
In contrast, Apex and My Funded Futures are more automated, but their trailing drawdown models can be harsh for traders who scale up after initial gains. Always read the fine print on what constitutes a violation—and how it's enforced in practice.
Minimum Trading Days: Fast Pass or Forced Waiting?
Some firms let you pass in a single day (Tradeify: 1 day; Funded Trading Plus, City Traders Imperium: 0 days), while others require 3–7 minimum trading days (FTMO: 4, The5ers: 3, My Funded Futures: 2). If you have a strong day and hit the target, you may still need to place micro trades on other days to qualify for the next phase or payout.
News and Weekend Trading Restrictions
Most firms now allow news trading and weekend holding, but some (e.g., The5ers, Lux Trading Firm, Blue Guardian) ban news trading or have automated trade closures around high-impact events. Futures firms often allow news trading, but My Funded Futures restricts Tier 1 news.
If your strategy relies on holding trades through news or over weekends, double-check the rules. Some firms will auto-close your positions regardless of your view.
Scaling Realities: The Path Is Long
Scaling plans look attractive on paper—"up to $4M" or even $10M. But to get there, you need to hit profit milestones (usually 10% per stage) repeatedly, with no major drawdowns and often over 6–12 months. Only a small fraction of traders ever reach the top tiers. If your goal is to manage $1M+, plan for a marathon, not a sprint.
Payout Timing and Withdrawal Limits
Payout frequency varies: FTMO pays monthly, Blue Guardian claims a 24-hour payout guarantee, and Tradeify offers daily or 5-day payouts. Some firms (e.g., FundedNext, MyFundedFX) impose minimum withdrawal amounts, or require a cushion amount before you can withdraw. This can delay your first real paycheck even after passing the test.
Customer Support and Tech Reliability
Support quality is rarely highlighted in marketing, but matters when you hit a rules dispute or technical glitch. FundedNext and MyFundedFX have been noted for slow response times. FTMO, as the largest, has the most robust support and educational resources, but also the strictest processes for appeals.
Which Firm’s Test Fits Your Trading Style?
If You Want Maximum Flexibility
- E8 Markets: Unlimited time, 8% profit, 5% daily drawdown, low fees.
- MyFundedFX: Unlimited time, up to 92.75% split, multiple account sizes, very low min days (3).
- The5ers: Unlimited time, but tightest drawdowns (6%/3%), instant funding option.
If You Want the Best Track Record and Support
- FTMO: 4.8/5 rating, strict but clear rules, scaling to $2M, trusted payouts, strong education.
- TopStep: Futures only, proven since 2012, real live funded account path, low monthly cost.
If You Want the Lowest Profit Target
- The5ers, TopStep, Tradeify, Apex, My Funded Futures: 6% target, but watch for tighter drawdowns and lower splits on some plans.
If You Want High Leverage
- FTMO, FundedNext, MyFundedFX, Goat Funded Trader: 1:100 leverage, wide instrument access.
- Lux Trading Firm, The5ers, City Traders Imperium: 1:10–1:30 leverage—may not suit short-term or high-frequency traders.
If You’re a Futures Trader
- Apex Trader Funding, My Funded Futures, Tradeify, TopStep, Take Profit Trader: Full contract leverage, but all have unique trailing drawdown mechanics. No forex or crypto.
How to Choose: Action Steps
- Calculate your realistic win rate and drawdown profile using the PropSurvivalEngine calculator before picking a firm.
- Cross-check your strategy against news, weekend, and EA restrictions. If you rely on automation, avoid The5ers, Lux, TopStep.
- Factor in total cost: Will you need multiple attempts? If so, monthly subscription models can get expensive fast.
- Decide if scaling is your real goal or if you want fast, frequent payouts from smaller accounts.
- Read the fine print on violations: Is there a warning, or instant disqualification?
- Check the firm’s health and reliability on PropSurvivalEngine Health Grades before committing.
Bottom Line
Use the data above, and PropSurvivalEngine’s calculators and health checks, to pick the challenge that matches your real trading edge—not just the marketing hype.