Finding the best proprietary trading firm for beginners can be tedious and confusing. There are dozens to choose from, all with different little details. Some firms are set up to help you succeed, while others make it hard to get funded and easy to fail.
For this comparison guide, I’ve used, ranked and reviewed the best prop trading firms for beginners.
Proprietary Trading Firms For Beginners - Comparison Table
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Name | |||||
Passability* | |||||
Minimum Days to a Check* | |||||
Initial Balance | $25-$150K | $25K - $300K | $25K - $100K & $150K - 300K static! | $25K - $150K | $25K - $400K |
Profit Split | 80% Pro | 90% | 90% | 90% | 80% |
Tradable Assets | Futures (indices, metals, oil, etc.) | Futures (indices, metals, oil, etc.) | Futures (indices, metals, oil, etc.) | Futures (indices, metals, oil, etc.) | Futures (indices, metals, oil, etc.) |
Full Review | Coming Soon | ||||
Offer |
Name | |||||
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Passability* | |||||
Minimum Days to a Check* | |||||
Initial Balance | $25-$150K | $25K - $300K | $25K - $100K & $150K - 300K static! | $25K - $150K | $25K - $400K |
Profit Split | 80% Pro | 90% | 90% | 90% | 80% |
Tradable Assets | Futures (indices, metals, oil, etc.) | Futures (indices, metals, oil, etc.) | Futures (indices, metals, oil, etc.) | Futures (indices, metals, oil, etc.) | Futures (indices, metals, oil, etc.) |
Full Review | Coming Soon | ||||
Offer |
*results not guaranteed. This is a rating of the shortest possible amount of time it would take to get paid if you are successful. In some cases, that may depend on what part of the month it is when you pass, and that is also factored in. Most traders lose. Passability is a subjective rating based on the rules, goal-to-drawdown ratio, and observation of traders in the evaluations.
What is the Best Proprietary Trading Firm For Beginners?
My pick for the best prop trading firm for beginners goes to...
1. TakeProfit Trader
TakeProfit Trader has heard the traders speak, and the traders want payouts...well, whenever they ask. TPT lets you withdrawal profits whenever you want, starting day one. Their automated payout system makes it easy to get your money when you've made it.
Whether they’re best for you will depend on whether that's your priority.
What I like:
- Withdraw profits whenever you want, starting day 1, as long as you're above the buffer amount (equal to your loss limit)
- Withdraw as much as you want, above the buffer, with no caps.
- Payouts processed immediately through the automated online system. No waiting for an arbitrary time of month or an approval to withdraw your profits.
- Pass your Trading Test in as little as 2 days by achieving the profit target without breaking rules.
- End-of-Day Drawdown limit in test accounts makes it easier to stay within the rules and pass.
- Trader support is responsive and helpful and available 24/7
- Free use of Tradovate, Tradingview, NinjaTrader 8, and 16 other platforms including Quantower, SierraChart and Bookmap.
- The goal is to get you on a Pro+ account trading real money in the live market, not keep you on a sim account (though Pro accounts do pay real money)
- No scaling plans, so your contract size allowance is always what's specified for your account size.
- Trade unlimited evals if you want, so you can have some on standby ready to fund.
- Trade up to 5 Pro and 5 Pro+ accounts
Nice-to-have:
- Pro Account resets, so if you bust your Pro account and want to pay to revive it, you can do that up to 3 times (pricing is case-by-case).
Drawbacks:
- I'd prefer to see EOD drawdown in the Pro and Pro+ accounts, too. But, you just have to get above the buffer and it stops trailing, so not really a big deal.
- Limited to 5 Pro and 5 Pro+ accounts, but really that should be enough for most traders, especially getting started.
- I'd like to see the daily loss limit be a soft rule (stops trading for the day instead of busting the account). But, I would (and you should) stick to a smaller personal daily loss limit, anyway.
Pricing: Starts at $150 for the $25k Trading Test. (less with my link and code EPICC)
Get TakeProfit Trader if you want anytime withdrawals, uncapped withdrawals, and a fast minimum funding time.
EPICC
2. Apex Trader Funding
Apex Trader Funding can help you become a pro trader through their evaluation program that has paid out over $18,032,362 to traders since 2022. They paid out $6,688,574 in the 60 days leading up to May 1, alone. All those traders qualified through a simple one-step evaluation process.
Benefits:
- Get 100% of your first $25,000 in profit and 90% of profits after that. There isn't a better deal out there on this metric.
- Trade multiple accounts with one login, so you don’t have to get accounts at other firms if you don’t want to.
- Qualify for a prop account in as little as 7 days by reaching targets and keeping within a few simple rules
- You can’t accidentally go over position size limits since they’re capped automatically within the software.
- No daily drawdown limit so you only have to stay within the max trailing threshold.
- Ninjatrader or Tradovate license and data fees are free during your evaluation.
- One of several prop firms with static drawdown accounts, which some beginners find easier to manage.
- Save money with Apex commissions, which are on the lower end of the industry.
Drawbacks:
- Max trailing threshold rises with intraday profits, so if one trade swings from profit to breakeven or loss, your loss threshold is based on your highest account value during that trade.
- Payouts are processed twice/month so you need to wait and request a profit withdrawal between the 1-5th or 20th-25th of each month, and you must trade 10 days before you can request your first payout.
- The firm has discretion on when they move you to a real live account from a paid sim. They seem to keep most traders on sim for a while. Your profit share still works the same way, though.
Pricing:
Starts at $147/mo (less with discount below) until you pass the evaluation and get a funded Pro Account (PA account), where you can begin to withdraw profits. For beginners I recommend the 25k Full, because has the best ratio of profit goal to trailing threshold, compared to some of the other plans. This 1:1 ratio is also the most desirable I've seen out of any futures funding firm, period.
This discount code will give you the max discount. You can also check Apex Trader Funding discounts to see current deals.
RAGVSGRE
Not ready yet? Learn more in my Apex Trader Funding Review.
3. BluSky Trading

BluSky has carved out a unique spot in the prop firm landscape by solving two major pain points for new futures traders: The fear of complex rules and the need for genuine support. Their evaluation process is refreshingly straightforward - maintain your drawdown limits, hit your profit targets, and you're funded. No hidden rules or gotchas waiting to trip you up. But what really sets them apart is their commitment to trader development through free 1-on-1 coaching sessions and an active Discord community.
I've been around long enough to know that most new traders fail because they're isolated and overwhelmed. BluSky tackles this head-on by giving you both the capital AND the guidance needed to succeed. Their daily payout structure (same-day ACH when requested before 11am EST) also helps develop proper risk management habits - you can actually build your account instead of being forced to withdraw everything.
What I like:
- Zero activation fees after passing evaluation - unlike most firms that hit you with "administrative costs" right when you start making money
- Daily payouts available Monday-Friday with no maximum restriction after first payout - just maintain your minimum balance and you can withdraw profits consistently
- Real 1-on-1 coaching sessions once funded help develop your trading plan and execution skills
- Active Discord community keeps you connected with other funded traders
- Transparent drawdown rules calculated at End of Day (EOD) instead of intraday at all stages - gives you room to manage positions properly without having to change strategies after funding
- Same-day account activation after passing evaluation - no waiting period to start trading live
- Multiple account sizes available from $25k to $100k, or $150K-$300K static, to match your experience level
- Custom risk parameters available once funded - lets you adapt position sizing as you develop
Nice-to-have:
- 50% discount on TraderVue included for detailed trade analysis and improvement
- Clean, intuitive dashboard for tracking your metrics and requesting withdrawals
- Regular educational content and market analysis shared in Discord
Not as great:
- 30% consistency requirement might feel restrictive to some traders
- Daily loss limits during evaluation period (though not overly restrictive, and these are removed once funded)
- Evaluation cost is higher than some
Pricing: Starts at $151/30 days for the $25k evaluation account (but be sure to grab your blusky discount here.
Get BluSky if you want a straightforward path to funding with genuine trader support, daily withdrawal flexibility, and 1-on-1 coaching.
Not ready yet? Learn more in my BluSky Review.
4. Topstep
Tradeify stands out in the prop firm space by eliminating one of the biggest headaches funded traders complain about most - rigid payout windows. Their streamlined approach lets you request withdrawals anytime once you've hit your targets, and their 90/10 profit split is among the most generous in the industry. What caught my attention was their "Straight to Sim Funded" option - it's a unique approach that lets traders skip the traditional evaluation phase while still maintaining proper risk parameters.
After much experience with futures prop firms, I can tell you that their End of Day drawdown calculation is a game-changer for newer traders. It gives you breathing room to manage positions properly without getting knocked out by intraday swings, which is exactly what you need when you're learning to handle larger size.
What I like:
- Flexible payout structure - request withdrawals anytime after meeting objectives
- Generous 90/10 profit split from your very first withdrawal
- End of Day drawdown calculations prevent getting stopped out by normal market noise
- Straight-to-funded has a easonable 20% consistency requirement - challenging but achievable
- Up to 5 funded accounts allowed simultaneously for proper scaling
- No restrictions on news trading - gives you full market access
- Both Tradovate and NinjaTrader platform options included Free.
- Clear 3-step path from evaluation to live funding
- Multiple account sizes from $25k to $150k to match your experience level
- Straightforward rules without hidden gotchas or complications
Nice-to-have:
- Automated trade journaling tools included
- Active Discord community for trader support
- Multiple funding paths (Challenge or Straight to Sim)
- Cheapest eval is under $100 before discounts
Not as great:
- Higher upfront costs for Straight to Sim Funded accounts, but that's typical
- 10-day minimum trading requirement before first payout and between later payouts
Pricing: Starts at $69/mo for Advanced, $139/mo for Growth. You can check on Tradeify discounts here.
Get Tradeify if you want generous profit splits, flexible payouts, or instant funding.
Learn more in my Tradeify Review.
5. Earn2Trade (Trader Career Path)
Earn2Trade has helped thousands of new traders get started on the path to professional trading. Based on my 20 years of trading experience, and my experience with Earn2Trade, it’s a great option for new traders.
Earn2Trade’s Trader Career Path (TCP) program and rules help you scale up gradually to a sizeable prop firm account.
Why I like it:
- Start trading, get funded, and level up to a $400k account without having to pay more to start a large account evaluation. It takes several steps to get to $400k, but the opportunity is there.
- Micro futures contracts make it easier to manage risk and are treated as they should be here, as 1/10 of a mini contract - so you can scale in/out according to your strategy.
- Just a few simple risk rules to stay within to keep your account and pass the evaluation.
- Beginner-friendly dashboard includes tools and guides for learning trading, improving, and tracking your progress.
- Trade with the trading platform of your choice, like Sierra Chart, NinjaTrader 8, Bookmap, or 16 others. I personally used and liked Overcharts for my Earn2Trade eval.
- Data is free during the evaluation and there are four free licenses available for trading software (NinjaTrader, Overcharts, R|Trader & R|Trader Pro, and Finamark)
- Complimentary 60-day access to Journalytics ($78 value) to track your trading and work on improvement.
- The goal is to get you to a sizeable prop firm account trading real money in the live market, not keep you on a sim.
Nice-to-have:
- Fast trading account setup is automated, just follow basic emailed instructions to be trading within 10-15 minutes (during trading hours).
- Minimum withdrawal threshold of $100, among the lowest I’ve seen.
- Active discord server with helpful members and admins, to answer questions about the program, trading, or just shoot the breeze on a slow trading day.
My least favorite parts:
- TCP is not the fastest route to funding, with a 15-day minimum evaluation.
- Data fees work like most prop firms, once you pass and get funded, you’ll have to pay monthly data fees - the exchanges charge these, so most firms pass them on to traders. Just didn’t want you to be surprised by these.
- The first live step might have a trailing drawdown, so your max drawdown can reset higher while you’re in a profitable trade, so you’ll want to consider using a trailing stop when letting winners run.
Try the TCP to get started trading, learn the ropes, and manage an account that’s geared towards newer traders.
Pricing:
Trader Career Path (as discussed above): $190/mo until you pass the evaluation and move to the next step, where you can begin to withdraw profits and work to step up to a bigger account.
I recommend you get the Trader Career Path for $190, work your way up to a $400,000 account, and pocket some profits along the way. If you trade consistently and with discipline, you may get a custom offer for a larger account.
Trader Career Path can be canceled by you at any time. Pro-rated refunds are not offered at this time.
Not ready yet? Learn more in my Earn2Trade Review.
Proprietary Trading Firms For Beginners - Comparison Tables
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Name | |||||
Location | Orlando, FL | Austin, Texas | St Petersberg, FL | Apopka, FL | Registered in Wyoming, with global offices |
Support | Chat, Email | Chat, email, Discord | Email, chat, discord | Chat, email, discord | |
Tradable Assets | Futures (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX), micro bitcoin, micro eth | Futures (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX), micro bitcoin, micro eth | Futures (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX) | Futures (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX) | Futures (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX) |
Pricing | $150-360 | $137-657 | $151-450 | $165-$375 | $150-275 |
Offer |
Header | |||||
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Location | Orlando, FL | Austin, Texas | St Petersberg, FL | Apopka, FL | Registered in Wyoming, with global offices |
Support | Chat, Email | Chat, email, Discord | Email, chat, discord | Chat, email, discord | |
Tradable Assets | Futures (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX), micro bitcoin, micro eth | Futures (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX), micro bitcoin, micro eth | Futures (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX) | Futures (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX) | Futures (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX) |
Pricing | $150-360 | $137-657 | $151-450 | $165-$375 | $150-275 |
Offer |
The Bottom Line
With their easy setup, basic rules, and opportunities for quick funding, these are some of the beast proprietary trading firms for beginners. They can help you get started on your journey to become a professional trader, and are set up to help you succeed.
If you want to start with the best prop firm for beginners, and get the best current deal, check out the current max TakeProfit Trader Discount
.