Best Funded Trading Programs (2024)

Proprietary trading, also known as prop trading, has gained popularity in recent years. Prop traders use their own funds or provided company funds to buy and sell financial instruments. Using this approach, financial institutions earn profits from the financial markets rather than relying on client commissions. Funded traders may retain a share of the profit and don’t have to risk their own capital.

Finding the funded trading program that meets your needs is sometimes challenging. Benzinga has reviewed some of the best-funded trading programs to help you make the appropriate choice.

Quick Look: Best Funded Trading Programs

• Best for Beginner Future Traders: Apex Trader Funding
• Best for Experienced Forex Traders: The5ers
• Best for Stock Traders: Trade the Pool
• Best for Seasoned and Undercapitalized Traders: Top One Trader
• Best for Beginner Forex Traders: Instant Funding
• Best for All Futures Traders: BluSky
• Best for Experienced But Undercapitalized Forex Traders: Tradiac
• Best for Experienced Traders: FXIFY
• Best for Undercapitalized Forex Traders: E8 Funding
• Best for Accelerated Trader Funding: SurgeTrader
• Best for Quick Funding: Superfunded
• Best for Instant Funding: OFP Funding
• Best for Futures Trading: OneUp Trader
• Best Day Traders: FundedNext

Best Funded Trading Programs

The best-funded trading programs offer prop traders a range of financial instruments and a reasonable profit share. Fees and leverage are also essential considerations in choosing the most appropriate funded program.

Best for Beginner Futures Traders: Apex Trader Funding

Apex Trader Funding is a unique platform that allows you to get started faster and access more funds across a range of account types. Generally, traders can get approved in as little as 7 days, and they can seek somewhere between $400,000 and $4 million for their trading. You can connect with Rithmic or Tradovate, trade on holidays and much more.

Because you get to keep the first $25,000 you make and profit splits remain at 90% for the biggest accounts. Also, there are no daily drawdowns as you get to work.

Best for Experienced Forex Traders: The 5ers

Offering trades in forex, indices, metals and securities, the 5ers provides some of the most generous profit shares in the industry. The company allows up to 100% split and even salary offers for top traders. Traders can access the platform immediately after passing the evaluation, the price of which starts at $95. There are no subscription fees.

Users gain access via MT5. Standard leverage is 1:10 but can move upward to as much as 1:30. Capital funding ranges from $6,000 to $4 million with easy scaling options and the freedom to develop your trading strategy.

Best for Stock Traders: Trade the Pool

Offering access to over 12,000 stocks and ETFs, Trade the Pool, launched in 2022, is a newcomer to prop trading. An offshoot of 5ers, Trade the Pool has four funded trading programs starting at $20,000 up to $260,000 with an unlimited scale-up plan. Single-phase evaluation ensures that traders can quickly get to work. Active traders keep 80% of their profits. Funded accounts start at $20,000 and up to $260,000. Traders can test the system using the 14-day free trial.

Best for Seasoned and Undercapitalized Traders: Top One Trader

When you want to try prop trading, you may run into obstacles or need additional trading if you want to change careers and earn a living ont he markets. Recently, Top One Trader has become a favored host for those who want need the backing that a prop trading firm can provide.

There’s a 1 and a 2-step evaluation that allows you to get started with at least $200,000, but you can scale your account up to $5 million if you perform well. The evaluation is simple and easy to manage, there are no minimum or maximum trading days and you can even try weekend or news trading.

You can even use EAs if you prefer. There are also tools like the Economic Calendar where you can track details from the markets at-large and make better decisions. Payout splits rise as high as 90%, you get a refund of your evaluation fee with your first payout and you can reach out to the customer service team any time for help.

Best for Beginner Forex Traders: Instant Funding

Traders who want to get started with Instant Funding can get up to $200,000 in funding, or up to $1.6 million via scaling. There are no time limits of daily drawdowns, and there is leverage available up to 100:1. Other benefits include:

• Flexible evaluations
• No minimum trading days
• Weekly payouts
• Up to 90% splits
• Automated dashboard

The customer service is extremely responsive, and you can reach them over multiple channels if you ever need help, meaning that you can get the support you need while growing your career.

Best for All Futures Traders: BluSky

BluSky allows you to create a funded futures brokerage account that offers both educational tools, high profit splits and the support of a solid community. It’s easy to withdraw your funds every day, and you receive the support you need to jumpstart your career as a futures trader.

Other benefits of the Blusky platform include:

• A quick path to approval
• Profit splits starting at 80% and rising the more you withdraw, up to 100%
• Free 1-on-1 coaching for all traders
• No consistency or minimum trading requirements
• Integrates with Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView and Rithmic
• Connectsto the CME, CBOT, COMEX, NYMEX and EUREX
• Free Discord server where you can learn from the community
• You can use trading robots

Best for Experienced Yet Undercapitalized Forex Traders: Tradiac

Designed for experience yet undercapitalized forex traders and beginners alike, you can use Tradiac to access up to $100,000 in funding for your prop trading career. Plus, you can scale up to $1 million in some situations with maximum drawdowns and 15% to 30% daily loss limits.

Those who want to get started only need to complete a single-phase evaluation that leads to instant 90% profit splits. Traders can also:

• Use EAs
• Hold weekend positions
• Hold overnight positions
• Contact customer support at any time
• Access up to 20:1 leverage

Funds are provided by London hedge funds that institute risk management protocols that work for everyone, allowing you to trade freely and confidently at the same time.

Best for Experienced Traders: FXIFY

As you get started with FXIFY, you will find that there are several benefits, including:

• Profit splits up to 90%
• Up to $4 million in funding
• MT4 and MT5 functionality
• Customizable leverage
• Tighter spreads than the competition
• No trading restrictions
• Instant payouts
• No consistency rules
• Unlimited trading days
• 125% refund on your assessment fee after your first payout

You can get into prop trading right now, turn this activity into a career and receive the funding that many traders simply cannot get. This platform allows you to take a one or two-phase assessment depending on how comfortable you are with trading. Plus, you can work at your own pace so that you can build confidence and earn more.

Best for Undercapitalized Forex Traders: E8 Funding

The prop trading firm E8 Funding offers traders a broad portfolio of trading instruments. The company charges an initial fee but no monthly subscriptions. E8 Funding provides funds of between $25,000 and $250,000 for traders who complete the evaluation and training periods. Scalable accounts allow traders to grow the funded amount to $1 million. Traders keep 80% of their profits and have access to MT4 and MT5 platforms and 100:1 leverage.

Best for Accelerated Trader Funding: SurgeTrader

SurgeTrader is a multi-national proprietary company with headquarters in Florida. The SurgeTrader portfolio contains a broad range of financial instruments, including forex, cryptocurrencies, stock and commodity market assets.

Traders must pass an exam to qualify for $25,000 to $1 million in working capital and pay an audition fee in line with the fund size. SurgeTrader charges no monthly fees. The company offers 10:1 leverage and 20:1 on metals and forex. Traders have access to MetaTrader 4 and 5 and 24/7 customer support.

Best for Quick Funding: Superfunded

Australian-based Superfunded is a multi-asset prop trading company offering qualifying traders capital of up to $200,000. The one-step evaluation is quickly accomplished so traders can get to the business of trading within days. There is no monthly subscription. Users can choose from five profiles ranging from $15,000 to $200,000. Each level has different performance measures. Traders can keep 90% of the profits. They have access to the MT4 platform and 30:1 leverage.

Best for Instant Funding: OFP Funding

If you’re working on your trading skills and want to get into the prop trading space safely, you can dip your toe in with OFP Funding. The platform offers 60% to 90% splits, multiple account types that will match up with your needs and leverage up to 100:1.

New traders can grow on this platform and invest in indices, forex, crypto, bonds, stocks, commodities and more. Plus, you can trade on MT4 and MT5 for the best experience. However, you cannot use copy trading or EAs, but even so, you can learn quite a lot and make money at the same time with no challenges or tests from OFP Funding.

Best for Futures Trading: OneUp Trader

The OneUp Trader business model is somewhat different from the other Prop Trading businesses. OneUp Trader partners with several prop trading firms that provide trading capital. Traders must complete an evaluation to access funds. There are several accounts, ranging in value from $25,000 to $250,000, each with its own risk restrictions. Traders can keep 90% of profits and can withdraw all their funds on reaching $10,000. OneUp Trader doesn’t limit profit withdrawals and charges no data fees. Users receive a free license to NinjaTrader and can try the program free for seven days.

Best Day Traders: FundedNext

Incorporated in 2022, FundedNext offers prop traders a choice of two accounts and a wide range of financial instruments. Traders must complete a two-part evaluation to receive a funded account. FundedNext allows traders to keep 15% of profits made during the evaluation and 60% thereafter.

During that evaluation phase, you can choose from the Stellar Challenge account, which has no time limits and a balance-based drawdown, the Evaluation model or the Express model, depending on your needs and expertise.

The percentage rises to 75% and then 90% after the first and second withdrawals. Funding amounts start at $15,000 and rise to $300,000 or even as much as $4 million (with the scaling option). Funded traders have access to 100:1 leverage and must pay a one-time fee.

How Does a Funded Trading Program Work?

Funded trading programs follow a similar process.

• Application: Traders apply for funding, providing the trading firm with information about their experience, trading style and performance.
• Evaluation: If the trading firm accepts the application, the trader must pass a trading evaluation process to demonstrate their trading skills.
• Training: Many trading firms provide funded traders with training and education to improve their trading skills. Training may include access to educational resources, trading courses and coaching from experienced traders.
• Funding: When the trader has completed the evaluation and training process, the trading firm funds the account.
• Trading: Funded traders use the funds to trade financial instruments. They keep a portion of the profits. The trading firm receives a percentage for funding the trade.
• Risk management: Trading firms often have strict risk management rules to protect the trader and the firm's capital. These rules may include maximum position sizes and stop-loss orders.

How to Make the Most of Funded Trading

You can make the most of your funded trading journey by following some simple guidelines.

• Trade as though you were using your funds: This means following your trading plan, managing your risk and sticking to your trading strategy.
• Follow the rules: Trading firms have rules and risk management guidelines you must follow. Make sure you understand these rules and follow them closely.
• Stay disciplined: Stick to your trading plan and strategy and avoid emotional decision-making.
• Keep a trading journal: Track your progress, identify patterns and learn from your mistakes with a trading journal.
• Keep learning and improving: The markets perpetually evolve. Successful traders constantly learn and adapt. Keep up with market news and trends, stay informed about new trading strategies and tools and continue to hone your skills.
• Be patient and realistic: Funded trading programs usually have profit targets and timeframes that you must meet to keep the funding. Don't rush to make a profit or take unnecessary risks to meet your targets. Instead, focus on sticking to your trading plan and building your skills.

Compare Funded Trading Programs

Benzinga offers insights and reviews of the most prominent financial service providers. These include prop trading firms or funded trading programs.

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