Why Prop Firm Choice Matters
Not all prop firms are created equal. The wrong firm can cost you thousands in failed evaluations, while the right firm matches your trading style and accelerates your path to profitability. This comparison covers every critical dimension.
Master Comparison Table: All 4 Firms at a Glance
| Dimension | FTMO | Topstep | MyFundedFutures | FundedTrading+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluation Fee ($50K) | $345 | $165 | $155 | $297 |
| Evaluation Fee ($100K) | $540 | $325 | $310 | $597 |
| Profit Split (Starting) | 80% | 80% | 80%-90% | 80% |
| Profit Split (Max) | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% |
| Daily Loss Limit | 5% | 3% (trailing) | 4% | 5% |
| Max Drawdown | 10% | 6% (trailing) | 8% | 10% |
| Overnight Holds | Allowed | NOT Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| Weekend Holds | Allowed | NOT Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| News Trading | Allowed | Restricted | Allowed | Allowed |
| Max Contracts (ES) | 20 | 30 | 15 | 25 |
| Evaluation Phases | 2 phases | 1 phase | 1 phase | 2 phases |
| Profit Target Phase 1 | 10% | $3,000 (6%) | 8% | 10% |
| Profit Target Phase 2 | 5% | N/A | N/A | 5% |
| Time Limit Phase 1 | 30 days | No limit | 30 days | 30 days |
| Min Trading Days | 4 days | 5 days | 5 days | 4 days |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly | Bi-weekly | Weekly | Bi-weekly |
| First Payout (Avg Days) | 45-60 days | 35-50 days | 25-35 days | 40-55 days |
| Platform Options | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | Proprietary (TSTrader) | Rithmic, NinjaTrader, TradingView | NinjaTrader, TradingView |
| Scaling Plan | Yes (up to $2M) | Yes (up to $150K) | Yes (up to $600K) | Yes (up to $1M) |
| Payout Speed Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) | ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) |
Evaluation Fee Comparison: What You Pay
$50K Account Evaluations
$100K Account Evaluations
BEST VALUE: MyFundedFutures
MFF offers the lowest evaluation fees across all account sizes. If you're buying multiple evaluations to find your edge, MFF's pricing saves you $100-$300 per attempt compared to FTMO and FundedTrading+.
Trading Rules Comparison: Critical Differences
| Rule | FTMO | Topstep | MFF | FundedTrading+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight Holds | ✓ YES | ✗ NO | ✓ YES | ✓ YES |
| Weekend Trading | ✓ YES | ✗ NO | ✓ YES | ✓ YES |
| News Trading | ALLOWED | NO positions 2 min before/after | ALLOWED | ALLOWED |
| Scaling Out | ALLOWED | ALLOWED | ALLOWED | ALLOWED |
| Hedging | ALLOWED | NOT ALLOWED | ALLOWED | ALLOWED |
| Copy Trading / EAs | Allowed (Forex only) | NOT ALLOWED | Case-by-case approval | ALLOWED |
TOPSTEP RESTRICTION WARNING
Topstep's NO overnight holds rule eliminates swing trading entirely. If your edge comes from multi-day position holds, Topstep will force you to close profitable positions at 4pm EST daily. This rule alone has caused 1000s of traders to fail who would have passed at other firms.
Best Fit Recommendations by Trading Style
Scalpers: Topstep
Best for traders taking 50-200 tick profits, closing all positions same day
Why Topstep Wins
- ✓ 1-phase evaluation (faster to funding)
- ✓ Lowest profit target: $3,000 on $50K (only 6%)
- ✓ Trailing drawdown (more flexibility as you profit)
- ✓ 30 max ES contracts (scalpers need size)
- ✓ No time limit - take as long as needed
Drawbacks
- ✗ NO overnight holds (kills swing trades)
- ✗ News trading restrictions (2-min blackout)
- ✗ Proprietary platform only (TSTrader)
Swing Traders: FTMO
Best for traders holding positions 1-5 days, including weekends
Why FTMO Wins
- ✓ FULL overnight and weekend holds allowed
- ✓ Trade both Forex and Futures (diversification)
- ✓ Scale to $2M account (highest in industry)
- ✓ 90% profit split after hitting milestones
- ✓ Multiple platform options (MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView)
Drawbacks
- ✗ Higher evaluation fees ($345-$540)
- ✗ 2-phase evaluation (slower to funding)
- ✗ 30-day time limit Phase 1 (pressure)
News Traders: MyFundedFutures
Best for traders capitalizing on economic releases (FOMC, NFP, CPI, etc.)
Why MFF Wins
- ✓ NO news trading restrictions whatsoever
- ✓ Cheapest evaluation fees ($155-$310)
- ✓ Weekly payouts (fastest in industry)
- ✓ 1-phase evaluation (quick to funding)
- ✓ Rithmic feed (professional-grade data)
Drawbacks
- ✗ Lower max contracts (15 ES)
- ✗ Smaller scale potential (max $600K)
- ✗ 30-day time limit (pressure)
Aggressive Traders: FundedTrading+
Best for experienced traders with high-conviction setups, larger risk tolerance
Why FundedTrading+ Wins
- ✓ 10% max drawdown (most breathing room)
- ✓ 5% daily loss limit (largest buffer)
- ✓ 25 ES contracts max (high size for aggressive plays)
- ✓ ALL trading styles allowed (news, swing, scalp)
- ✓ Scale to $1M funded account
Drawbacks
- ✗ Most expensive evaluations ($297-$597)
- ✗ 2-phase evaluation (slower funding)
- ✗ Slower payout processing (40-55 days avg)
12-Month Cost Analysis: Multiple Evaluations
Most traders don't pass on the first attempt. This analysis shows total cost if you buy 3 evaluations over 12 months before passing.
| Scenario | FTMO | Topstep | MFF | FundedTrading+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Attempts ($50K) | $1,035 | $495 | $465 | $891 |
| 3 Attempts ($100K) | $1,620 | $975 | $930 | $1,791 |
| 5 Attempts ($50K) | $1,725 | $825 | $775 | $1,485 |
| Cost Savings vs FTMO | Baseline | -$900 cheaper | -$950 cheaper | -$240 cheaper |
COST OPTIMIZATION STRATEGY
Start with MyFundedFutures ($155 for $50K) for your first 2-3 attempts while developing your edge. Once consistently profitable on MFF, scale up to FTMO ($540 for $100K) to access higher capital and scaling potential. This approach saves $500-$800 in evaluation fees.
Case Study #1: Trader Passing FTMO After Failing Topstep
Trader Profile: Jennifer K.
Jennifer is a swing trader who holds ES positions for 2-5 days, targeting 20-40 point moves. Her average win: $800-$1,500 per trade.
Topstep Failures (3 attempts)
- Attempt 1: Profitable trade setup at 3pm, forced to close at 4pm (no overnight rule), missed 12-point overnight move
- Attempt 2: Entered swing trade Wednesday, forced to exit Friday, weekend gap moved 18 points in her direction (missed)
- Attempt 3: Passed profit target BUT took 25+ trading days due to forced early exits reducing profit per trade
FTMO Success (1st attempt)
- Week 1: Held 2 swing trades over 3 days each, captured full 25-30 point moves (+$3,000)
- Week 2: Held weekend position through Monday gap, captured additional 15 points (+$1,500)
- Result: Passed Phase 1 in 18 days with 10.6% profit
Jennifer's Lesson
"I wasted $495 on Topstep because I didn't understand their no-overnight rule kills swing trading. My edge is patience - I wait for perfect setups and hold for 2-5 days. FTMO's rules matched my strategy perfectly. I passed Phase 1 and Phase 2 within 6 weeks total and now manage a $100K funded account. Always match the firm to your trading style, not the other way around."
Case Study #2: Trader Managing Accounts at 3 Firms Simultaneously
Trader Profile: Marcus T.
Marcus diversifies across 3 prop firms to maximize income and reduce single-firm risk. His strategy: scalping ES during morning session.
| Firm | Account Size | Monthly Profit | Profit Split | Take Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO | $100,000 | $5,200 | 80% | $4,160 |
| Topstep | $100,000 | $4,800 | 80% | $3,840 |
| MFF | $50,000 | $1,500 | 80% | $1,200 |
| TOTAL | $250,000 | $11,500 | - | $9,200 |
Why Marcus Uses Multiple Firms
Advantages
- ✓ Income diversification: If one firm changes rules or delays payouts, still has income from other 2
- ✓ Risk management: Spreads total capital across 3 firms (reduces single-firm risk)
- ✓ Rule flexibility: Can optimize strategy for each firm's specific rules
- ✓ Scaling path: As he grows each account, total capital grows 3x faster
Challenges
- ✗ Time management: Must monitor 3 dashboards and track rules for each
- ✗ Correlation risk: Can't take same trade on all 3 accounts (some firms flag this)
- ✗ Tax complexity: Receives 1099 from 3 different entities
Payout Speed & Reliability Ratings
MyFundedFutures
Fastest payouts in the industry. Weekly payout schedule means you can request withdrawal every 7 days. Processing is highly reliable with minimal delays reported.
FTMO
Reliable payouts with established track record. Bi-weekly schedule (every 14 days). Longer time to first payout due to 2-phase evaluation, but processing is consistent once funded.
Topstep
Established firm with consistent payout history. 1-phase evaluation means faster to first payout than FTMO. Bi-weekly schedule with reliable processing times.
FundedTrading+
Newer firm with slower processing times reported. Some traders report delays of 7-10 days. Bi-weekly schedule but less consistent than established firms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have funded accounts at multiple prop firms simultaneously?
Yes, most firms allow this. However, you CANNOT take the exact same trade at the exact same time across multiple firms (some flag this as violating terms). Diversify your trades slightly or use different instruments to avoid correlation red flags.
Which prop firm has the easiest evaluation to pass?
Topstep statistically has the easiest evaluation: only 1 phase, lowest profit target ($3,000 vs $5,000-$10,000), and no time limit. However, the no-overnight-holds rule eliminates 40% of traders. MFF is second-easiest with 1-phase, 8% target, and flexible rules.
Do prop firms ever change their rules after you're funded?
Yes, rare but it happens. FTMO changed weekend holding rules in 2023 (then reversed after backlash). This is why diversifying across 2-3 firms reduces risk. If one firm changes rules unfavorably, you have other accounts to fall back on.
What happens if I violate a rule after getting funded?
Instant account termination in most cases. Some firms (like FTMO) offer "soft breach" forgiveness for first-time minor violations, but don't count on it. Treat funded account rules MORE seriously than evaluation rules - your ongoing income depends on it.
Should I start with a $50K or $100K evaluation?
Start with $50K. It costs 30-50% less and the profit targets are identical percentages. Once you pass a $50K evaluation and feel confident, scale to $100K. Many traders waste money buying $100K evaluations before proving they can pass $50K first.
How long does it take to receive my first payout after getting funded?
Fastest: MFF (25-35 days total from starting evaluation). Typical: Topstep (35-50 days), FTMO (45-60 days). This includes evaluation time + minimum 10-14 trading days on funded account + payout processing. Plan for 6-10 weeks minimum from start to first payout.
Are prop firm profits taxable?
YES. Prop firms issue 1099 forms (US) reporting your profit split as income. You're responsible for quarterly estimated taxes. Many traders fail to plan for this and get hit with large tax bills. Set aside 25-35% of payouts for taxes. Consult a CPA.
Which firm is best for complete beginners?
None. Don't buy ANY prop firm evaluation until you're consistently profitable on demo for 3+ months. Prop firms are NOT training programs - they're performance evaluations. Master your edge on demo first, THEN spend money on evaluations. Failure rate for beginners buying evaluations immediately: 95%+.
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