Prop Firm Comparison Tool: Compare Firms Side by Side
Compare two prop firms side by side using current programme-level data. Review challenge fees, drawdown rules, profit targets, payout conditions, platforms and trading restrictions before choosing an account.
Last verified: 21 July 2026
Methodology: How we compare and score prop firms
Affiliate disclaimer: We may receive a commission if you purchase a challenge through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not determine our scores or ranking order. Prop firm rules and prices can change, so confirm the current conditions on the firm’s official website.
Compare Two Prop Firms Side by Side
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| Profit target phase 1 | — | — |
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| Start challenge | Visit firm | Visit firm |
Use the comparison tool to examine two shortlisted prop firms using the same criteria. Start with the drawdown model and evaluation rules, then compare total fees, payout eligibility, trading restrictions and platform availability. Always select the exact programme and account size because conditions can differ within the same firm. Do you want to compare one of the best prop firms?, check the FTMO vs FundedNext review in detail.
Prop Firms Comparison Table
| Comparison point | FTMO 2-Step Challenge | FundedNext Stellar 2-Step | The5ers High Stakes Classic | E8 Markets E8 Pro Forex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Account size compared | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Evaluation structure | Two phases | Two phases | Two phases | One phase |
| Profit target | Phase 1: 10% Phase 2: 5% | Phase 1: 8% Phase 2: 5% | Phase 1: 8% Phase 2: 5% | 8% |
| Daily loss limit | 5% | 5% | 5% | 2.5% |
| Maximum loss | 10% static maximum loss | 10% fixed from the initial account balance | 10% absolute maximum loss | 8% static drawdown |
| Minimum trading days | 4 trading days per phase | 5 trading days per phase | 3 profitable days per phase | No minimum trading days |
| Evaluation time limit | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited 30-day inactivity rule | Unlimited Trade at least once every 60 days |
| Published reward share | 80% standard Up to 90% | 80% standard Up to 90% through scaling | 80%–100% | 80% with the preset configuration Higher options may cost more |
| First payout eligibility | From 14 days after the first trade on the FTMO Account | After 21 days Later cycles can be 14 days | After 14 days Minimum $150 profit | Daily requests after reaching the 1% minimum-profit requirement |
| Important condition | The daily-loss calculation includes floating profit or loss, commissions and swaps. | Each evaluation phase requires trading on five separate days. | Each profitable day must generate at least 0.5% of the initial account balance. | A 2% daily profit cap applies. The payout process also retains part of the profit as an account buffer. |
| Official programme rules | View FTMO rules | View FundedNext rules | View The5ers rules | View E8 Markets rules |
| Full analysis | Read FTMO review | Read FundedNext review | Read The5ers review | Read E8 Markets review |
Popular Prop Firm Comparisons
| Comparison | Best for | Read |
|---|---|---|
| FTMO vs FundedNext | Traders comparing reputation, rules, pricing and payout speed | FTMO vs FundedNext |
| FTMO vs Alpha Capital | Traders comparing FTMO with a UK-based alternative | FTMO vs Alpha Capital |
| FTMO vs The 5ers | Traders comparing a traditional challenge model with growth-style funding | FTMO vs The5ers |
Best Prop Firm Comparisons by Trading Style
Not every trader should choose the same prop firm. Use these comparison pages if you know what matters most to your strategy.
| Trader need | Compare this first | Recommended page |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest challenge cost | Fees, refunds, reset costs and discounts | Best Cheap Prop Firms |
| No traditional challenge | Instant account cost, drawdown and payout rules | Best Instant Funding Prop Firms |
| Swing trading | Overnight, weekend and news holding rules | Best Prop Firms for Swing Traders |
| New traders | Rule simplicity, education, free trials and lower pressure | Best Prop Firms for Beginners |
| UK traders | Availability, payment methods, platforms and support | Best Prop Firms UK |
| US traders | Eligibility, futures/CFD access and platform restrictions | Best Prop Firms US |
| Overall ranking | Balanced score across cost, rules, payouts and trust | Best Prop Firms |
What the Comparison Tool Checks
| Category | What to compare | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Challenge fees, refund policy, discounts | A cheaper challenge is not always better if the rules are restrictive |
| Evaluation | One-step, two-step, three-step or instant funding | Determines how difficult it may be to reach the funded stage |
| Risk rules | Daily drawdown, max drawdown, trailing/static rules | These are usually the biggest reason traders fail challenges |
| Trading freedom | News trading, EAs, copy trading, overnight and weekend holding | Important for swing traders, scalpers and algorithmic traders |
| Payouts | First payout, payout frequency, profit split | A high profit split is less useful if payout conditions are restrictive |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade, Match-Trader, TradingView | Your strategy needs to work on the firm’s available platform |
| Trust signals | Firm age, reviews, transparency, support | Helps you avoid unclear or short-lived firms |
How to Compare Prop Firms Properly
The best way to compare prop firms is not to look only at the advertised account size or profit split. Two firms can both offer a $100,000 account, but the real trading experience can be completely different once you check the drawdown rules, payout timing, platform restrictions and challenge structure.
Start with the rules that can cause an account breach. Daily loss limits, maximum loss limits, trailing drawdown and consistency rules usually matter more than headline account size. A firm with a slightly lower profit split but clearer risk rules may be a better fit than one with a higher advertised payout and more restrictive conditions.
Next, compare the total cost. Look at the challenge fee, any activation fee, reset costs, refund policy and available discount codes. A low entry fee can become less attractive if the account has tight risk limits or poor payout conditions.
Finally, compare the firm against your actual trading style. Swing traders should check overnight and weekend holding rules. Scalpers should check spreads, commissions, slippage and maximum lot rules. News traders should check whether news trading is allowed during evaluation and funded stages. Algorithmic traders should check EA and copy trading policies before buying a challenge.
Drawdown and risk rules
Drawdown rules are one of the most important parts of any prop firm comparison. Check whether the firm uses static, trailing, balance-based or equity-based drawdown. Also check whether the daily loss limit resets at a fixed time and whether open trades count against the limit.
Evaluation difficulty
Compare the number of phases, profit targets, minimum trading days, consistency rules and time limits. A lower profit target may be easier, but only if the drawdown rules and trading conditions also fit your strategy.
Total Challenge cost and refunds
Look beyond the headline price. Compare the entry fee, refund policy, reset fee, activation fee and whether discount codes are currently available. You can also check the latest offers on the prop firm discount codes page.
Payout conditions
A high profit split is attractive, but payout rules matter just as much. Compare first payout eligibility, payout frequency, minimum withdrawal rules, payout methods and whether the firm has any consistency or activity requirements.
Trading restrictions
Check whether the firm allows your trading style. Important restrictions include news trading, weekend holding, overnight holding, scalping, EAs, trade copying and maximum lot sizes.
Platforms, markets and country access
Make sure the firm supports the platform and markets you actually trade. Forex and CFD traders may need MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade or Match-Trader. Futures traders may need a completely different platform and data setup.
Compare Before You Buy a Challenge
Before buying a prop firm challenge, ask yourself:
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Does my strategy fit the drawdown rule? | Prevents avoidable breaches |
| Can I realistically hit the profit target? | Avoids over-risking |
| Do I know my average losing streak? | Helps size positions correctly |
| Is the first payout timing acceptable? | Important for cash flow |
| Are my instruments and platform supported? | Avoids technical problems |
| Can I afford to lose the challenge fee? | Keeps risk under control |
If you are unsure whether your trading stats are good enough, test them with the prop firm probability calculator before buying a challenge.
How We Verify and Update Comparison Data
Comparison data is checked against official programme rules, help-centre articles, pricing pages and checkout information. Programme conditions can differ by account size, phase and jurisdiction. Each record displays the date it was last checked. Where a value cannot be confirmed, we mark it as “Not clearly stated” rather than estimating it.
Prop firm rules can change with little notice, and conditions may differ by programme, account size, trading phase or trader location. For that reason, we verify comparison data against current official sources rather than relying solely on promotional claims or third-party summaries.
Our research process prioritises:
- official programme and challenge pages;
- help-centre articles and trading-rule documentation;
- pricing and checkout pages;
- payout, drawdown and prohibited-strategy policies;
- legal terms and country-restriction notices; and
- written clarification from the firm’s support team when published information is unclear or contradictory.
Each comparison is based on a specific programme wherever possible. We do not assume that one set of rules applies to every account offered by the same firm. Evaluation targets, drawdown calculations, payout schedules, platform access and trading restrictions can vary between one-step, two-step and instant funding programmes.
We also distinguish between standard conditions and optional paid add-ons. A higher profit split, faster payout cycle or more flexible trading rule is not presented as a default benefit when it requires an additional fee.
Prop Firm Comparison Tool FAQs
A prop firm comparison tool lets you compare funded trading firms side by side. Instead of checking each firm separately, you can compare fees, profit splits, drawdown rules, platforms, payout timing and trading restrictions in one place.
Start with drawdown rules, profit targets and payout conditions. These usually have a bigger impact than the advertised account size or headline profit split.
Compare the exact programmes side by side rather than comparing company-level marketing claims. Begin with the drawdown calculation, profit targets and consistency rules. Then assess total fees, payout eligibility, trading restrictions, platform support and country availability. The better option is the programme whose rules fit your strategy and risk tolerance.
It is also important to compare maximum position limits, spreads and commissions because these can materially affect your results. Finally, check the firm’s legal entity, operating history, payout terms, support and rule transparency.
No. A cheap challenge can still be poor value if the drawdown is tight, the payout conditions are restrictive or the firm has unclear rules. Compare total cost against the quality of the rules.
There is no single easiest prop firm for every trader. The best fit depends on your win rate, risk per trade, holding period and ability to follow the firm’s rules. A firm with lower targets may still be difficult if the drawdown rules do not match your strategy.
Use the tool for a quick side-by-side comparison. Read a VS page when you are deciding between two specific firms and want a deeper explanation of the differences.
Not always. Some firms use simulated accounts, live accounts or hybrid risk models. Always check the firm’s own terms before assuming how the funded stage works.
Prop firm rules, prices, platforms and payout conditions can change. The page should display a visible “last checked” date for important data points and should be reviewed regularly.
Yes, some links may be affiliate links. This means Prop Firms Compare may earn a commission if you buy through a link, but rankings and comparisons should be based on published criteria, not commission size.
Not all prop firms operate with the same level of transparency or reputation. To compare legitimacy, consider: customer reviews, payout proofs, company age, regulatory presence (if any), clarity of rules, and community reputation. A reliable firm will have consistent payouts, responsive support, and well‑documented policies.