How Much Do Prop Firms Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Guide
Discover how much prop firms cost in 2026. This comprehensive guide covers prop firm pricing including evaluation challenge fees, account sizes, profit splits, hidden costs, promotional pricing, and total cost breakdown for traders.
Complete guide to prop firm pricing and costs. Source: Unsplash
Understanding Prop Firm Costs
Prop firms cost varies by account size and firm. Evaluation challenge fees typically range from $20-$500+ depending on account size ($5K-$400K+). Smaller accounts ($5K-$25K) cost $20-$100, medium accounts ($25K-$100K) cost $100-$300, and larger accounts ($100K+) cost $300-$500+. Some firms offer promotional pricing or discounts.
Important: Costs include evaluation challenge fees (one-time payment), potential retake fees, and profit splits (10-30% of profits). Always check complete fee structure including hidden costs like withdrawal fees or account management fees. Compare total value (cost vs benefits) not just challenge fees.
Cost factors: challenge fees, account sizes, profit splits, and hidden costs. Learn more about cheapest prop firms and prop firms under $20.
Prop Firm Cost Breakdown
Evaluation Challenge Fees
Evaluation challenge fees are one-time payments to access evaluation challenges. Fees vary by account size: $5K-$10K accounts typically cost $20-$50, $10K-$25K accounts cost $50-$100, $25K-$50K accounts cost $100-$200, $50K-$100K accounts cost $200-$300, and $100K+ accounts cost $300-$500+.
Fee structure: varies by account size, one-time payment, and non-refundable typically. Challenge fees are primary costs.
Profit Splits
Profit splits are ongoing costs where firms take 10-30% of profits. Typical splits are 80-90% to traders, 10-20% to firms. Higher profit splits (90%+) are more favorable for traders. Profit splits are the cost of accessing funded capital without using your own money.
Split structure: 70-90% to trader, 10-30% to firm. Profit splits are ongoing costs.
Retake Fees
Retake fees apply if you fail evaluation challenges and want to retake. Retake fees are typically 50-100% of original challenge fees, though some firms offer discounted retakes or free retakes under certain conditions. Retake fees can add significant costs if multiple attempts are needed.
Retake costs: 50-100% of original fees, discounted options available, and multiple attempts add costs. Retake fees can accumulate.
Hidden Costs
Potential hidden costs include withdrawal fees (some firms charge for withdrawals), account management fees (rare but possible), platform fees (usually included), and other service fees. Always read terms carefully and ask about all fees before committing to avoid surprises.
Hidden factors: withdrawal fees, management fees, and service fees. Always verify all costs.
Cost by Account Size
Small Accounts ($5K-$25K)
Small account evaluation challenges typically cost $20-$100. These budget-friendly options provide access to smaller funded accounts. While costs are lower, account sizes are smaller, limiting trading opportunities. Small accounts are ideal for beginners or traders with limited budgets.
Cost range: $20-$100, smaller accounts, budget-friendly. Small accounts provide affordable access.
Medium Accounts ($25K-$100K)
Medium account evaluation challenges typically cost $100-$300. These mid-range options provide access to moderate funded accounts with reasonable costs. Medium accounts balance cost and account size, offering good value for many traders.
Cost range: $100-$300, moderate accounts, balanced value. Medium accounts offer good balance.
Large Accounts ($100K+)
Large account evaluation challenges typically cost $300-$500+. These higher-cost options provide access to larger funded accounts. While costs are higher, larger accounts offer greater trading opportunities and profit potential. Large accounts are ideal for experienced traders.
Cost range: $300-$500+, larger accounts, greater opportunities. Large accounts provide significant capital access.
Factors Affecting Costs
Account Size
Account size directly affects evaluation challenge costs. Larger accounts cost more but provide access to more capital. Consider your trading needs and budget when choosing account size. Balance cost with account size requirements.
Size factor: larger accounts cost more, but provide more capital. Account size affects costs directly.
Firm Selection
Different prop firms have different pricing structures. Some firms offer competitive pricing, while others charge premium fees. Compare costs across firms, but also consider value (profit splits, funding amounts, payout reliability) not just challenge fees.
Firm factor: pricing varies, compare costs and value. Firm selection affects costs.
Promotional Pricing
Many prop firms offer promotional pricing, discounts, or special offers that can reduce costs. Promotions may include discounted challenge fees, free retakes, or bonus features. Look for promotions to reduce costs, but always verify legitimacy.
Promotion factor: discounts available, special offers, and reduced costs. Promotions can lower costs.
Retake Frequency
Retake frequency affects total costs. If you need multiple evaluation attempts, retake fees accumulate. Some firms offer discounted retakes or free retakes under certain conditions. Consider retake policies when evaluating total costs.
Retake factor: multiple attempts add costs, discounted options available. Retake frequency affects total costs.
Total Cost of Ownership
Initial Investment
Initial investment includes evaluation challenge fees ($20-$500+). This is the upfront cost to access evaluation challenges. Initial investment is one-time but non-refundable typically. Consider initial investment as cost of opportunity to access funded accounts.
Initial cost: challenge fees, one-time payment, non-refundable. Initial investment is upfront cost.
Ongoing Costs
Ongoing costs include profit splits (10-30% of profits) and potential fees (withdrawals, account management). Profit splits are the primary ongoing cost, representing the cost of accessing funded capital. Ongoing costs continue as long as you trade with funded accounts.
Ongoing costs: profit splits, potential fees, and continuous costs. Ongoing costs continue while trading.
Total Cost Calculation
Total cost = Initial challenge fees + Retake fees (if applicable) + Profit splits (10-30% of profits) + Hidden fees (withdrawals, etc.). Calculate total cost over expected trading period to understand true cost of ownership. Consider value received (funded capital access) vs costs.
Total calculation: initial + retakes + splits + hidden fees. Calculate total cost over time.
How to Minimize Costs
Look for Promotions
Look for promotional pricing, discounts, or special offers that can reduce challenge fees. Many firms offer promotions during special events, launches, or marketing campaigns. Promotions can provide significant cost savings.
Promotion strategy: discounts, special offers, and reduced fees. Promotions minimize costs.
Choose Right Account Size
Choose account size matching your needs and budget. Don't overpay for larger accounts if smaller accounts meet your requirements. Balance cost with account size needs to minimize unnecessary expenses.
Size strategy: match needs, avoid overpaying, and balance cost. Right size minimizes costs.
Compare Firms
Compare costs across multiple prop firms to find best value. Consider total value (cost, profit splits, funding amounts) not just challenge fees. Firms with lower challenge fees may have lower profit splits or other trade-offs.
Comparison strategy: compare costs, consider value, and find best deals. Comparison minimizes costs.
Avoid Retakes
Prepare thoroughly to pass evaluation challenges on first attempt, avoiding retake fees. Study trading rules, practice risk management, and ensure you're ready before starting challenges. First-attempt success minimizes total costs.
Preparation strategy: thorough preparation, first-attempt success, and avoid retakes. Preparation minimizes costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do prop firms cost?
Prop firms cost varies by account size and firm. Evaluation challenge fees typically range from $20-$500+ depending on account size ($5K-$400K+). Smaller accounts ($5K-$25K) cost $20-$100, medium accounts ($25K-$100K) cost $100-$300, and larger accounts ($100K+) cost $300-$500+. Some firms offer promotional pricing or discounts.
Are there hidden costs in prop firms?
Potential hidden costs include: retake fees (if you fail and retake challenge), withdrawal fees (some firms charge for withdrawals), account management fees (rare but possible), platform fees (usually included), and profit splits (10-30% of profits). Always read terms carefully and ask about all fees before committing.
Can I get prop firms for free?
Some prop firms offer free evaluation challenges or promotional free trials, though these are rare. Most prop firms charge evaluation fees. However, you can look for: promotional offers, free trial periods, referral bonuses, or discounted challenges. Always verify legitimacy of free offers.