A futures prop firm sells you access to an evaluation or funded account, and you trade it under written rules. The best one for you comes down to five things: what you pay in total, how the drawdown works, whether a consistency rule applies, how payouts are split and timed, and how fast you can start. This guide shows you how to compare on those points, then shows where Profirms fits.
One point first. Profirms evaluation and funded accounts are simulated. Profirms is not a broker and is not regulated. Trading futures carries risk, and nothing here promises profits.
TL;DR
- Futures prop firms usually run a rules-based audition: you pay, trade under written rules, then reach a funded stage where payouts become possible (source).
- Compare firms on total cost, drawdown type, consistency and minimum-day rules, payout split and speed, and funding options.
- Profirms charges a one-time fee, with no subscription and no activation fee, and you keep 90% of every payout from the first payout.
- Profirms drawdown is end-of-day. The max-loss floor never trails intraday, and there is no consistency rule and no minimum trading days.
Table of Contents
- What a futures prop firm actually sells
- The five criteria that separate one firm from another
- How the main account types compare
- Where Profirms fits
- Pick your account: a short decision guide
- Start with the rulebook
- Ready to compare us against your shortlist?
- Country eligibility
- A simple way to build your shortlist
- FAQ
- Sources
What a futures prop firm actually sells
You pay a fee for an account with a set size, such as 25K, 50K or 100K. You trade it by the rulebook. If you meet the profit target without breaking a risk rule, you move to a funded stage. At that stage you can request payouts according to the firm's terms.
The account size is a number on a rulebook, not cash in your pocket. Firms differ on whether the accounts are simulated or live, and that matters when you read the terms. At Profirms, evaluation and funded accounts are simulated, and we say so up front.
Three product shapes cover most of what you will see:
- Evaluation accounts: a lower fee, a profit target to hit, then funded status.
- Instant funded accounts: a higher fee, no evaluation stage.
- Daily payout accounts: built for traders who want to withdraw on a daily rhythm.
The five criteria that separate one firm from another
A "best futures prop firms" list can only rank on its author's priorities. Rank on yours. These five criteria decide most outcomes.
1. Total cost, not the headline price
The sticker price is rarely the whole bill. Look for these line items before you check out:
- evaluation fee
- monthly subscription
- reset fees after a failed attempt
- activation fee when you reach the funded stage
- market-data or platform fees
A low entry price with a monthly fee can cost more over a few months than a higher one-time price. Our guide to what getting funded really costs walks through each line, and the seven checks before you buy work as a checklist for any firm.
Profirms charges a one-time fee. There is no subscription and no activation fee.
2. Drawdown type
The maximum loss limit ends more accounts than any other rule. Industry guides describe typical evaluation rules as a profit target of roughly 5% to 10% of account size, a maximum drawdown of 5% to 12%, and a daily loss limit of 3% to 5% (Pipcy). Breaching a risk rule usually ends the evaluation immediately.
The type of drawdown matters as much as the size. There are three common designs:
| Drawdown type | How the floor moves | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Intraday trailing | Follows your peak equity during the session | Open profits can raise the floor and shrink your room |
| End-of-day | Updates on closing balances only | Intraday swings do not raise the floor (MenthorQ) |
| Static | Fixed from the starting balance | The floor never moves |
If you want the math behind each, read trailing vs static drawdown and how trailing drawdown traps funded traders.
Profirms uses an end-of-day mechanism. The loss threshold locks at the previous day's close and the max-loss floor never trails intraday. That means you can recover losses within a single session without penalty. Our explainer on end-of-day drawdown distance to threshold shows how to track your buffer each day.
3. Consistency and minimum-day rules
A consistency rule limits how much of your total profit can come from one day. Minimum trading days force you to stay in the evaluation for a set number of sessions. Commonly the minimum is 3 to 10 days, and some firms require none (Pipcy).
Read this part of any rulebook closely. A firm that advertises no minimum days may add a stricter consistency cap or tighter conditions after funding. Our piece on daily profit caps shows how to calculate your own limit and check when it resets.
Profirms has no consistency rule and no minimum trading days.
4. Payout split and timing
Ask three questions of every firm:
- What share of each payout do you keep, and does it change over time?
- How soon after funding can you request the first payout?
- How are payouts sent?
For the last one, see how funded account payouts get paid. Also check how a payout model works. Some firms size payouts from a shared pool, which ties your result to other participants, so read the terms closely before paying.
With Profirms, you keep 90% of every payout from the first payout. Our status is plain: trading platforms are in final checks, logins are emailed as each account is set up, and no payouts have been made yet. We do not describe customer results, and we will not.
5. Speed to funded status
Some traders want to prove a strategy through an evaluation. Others want to skip it and trade a funded account right away. Pick the route that matches how you trade, and price both before you decide.
How the main account types compare
Here is how the three common routes differ in practice.
| Route | Best for | Trade-off to price in |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation | Traders who want a low entry cost | You must hit the profit target first |
| Instant funded | Traders who want to start funded now | Higher one-time fee |
| Daily payout | Day traders who want withdrawals more often | Check the payout terms in the rulebook |
This table is a framework, not a ranking of other firms. Apply it to any provider you are looking at, including us.
Where Profirms fits
Profirms is built for four kinds of trader: those starting out who want a funded account without heavy fees, experienced traders who want flexible evaluation, day traders who want daily payouts, and anyone who wants a clear payout structure.
What we publish:
- a one-time fee, with no subscription and no activation fee
- 90% of every payout kept from the first payout
- an end-of-day drawdown that never trails intraday
- no consistency rule and no minimum trading days
- practice trading and free charts
- a rewards program with permanent perks
- orders fully refundable until your login is delivered
Evaluation and funded accounts are simulated. We are not a broker and not regulated.
Futures account prices
All prices below are one-time fees, as published on our site.
| Account | 25K | 50K | 100K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eval | $40 | $60 | $100 |
| Funded | $220 | $330 | $449 |
| Daily | $60 | $90 | $150 |
We also offer CFD accounts (2-Step, 1-Step and Instant) and crypto accounts. The full list is on our pricing page.
Pick your account: a short decision guide
You are new and want a low entry cost. Start with an evaluation. The 25K Eval is $40 one-time. Practice trading lets you learn the platform before you commit.
You want to start funded now. Look at the Funded accounts: 25K at $220, 50K at $330, 100K at $449.
You are a day trader. The Daily accounts are priced at $60, $90 and $150 for 25K, 50K and 100K.
You trade CFDs or crypto. We list 1-Step, 2-Step and Instant formats. Check the CFD rules and crypto rules before you choose.
Start with the rulebook
We publish our rules so you can compare them line by line with any other firm. Read the futures rules, the terms and the refund policy first. Use the free EOD drawdown tracker to see your distance to the floor each day.
If you want a full overview of core risk controls, our guide to the five core risk controls covers them in order. And before you start an attempt, the risk math for three drawdown types helps you size positions to your buffer.
Ready to compare us against your shortlist?
Put our rules next to every other firm you are considering. If a one-time fee, 90% of every payout from the first payout, and a non-trailing end-of-day floor match what you want, pick your size and start with practice trading.
Choose your account on the Profirms pricing page. Every order is fully refundable until your login is delivered.
Country eligibility
Availability and eligibility differ between firms and between countries, and the rules can change. Before you pay anyone, read the firm's terms for restricted regions and identity checks. For Profirms, the terms page is the place to confirm whether you can sign up from where you live.
A simple way to build your shortlist
- Write down your must-haves: drawdown type, consistency rule, payout share.
- Add up the full cost of each option, including every fee in the list above.
- Read each rulebook for the first payout conditions.
- Check whether the accounts are simulated or live, and how that is stated.
- Choose the route (evaluation, instant funded or daily) that fits how you trade.
Then pick the firm whose rules you can explain back to yourself without a spreadsheet. If a rule is hard to find, that tells you something about the firm.
FAQ
What is a futures prop firm?
It is a company that sells you access to an evaluation or funded account in exchange for a fee. You trade under written rules and, after meeting them, can request payouts. At Profirms, the accounts are simulated.
Which is better: an evaluation or an instant funded account?
It depends on your budget and how you trade. An evaluation has a lower fee but requires a profit target. An instant funded account costs more but skips that stage. At Profirms, a 25K Eval is $40 and a 25K Funded account is $220, both one-time.
Does Profirms charge monthly or activation fees?
No. Profirms charges a one-time fee only, with no subscription and no activation fee. You also keep 90% of every payout from the first payout.
Is end-of-day drawdown better than trailing drawdown?
End-of-day drawdown updates on closing balances, so intraday swings do not raise the floor. At Profirms the max-loss floor never trails intraday, which lets you recover losses within a session. Trading still carries risk, so size your positions to your buffer.
Sources
- How Prop Firms Work (Futures) | Prop Firm Guide
- Prop Firm Evaluation Rules: Targets, Drawdown & Consistency
- How Prop Firm Funded Accounts Work for Futures Traders
Recommended
- TFF vs FTMO: Rules, Costs and Payouts Compared
- Traders: 7 Checks Before You Pay a Prop Firm, Plus a Real Evaluation
- Prop Firm Fees Explained: What Getting Funded Really Costs
- Prop Firm Rules: The Five Core Risk Controls That Trip Traders
Risk disclosure: Trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for every investor. Profirms runs simulated evaluation and funded trading programs, is not a broker-dealer or futures commission merchant and does not provide investment advice. Hypothetical or simulated performance results have inherent limitations, and no representation is made that any account will achieve profits or losses similar to those shown. Past performance is not indicative of future results.