Futures prop trading has undergone dramatic change in recent years. With the rise of retail prop firms, traders now have more opportunities than ever to access capital without risking significant personal funds. This shift has pushed demand for futures prop trading accounts to record levels, and firms are racing to offer better profit splits, faster withdrawals, and more flexible rules. However, not all prop firms are created equal, and navigating the difference between reputable firms and scams has become a crucial skill for traders in 2025.

To make this increasingly competitive landscape easier to understand, this guide breaks down the 5 best futures prop trading firms in 2025, based on the latest updates from industry research, trader feedback, and the evolving standards of the futures evaluation model. Along the way, the article answers the six most important questions traders ask before choosing a futures prop firm, ensuring every reader leaves with clarity and confidence.

What Is a Futures Prop Trading Firm?

What Is a Futures Prop Trading Firm?

A futures prop firm is a company that provides traders with capital to trade futures contracts while taking a share of the trader’s profits. Instead of risking personal funds, traders operate on funded accounts issued by the prop firm and follow strict risk-management rules. This model allows traders to access buying power they may not have on their own, while the firm benefits by sharing in the trader’s successful performance.

Unlike forex prop firms that typically use a one-time challenge fee, futures prop trading models often operate through monthly subscription accounts. Traders pay a recurring fee to maintain access to their funded account once they pass the evaluation or combine phases. This structure rewards consistency and ensures only disciplined traders remain active. The firms’ revenue is a mix of subscription fees and profit sharing.

The most important reason traders join a futures prop firm is simple: leverage without personal financial risk. Instead of depositing $25,000, $50,000, or $150,000 to trade futures independently, traders gain access to institutional-level capital and infrastructure while only paying a small recurring fee.

How Does Futures Prop Trading Work?

How Does Futures Prop Trading Work?

Most futures prop firms operate a two-step or one-step evaluation model. Traders first prove their ability to generate profit under strict risk parameters, such as maximum daily loss and total drawdown limits. Once the trader passes the evaluation, they gain access to a funded account where they earn a percentage of all profits generated.

During the evaluation, futures prop firms often allow aggressive strategies, but traders must strictly follow the defined rules. Violations such as exceeding the daily drawdown or trading outside the approved hours can result in an account reset. Some firms offer inexpensive resets or top-ups, a model that has gained popularity among new traders seeking continuous opportunity instead of elimination.

Once fully funded, the trader’s goal is simple: trade responsibly, maintain risk discipline, and withdraw profits consistently. Many futures prop trading firms now offer enhanced withdrawal conditions, such as daily payouts or the ability to keep the first $10,000 to $25,000 entirely. This evolution shows how competitive the space has become and how aggressively firms are improving policies to attract serious traders.

How Should Traders Choose a Futures Prop Firm?

How Should Traders Choose a Futures Prop Firm?

Choosing the right futures prop trading firm is essential for long-term success. Reputation is the first and most important factor. Because futures prop firms are not regulated, traders must avoid newly established companies with unclear timelines, inconsistent policies, or limited transparency. In 2025, longevity—10 years or more in operation—is a reliable indicator of trust.

Trading costs are another crucial filter. Monthly subscription fees vary widely, and traders must evaluate the total cost of maintaining an account. Transparent firms clearly list platform fees, real-time data fees, and withdrawal policies. Hidden fees or unclear payout procedures are a red flag.

Finally, traders must assess the profit split and payout structure. Serious futures prop traders should avoid firms offering less than 80% profit split, and ideally target firms offering 90% or more. A second benchmark is the withdrawal structure: the best firms now offer same-day or weekly payouts, proving their financial strength and operational integrity.

What Can You Trade With a Futures Prop Trading Firm?

Most futures prop firms provide access to a broad range of futures contracts listed on major U.S. exchanges such as CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX. This selection allows traders to diversify strategies and manage volatility across different sectors, amplifying the advantages of funded trading.

Futures traders typically work with instruments including equity index futures, agricultural futures, energy futures, currency futures, interest-rate futures, metals futures, and increasingly, crypto futures. This variety ensures that every trading style—scalping, swing trading, and algorithmic trading—has room to operate.

In 2025, firms are placing more emphasis on algorithmic trading support. Tools such as NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic, and TradingView provide deep order-flow capabilities and automation features, giving traders more flexibility in building systems or managing multiple accounts simultaneously.

How Big Are Funded Accounts and How Do Profit Splits Work?

Funded accounts in futures prop trading typically range from $25,000 to $300,000. Some firms allow traders to manage multiple accounts, combining them into large portfolio allocations. A few structured scaling programs also allow traders to expand their funded capital to over $1M if they maintain consistency and profitability.

Profit splits in 2025 remain highly competitive. The best futures prop firms offer between 90% and 95%, along with a unique incentive: traders keep 100% of their first $10,000 to $25,000 in withdrawn profit. This policy is designed to attract disciplined traders and give them a solid base early in their funded journey.

For many traders, the most significant upgrade in 2025 is payout speed. Several leading firms now deliver same-day or one-hour withdrawals—an impressive leap forward compared to 2020–2022, when delays were common and trust issues widespread.

The 5 Best Futures Prop Trading Firms in 2025

1. Hola Prime

Hola Prime has emerged as one of the most competitive players in the futures prop space, offering four trading platforms, up to 95% profit split, and withdrawals processed in as fast as one hour. The firm offers one-step and two-step evaluations, along with direct funding accounts for traders who want to skip the evaluation entirely.

Evaluation fees range from $48 to $1,499 for portfolios between $5,000 and $300,000. With scaling options up to $4M, Hola Prime stands at the top of the futures prop trading ecosystem in 2025.

  • Up to 95% profit split
  • Ultra-fast one-hour payouts

2. FundedNext

FundedNext continues to be one of the most recognized names in futures and forex funding. Their model includes a unique 15% profit share during the evaluation stage and a maximum funded profit split of 90%. Traders also benefit from instant crypto withdrawals within five hours.

FundedNext remains a highly attractive choice for traders who want flexible resets, strong support, and fast withdrawals backed by one of the largest retail funding ecosystems.

3. TopStep

TopStep has more than a decade of experience, making it one of the most trusted names in futures prop trading. Its funded accounts range from $50,000 to $150,000 with monthly fees, but the company compensates by offering deep platform support—16 platforms in total—and daily payouts.

TopStep’s unique advantage is letting traders keep the first $10,000 in profits. For traders who value legitimacy and long-term reliability, TopStep remains a top-tier option.

4. Apex Trader Funding

Apex Trader Funding has reshaped the industry with its no daily drawdown policy and flexible evaluation structure. Traders can operate up to 20 funded accounts, supported by built-in trade copiers and algorithmic trading tools.

With up to 90% profit splits and bi-monthly withdrawals, Apex offers a strong combination of flexibility and scale for advanced futures traders.

5. My Funded Futures

My Funded Futures gives traders one of the clearest upgrade paths from simulation trading to live accounts. After 30 profitable days, traders can move to live funding and begin withdrawing up to 100% of their first $10,000.

With subscription fees between $80 and $375 and support for six trading platforms, My Funded Futures is ideal for traders who prioritize low fees and solid growth potential.

Conclusion

The modern futures prop trading landscape continues to mature, offering traders more capital, more flexibility, and more transparency than ever before. With firms competing on payout speed, platform variety, and profit splits, traders now have a unique opportunity to scale their careers without risking personal capital.

The five firms highlighted above represent the best choices available today, combining strong reputation, robust systems, and competitive terms. Whether you are a beginner seeking steady growth or an advanced algorithmic trader managing multiple accounts, 2025 is shaping up to be the strongest year yet for futures-based funded trading.