Prop Firm Guides
How to Compare Prop Firms
Most traders compare prop firms on price alone. Price is the easiest number to find and the least informative one on its own. This guide sets out the factors that actually determine whether a program fits your strategy.
Published February 10, 2026 · 7 min read
Start with total cost, not headline price
The advertised evaluation fee is rarely the full cost. Add-ons, resets, platform data fees and repeat attempts all contribute. Work out what a realistic path to a first payout costs, including the possibility of one failed attempt.
Read the drawdown definition before anything else
Two firms can advertise the same drawdown percentage and behave completely differently. A static drawdown measured from the initial balance is far more forgiving than a trailing drawdown measured from peak equity, especially for strategies that give back open profit.
- Is the limit measured on balance or equity?
- Does it trail with new highs, and does the trail ever stop?
- Is the daily limit reset at a fixed server time?
Match the rulebook to your actual strategy
News restrictions, weekend holding rules, EA permissions and consistency requirements decide whether your strategy is even eligible. A swing trader and an intraday scalper should shortlist different providers.
Check payout mechanics, not just the split
A high profit split with an inflexible payout cycle can be worse in practice than a lower split with predictable processing. Look at eligibility conditions, cycle length, minimum amounts and payment methods together.
Verify everything on the provider's own site
Program terms in this industry change frequently. Treat any comparison table, including ours, as a starting point and confirm the current rulebook before purchasing.
Frequently asked questions
This article links to providers we may have a commercial relationship with. Compensation never changes how a program is described. Read the full affiliate disclosure.