Best Funded Forex Accounts for 2025
Editorial Note: While we adhere to strict Editorial Integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for How We Make Money. None of the data and information on this webpage constitutes investment advice according to our Disclaimer.
Hola Prime - Best prop trading firm for 2025 (United States)
Top funded trader accounts are:
- Hola Prime - A prop trading firm licensed by the FSC of Mauritius that provides funding up to $500,000 with the potential to scale accounts to $4 million
- SabioTrade - Best for those who want to work as non-staff traders with up to 90% of profit
- Instant Funding - Prop firm offering instant funding with account sizes up to $80,000
- GoatFundedTrader - A proprietary trading firm registered in Saint Lucia and Hong Kong, offering simulated capital of up to $400,000 for Forex and CFD trading.
- Earn2Trade - Convinient scaling plans (relatively low profit goal, account upgrades after withdrawing first profit target)
- FXIFY - Diverse trading plans (1,2, and 3 phases, with 10k-400k funding)
Funded trader programs stand out as a viable option for traders hoping to advance their trading careers to a professional level. These platforms give knowledgeable traders a means to obtain substantial capital while reducing the risk of their investments.
However, a number of factors come into play that will affect how much money you can make as a funded trader. In this article, we will provide a deep dive into the realm of funded trader programs and examine the major factors that affect your earnings.
Below you will find all the information.
What is a Funded Trading Program?
With a funded trader program, traders have the opportunity to trade using a prop firm’s money. You and the proprietary firm share the profits you generate in the funded account.
By offering trader education resources, webinars, and support, good funded trader programs help you get started in trading with more than just trading capital.
It's also important to have a trading platform of the highest quality and a partner company that offers funded accounts of the highest quality.
The advantage of funded trader accounts, as opposed to a Personal Forex account, is the reduced risk. Real-time data and a useful platform are available for a small monthly fee. Once you prove you possess the necessary skills, you’re granted access to a funded account. Upon getting funded, you get to keep up to 90% of the profits that you generate from trading.
- Pros
- Cons
- Funded traders have the benefit of being free to use the funds allocated to their accounts as they see fit.
- Funded traders have access to more immediate capital to make larger market moves than unfunded traders.
- As a funded trader, you're somewhat protected since you don't use your own money.
- Obtaining licensure and passing certification programs can be very challenging for new professionals and solo traders. When you become a funded trader, you get the necessary licenses and certifications to start trading immediately.
- Instead of requiring you to work from an office, most funded trading programs allow you to trade from anywhere you have Internet access.
- Despite nominal freedom of use, funded traders are required to follow certain rules and regulations under the sponsorship of their company. As part of these rules, there are daily loss limits, maximum positions, and other requirements.
- Being a funded trader also takes time, especially if you lack the knowledge or expertise to take a program immediately.
- It’s possible for your profits to be lower than you expected for the first few years when trading with certain trading companies because they impose enormous fees on their funded traders.
Funded Trading Programs Compared
To provide a comprehensive overview of the conditions offered by funded trading accounts, we have initially compared the most important parameters. Below, we will delve into the key aspects of the challenges and trading conditions in detail.
| TU overall score | Profit split up to, % | Funding Up To, $ | Max. Leverage | Min Trade Days | Instruments | Instant Funding | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.83 | 95 | 4 000 000 | 1:100 | 2 | Forex, CFDs on indices, cryptocurrencies, and precious metals | Yes | |
| 9.79 | 90 | 200 000 | 1:30 | No time limits | CFDs on: currency pairs, gold, oil, global indices, stocks, cryptocurrencies, ETFs | No | |
| 9.75 | 90 | 2 500 000 | 1:100 | 3 | Forex, indices, cryptocurrencies, metals, energies (oil, gas) | Yes | |
| 9.71 | 95 | 2 000 000 | 1:100 | 3 | Forex pairs, CFDs on indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies | Yes | |
| 9.63 | 80 | 400 000 | 1:30 | 10 | Futures and micro futures | No | |
| 9.47 | 90 | 4 000 000 | 1:30 | 5 | Currency pairs, stocks, indices, gold, and cryptocurrencies | Yes | |
| 9.43 | 85 | 2 000 000 | 1:100 | No time limits | Currency pairs, cryptocurrencies, indices, commodities, and gold | Yes | |
| 9.31 | 90 | 400 000 | 1:30 | No time limits | CFDs on currency pairs, indices, precious metals, energies, and cryptocurrencies | Yes | |
| 9.27 | — | — | — | 10 | Futures on currency pairs, stocks, metals, agricultural commodities, energies, and cryptocurrencies | No | |
| 8.98 | 90 | 250 000 | 1:1 | 15 | Futures on currencies, stocks, indices, agricultural products, metals, energies, and Micro E-Mini futures | No |
What are the Trading Challenge Conditions?
We compared the trading challenge conditions of 10 prop firms to give you an idea of where the most attractive terms can be found.
| Managed amount, USD | Price, USD or EUR | Profit target, $ | Daily loss, % | Max. loss, % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 000 |
65 |
500 |
3 |
6 |
|
|
20 000 |
119 |
2000 |
5 |
6 |
|
|
5 000 |
49 |
500 |
3 |
8 |
|
|
15 000 |
114 |
1500 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
25 000 |
75 |
1750 |
2,2 |
6 |
|
|
10 000 |
75 |
1000 |
5 |
6 |
|
|
10 000 |
65 |
800 |
4 |
8 |
|
|
12 000 |
119 |
1200 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
25 000 |
150 |
1500 |
No |
6 |
|
|
25 000 |
125 |
1500 |
No |
6 |
How to Choose a Funded Trading Account?
Selecting the right funded trading account is essential for aligning with your trading style and goals. Based on an analysis of the top competitors, here is a detailed guide to help you make an informed decision.
Step 1: Understand Your Trading Style and Goals
Before diving into the details, identify whether you are a day trader, swing trader, or scalper. Knowing your trading style will help you match your needs with the right funded trading account.
Step 2: Evaluate the Challenge and Evaluation Models
Different firms offer varied models to test and fund traders. The most important parameters to compare include:
Evaluation Phases: Some firms have multi-phase evaluations, while others may offer a single-step challenge.
Profit Targets: Understand the profit targets required to pass each phase.
Time Limits: Check if there are any deadlines to complete the challenge phases.
Retrait Limits: Look for both daily and overall retrait limits to manage risk.
Step 3: Analyze the Cost and Profit Split
The financial aspects are crucial in selecting a funded account:
Entry Fees: Compare the entry costs for different account sizes and models.
Refundable Fees: Determine if the entry fees are refundable upon successful completion of the evaluation.
Profit Split: Higher profit splits are attractive but check the conditions for scaling up profit splits.
Step 4: Assess Trading Strategies and Restrictions
Your trading strategy should align with the firm's rules and restrictions:
Allowed Strategies: Ensure your preferred strategies (e.g., scalping, news trading) are permitted.
Leverage Offered: Higher leverage can increase potential profits but also risk.
Instrument Availability: Check if the firm supports trading in your preferred instruments (forex, stocks, commodities).
Step 5: Review Support and Additional Resources
Support and resources can significantly impact your trading experience:
Customer Support: Evaluate the availability and quality of customer support.
Educational Resources: Some firms offer educational tools, webinars, and mentoring to help improve your trading skills.
Step 6: Consider the Firm’s Reputation and Conditions
The overall reputation and specific conditions can influence your decision:
Reputation: Research the firm’s reputation among traders and in the trading community.
Funding Amount: Look at the maximum funding amount and the conditions for scaling up the account.
Payout Processing: Check the efficiency of the firm’s payout processing and any associated conditions.
How Do I Become a Fully Funded Trader?
We have talked about the benefits of being a funded trader, but how do you become one? Well, the exact requirements vary from one account to another. For example, while some accounts have a one-step evaluation stage, others have a 2-phase stage and even a verification step.
However, although these requirements vary, there are still some general steps that you should take to increase your chances of becoming a fully funded trader, whatever the firm.
Here are a few of them:
Develop trading skills
Build a track record to demonstrate your trading abilities
Research funding programs
Meet the criteria (minimum profit targets, retrait limits, or specific trading styles)
Submit an application
Pass evaluation and assessment
Receive funding and trade
Can I Become a Funded Trader Without Evaluation?
Yes, it is possible to become a funded trader without undergoing an evaluation phase. Here, we highlight the top three companies offering this option and discuss the pros and cons of such accounts.
- Pros
- Cons
- Immediate Access: Traders can start trading right away without the need to pass a lengthy evaluation process.
- Less Pressure: Without the stress of meeting specific evaluation criteria, traders can focus on trading strategies.
- Time-Saving: Skipping the evaluation phase saves time, allowing traders to capitalize on market opportunities immediately.
- Higher Risk: Without an evaluation, there may be less scrutiny of trading skills, which can increase the risk for both the trader and the funding company.
- Cost: Some instant funding programs may have higher upfront costs or subscription fees.
- Limited Support: There may be fewer resources and support compared to programs with an evaluation phase.
What Is The Logic Behind Prop Trading?
An excellent question we ask today is - what is the logic behind prop trading? Why would a firm offer traders their funds to trade on? It’s simple. The idea behind it is to generate profits for the trading firm by taking advantage of market opportunities and utilizing the skills and expertise of the firm's traders.
Here are some key points that explain it further:
Profit generation
Prop trading firms aim to maximize their profits by using one tool in their arsenal - understanding the traders’ thinking. Because the users are not using their own funds to trade, they are more likely to take more risks, which helps the firms gain insight into their reasoning and leverage that to gain maximum profits.
Research and development
By allowing users to take more risk in their trading, prop firms are able to gather information on how users make trading decisions, what they are more likely to invest in, and even the most preferable trading hours. This research can be then used to further develop the tools of the account.
Talent attraction and retention
The idea of providing traders with funds to trade on such that they don’t have to dig into their pockets attracts multiple untapped talents in the industry. Once they gain the profits, these talents have the potential of turning into repeat users for the account.
Maintain all gains
Because everything is traded on the firm’s account, the firm gets to maintain all the gains and maximise their profits from the trades.
Have an edge over competitors
Firms engaged in proprietary trading have an edge over their competitors in terms of the insightful information they gather from their users which they leverage to maximise their profits, retain the customers and develop their accounts.
How Much Money Can I Make?
One of the biggest draws of funded trading programs is the chance to earn a significant income. Who wouldn't want to trade with a large account and keep the bulk of their profits? But before daydreaming about quitting your 9-5, it's important to understand the factors impacting what you can realistically make.
First up - account size. Most prop firms offer balances from $25k-$200k, with bigger accounts going to veterans with proven success. More funds mean increased buying power and profit potential. But it also brings higher fees and stricter rules.
To put numbers to it, say you consistently pull off 5% monthly returns. On a $50k account, that's $2,500 per month. But a $200k balance at 5% monthly yields $10k. After the common 80/20 profit split, you'd pocket $8k of that.
Of course, some traders hit 10%+ monthly. When that happens, your income potential really takes off. Still, past results aren't guaranteed. Even the best have losing streaks thanks to unpredictable markets.
Another factor is withdrawal frequency. Most allow monthly distributions, but some offer bi-weekly or weekly payouts. More regular withdrawals can smooth your cash flow, though extra fees may apply.
Also, note that many programs require keeping a portion in your account to grow your balance over time. So while pulling in $8k monthly on $200k, you may only take home 50-80% initially.
Realistically, what can you expect to earn? Say you trade a $100k account at 5% monthly, 80/20 split. That puts you around $4k per month or $48k annually pre-tax.
How to Choose a Funded Trading Program
Overall experience: When it comes to finding a good funded trading program, it’s important to do your due diligence. To monitor the process and experience, it's a good idea to sign up and go through the whole process from free trial to partner withdrawal. Getting the feel for the user experience that a funded trading program has to offer gives you valuable insight into the quality of the funded trader program.
Assess value: It’s important to look for leaders in their funded program niche. Consider programs that offer unique features at a superior price point. As a result, you can avoid wasting time on programs that are subpar.
Examine funded program features: Assess the features, retrait types, parameters, and qualification requirements of a funded trader account. While evaluating programs, take into account the freedom that traders have in the funded environment. In the event that trading conditions are somewhat restrictive, the program must be clearly worth it in terms of value and funding.
Live trading or prop firm partnership conditions: When evaluating live conditions, all the important features should be considered. This includes in-depth information on program fees, trading parameters, withdrawal conditions, withdrawal speed, and limits. Ensure that the funder trader program offers transparency when it comes to price. You don't want to be surprised by hidden conditions after passing evaluation.
Are Funded Trading Programs Trustworthy?
If you choose the right company to work with, funded trading programs can be very trustworthy. Nonetheless, this is a new business model for this industry. Program quality varies from company to company. It is also possible that some scam their customers just out of greed. Due diligence and proper research are, therefore, highly recommended.
How do Funded Trader Programs work?
Understanding how funded trader programs work is critical for aspiring traders who want to participate.
Individual traders can trade a firm's capital in exchange for a cut of any gains made. The application process often includes presenting your trading history, plan specifics, and qualifications. Firms carefully analyze applicants based on their prior performance and risk levels.
If accepted, the trader is granted a specific amount of the firm's money in their funded trader accounts to trade as they see fit, according to the agreed-upon strategy. Most programs require traders to use the firm's proprietary trading platform for compliance purposes. Profits and losses on the financed account are distributed according to the arrangement, which is typically 40-60% for the trader.
In Conclusion
Funded Trader Programs promote a mutually beneficial partnership between traders and trading firms. Traders can produce significant money from these agreements over time by adhering to a firm's guidelines and maintaining consistent, risk-managed performance.
Expert Opinion
Traditionally, a professional proprietary (prop) trading firm funds traders from its own capital and splits trading profits with the trader. The purpose, intent, and business model of the firm is to make money primarily from trading profits and the firm covers losses. For that, they typically provide technology and support services, which usually includes some degree of training and sophisticated risk management support.
The business model for the new wave of prop firms is different and may not always have the trader’s best interest in mind. They generally make money from fees associated with trading activity. Their strategy to support their business model is to increase trading activity and associated fees. Anyone who has been involved in the industry for any length of time will tell you how difficult it is for FX brokers to attract and retain clients. The solution in recent years has been to provide a variety of proprietary trading structures that are attractive to potential clients, most of whom are looking to trade a larger amount of capital. An FX prop firm can provide a solution. They get new clients who will likely be some of their more active traders.
Methodology for compiling our ratings of prop firms
Traders Union applies a rigorous methodology to evaluate prop companies using over 100 quantitative and qualitative criteria. Multiple parameters are given individual scores that feed into an overall rating.
Key aspects of the assessment include:
-
Trader testimonials and reviews. Collecting and analyzing feedback from existing and past traders to understand their experiences with the firm.
-
Trading instruments. Companies are evaluated on the range of assets offered, as well as the breadth and depth of available markets.
-
Challenges and evaluation process. Analyzing the firm's challenge system, account types, evaluation criteria, and the process for granting funding.
-
Profit split. Reviewing the profit split structure and terms, scaling plans, and how the firm handles profit distributions.
-
Trading conditions. Examining leverage, execution speeds, commissions, and other trading costs associated with the firm.
-
Platform and technology. Assessing the firm's proprietary trading platform or third-party platforms it supports, including ease of use, functionality, and stability.
-
Education and support. Quality and availability of training materials, webinars, and one-on-one coaching.
FAQs
What is the minimum funding amount I can receive?
The minimum funding amounts offered vary by program but range anywhere from $10,000 up to $25,000 for starter accounts.
Can I trade any markets I want?
No, you will need to trade within the market restrictions set by each individual program, such as only Forex for some or certain assets for others.
What are the maximum allowable daily/monthly losses?
Programs impose strict risk controls, commonly a maximum 3-5% daily loss limit and 10-20% maximum monthly retrait before funding is withdrawn.
Do I need prior trading experience?
While experience helps, some programs are suitable for beginners as long as you pass their evaluation. Most require basic understanding of trading concepts.
Related Articles
Team that worked on the article
Johnathan M. is a U.S.-based writer and investor, a contributor to the Traders Union website. His two primary areas of expertise include finance and investing (specifically, forex and commodity trading) and religion/spirituality/meditation.
His experience includes writing articles for Investopedia.com, being the head writer for the Steve Pomeranz Show, a personal finance radio program on NPR. Johnathan is also an active currency (forex) trader, with over 20 years of investing experience.
Chinmay Soni is a financial analyst with more than 5 years of experience in working with stocks, Forex, derivatives, and other assets. As a founder of a boutique research firm and an active researcher, he covers various industries and fields, providing insights backed by statistical data. He is also an educator in the field of finance and technology.
As an author for Traders Union, he contributes his deep analytical insights on various topics, taking into account various aspects.
Mirjan Hipolito is a journalist and news editor at Traders Union. She is an expert crypto writer with five years of experience in the financial markets. Her specialties are daily market news, price predictions, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO).
Yield refers to the earnings or income derived from an investment. It mirrors the returns generated by owning assets such as stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments.
Scalping in trading is a strategy where traders aim to make quick, small profits by executing numerous short-term trades within seconds or minutes, capitalizing on minor price fluctuations.
Forex leverage is a tool enabling traders to control larger positions with a relatively small amount of capital, amplifying potential profits and losses based on the chosen leverage ratio.
An investor is an individual, who invests money in an asset with the expectation that its value would appreciate in the future. The asset can be anything, including a bond, debenture, mutual fund, equity, gold, silver, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and real-estate property.
A day trader is an individual who engages in buying and selling financial assets within the same trading day, seeking to profit from short-term price movements.
