What Is Futures Prop Trading? A Beginner’s Guide to Proprietary Futures Trading
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Futures proprietary trading, or futures prop trading, has become an attractive option for traders looking to access capital without risking their own funds. Unlike forex prop firms, futures prop firms specialize in trading futures contracts across markets like indices (e.g., E-mini S&P 500 – ES), commodities (e.g., crude oil, gold), and bonds.
In this guide, we’ll break down how futures prop firms work, the best firms to consider, and tips to succeed in funded futures trading.
What Is Futures Prop Trading?
Futures prop trading involves trading futures contracts using a firm’s capital instead of personal funds. Unlike retail trading, where individuals must fund their own accounts, prop firms provide access to capital in exchange for a profit split.
How Futures Prop Firms Work
Futures prop firms typically require traders to pass an evaluation before granting access to a funded account. These evaluations test a trader’s risk management and profitability skills under specific rules.
The evaluation phase is a crucial step in futures prop trading, where traders must meet profit targets and manage risk effectively. Prop firms assess a trader’s ability to handle real market conditions while following strict drawdown limits. Below, you can see a trader actively monitoring live market data and progress metrics during the evaluation process
✅ Evaluation Phase: Traders must meet a profit target while adhering to drawdown limits.
✅ Simulated Trading: Evaluations are conducted in a simulated environment before granting live capital.
✅ Funded Accounts: Once funded, traders can keep a percentage of their profits, often 80-90%.
✅ Scaling Opportunities: Some firms increase a trader’s buying power as they prove consistent profitability.
Key Advantage: Unlike forex prop firms that focus on CFD trading, futures prop firms trade regulated futures contracts on exchanges like the CME (Chicago Mercantile Exchange).
Best Futures Prop Trading Firms in 2025
If you’re looking to start futures prop trading, these are some of the best firms to consider:
1️⃣ Apex Trader Funding
🔹 No minimum trading days – get funded fast.
🔹 Accounts up to $300K.
🔹 No daily drawdown once funded.
🔹 Popular among scalpers and day traders.
🔹 Allows traders to manage up to 20 accounts simultaneously.
2️⃣ Tradeify
🔹 Flexible evaluation models with quick funding options.
🔹 Funded accounts from $25K to $250K.
🔹 No scaling restrictions – full access to capital.
🔹 Profit split up to 90%.
🔹 Traders can hold up to 5 funded accounts, but unlimited evaluation accounts.
3️⃣ My Funded Futures
🔹 Designed for futures traders of all skill levels.
🔹 Low-cost evaluations starting at $25K.
🔹 Daily loss protection to help traders stay in the game.
🔹 One-step evaluation process.
🔹 Supports up to 3 funded accounts, with a total of 10 accounts allowed.
4️⃣ Take Profit Trader
🔹 Offers daily payouts with fast withdrawals.
🔹 No restrictions on trading styles, but swing trading is not allowed.
🔹 Funded accounts up to $150K.
🔹 Great for day traders and swing traders.
🔹 Traders can operate up to 5 accounts.
5️⃣ Bulenox
🔹 No time limits to pass the evaluation.
🔹 Profit splits up to 90%.
🔹 Accounts available from $10K to $250K.
🔹 Beginner-friendly evaluation process.
🔹 Allows up to 11 funded accounts, but unlimited evaluation accounts.
Why Trade with a Futures Prop Firm?
✅ Trade with Larger Capital
Instead of trading a small personal account, prop firms give you access to $25K to $300K+ in buying power.
✅ No Personal Risk
You don’t have to risk your own money, making it easier to scale your trading without emotional stress.
✅ High Profit Splits
Most futures prop firms offer 80-90% profit splits, allowing traders to keep the majority of their earnings.
✅ Trade Real Futures Markets
Unlike forex prop firms that use simulated CFD trading, futures prop firms provide access to real CME contracts.
How to Succeed in Futures Prop Trading
To pass an evaluation and succeed as a funded trader, follow these key strategies:
🔹 Follow a structured trading plan – Avoid random trades and focus on high-probability setups.
🔹 Stick to the firm’s rules – Violating risk limits can lead to losing your funded account.
🔹 Master risk management – Keep your drawdowns low and position sizes manageable.
🔹 Trade during high-liquidity hours – Focus on sessions with the best volatility (e.g., NY open).
🔹 Stay emotionally disciplined – Avoid revenge trading after losses.
After successfully passing the evaluation phase, funded traders can finally cash in on their hard-earned profits. This image represents a trader celebrating a payout, highlighting the financial freedom and earning potential that prop trading provides.
Once traders pass the challenge and meet risk management criteria, they receive a funded trading account. This means they can trade real capital and withdraw a percentage of their profits. Most futures prop firms offer profit splits ranging from 80/20 to 90/10, allowing traders to scale their earnings significantly
Is Futures Prop Trading Worth It?
If you have a profitable trading strategy, futures prop trading can be an excellent way to access capital and scale your income. With the right firm, disciplined risk management, and a solid trading plan, traders can achieve consistent profits without risking their personal funds.
Ready to Get Funded?
Find the best futures prop firm for your trading style and start your journey to becoming a funded futures trader today!
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