How prop firm challenges work
From buying a challenge to receiving a payout, and where each step shows up on this site.
The usual sequence
- Pick a firm and an account. You choose an account size and program type: instant funding, one-step, two-step or three-step.
- Pay the fee. A one-time fee for most forex and crypto firms; a monthly subscription for many futures firms.
- Pass the evaluation. Reach the profit target without breaking the daily or maximum loss limit, within any time limit and minimum trading days.
- Trade the funded account. The same loss limits apply. Some firms add a consistency rule or an activation fee at this stage.
- Request a payout. You receive your share of the profit, the profit split, on the firm's payout schedule.
Most traders do not pass, and the fee is usually not refunded. That is why the rules matter more than the headline account size.
Using PropScout to compare
- Compare challenges by price, target, loss limits and split at the account size you want.
- Browse firms ranked by score, and open any firm for its full rules, payouts and sources.
- Put two firms side by side to see which is ahead on each rule.
- Check trading permissions, such as news trading and holding over the weekend, across every firm.
- Compare payout policies: splits, schedules and payout methods.
Before you pay
- Read the drawdown rule twice. Whether it is static, end-of-day or intraday trailing changes how much room you really have.
- Check the daily loss limit, and whether it is measured from balance or equity.
- Look for a consistency rule and a minimum number of trading days before payouts.
- Confirm your country is accepted and that a payout method works where you live.
Our guides explain each of these in more detail.