Prop Firms in 2025: How to Avoid Getting Fleeced While Scaling Your Trading

Prop trading firms promise fast-track funding—but in 2025’s cutthroat markets, picking the wrong one could sink your career before it starts. Here’s how to separate the sharks from the legit players.

The Capital Trap: When ’Funding’ Means Debt

Watch for firms offering ’instant accounts’ with hidden drawdown clauses—many now lock traders into predatory loss-recovery schemes masked as ’training programs.’

Tech Stack or Tech Shack?

A 2025 prop firm worth its salt runs colocated servers, not some laggy MetaTrader 4 setup that crashes at London open. Demand real infrastructure—or walk.

Payouts: The Ultimate Litmus Test

If a firm brags about 90% profit splits but makes you jump through 14 compliance hoops to withdraw, they’re banking on you blowing the account first. (Bonus cynicism: Sound familiar, crypto exchanges?)

The best shops now offer weekly withdrawals under $10k—anything less is a red flag wrapped in a compliance excuse.

Choose wrong, and you’ll be stuck reverse-engineering their secret ’risk algorithms’ instead of trading. Choose right, and you might actually get paid.

Top-Ranking Prop Firms of 2025

BrightFunded

The flexibility and profit-sharing models of different prop firms vary, with some offering very competitive terms. For instance, BrightFunded stands out for its unique profit-sharing model, which begins at 80% and can scale up to 100%, depending on additional features and loyalty programs. The firm has a multiphase evaluation process with accounts ranging from $5,000 to $200,000, with fees between $55 and $1,824. BrightFunded’s commission fees vary depending on the type of asset, including forex, crypto, or other. The firm’s platform is accessible on desktop, mobile, and web browsers.

Topstep

Topstep is considered one of the top prop firms, particularly for futures trading. It allows its futures traders to keep 100% of their first $10,000 in profit before shifting to a 90% split. Like most firms, the company tests traders in a simulated environment – ideal during periods of economic volatility – and charges monthly fees based on account size. Once the challenge is completed, Topstep will offer access to 32 future markets and a range of free and paid trading platforms.

DNA Funded

Recognized by CBS News as one of the top prop firms for 2025, DNA Funded offers flexibility that appeals to a wide range of investors. It is supported by DNA Markets, an ASIC-regulated forex brokerage, and offers three tailored challenges for would-be traders. Account sizes range from $5,000 to $200,000, and fees from $49 to $1,209, with profit splits starting at 80% and increasing to 90%.

ThinkCapital

For those seeking lower fees and a more accessible trading experience, ThinkCapital offers a unique proposition. A broker-backed firm, it emphasizes low fees to optimize accessibility. Challenge fees start at just $39, and profit splits can reach 90%. Low costs and simulated tests provide the ideal environment for mindful investors without an overly restrictive system.

Additionally, ThinkCapital offers trading instruments for forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.

Funded Trading Plus

Funded Trading Plus (FTP), based in London, is another option for traders seeking instant funding. Despite this, FTP can still reach profit splits of 90% for funded traders and offers account scaling opportunities reaching $5 million. FTP provides access to 53 markets across forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies.

Similarly, FXIFY offers instant funding, backed by FXPIG, and is known for its low spreads and fast execution. The firm offers account sizes up to $400,000 and profit splits of up to 90%, distinguishing it from many prop firms.

Key Considerations Before Choosing a Prop Firm

When choosing a prop firm, traders should consider several factors. This way, they can find the trading solution that best meets their needs.

Before committing to a prop firm, there are several key factors to consider. Understanding the fee structures is essential, as each firm has its own approach. Most firms charge a combination of monthly and one-time fees for each challenge, but higher fees often signal a safer and more stable investment option. Profit splits are another critical factor. While most prop firms offer splits in the 80/20 or 90/10 range, it is essential to consider how much of the profit you retain and whether the terms align with your expectations.

Another essential factor to evaluate is the evaluation process. Some firms have straightforward evaluations, while others implement more rigorous assessments. Some firms even allow traders to bypass the evaluation process entirely for a fee, which may appeal to experienced traders who are confident in their abilities. Understanding the complexity of the evaluation process will help ensure you select a firm that suits your experience level and trading style.

Ultimately, choose a firm that best aligns with your trading style, individual goals, and experience level.