Introduction
Becoming a prop trader is often chosen by people with good trading skills but limitations in the capital. Some prop firms already provide futures trading to their prop traders. However, in selecting a futures prop firm, you cannot be arbitrary because there are many factors that you must consider. Through this article, we will discuss in detail the best futures prop firms that you can use as a reference before making a choice.
What is The Best Futures Prop Firm?
When choosing a futures prop firm, consider your specific needs and conduct thorough research. We provide recommendations to aid in your decision-making process.
1. My Funded Futures
Overview:
My Funded Futures is a United States-based proprietary trading firm, newly established under the leadership of CEO Matthew Leech. Since its inception in November 2023, it has quickly garnered attention for offering access to platforms such as NinjaTrader, Rithmic, and Tradovate, appealing to traders seeking a blend of innovation and tradition. The firm offers account sizes ranging from $50,000 to $150,000, aiming to attract traders ready for moderate to high capital commitment. It simplifies the funding pathway through a single-step evaluation process, setting clear profit targets at $3,000 to $12,000, with maximum total drawdown limits of $2,000 to $4,500, reflecting a keen understanding of risk management. The leverage options are designed to accommodate a variety of trading strategies across different assets, including high leverage for currency pairs and more conservative options for cryptocurrencies.
Location:
United States
What Can You Trade:
Traders at My Funded Futures can engage with a wide range of instruments across major exchanges such as CME, CBOT, COMEX, and NYMEX. This includes diverse markets from Equity Indices, Foreign Exchange Futures, to Commodities and Metals, providing comprehensive market access.
Profit Share:
My Funded Futures offers a competitive 90% profit split to its traders, emphasizing its commitment to fostering a rewarding trading environment. This attractive split is designed to motivate traders towards achieving their profit targets, enhancing both trader satisfaction and firm performance.
Highlights:
- Streamlined Evaluation Process: A single-step evaluation process facilitates easier access to funding.
- Diverse Trading Instruments: Offers a broad spectrum of trading options across various exchanges.
- Flexible Leverage Options: Tailored leverage settings enable traders to adopt strategies fitting their risk appetite.
- High Profit Split: The 90% profit share ratio stands out as a strong incentive for traders.
Summary:
My Funded Futures emerges as a dynamic contender in the proprietary trading firm landscape, marked by its user-friendly approach to trader evaluation and funding. Its strategic focus on a high profit share ratio, coupled with the provision of advanced trading platforms and a wide array of trading instruments, positions it as a promising platform for traders aiming for growth and substantial earnings. With its base in the United States and led by CEO Matthew Leech, the firm is poised to make significant strides in the prop trading sector.
Pros:
- High Profit Share: Encourages maximum performance with a 90% profit split.
- Wide Range of Instruments: Enables trading across a vast array of markets and exchanges.
- Simplified Evaluation: Eases the path to funding with a one-step process.
- Advanced Trading Platforms: Access to NinjaTrader, Rithmic, and Tradovate caters to various trading preferences.
Cons:
- New on the Scene: Being a newer entity, it may need time to establish its reputation fully.
- Limited by Leverage: While leverage options are varied, the specific limits might not suit all trading strategies.
My Funded Futures is setting a new standard for proprietary trading firms with its trader-centric policies and broad market access, underpinned by competitive profit sharing and leverage options. Its commitment to supporting trader success is evident in its rapid growth and high Trust Pilot rating, signaling a bright future ahead in the global trading community.
2. TradeDay
Overview:
TradeDay, under the leadership of CEO James Thorpe, is a notable proprietary trading firm based in the United States. Founded in January 2020, TradeDay has quickly established itself as a go-to platform for traders looking to navigate the futures markets with confidence and support. Offering account sizes from $10,000 to $250,000, TradeDay caters to a broad spectrum of traders, from beginners to those with a hefty capital commitment. Its straightforward, single-step evaluation process is designed to streamline the path to funding, with profit targets and maximum total drawdowns tailored to the specific challenge selected by the trader. Furthermore, TradeDay provides its traders with access to futures on major exchanges including CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX, employing platforms such as Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, and Jigsaw for a versatile trading experience.
Location:
United States
What Can You Trade:
Exclusively focusing on futures products, TradeDay grants access to a variety of instruments on exchanges like CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX, catering to traders who specialize in this segment of the financial markets.
Profit Share:
Offering a competitive 90% profit split, TradeDay positions itself as an attractive option for traders aiming to maximize their earnings. This high profit share underscores the firm’s commitment to fostering a profitable partnership with its traders.
Highlights:
- Diverse Account Range: Suits all levels of trader experience and capital commitment.
- Single-Step Evaluation: Streamlines access to funding.
- Comprehensive Market Access: Futures trading on major exchanges.
- Competitive Profit Sharing: Encourages traders with a 90% profit split.
Summary:
TradeDay distinguishes itself in the proprietary trading firm landscape through its commitment to supporting traders with diverse capital levels and experience. By providing access to major futures exchanges and a range of trading platforms, TradeDay ensures traders have the tools and opportunities to succeed. With a clear, straightforward pathway to funding and a generous profit share model, TradeDay is designed to attract and retain top trading talent. Founded by CEO James Thorpe and based in the United States, TradeDay is poised to continue its growth and impact in the futures trading sector.
Pros:
- Generous Profit Share: Motivates traders with a high profit split.
- Flexible Account Sizes: Caters to various trader needs, from $10,000 to $250,000.
- Simplified Path to Funding: A user-friendly, single-step evaluation process.
- Exclusive Focus on Futures: Specializes in futures markets across major exchanges.
Cons:
- Focused Offering: Limited to futures trading, which may not appeal to traders interested in a broader market spectrum.
- Newer Firm: With just one year of operation, some traders might prefer more established firms with a longer track record.
TradeDay, with its strategic emphasis on futures trading, innovative platform use, and a clear-cut evaluation process, offers a compelling proposition for traders seeking to leverage the futures markets. Its approachable model, coupled with supportive policies and a focus on trader profitability, sets a solid foundation for both new and experienced traders aiming for success in the dynamic world of proprietary trading.
3. The Trading Pit
Overview:
The Trading Pit, led by CEO Thomas Heyden, is a distinctive proprietary trading firm based in Liechtenstein. Since its inception in October 2022, the firm has committed to providing traders with a rich variety of platforms, including MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) for trading CFDs, as well as specialized tools like Quantower and Bookmap for futures trading. In partnership with brokers FXFlat and GBE Brokers, The Trading Pit offers account sizes ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. This diversity caters to traders with different levels of capital and experience. Notably, the firm adopts a single-phase evaluation process with profit targets set at 8% or 10%, alongside a profit split ranging from 50% to 60%. With stringent risk management policies, including maximum daily loss limits of 5% and total drawdown limits of 10%, The Trading Pit encourages responsible trading practices. The firm’s extensive instrument offering includes Forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, shares, and futures, with leverage tailored to the asset class and broker.
Location:
Liechtenstein
What Can You Trade:
Traders at The Trading Pit have access to a broad spectrum of trading instruments, including Forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, shares, and futures, ensuring a comprehensive market reach.
Profit Share:
The Trading Pit offers a profit split ranging from 50% to 60%, depending on the account type. This tiered approach aligns the firm’s interests with those of its traders, motivating them to achieve and exceed their profit targets.
Highlights:
- Wide Range of Account Sizes: Offers flexibility for traders at different capital levels.
- Single-Phase Evaluation Process: Simplifies the path to trading success.
- Diverse Trading Instruments: Enables trading across multiple asset classes.
- Risk Management: Implements daily and total drawdown limits to promote responsible trading.
Summary:
The Trading Pit stands out in the proprietary trading landscape through its strategic partnerships with FXFlat and GBE Brokers and the provision of a diverse array of trading platforms. This approach, combined with a clear and accessible evaluation process, positions the firm as an attractive option for traders seeking to navigate the complex world of Forex, indices, commodities, and beyond. With its establishment in October 2022 and under the leadership of CEO Thomas Heyden, The Trading Pit is poised to carve a unique niche in the trading community, supported by its strong commitment to trader development and success.
Pros:
- Flexible Trading Platforms: Catering to various trading preferences with MT4, MT5, Quantower, and Bookmap.
- Broad Instrument Offering: Traders can engage with a wide range of markets.
- Structured Evaluation Process: Clear criteria for traders to meet and exceed.
- Dynamic Scaling Opportunities: Allows traders to scale account sizes up to $5,000,000.
Cons:
- Lower Profit Split: Starting at 50% to 60%, which might be less attractive compared to some competitors.
- Geographical Focus: Based in Liechtenstein, which might present a learning curve for traders unfamiliar with the regulatory environment.
The Trading Pit, with its comprehensive trading platform offerings and strategic broker partnerships, provides a robust foundation for traders aiming for growth and profitability. The firm’s focus on a wide array of instruments and responsible trading practices, coupled with the opportunity for account scaling, underscores its dedication to supporting traders’ long-term success in the global markets.
4. Topstep
Overview:
Topstep, founded by CEO Michael Patak, has established itself as a premier proprietary trading firm in the United States with over a decade of experience. Operating since January 2012, Topstep offers traders the opportunity to trade on NinjaTrader and Quantower platforms, partnering with them for brokerage services as well. The firm provides account sizes ranging from $50,000 to $150,000, targeting those comfortable with moderate to significant capital investments. With a simplified, single-step evaluation process, Topstep sets clear profit targets and maximum total drawdown limits, tailored to account sizes. Profit targets range from $3,000 to $9,000, with proportional max total drawdown limits of $2,000 to $4,500. Traders can access a diverse array of instruments, including CME Equity Futures and Forex futures markets, providing a robust platform for various trading strategies.
Location:
United States
What Can You Trade:
Topstep focuses exclusively on futures trading, offering access to CME Equity Futures such as the E-mini S&P 500 (ES) and Micro E-mini versions of major indices. Forex futures offerings include the Australian Dollar (6A), Euro FX (6E), and Japanese Yen (6J), among others, providing traders with a comprehensive range of instruments for their strategies.
Profit Share:
Topstep offers a generous profit split of 90%, emphasizing its commitment to rewarding successful traders. This high profit share ratio is designed to attract and motivate traders by aligning the firm’s success with that of its participants.
Highlights:
- Experienced Leadership: Over a decade of experience under CEO Michael Patak’s guidance.
- Range of Account Sizes: Catering to varying levels of trader experience and capital commitment.
- Single-Step Evaluation: Streamlines the process to access trading capital.
- Broad Instrument Access: A wide selection of futures trading instruments across equity and Forex markets.
Summary:
Topstep stands out as a seasoned and respected proprietary trading firm, offering a focused yet comprehensive trading environment through its partnerships with NinjaTrader Brokerage and Quantower. By providing clear pathways to trading success with structured profit targets and drawdown limits, Topstep ensures traders of all levels have the opportunity to succeed. Founded in the United States with a trust pilot rating of 4.6, Topstep has demonstrated its commitment to trader development and success over its 12 years of operation.
Pros:
- Generous Profit Split: A 90% profit share encourages peak performance among traders.
- Versatile Trading Platforms: Options for NinjaTrader and Quantower cater to various trading preferences.
- Comprehensive Instrument Offering: Enables diversified trading strategies with access to multiple futures markets.
- Established Track Record: 12 years of operational experience speaks to the firm’s stability and reliability.
Cons:
- Focused Product Offering: Exclusively futures trading might not appeal to those interested in other markets.
- Account Size Limitations: The range of account sizes, while comprehensive, may not cater to all levels of trader experience or risk tolerance.
Topstep, under the leadership of Michael Patak, has cemented its position as a leading proprietary trading firm in the futures market. With its strong focus on developing successful traders through a supportive and structured trading environment, coupled with access to advanced trading platforms and a wide array of instruments, Topstep is well-equipped to support traders in their pursuit of financial success in the futures markets.
5. Earn2Trade
Overview:
Earn2Trade, steered by CEO Osvaldo Guimarães, is a progressive proprietary trading firm rooted in the United States with seven years of operational experience. It distinguishes itself by offering a diverse selection of platforms, such as NinjaTrader, Finamark, Trader Pro, and Overcharts, which cater to various trading strategies and preferences. The firm’s strong trading infrastructure is bolstered through affiliations with reputable brokers like Phillip Capital, EdgeClear, and Advantage Futures. Catering to a broad spectrum of traders, Earn2Trade offers account sizes from $25,000 to $200,000, ranging from conservative to aggressive capital commitments. With a streamlined, single-step evaluation process, Earn2Trade simplifies the pathway for traders seeking funded accounts. Profit targets and maximum total drawdowns are scaled according to the challenge chosen, focusing exclusively on futures trading with access to all assets under CME Group, including micro contracts for more accessible entry points.
Location:
United States
What Can You Trade:
Specializing in futures trading, Earn2Trade provides access to all assets available under the CME Group, including commodities, indices, and financial futures across CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX. This focus demonstrates a strong commitment to futures traders, offering a comprehensive platform for trading strategies in these markets.
Profit Share:
Earn2Trade offers an 80% profit split, prioritizing a beneficial arrangement for traders to share in the success of their trading activities. This competitive profit sharing ratio aims to attract and retain skilled traders by ensuring they are rewarded for their successful trading strategies.
Highlights:
- Versatile Platform Options: Supports various trading platforms to suit individual trader preferences.
- Strong Broker Partnerships: Collaborates with leading brokers for enhanced trading execution and support.
- Focused on Futures Trading: Exclusively offers futures trading with a broad range of instruments.
- Scalable Account Sizes: Caters to a wide range of trader capital requirements and risk appetites.
Summary:
With its establishment in January 2017 and under the leadership of CEO Osvaldo Guimarães, Earn2Trade has carved a niche in the proprietary trading firm landscape. Its focus on futures trading, coupled with a diverse platform offering and robust broker affiliations, positions it as a preferred choice for traders looking to navigate the futures markets. The firm’s commitment to providing scalable account sizes, straightforward evaluation processes, and a competitive profit split reflects its dedication to fostering trading talent and promoting successful trading careers.
Pros:
- Broad Range of Trading Platforms: Ensures traders have the flexibility to choose tools that best fit their trading style.
- Exclusive Focus on Futures: Dedication to futures trading provides a focused and comprehensive trading environment.
- Scalable Trading Plans: Offers growth opportunities through a structured scaling plan based on performance.
- Competitive Profit Sharing: Encourages trader success with an attractive profit split.
Cons:
- Limited to Futures Trading: May not appeal to traders interested in diversifying into other markets such as forex or stocks.
- Evaluation Process: The single-step evaluation, while straightforward, requires a clear understanding of the risk and reward parameters set forth.
Earn2Trade stands as a forward-thinking proprietary trading firm that champions the success of futures traders through its tailored program offerings, extensive platform support, and strategic brokerage partnerships. Its emphasis on scalability, combined with a focus on futures trading, ensures traders have the necessary resources and opportunities to excel within the global trading community.
6. Elite Trader Funding
Overview:
Elite Trader Funding, a burgeoning proprietary trading firm in the United States, is led by a team of industry veterans: Kanwal Singh, Eric Ho, and Clint Chaney. Despite only being a year into its journey, the firm has rapidly positioned itself as a significant player in the proprietary trading space. It offers a wide range of account sizes, from $10,000 to $300,000, accommodating both newcomers to the trading world and experienced traders seeking substantial capital to leverage. The firm’s straightforward one-step evaluation process is designed to streamline the path to funding, making it accessible and less cumbersome for traders to begin their trading journey. With profit targets ranging from $1,250 to $20,000 and maximum total drawdown limits from $625 to $7,500, Elite Trader Funding offers a versatile platform for traders to scale their trading strategies across various markets, including CBOT, COMEX, CME Group, and NYMEX.
Location:
United States
What Can You Trade:
Elite Trader Funding specializes in futures trading across a broad spectrum of markets and instruments. Traders can engage with Interest Rate Futures, Equity Futures, a variety of currencies including the Australian Dollar and micro-versions like Euro FX, and even Cryptocurrency Futures for Bitcoin and Ethereum, reflecting the firm’s commitment to catering to a diverse trading community.
Profit Share:
The firm maintains a high-profit split ratio of 90%, signaling a robust incentive structure designed to attract and retain top trading talent by ensuring that the majority of profits are returned to the trader.
Highlights:
- Versatile Trading Platforms: Access to NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, and Rithmic caters to varied trading preferences and strategies.
- Wide Range of Account Sizes: From $10,000 to $300,000, allowing traders to find an option that best suits their risk appetite and trading strategy.
- Simplified Evaluation Process: A one-step evaluation process reduces barriers to entry, making it easier for traders to qualify for funding.
- Comprehensive Market Access: Coverage of major markets including CBOT, COMEX, CME Group, and NYMEX, plus a variety of instruments, offers extensive trading opportunities.
Summary:
With a year of operation under its belt, Elite Trader Funding under the leadership of Kanwal Singh, Eric Ho, and Clint Chaney, has quickly established itself as a forward-thinking proprietary trading firm. Its streamlined approach to the evaluation process, coupled with a broad range of trading platforms and account sizes, positions it as an attractive option for traders at all levels of experience. The firm’s focus on futures trading, complemented by a generous profit split, underscores its commitment to supporting traders in achieving their financial goals within the dynamic environment of global markets.
Pros:
- Diverse Trading Opportunities: Offers a wide array of futures trading instruments and markets.
- High Profit Split: A 90% profit share ratio enhances the earning potential for traders.
- Flexible Platform Options: Supports multiple leading trading platforms to suit various trading styles.
- Accessible Evaluation: The simplified one-step evaluation process accelerates the path to trading with significant capital.
Cons:
- Limited to Futures Trading: May not cater to those interested in other asset classes such as stocks or forex.
- New on the Scene: As a relatively new firm, it may still be establishing its reputation and trust within the trading community.
Elite Trader Funding, with its broad spectrum of account sizes, trading platforms, and a simplified path to funding, is poised for growth and success in the proprietary trading firm landscape. Offering traders the tools and opportunities to succeed in futures markets, it exemplifies a modern approach to trader funding and development.
What is Futures Prop Trading?
Futures prop trading involves proprietary trading firms engaging in futures contracts trading. These firms use their own capital and strategies to trade assets set for future delivery. This trading type requires a deep understanding of market dynamics and futures contracts. It’s a specialized field within the financial industry, where expertise in market analysis and risk management is crucial for success.
For a deeper understanding of lot sizes in futures trading, which is a fundamental concept, check out the video below “Understanding Lot Size in Futures Trading.” This video offers valuable insights and detailed explanations that are crucial for both new and experienced traders in navigating the futures markets.
Advantages of Futures Prop Trading
- Higher Leverage: Compared to others, futures prop trading offers higher leverage. So, you can make big profits even with small capital and price movements.
- Flexibility: Futures prop trading is very flexible because of the various futures contracts you can trade, such as currencies, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and indices. So, you have many opportunities for diversification and minimizing risks.
- Control Over Trading Decisions: Usually, prop firms give you the freedom to determine your trading strategy and decision-making. So, you can have complete control over your trading even when using capital provided by the prop firm.
Disadvantages of Futures Prop Trading
- Financial Risk: As a futures prop trader, you are trading using the capital the prop firm provides. So, make sure that you have good risk management.
- Restrictions: Each futures prop firm has its rules, so you must comply with every applicable regulation. This can be not easy if your futures prop firm prohibits some strategies that you are used to using.
- High-Stress Environment: Futures prop firms usually have challenges or profit targets you must meet. This will undoubtedly put you under pressure, primarily if you are used to trading relaxedly. Moreover, if you are experiencing losses, trading activities will become emotionally draining work.
How to Choose a Futures Prop Firm
When choosing a futures prop firm, you cannot be careless because there are several factors that you need to consider. These factors include:
Reputation: Choose a futures prop firm with a good reputation and track record. The easiest way to know the reputation of a prop firm is by reading prop firm reviews.
Funding Program: Each futures prop firm has different types of funding programs. Usually, the prop firm applies several challenges that you must pass before you are allowed to become a prop trader. This is intended so that the prop firm can know your trading ability and risk management.
Fees and Commissions: Each futures prop firm applies different costs according to its funding program. Of course, you will also get a profit split if you become a futures prop trader in a prop firm. However, the percentage of profit split varies according to the policy applied by the prop firm.
Support and Education: A good futures prop firm must provide ongoing support so that you will be clear if you experience any problems. A good prop firm also usually provides insight, coaching, and access to educational resources to develop the knowledge and skills of its prop traders.
In Conclusion
Futures proprietary trading is an excellent option for you with good trading skills but limited capital. By using money provided by a proprietary firm, you can benefit from higher leverage, flexibility, and control over trading decisions.
However, it is essential to consider the risks involved, including financial and potential for a high-stress environment. When choosing a futures prop firm, you should consider factors such as reputation, funding program, fees and commissions, and support and education. By selecting the best futures prop firm, you can access capital and resources to help you succeed in futures trading.
