The Top 5 Best Prop Firms for Forex Trading

Here’s the reality: only about 7% of traders who attempt a prop firm challenge ever receive a payout. The industry is worth $20 billion, but most of that comes from evaluation fees—not successful traders.

That doesn’t mean prop firms aren’t worth it. For skilled traders, they offer a path to trading significant capital without risking your own money. The key is choosing the right firm.

After analyzing evaluation structures, profit splits, payout speeds, and trader reviews, here are the five best prop firms for forex trading in 2025:

1. FTMO — Industry standard with proven track record
2. FundedNext — Highest profit split (up to 95%)
3. The5ers — Best for long-term scaling
4. DNA Funded — Most affordable and flexible
5. FXIFY — Strong platform options and scaling

What to Look for in a Prop Firm

Before diving into the reviews, here’s what separates legitimate prop firms from the rest:

• Transparent rules — No hidden restrictions or surprise failures
• Reasonable evaluation targets — 8-10% profit targets with 5-10% drawdown limits
• Fast, reliable payouts — Check Trustpilot for payout complaints
• Platform support — MT4, MT5, cTrader, or your preferred platform
• Scaling potential — Room to grow your account over time

Now let’s break down each firm.

1. FTMO — The Industry Standard

FTMO is the most recognized name in prop trading. Founded in 2015, they’ve built a reputation for reliability and have paid out over $200 million to traders.

Important: FTMO no longer accepts traders from the United States. If you’re US-based, skip to FundedNext or The5ers.

Evaluation Structure

FTMO uses a two-step evaluation:

• Phase 1: 10% profit target, 10% max loss, 5% daily loss limit
• Phase 2: 5% profit target, same loss limits
• No time limit on either phase

Fees & Profit Split

• $100K account evaluation: $588
• Fee refunded after first payout
• Profit split: 80% (up to 90% with scaling)

Scaling

Achieve 10% profit over four months with at least two payouts, and your account increases by 25%. Maximum scaling: $2 million.

Pros

• Most trusted reputation in the industry
• 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating (27,000+ reviews)
• No time limits on evaluation
• Comprehensive trader dashboard and analytics

Cons

• No US traders accepted
• Higher evaluation fees than competitors
• Lower profit split compared to newer firms

Best for: Traders outside the US who want the safest, most established option. If you want a low-latency VPS optimized for FTMO, fast execution can help protect your drawdown limits during volatile sessions.

2. FundedNext — Highest Profit Split

FundedNext has quickly become a top competitor by offering industry-leading profit splits and flexible evaluation options.

Evaluation Structure

FundedNext offers multiple paths:

• Stellar 2-Step: 8% Phase 1, 5% Phase 2
• Stellar 1-Step: 10% target, faster funding
• Stellar Instant: Skip evaluation entirely (limited account size)

Fees & Profit Split

• $100K account evaluation: $549
• Profit split: up to 95%
• Bonus: 15% of evaluation phase profits paid when you reach 5% on funded account

Scaling

40% account increase every four months (with 10% profit and two payouts). Maximum: $4 million.

Pros

• Highest profit split in the industry (95%)
• Multiple evaluation options including instant funding
• Pays traders during evaluation phase
• Fast payouts (within 24 hours)
• Accepts US traders

Cons

• Tight daily loss limits (can be restrictive)
• Newer firm (less track record than FTMO)

Best for: Traders who want maximum profit retention and flexible evaluation options. Works well with a FundedNext-optimized VPS for consistent execution.

3. The5ers — Best for Long-Term Growth

The5ers takes a different approach. Instead of chasing quick profits, they reward traders who demonstrate consistent, disciplined trading over time.

Evaluation Structure

Multiple programs available:

• High Stakes: Traditional two-step evaluation
• Bootcamp: Three-step evaluation with lower targets
• Instant Funding: Start trading immediately (up to $40K)

Fees & Profit Split

• $100K account: $495 (lowest among top firms)
• Profit split: Starts at 50%, scales to 100%

Scaling

The5ers offers the most aggressive scaling in the industry. Hit 10% profit with three profitable days, and your account increases. Maximum funding: $4 million with 100% profit split.

Pros

• Lowest evaluation fees
• Massive scaling potential ($4M at 100% split)
• 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating
• Accepts US traders
• Rewards consistency over aggressive trading

Cons

• Lower initial profit split (50%)
• Scaling requires patience and consistency

Best for: Patient traders focused on building a long-term funded trading career rather than quick payouts.

4. DNA Funded — Most Flexible Option

DNA Funded earned the top global rating in 2025 for its combination of low fees, flexible rules, and solid trading conditions. Backed by DNA Markets, they offer access to 800+ tradeable instruments.

Evaluation Structure

• One-step or two-step challenges available
• No time limits
• Customizable add-ons (weekend holding, news trading)

Fees & Profit Split

• Challenges starting at $49
• $100K account: Competitive pricing
• Profit split: up to 90%

Platforms

Supports TradeLocker and DXTrade—modern platforms with advanced features.

Pros

• Most affordable challenge fees
• Highly customizable rules
• No time limits
• Large instrument selection (800+ markets)

Cons

• Newer firm with less established reputation
• Doesn’t support MT4/MT5 (uses TradeLocker, DXTrade)

Best for: Budget-conscious traders who want flexibility and don’t mind using newer platforms.

5. FXIFY — Strong All-Around Option

FXIFY offers a balanced package with competitive profit splits, solid platform support, and meaningful scaling potential.

Evaluation Structure

• One-step and two-step options
• 8% profit target (two-step Phase 1)
• Reasonable drawdown limits

Fees & Profit Split

• $100K account: Mid-range pricing
• Profit split: up to 90%

Scaling

Scale up to $4 million with consistent performance.

Pros

• Up to $400K starting capital
• Strong platform support (MT4, MT5)
• Scaling to $4M
• Growing positive reputation

Cons

• Less established than FTMO or The5ers
• Fewer reviews to verify track record

Best for: Traders looking for a balanced option with good scaling and traditional platform support.

Prop Firm Comparison Table

Firm	Max Profit Split	$100K Fee	Max Scaling	US Traders	Trustpilot
FTMO	90%	$588	$2M	No	4.8/5
FundedNext	95%	$549	$4M	Yes	4.6/5
The5ers	100%	$495	$4M	Yes	4.8/5
DNA Funded	90%	~$450	$600K	Yes	4.5/5
FXIFY	90%	~$500	$4M	Yes	4.4/5

How to Choose the Right Prop Firm

The “best” prop firm depends on your situation:

• Outside the US and want reliability? Go with FTMO.
• Want the highest profit split? FundedNext at 95%.
• Building a long-term trading career? The5ers scales to $4M with 100% split.
• On a budget? DNA Funded has the lowest fees.
• Want traditional MT4/MT5 with good scaling? FXIFY is solid.

Red Flags to Avoid

Not all prop firms are legitimate. Watch out for:

• Guaranteed profits — No legitimate firm promises this
• Payout delays — Search “ payout issues” before signing up
• Hidden rules — Read the full terms, not just the marketing
• No verifiable reviews — Check Trustpilot for recent, authentic feedback
• Vague about their model — Legitimate firms explain how they operate

For a deeper understanding of how prop firms work, see our guide on understanding prop firms for forex trading.

Does Latency Matter for Prop Firm Trading?

When you’re trading with strict drawdown limits, every millisecond counts. Slippage during volatile news events can blow through your daily loss limit before you can react.

A forex VPS positioned close to your broker’s servers reduces execution delays. This is especially important if you:

• Run automated EAs or algos
• Trade during high-impact news
• Need your platform running 24/5 without interruption

We offer VPS configurations optimized for major prop firms including FTMO, FundedNext, and The5ers—with 1ms latency to most broker servers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a prop trading firm?

A proprietary trading firm (prop firm) provides traders with capital to trade in exchange for a share of the profits. Traders typically pass an evaluation challenge to prove their skills before receiving a funded account.

How much money do prop traders make?

According to industry data, the average prop firm payout is around $3,400, though this varies significantly. Top performers with larger accounts can earn substantially more, while many traders never receive a payout at all.

What percentage of traders pass prop firm challenges?

Only about 5-10% of traders pass prop firm evaluation challenges. Of those who get funded, approximately 45% ever receive a payout—meaning just 7% of all traders who attempt a challenge actually earn money.

Which prop firm has the highest profit split?

FundedNext currently offers one of the highest profit splits in the industry at up to 95% for CFD trading. The5ers can scale up to 100% profit split for consistent performers.

Are prop firms a scam?

Legitimate prop firms like FTMO, FundedNext, and The5ers are not scams—they have verified track records and thousands of positive reviews. However, scam firms do exist. Always check Trustpilot ratings, search for payout proof, and avoid firms with unrealistic promises.

Do I need a VPS for prop firm trading?

A VPS isn’t required but is highly recommended, especially for automated trading or if you need consistent execution. Low latency can help prevent slippage during volatile markets—critical when you’re trying to protect your drawdown limits.

Can US traders use prop firms?

Yes, but options are limited. FTMO no longer accepts US traders. FundedNext, The5ers, DNA Funded, and FXIFY all accept US-based traders.

Final Thoughts

Prop firms offer a legitimate path to trading significant capital—if you choose the right one and have the skills to pass. Focus on firms with transparent rules, verified payouts, and strong reputations.

For most traders, FTMO remains the gold standard (if you’re outside the US). FundedNext offers the best profit split, while The5ers is ideal for those building a long-term funded career.

Whatever firm you choose, consistent execution matters. A properly configured trading VPS can help protect your account from slippage and ensure your strategies run exactly as intended.