The real cost of getting funded at a futures prop firm

A $15 evaluation and a $90 evaluation can end up costing the same, or the cheap one can cost more. To compare prop firms fairly you need to add up everything you pay before your first payout.

The five costs that matter

1. The evaluation price. What you pay to start. Discounts are common, and some firms run 80–90% off promotions for weeks.
2. Monthly or one-time. Some evaluations are a subscription that renews every month until you pass. Others are a one-time payment.
3. Resets. If you break a rule, you can usually restart for a reset fee instead of buying a new account. Some firms make resets free.
4. Activation fee. Many firms charge a one-time fee when you pass, before the funded account goes live. It can be more than the evaluation itself.
5. Funded account fees. A few firms charge a monthly platform or data fee on the funded account.

A simple formula

Real cost = evaluation price + (attempts − 1) × reset or new evaluation + activation fee (+ monthly fees while you wait)

Example A: evaluation $16 after discount, activation $148. Pass on the first attempt: 16 + 148 = $164. Pass on the fourth attempt: 16 × 4 + 148 = $212.

Example B: evaluation $70, no activation fee. First attempt: $70. Fourth attempt: 70 × 4 = $280.

If you usually pass quickly, B is cheaper. If you need several tries, the discounted evaluation with an activation fee wins. Most traders do need more than one attempt, so look at the total for 2–4 attempts, not only the first one.

Monthly plans: count the months

A $50/month plan costs $50 only if you pass within the first month. If it takes you three months, it costs $150 before activation. Be honest about how long you usually need.

Do not forget the payout side

The cheapest account is not the best deal if you can never withdraw. Check the profit buffer you must build before the first payout, how often you can request payouts, the maximum per payout and the profit split. A slightly more expensive account with daily payouts and no buffer can pay you back faster.

Do the math in seconds

• On the comparison choose Cheapest and set Pass on attempt to 1, 2, 3 or 4+: the ranking includes activation fees and resets.
• The calculator adds monthly fees, payout rules and your expected profit, and shows when each account pays for itself.
• The deals page lists every active discount and can email you new ones.