Best Funded Trading Programs – Benzinga

Proprietary trading, also known as prop trading, has gained popularity in recent years. Prop traders use their own funds or provided company funds to buy and sell financial instruments. Using this approach, financial institutions earn profits from the financial markets rather than relying on client commissions. Funded traders may retain a share of the profit and don’t have to risk their own capital.

Finding the funded trading program that meets your needs is sometimes challenging. Benzinga has reviewed some of the best-funded trading programs to help you make the appropriate choice.  

The best-funded trading programs offer prop traders a range of financial instruments and a reasonable profit share. Fees and leverage are also essential considerations in choosing the most appropriate funded program. 

SurgeTrader is a multi-national proprietary company with headquarters in Florida. The SurgeTrader portfolio contains a broad range of financial instruments, including forex, cryptocurrencies, stock and commodity market assets. 

Traders must pass an exam to qualify for $25,000 to $1 million in working capital and pay an audition fee in line with the fund size. SurgeTrader charges no monthly fees. The company offers 10:1 leverage and 20:1 on metals and forex. Traders have access to MetaTrader 4 and 5 and 24/7 customer support. 

The prop trading firm E8 Funding offers traders a broad portfolio of trading instruments. The company charges an initial fee but no monthly subscriptions. E8 Funding provides funds of between $25,000 and $250,000 for traders who complete the evaluation and training periods. Scalable accounts allow traders to grow the funded amount to $1 million. Traders keep 80% of their profits and have access to MT4 and MT5 platforms and 100:1 leverage. 

Traders with Edge offers prop traders a broad range of more than 1,170 financial instruments. Traders have access to MT4 and MT5 and a proprietary mobile app. The evaluation is one of the cheapest on the market, starting at $55. Candidates who pass one of two challenges qualify for funded accounts of $5,000 to $1 million with access to 1:20 leverage. Traders keep 80% of the profit earned. Accounts are scalable and can reach up to $30 million in value. 

Australian-based Superfunded is a multi-asset prop trading company offering qualifying traders capital of up to $200,000. The one-step evaluation is quickly accomplished so traders can get to the business of trading within days. There is no monthly subscription. Users can choose from five profiles ranging from $15,000 to $200,000. Each level has different performance measures. Traders can keep 90% of the profits. They have access to the MT4 platform and 30:1 leverage. 

Offering trades in forex, indices, metals and securities, the 5ers provides some of the most generous profit shares in the industry. The company allows up to 100% split and even salary offers for top traders. Traders can access the platform immediately after passing the evaluation, the price of which starts at $95. There are no subscription fees. 

Users gain access via MT5. Standard leverage is 1:10 but can move upward to as much as 1:30. Capital funding ranges from $6,000 to $4 million with easy scaling options and the freedom to develop your trading strategy. 

The OneUp Trader business model is somewhat different from the other Prop Trading businesses. OneUp Trader partners with several prop trading firms that provide trading capital. Traders must complete an evaluation to access funds. There are several accounts, ranging in value from $25,000 to $250,000, each with its own risk restrictions. Traders can keep 90% of profits and can withdraw all their funds on reaching $10,000. OneUp Trader doesn’t limit profit withdrawals and charges no data fees. Users receive a free license to NinjaTrader and can try the program free for seven days. 

Offering access to over 12,000 stocks and ETFs, Trade the Pool, launched in 2022, is a newcomer to prop trading. An offshoot of 5ers, Trade the Pool has four funded trading programs starting at $20,000 up to $260,000 with an unlimited scale-up plan. Single-phase evaluation ensures that traders can quickly get to work. Active traders keep 80% of their profits. Funded accounts start at $20,000 and up to $260,000. Traders can test the system using the 14-day free trial. 

Topstep specializes in futures trading. Traders get off to a good start by keeping all the first $5,000 profits, after which they can retain a 90% profit share. Traders must pass a two-step evaluation to qualify for funding. Topstep charges monthly fees of between $165 and $375 for funded amounts of $50,000 to $150,000. Traders can use the 14-day free trial to evaluate the experience and decide whether to sign up. Topstep supports several trading platforms. There are also rewards for prop traders who reach pre-determined milestones. Traders have access to a dedicated funding coach. 

Multi-asset prop firm, FTMO, has been in business since 2014. Over that period, the company has funded over 10,000 traders in more than 180 countries. Traders must complete a two-step evaluation and pay a refundable initial fee. There are no monthly fees. FTMO will fund up to $400,000 and allow traders to keep 80% of their profits. Profitable traders will receive quarterly fund increases and scale up to 90% profit retention. Traders have access to leverage at 100:1 with no limits on position size. Users can access MT4, MT5 and cTrader.

Incorporated in 2022, FundedNext offers prop traders a choice of two accounts and a wide range of financial instruments. Traders must complete a two-part evaluation to receive a funded account. FundedNext allows traders to keep 15% of profits made during the evaluation and 60% thereafter. The percentage rises to 75% and then 90% after the first and second withdrawals. Funding amounts start at $15,000 and rise to as much as $4 million. Funded traders have access to 100:1 leverage and must pay a one-time fee. 

Based in the U.S., Funded Traders has been in business since 2021. The company offers traders a range of financial instruments. With Funded Traders, account holders have a choice of four accounts, starting at $10,000 to $600,000 and can scale up to $1,500,000. All funded accounts pay traders a profit share of 80%, moving to 90% with time. Traders have access to leverage of 200:1. Funded Trader places few restrictions on trading style, allowing traders to hold weekend and overnight trades. 

Funded trading programs follow a similar process.

• Application: Traders apply for funding, providing the trading firm with information about their experience, trading style and performance.
• Evaluation: If the trading firm accepts the application, the trader must pass a trading evaluation process to demonstrate their trading skills.
• Training: Many trading firms provide funded traders with training and education to improve their trading skills. Training may include access to educational resources, trading courses and coaching from experienced traders.
• Funding: When the trader has completed the evaluation and training process, the trading firm funds the account.
• Trading: Funded traders use the funds to trade financial instruments. They keep a portion of the profits. The trading firm receives a percentage for funding the trade.
• Risk management: Trading firms often have strict risk management rules to protect the trader and the firm’s capital. These rules may include maximum position sizes and stop-loss orders.

You can make the most of your funded trading journey by following some simple guidelines. 

• Trade as though you were using your funds: This means following your trading plan, managing your risk and sticking to your trading strategy.
• Follow the rules: Trading firms have rules and risk management guidelines you must follow. Make sure you understand these rules and follow them closely.
• Stay disciplined: Stick to your trading plan and strategy and avoid emotional decision-making.
• Keep a trading journal: Track your progress, identify patterns and learn from your mistakes with a trading journal.
• Keep learning and improving: The markets perpetually evolve. Successful traders constantly learn and adapt. Keep up with market news and trends, stay informed about new trading strategies and tools and continue to hone your skills.
• Be patient and realistic: Funded trading programs usually have profit targets and timeframes that you must meet to keep the funding. Don’t rush to make a profit or take unnecessary risks to meet your targets. Instead, focus on sticking to your trading plan and building your skills.

Benzinga offers insights and reviews of the most prominent financial service providers. These include prop trading firms or funded trading programs.