6 Best Proprietary Trading Firms for Futures & Forex Trading 2026

Looking for the most successful Proprietary trading firms in 2026? There are numerous traders shopping around, and Blue Guardian is known as instant funding prop firm is doing well by providing instant funding up to $4 million and appealing profit shares and that too on top of that, it also has good profit shares just in case any serious trader needs that. Having spent so many hours in the research of the prop trading environment, I have determined that there are other major firms, which also impress by their profit-sharing models. To mention but a few, The 5%ers permits funding to reach 4 million dollars whereas companies such as For Traders have disbursed more than 7 million dollars in less than one year.

Also, some companies like FTMO to Apex Trader Funding offer up to 90 and 100 percent profit shares respectively and first 25,000 earned on any account.Be it the search of forex prop firms or searching futures trading opportunities, this list suggests eight reliable platforms, including much more established companies such as OneFunded and Trade The Pool, and also Aqua Funded. I have compared them in terms of what is really important: funding directions, risk structures, expenditure, payouts and quality of execution. It is time to get down to details in order to help you identify your dream trading partner.

Blue Guardian ( Proprietary Trading Firm )

Blue Guardian has quickly gained recognition in the prop trading industry for its innovative instant funding options and trader-friendly policies. With over $20 million in verified payouts, this Dubai-based firm offers a refreshing alternative to traditional evaluation processes.

Blue Guardian key features

At the core of Blue Guardian's offering is their diverse account structure with four distinct pathways: Instant Funded, 1-Step, 2-Step, and 3-Step challenges. Unlike many competitors, their instant funding allows traders to bypass evaluation phases entirely and start trading funded capital immediately.

The firm provides accounts ranging from $5,000 to $400,000, with scaling opportunities up to an impressive $4 million total allocation . Certainly, one of their most appealing features is the 24-hour payout guarantee – if they miss this window, traders automatically receive a 100% profit split instead of the standard 90%.

Blue Guardian supports multiple trading platforms including Match Trader, MT5, and TradeLocker. Their leverage structure varies by asset class, offering up to 1:30 for forex trading with funded capital on instant accounts and 1:100 on challenge accounts. Additionally, they allow various trading styles including news trading, weekend holding, and expert advisors.

Blue Guardian pros and cons

Pros:

• Instant funding option starting at just $10 for a $5,000 account
• High profit split up to 90% standard
• 24-hour payout guarantee with consequences if missed
• No minimum trading days requirement 
• 100% refundable fee after your fourth payout
• Flexible trading rules allowing news trading and weekend holding 

Cons:

• Higher entry cost than traditional evaluations for larger accounts 
• Daily drawdown limit of 3% provides limited flexibility 
• Some countries restricted due to regional limitations
• Limited withdrawal methods (primarily crypto) 
• Weekly payouts require additional add-on purchase 

Blue Guardian pricing

Blue Guardian's pricing varies based on account size and challenge type. Below is their current pricing structure for Instant Funded accounts:

*Prices reflect current promotional discounts 

All challenge fees are fully refundable after receiving your fourth payout. The firm's drawdown parameters are consistent across account sizes: 3% daily maximum loss and 6% overall maximum loss.

Blue Guardian best for

Blue Guardian is ideally suited for traders confident in their strategy who want to skip evaluation phases. Their instant funding model works particularly well for those who value payout speed and reliability over minimizing entry costs.

The firm excels for traders looking to scale rapidly, with accounts potentially growing to millions through their systematic account merging framework. Rather than imposing time constraints, Blue Guardian focuses on risk management, making it appropriate for disciplined traders who prefer trading only when genuine opportunities arise.

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FTMO

Established in 2015, FTMO stands as one of the pioneer firms in modern prop trading with a robust reputation in the industry. This Prague-based company has developed a systematic approach to identifying talented traders through its renowned two-step evaluation process.

FTMO key features

FTMO's evaluation process consists of two crucial stages: the FTMO Challenge and Verification. During these phases, traders demonstrate their skills by meeting specific objectives under strict rules. Notably, FTMO offers account sizes ranging from $10,000 to $200,000 with Standard and Aggressive risk approaches The firm's scaling plan allows successful traders to increase their account balance by 25% and receive up to 90% profit split, with accounts potentially growing to an impressive $2 million . Furthermore, FTMO provides 24/7 customer support in 20 languages ensuring traders receive assistance whenever needed.

What truly sets FTMO apart is its comprehensive suite of analytical tools. Traders gain access to Account MetriX for detailed trade analysis, Trading Journal for behavioral pattern review, plus economic calendars and risk calculators.These resources support a structured, data-driven approach to trading.

FTMO pros and cons

Pros:

• Excellent reputation with over 3.5 million customers worldwide 
• Comprehensive analytics and coaching tools 
• Up to 90% profit split through the scaling plan 
• Strong educational resources and performance coaching 
• Fee reimbursement with first profit withdrawal 

Cons:

• Strict rules, particularly for daily drawdowns 
• No overnight trading on certain accounts 
• Higher challenge fees compared to some competitors
• Trading fees for certain symbols 

FTMO pricing

FTMO supports multiple currencies including USD, GBP, EUR, CZK, CAD, AUD, and CHF. The firm has paid over $500 million in rewards worldwide, demonstrating their commitment to trader success.

FTMO best for

FTMO is ideally suited for highly disciplined traders who thrive under structure. Given the firm's strict drawdown limits and thorough evaluation process, traders with solid risk management skills will find the platform particularly rewarding.

Experienced traders will benefit most from FTMO's environment, especially those ready to treat trading as a profession. Although beginners can take advantage of the free trial to practice, the evaluation process presents significant challenges for those lacking experience.

The platform works exceptionally well for forex traders, offering 44 tradeable currency pairs with leverage up to 1:100. Consequently, a $10,000 account can be traded with up to $1,000,000, providing substantial capital efficiency for qualified traders.

Since its founding, FTMO has maintained its mission to provide quality services to clients, push them further, and enable them to trade for a living. This commitment to trader development makes it one of the top choices among proprietary trading firms in 2026.

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Aqua Funded

Dubai-based Aqua Funded distinguishes itself in the prop trading market with a revolutionary dual scaling system, giving traders unprecedented growth potential. This firm has paid over $2.9 million in rewards to more than 42,000 traders worldwide, establishing its credibility in a competitive landscape.

Aqua Funded key features

Aqua Funded offers multiple challenge paths including 1-Step, 2-Step, 3-Step, and Instant Funding options, catering to various trader preferences. What truly sets this firm apart is its unique scaling mechanism where accounts can grow to an impressive $4 million.

The firm implements a straightforward growth model: achieve 12% profit within a 3-month period and your account balance increases by 25%. Simultaneously, traders can progress through the exclusive Aqua Elite program with Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers, each unlocking additional benefits beyond standard profit sharing.

Traders benefit from up to 95% profit splits with bi-weekly payouts and an option for the first payout in just 7 days. The platform supports multiple trading interfaces including cTrader, Match Trader, MT5, and TradeLocker, providing flexibility across various trading styles.

Importantly, Aqua Funded backs its payouts with a 48-hour payment guarantee, demonstrating commitment to trader satisfaction and timely rewards.

Aqua Funded pros and cons

Pros:

• Dual scaling system combining account growth and elite benefits
• No time limits on evaluations 
• 90% standard profit split with 100% option available 
• "Wave Stop" feature auto-closes trades at 2% loss to prevent breaches.
• Expert Advisors (EAs) and copy trading allowed 
• 24/7 customer support with quick response times

Cons:

• Strict consistency rule (max 15-25% of profit from any single day) 
• 5-minute restriction window around high-impact news events 
• $5/lot commission on most assets except indices 
• Trailing equity models require tight management of floating profits 
• Limited educational resources for beginners

Aqua Funded pricing

Aqua Funded offers competitive pricing across its various challenge types:

All challenge fees are fully refundable after your fourth payout. The platform maintains consistent risk parameters with daily drawdown limits of 3-5% and overall drawdown limits of 6-8% depending on the challenge type.

Aqua Funded best for

Aqua Funded is ideal for long-term career-oriented traders seeking both capital growth and professional development. The Aqua Elite program, with its tiered benefits including monthly salaries of up to $3,000 for Gold members, creates a professional growth pathway rarely found in other firms.

Swing traders benefit from the flexible rules with no minimum trading days required on most account types. Moreover, traders looking to scale significantly will appreciate the potential to grow accounts up to $4 million through consistent performance.

The firm works exceptionally well for disciplined traders who can manage the consistency rules and avoid violating the daily drawdown limits. Given the dual scaling system, Aqua Funded suits those viewing prop trading as a long-term career rather than just a temporary income source.

The 5%ers

Operating since 2016, The 5%ers offers one of the industry's most versatile prop trading experiences with its three distinct evaluation programs. As an Israel-based firm, they've established a strong presence by focusing on trader development and substantial scaling opportunities.

The 5%ers key features

The 5%ers provides three primary pathways to funding: the Bootcamp (3-step evaluation), High Stakes (2-step challenge), and Hyper Growth (instant funding). Each program allows traders to scale accounts up to a remarkable $4 million, with profit splits ranging between 50-100%.

What makes The 5%ers unique is their flexible trading environment that permits holding positions overnight and through weekends. Additionally, traders can execute during economic news releases, offering freedom rarely found among competing firms.

Their MetaTrader 5 platform supports forex, precious metals, indices, and other securities. The firm emphasizes progressive growth through their "2x growth" model where accounts double in size with each milestone achievement. Furthermore, all successful traders receive bonuses credited to their hub for future purchases.

The 5%ers pros and cons

Pros:

• Low spreads across all pairs with minimal commission per lot
• Scaling potential up to $4 million with consistent performance 
• No time restrictions on evaluations (up to 12 months allowed) 
• Trading flexibility including overnight and weekend positions 
• Comprehensive educational resources including live trading rooms 

Cons:

• Maximum daily drawdown of 3-5% depending on program 
• Restricted from certain territories including Israel and USA 
• Mandatory stop-loss orders required on all trades
• Account inactivity over 21 days results in automatic closure
• Limited to three accounts maximum per trader

The 5%ers pricing

The pricing structure varies by program and account size:

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All fees are refundable upon successful challenge completion, making The 5%ers more accessible for serious traders committed to demonstrating their skills.

The 5%ers best for

The 5%ers is particularly well-suited for disciplined traders seeking flexible conditions without time pressure. Given their 12-month window for challenge completion, this firm works exceptionally well for part-time traders balancing trading with other commitments.

Swing traders benefit greatly from the ability to hold positions overnight and through weekends. Moreover, traders focused on long-term growth appreciate The 5%ers' unique scaling system that can potentially lead to managing multi-million dollar portfolios.

Essentially, the most suitable candidates are those with established strategies who value freedom from restrictive trading rules, yet maintain strong risk management principles, never exceeding the 6% maximum loss below deposit value.

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FundedNext

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FundedNext stands out in the prop trading world with its guaranteed 24-hour payout promise—if they miss this window, traders receive an additional $1000. Headquartered in the UAE with operations in Cyprus, this global firm serves traders from 195+ countries.

FundedNext key features

FundedNext offers both CFD and Futures trading programs through multiple evaluation models. Their Stellar models for CFDs include 1-Step, 2-Step, Lite, and Instant options with account sizes ranging from $6,000 to $200,000.

The firm's profit sharing structure is particularly attractive, with traders keeping up to 95% of profits. In fact, FundedNext is one of the few prop firms offering a 15% profit share from the challenge phase itself.

Traders have access to diverse platforms including MT4, MT5, cTrader, and Match-Trader for CFDs, plus Tradovate, TradingView, and NinjaTrader for Futures. Importantly, the platform supports weekend holding positions and permits news trading without restrictions.

FundedNext pros and cons

Pros:

• No time limit to complete challenges
• Refundable challenge fees with first payout
• Up to 95% profit sharing potential 
• Expert Advisors and automation allowed
• 15% profit share during evaluation phase
• 24-hour guaranteed payout with $1000 compensation if missed 

Cons:

• Daily loss limits between 5-10% depending on account model
• Some Futures models have 40% consistency rule restrictions 
• 3.5% withdrawal fee applies
• Account sharing strictly prohibited
• Limited to maximum $300K per trader

FundedNext pricing

FundedNext offers competitive pricing based on account size and challenge type:

All fees are fully refundable upon successful challenge completion.

FundedNext best for

FundedNext works exceptionally well for algorithmic traders, as the platform fully supports EAs, bots, and indicators. Swing traders benefit from unrestricted weekend holding capabilities.

Disciplined traders who prefer freedom from time constraints will appreciate the no-deadline approach to evaluations. Moreover, traders seeking immediate rewards find value in FundedNext's 15% profit share during the challenge phase—a feature rarely offered by competitors.

The firm's CFD scaling plan increases account balance by 40% every four consecutive profitable months, enabling growth up to $4 million, making it ideal for traders focused on long-term progression in the proprietary trading space.

DNA Funded

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Backed by ASIC-licensed DNA Markets, DNA Funded brings broker-grade trading conditions to the proprietary trading space. This Australian firm offers traders access to capital through various evaluation challenges, positioning itself among top prop firms with competitive spreads and diverse trading options.

DNA Funded key features

DNA Funded provides three primary challenge types: 1 Phase, 2 Phase, and Rapid Challenge, plus an Instant Funding option that allows traders to skip evaluation phases entirely. Account sizes range from $5,000 to $200,000, with maximum funding allocation reaching $600,000 per trader.

The standard profit split starts at 80%, with an optional upgrade to 90% through add-ons. Traders can access over 800 trading instruments across forex, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and stocks .

DNA Funded operates on TradeLocker, which integrates with TradingView for advanced charting capabilities. Notably, the platform supports various trading styles including news trading (except 10 minutes around major releases), expert advisors, and weekend positions for most challenges.

DNA Funded pros and cons

Pros:

• Raw spreads starting from 0.0 pips with $5.00 commission per standard lot
• No monthly fees, only one-time evaluation payment 
• Support for algorithmic trading and EAs 
• Weekly payout option available through add-ons 
• Backed by regulated broker providing enhanced liquidity 

Cons:

• Daily profit cap limited to 40%
• Maximum drawdown uses trailing method 
• Minimum three trading days required 
• Account inactivity over 30 days results in closure 
• First three payouts limited to 5% profit cap 

DNA Funded pricing

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All challenge fees are one-time payments. Optional add-ons include Earlier Payout (7-day cycle) and increased Profit Split (90%), each increasing the challenge price by 20%.

DNA Funded best for

DNA Funded works best for disciplined traders who prioritize risk management. The firm's emphasis on measured decision-making and drawdown control makes it suitable for those with slower, more deliberate trading styles.

Forex traders benefit from competitive spreads, whereas algorithmic traders appreciate the platform's support for EAs and automation. Given the flexibility in trading styles alongside strict risk parameters, DNA Funded appeals to intermediate and advanced traders seeking professional-grade trading conditions without excessive restrictions.

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Conclusion

After examining these eight top proprietary trading firms, one thing stands clear - the prop trading landscape offers more opportunities than ever before for traders seeking funding in 2026. Each firm presents distinct advantages depending on your trading style, experience level, and long-term goals.

FTMO remains a reliable industry veteran with its comprehensive analytics suite, while newer entrants like OneFunded appeal to traders who prefer flexibility without time constraints. Blue Guardian and Aqua Funded stand out with their impressive scaling potential up to $4 million and rapid payout guarantees.

The 5%ers offers exceptional versatility through three evaluation paths with a generous 12-month window for completion. Similarly, FundedNext distinguishes itself with profit sharing during evaluation phases - a rare benefit among competitors. DNA Funded brings broker-grade trading conditions with raw spreads, whereas Trade The Pool focuses exclusively on real stock trading rather than CFDs.

Your ideal proprietary firm ultimately depends on several factors. First, consider your preferred markets - whether forex, futures, or stocks - since firms like Trade The Pool specialize in specific asset classes. Second, evaluate risk parameters, especially daily drawdown limits ranging from 3-5% across most platforms. Third, assess scaling potential if you aim to manage larger capital amounts over time.

Challenge fees certainly matter, but most reputable firms now offer refunds with your first profit withdrawal, making initial costs less prohibitive. Profit splits typically range between 80-95%, though some firms provide pathways to 100% through performance incentives.

Finding your perfect match requires balancing evaluation difficulty against trading freedom. Stricter firms often provide larger capital allocations, while those with flexible rules might impose tighter profit targets or consistency requirements.

The prop trading industry continues evolving rapidly with firms competing to attract skilled traders through better conditions and innovative funding models. Whether you prioritize immediate capital access, scaling potential, or specific trading conditions, this guide should help you identify which proprietary trading firm aligns best with your trading ambitions for 2026 and beyond.

Key Takeaways

Here are the essential insights for choosing the right proprietary trading firm in 2026:

• FTMO leads with proven track record - Over $500M paid to traders with 90% profit splits and comprehensive analytics tools for disciplined professionals.

• Instant funding options eliminate waiting - Blue Guardian and Aqua Funded offer immediate capital access, bypassing traditional evaluation phases entirely.

• Scaling potential reaches $4 million - Multiple firms including The 5%ers, Aqua Funded, and FundedNext allow accounts to grow to multi-million dollar levels.

• Challenge fees are fully refundable - Most reputable firms reimburse evaluation costs with your first profit withdrawal, reducing financial barriers.

• Profit splits now reach 95-100% - Modern prop firms offer exceptional profit sharing, with some providing bonuses during evaluation phases.

• Trading flexibility varies significantly - Consider overnight holding, news trading permissions, and EA support when matching firms to your strategy.

The prop trading landscape has evolved dramatically, with firms competing through better conditions rather than restrictive rules. Success depends on matching your risk tolerance, trading style, and scaling ambitions with the right firm's specific offerings and evaluation requirements.

FAQs

Q1. What are some of the most Best proprietary trading firms for forex and futures in 2026? 

Some of the most trusted prop firms include, Blue Guardian, Aqua Funded, FTMO, OneFunded, The 5%ers, FundedNext, DNA Funded, and Trade The Pool. Each offers unique features and evaluation processes to suit different trading styles and experience levels.

Q2. How much capital can traders potentially manage through prop firms? 

everal top prop firms offer scaling opportunities that allow traders to grow their accounts up to $4 million. Firms like Aqua Funded, The 5%ers, and FundedNext provide systematic scaling plans for consistent performers.

Q3. What profit splits can traders expect from proprietary trading firms? 

Profit splits typically range from 80% to 95%, with some firms offering up to 100% under certain conditions. For example, Blue Guardian provides a 90% standard split with potential for 100% if they miss their 24-hour payout guarantee.

Q4. Are challenge fees refundable in prop trading evaluations?

 Most reputable prop firms now offer full refunds of challenge fees with a trader's first profit withdrawal. This policy reduces the financial barrier to entry for traders looking to prove their skills.

Q5. What trading platforms do prop firms typically support? 

Prop firms often support multiple trading platforms to accommodate different trader preferences. Common options include MetaTrader 4 and 5, cTrader, TradeLocker, and proprietary platforms. Some firms like Trade The Pool specialize in stock trading platforms for equities traders.

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