If you’re looking to make serious money from prop trading firms, choosing the right one can be the difference between small wins and massive payouts. Let’s break it down side-by-side so you can decide where your skills can bring in the biggest profits.
1. Apex Trader Funding – The King of Scaling
What You Get:
- Up to 20 funded accounts simultaneously
- No maximum payout after your 6th withdrawal
- Up to 100% profit share once conditions are met
Your Key Advantage:
If you’re looking for scale, Apex is in a league of its own. Imagine trading 20 accounts, pulling $10K from each—yeah, that’s a $200,000 potential payday. It’s not easy, but it’s possible with consistency and discipline.
Payout Requirements:
- 8 minimum trading days
- Profit on at least 5 of those days
- Safety net requirement for the first 3 payouts
- After 6 payouts, you’re eligible for 100% withdrawals (no caps)
Best For You If:
You’re an advanced trader with discipline and a solid strategy. You can scale multiple accounts and manage risk without overtrading.
2. Take Profit Trader – Fast and Flexible Payouts
What You Get:
- Up to 5 funded accounts
- Day 1 payouts (as soon as you clear your $2,000 buffer)
- 80/20 split (you keep 80%)
- Option to stay in sim phase or get pushed to Pro Plus live account
Your Key Advantage:
You don’t have to wait weeks to start earning. Clear the buffer, and you can withdraw profits right away—even on your first day if you’re profitable.
Real-World Example for You:
Say you make $3,000 on day one, and you have your $2K buffer met. You can pull out $800 per account (after the 80/20 split). Multiply that by 5 accounts, and you could have $4,000 in your pocket immediately.
Best For You If:
You want instant gratification—daily payout access—and are comfortable with an 80/20 split. You’re also okay with potentially being moved to a live account at some point.
3. TradeDay – The Payout Milestone Tracker
What You Get:
- Trade up to 3 funded accounts (plus 3 evals as backups)
- $2,000 buffer to access payouts
- Day 1 payouts, just like Take Profit Trader
- Milestone reviews every $5,000 in profit
Your Key Advantage:
End-of-day drawdowns make it easier to manage your risk. Plus, TradeDay’s progression structure gives you clarity on when you might move to live—but doesn’t force it too soon.
Caution for You:
If you hit $5,000 or $10,000, pause trading. TradeDay reviews your performance at each milestone, and profits beyond those levels may be forfeited if you don’t stop and wait for review.
Best For You If:
You prefer a more structured approach with regular reviews and like the security of end-of-day drawdowns.
Honorable Mentions
My Funded Futures (Pro Plan)
- Max payout: $100,000 per user
- Requires 14 calendar days of trading
- Payouts start at $1,000 minimum
- Flat cap, so you know exactly how far you can take it
Best For You If:
You want a straightforward plan with defined limits. You’re okay with some rules in exchange for stability and clarity.
TopStep
- 5 copy-traded accounts
- Max weekly payout: $5,000
- Payouts after 5 days with $200+ profit/day
- Eventually gets pushed to live
Best For You If:
You’re looking for an established firm with a path to a live account and consistent, moderate payout opportunities.
What’s Best for You?
Prop Firm | Max Payout Potential | Payout Speed | Profit Share | Sim vs Live Flexibility | Ideal For… |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apex | UNLIMITED (Post-6 Payouts) | Every 8 Days | Up to 100% | You stay sim indefinitely | High-volume, multi-account traders |
Take Profit Trader | ~$20K+ (no stated cap) | Day 1 | 80/20 | Optional move to live | Traders wanting fast, daily payouts |
TradeDay | ~$20K SIM (more if extended) | Day 1 | 80/20 | Milestone-based review | Structured traders who like clarity |
My Funded Futures | $100K per user | After 14 Days | Varies | Unknown | Simplicity-focused, goal-oriented traders |
TopStep | $25K-$30K max (then live) | Weekly | Varies | Yes (after several payouts) | Reliable legacy firm with live transition |
So What Should You Do?
If you’re new:
✅ Start small. Focus on passing an eval with one firm (TradeDay or Take Profit Trader are great starts).
If you’re consistent:
💰 Consider multiple accounts across Apex, Take Profit Trader, and TradeDay. Diversify your risk and payout streams.
If you’re elite:
🚀 Max out Apex’s scaling and chase those massive no-cap payouts. But only if you’ve got the skills and the discipline.