How to Choose Your First Firm
Key criteria to make the best decision
Evaluation Criteria
| Criterion | Why It Matters | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Your initial investment | Discounts, cheap resets |
| Drawdown Type | Ease of management | Static > EOD > Intraday |
| Rules | Trading flexibility | No consistency rule, news trading allowed |
| Withdrawals | How you get paid | High profit split, frequency, methods |
| Reputation | Trustworthiness | Trustpilot 4+, years in operation |
Price Isn't Everything
- Challenge price: $100-400 typical
- Activation fee: $100-200 additional if you pass
- Reset cost: If you fail, how much does it cost to retry?
- Discounts: Firms offer 50-80% OFF frequently
Wait for discounts. Almost every firm runs monthly promotions. Never pay full price.
Drawdown: The Deciding Factor
- Static: The best. Your limit never changes.
- Trailing EOD: Acceptable. Only updates at end of day.
- Trailing Intraday: Difficult. Moves with every tick.
Many traders fail because they don't understand trailing intraday. If you're a beginner, look for Static or EOD.
Rules Matter
- Minimum days: Can you meet them without forcing trades?
- Consistency: Does your strategy produce uniform gains?
- News trading: Do you trade during economic events?
- Trading hours: Do you trade outside regular hours?
Withdrawals and Reputation
- Profit split: 80% is standard, 90% is excellent
- Frequency: Weekly is ideal, monthly is acceptable
- Methods: Verify they have options for your country
- Trustpilot: Look for 4+ stars with many reviews
- Years in business: Prefer firms with 2+ years of history
Use Our Comparison Tool
- Comparison tool: Compare up to 3 firms side by side
- Filters: By drawdown, price, rules, withdrawals
- Reviews: Detailed analysis of each firm
- Discounts: Updated and verified codes
Key Points
- There is no "best" firm - it depends on your style and preferences
- Prioritize: Drawdown (static/EOD) > Rules > Price > Withdrawals
- Always wait for discounts - never pay full price
- Check reputation on Trustpilot before buying
- Use our comparison tool for informed decisions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best prop firm for beginners?
There's no single answer. For beginners we recommend: 1) Static or EOD drawdown, 2) No consistency rule, 3) Affordable price with good discounts. Use our comparison tool filtering by these criteria.
Can I have accounts with multiple prop firms?
Yes, many traders have accounts with multiple firms to diversify and increase their trading capital. There are no legal restrictions, only your ability to manage multiple accounts.
Are newer prop firms riskier?
Generally yes. New firms may have liquidity issues or shut down. Prefer firms with at least 2 years of operation and good reviews. If you try a new one, don't invest too much.
Does the prop firm's country matter?
Not much for you as a trader. What matters is that they accept traders from your country and have payment methods that work for you. Most firms operate globally.
Knowledge Check
Answer correctly to unlock the next step
What are the key criteria for choosing a prop firm?
What tool on this website helps you compare firms?
Why is it said that 'price isn't everything'?
What minimum Trustpilot score is recommended?
How to Withdraw Your Profits
Your First Step
guide.quiz.passToUnlock
Risk Warning
Futures trading carries a high risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or investment recommendations. Past results do not guarantee future performance. Only trade with capital you can afford to lose.