Cheapest prop firms (2026): entry fees and $100K prices compared
The cheapest prop firm depends on what you compare: the lowest entry ticket, the price of a $100K account, or the total cost once activation fees and subscriptions are included. This page shows all three, using list prices from each firm's own site.
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Promotions change weekly, so treat these as list prices and confirm at checkout.
Last checked · Sources listed at the bottom of the page.
Our verdict
The5ers and Maven Trading share the lowest entry ticket ($19 — a $2.5K High Stakes or a $2K Maven 2-Step). At the $100K level, Maven's Standard 2-Step lists the lowest price in our data ($440), ahead of E8 Pro ($488). Topstep looks cheapest for futures at $49/month, but it is a subscription with a $149 activation fee on the Standard path; Tradeify's Growth evaluation is $99 one-time with no activation fee.
Lowest entry ticket
$2.5K High Stakes evaluation at $19, refundable, unlimited trading period.
Visit The5ers
Cheapest $100K account
Standard 2-Step $100K listed at $440 (8% then 5%, 8% static max loss, 4% daily).
Visit Maven Trading
Cheapest 2-step with refund
Stellar 2-Step from $59.99 ($6K); fee refunded with the first reward.
Visit FundedNext
Cheapest futures start
$50K Trading Combine at $49/month; add $149 activation on the Standard path.
Visit Topstep
Prop firm prices from official pricing pages
Figures read from each provider's official website. Last checked . “Not confirmed” means we could not verify it on an official page. Prices and rules change — check the provider's site before you buy.
Some links on this page may earn TraderFolio a commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes the figures shown. How we compare · Affiliate disclosure · Risk warning
| Firm | Program | Cheapest listed account | ~$100K account | Fee model | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The5ers | High Stakes (2-step) | $2.5K — $19 | $100K — $545 | One-time, refundable | Visit site |
| Maven Trading | Standard 2-Step | $2K — $19 | $100K — $440 | One-time, refunded on the third withdrawal | Visit site |
| Topstep | Trading Combine | $50K — $49/mo | $100K — $99/mo | Monthly subscription + $149 activation (Standard path) | Visit site |
| FundedNext | Stellar 2-Step | $6K — $59.99 | $100K — $549.99 | One-time, refunded with first reward | Visit site |
 FTMO | 2-Step / 1-Step | 1-Step from €79; 2-Step $10K — €89 | $100K 2-Step — €540 | One-time; 2-Step refunded 100% with first reward | Visit site |
 Tradeify | Growth (futures) | $25K — $99 | $100K — $255 | One-time, no activation fee | Visit site |
 My Funded Futures | Rapid | $50K — $209 | Not confirmed | One-time, no activation fee | Visit site |
 E8 Markets | E8 Pro (1-step) | $50K — $228 | $100K — $488 | One-time | Visit site |
 Funding Pips | 2-Step Flex | Not confirmed | $100K — $555 | One-time | Visit site |
Sorted by cheapest listed entry ticket. FTMO prices are in euros. E8 Markets and My Funded Futures often advertise discount codes below list price.
The real cost of a prop challenge
- One-time vs subscription: Topstep bills monthly until you pass; CFD firms like FTMO, FundedNext and The5ers charge once per attempt.
- Activation fees: Topstep's Standard path adds $149 per funded account. My Funded Futures says its Rapid plan has no activation fee, and Tradeify says the same for its Growth evaluation.
- Refunds: FTMO's 2-Step, FundedNext's Stellar 2-Step and The5ers' High Stakes return the fee once you are funded and paid, which makes a pass effectively free. Maven refunds its fee on the third withdrawal.
- Account size: a cheap ticket on a small account can cost more per dollar of buying power than a mid-size account. Compare the $100K column if you plan to scale.
Cheap is not the same as easy
Lower prices often come with tighter rules. E8 Pro's $488 $100K account uses a 2.5% daily loss limit and an 8% max loss, versus 5% and 10% at FTMO and FundedNext; Maven's $440 $100K uses 4% daily and 8% max. Funding Pips allows a wider 12% max loss but a 4% daily limit. Match the rules to how you trade before chasing the lowest fee.
FAQ
What is the cheapest prop firm?
By entry ticket, The5ers' $2.5K High Stakes and Maven's $2K 2-Step are both listed at $19. For a $100K account, Maven's Standard 2-Step is the cheapest in our data at $440, then E8 Pro at $488. For futures, Topstep starts at $49/month for $50K plus a $149 activation fee on the Standard path, and Tradeify's Growth evaluation starts at $99 one-time with no activation fee.
What does a $100K prop firm challenge cost?
List prices we confirmed: Maven Standard 2-Step $440, E8 Pro $488, The5ers High Stakes $545, FundedNext Stellar 2-Step $549.99, Funding Pips 2-Step Flex $555 and FTMO 2-Step €540. Topstep's $100K Trading Combine is $99/month and Tradeify's $100K Growth evaluation is $255 one-time.
Are cheap prop firms legit?
Price alone tells you little. Check that the firm publishes its full rules and payout policy, read recent payout terms, and only pay what you can afford to lose. We only list figures we could read on the firm's own website.
Which prop firms refund the challenge fee?
FTMO refunds 100% of the 2-Step fee with the first reward, FundedNext refunds the Stellar 2-Step fee with the first reward, and The5ers lists a refund on High Stakes. Maven Trading refunds its fee on the third withdrawal. FTMO and FundedNext instant accounts are non-refundable.
Is a prop firm challenge fee a safe way to start trading?
Treat the fee as money you can lose. Most traders do not pass evaluations, funded accounts are usually simulated, and firms can change their rules. Read the firm's own terms before paying and see our risk warning.
Sources (12)
Official pages only. Last checked
- The5ers — High Stakes
- Topstep — pricing and payment
- FundedNext — Stellar 2-Step rules
- FundedNext — plans
- FTMO — programme comparison table
- FTMO — 2-Step Challenge
- My Funded Futures — Rapid plan
- E8 Markets — E8 Pro
- Funding Pips — 2-Step Flex
- Maven Trading — 2-Step challenge
- Maven Trading — FAQ
- Tradeify — pricing reference
Cheapest $100K: Maven at $440
Visit Maven Trading