Traderfolio

Best prop firms for beginners (2026)

A beginner-friendly prop firm is not the one with the biggest account — it is the one whose rules give a new trader room to learn without burning fees. We shortlisted firms on four things you can check on the firm's own site: a low entry fee, no time limit, a static (not trailing) maximum loss, and a fee refund or free trial.

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Every figure below comes from the firm's official pricing or rules pages. If we could not confirm a value it says so.

Last checked · Sources listed at the bottom of the page.

Our verdict

FTMO is the most beginner-friendly all-rounder in our data: low entry fee, unlimited trading period, a static 10% max loss, a free trial and a 100% fee refund on the 2-Step. FundedNext is the cheaper start, The5ers has the lowest entry ticket of all, and Topstep is the pick if you want futures.

  1. Best overall for beginners

    FTMO

    2-Step from €89 ($10K), unlimited trading period, 10% static max loss, free trial, fee refunded with the first reward.

    Visit FTMO

  2. Best low-cost 2-step

    FundedNext

    Stellar 2-Step from $59.99 ($6K), no time limit, 8% phase-1 target, fee refunded with the first reward.

    Visit FundedNext

  3. Lowest entry ticket

    The5ers

    High Stakes $2.5K evaluation listed at $19, unlimited trading period, fee refunded; scaling plan up to $500K.

    Visit The5ers

  4. Best for futures beginners

    Topstep

    $50K Trading Combine at $49/month with a 90% profit split. Budget for the $149 activation fee on the Standard path.

    Visit Topstep

Beginner checklist by firm

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

FirmProgramCheapest listed accountMax lossDaily lossTime limitFee refundVisit
FTMO2-Step Challenge$10K — €8910% static5%Unlimited100% with first rewardVisit site
FundedNextStellar 2-Step$6K — $59.9910%5%NoneWith first rewardVisit site
The5ersHigh Stakes (2-step)$2.5K — $1910%5%UnlimitedRefundedVisit site
E8 MarketsE8 Pro (1-step)$50K — $2288% static2.5%Unlimited (trade every 60 days)Not confirmedVisit site
Maven TradingStandard 2-Step$2K — $198% static4%NoneOn the third withdrawalVisit site
BrightFunded2-Step BrightNot confirmed8% static4%UnlimitedNot confirmedVisit site
Alpha Capital GroupAlpha Pro 8%Not confirmed8% static4%UnlimitedNot confirmedVisit site
TopstepTrading Combine$50K — $49/mo$2,000 max loss limit ($50K)Optional, set at checkoutNot confirmedSubscription (+$149 activation, Standard path)Visit site

FTMO bills in euros; the others list US dollars. Prices are list prices — firms run frequent promotions.

How we picked

  • Entry fee: the cheapest account the firm lists on its own pricing page.
  • Time pressure: whether the evaluation has a deadline. FTMO and The5ers list an unlimited trading period; FundedNext's Stellar 2-Step has no time limit.
  • Drawdown type: a static max loss is fixed to your starting balance, which is easier to manage than a trailing limit that follows your equity up.
  • Second chances: free trials (FTMO) and fee refunds (FTMO 2-Step, FundedNext Stellar 2-Step, The5ers High Stakes) lower the cost of learning.

Rules that trip up new traders

Daily loss limits are the most common way beginners fail. FTMO and FundedNext both use 5% on their 2-step programs; E8 Pro uses 2.5%, which leaves far less room on a bad day.

Consistency rules cap how much of your profit can come from one day. FTMO's comparison table lists a 50% consistency rule on its 1-Step and 30% on Instant accounts, but none on the 2-Step — another reason we prefer the 2-Step for beginners.

Minimum trading days add time but not difficulty: FTMO's 2-Step needs at least 4 trading days, FundedNext's Stellar 2-Step needs 5 per phase and The5ers High Stakes needs 3 profitable days per step.

FAQ

Which prop firm is best for beginners?

In our data FTMO's 2-Step is the most beginner-friendly overall: from €89, unlimited trading period, a 10% static max loss, a free trial and a 100% fee refund with the first reward. FundedNext's Stellar 2-Step is a cheaper alternative from $59.99.

What is the cheapest way to try a prop firm challenge?

The5ers lists its $2.5K High Stakes evaluation at $19, and Maven Trading lists its $2K Standard 2-Step at $19. Among other 2-step programs, FundedNext's $6K Stellar 2-Step is $59.99 and FTMO's $10K 2-Step is €89. FTMO also offers a free trial.

Do beginner prop firm challenges have a time limit?

Not at the firms we picked. FTMO lists an unlimited trading period on all its programs, The5ers lists unlimited on High Stakes, and FundedNext's Stellar 2-Step has no time limit.

What is the difference between static and trailing drawdown?

A static max loss is measured from your starting balance and never moves. A trailing max loss follows your balance or equity upward, so profits can shrink your room for error. FTMO's 2-Step uses a 10% static max loss; its 1-Step and Instant accounts trail.

Do I get my challenge fee back?

FTMO refunds 100% of the 2-Step fee with your first reward, FundedNext refunds the Stellar 2-Step fee with the first reward, and The5ers lists a refund on High Stakes. Instant accounts generally do not refund fees.

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 (14)

Official pages only. Last checked

Top pick for beginners: FTMO

Visit FTMO