Futures prop firm guide
A practical guide to futures prop firms, evaluations, instant funding, drawdown, payouts, and choosing the right account path.
How futures prop firms work
A futures prop firm lets traders prove process and risk control in a simulated environment before potential live capital review. Traders pay for access to an evaluation or sim-funded workflow and must follow account rules.
Evaluation versus instant funded
Evaluation accounts are lower-cost but require a target before funding. Instant funded accounts cost more but skip the evaluation phase and begin in the funded workflow after agreements are complete.
Drawdown is the real account size
The maximum loss level defines the account's true room for error. A trader should size positions from drawdown and contract limits, not from headline account balance.
Payout rules matter
Consistency, buffers, payout caps, payout frequency, and profit split all affect how profits become withdrawable. Read those rules before checkout.