How to Check a Prop Firm Before You Buy

Before you buy any prop firm evaluation, read the firm's own pages: its full rules, payout policy, country list and how it announces changes. Seven checks, using only what the firm publishes, will tell you most of what you need to know about whether it's legitimate and whether it fits you.

Key takeaways

• Read the full rules and terms, not the summary on the pricing page.
• Read the funded rules too. They can differ from the evaluation.
• Check who runs the firm and where. Legitimate firms publish a company name and address.
• Save a copy of the terms on the day you buy.

The seven checks

1. Read the rules page in full

Not the pricing summary. The full rules, including drawdown type and amount, daily loss limit, consistency, news and contract limits. If a rule isn't clear, ask support and keep the answer. See prop firm drawdown rules.

2. Read the payout policy

When you're eligible, the split, any buffer, minimum days, the schedule, caps and methods. These decide whether passing turns into money. See how payouts work.

3. Check you can sign up from your country

Firms publish restricted countries, and they check them before your first payout. Topstep, for example, listed 32 restricted countries when we checked. See country restrictions.

4. Check the funded rules, not just the evaluation

Some rules change after you pass, such as a stricter consistency rule or a new buffer. Read both sets before you buy.

5. See how rule changes are announced

Look for a changelog, an announcements page or help-center updates, and check whether changes apply to accounts you already own. A firm that explains its changes clearly is easier to trust.

6. Check who runs the firm and where

A firm's terms, about page or footer usually name the company and its address. When we checked, Lucid Trading, for example, listed a Delaware address on its site. A firm with no company details is a reason to pause.

7. Save a copy of the terms

Save or print the rules and terms on the day you buy. If anything changes later, you'll know exactly what you signed up for.

What does Prop Firm Duel check for you?

Every firm page lists each program's rules with the date we reviewed them, and links to the firm's own pages for every rule. We also note whether the firm publishes its rules, its payout policy and its company details. That saves you most of checks 1 to 3 and 6, but you should still read the firm's own pages before you pay. Our methodology explains how we collect the data, and our corrections page shows how we fix mistakes.

A worked example

Say a program's pricing page shows "90% split, no daily limit." In the full terms, you find three more things: a 20% consistency rule on the funded account, a $1,500 cap per payout, and a rule against copying trades between accounts. None of those change whether you'll pass. All three change how and when you'll be paid. That's why check 4 matters as much as check 1.

Common questions

Are prop firms legit?

Many are real businesses selling a product under published terms, and some publish their pass rates and payout totals. Every firm is different, so use the checks above on the one you're considering.

What are the biggest red flags?

No company details, rules that aren't published in full, and payout terms that are vague or hard to find.

Should I rely on reviews?

Reviews help, but they're one person's experience. The firm's own rules and terms are what you're agreeing to. See how to choose a prop firm.