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# Futures Prop Firms Explained: Contracts, Rules and Costs
- URL: https://www.propfirmduel.com/futures-prop-firms-explained/
- Published: 2026-09-27T01:48:43.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-28T06:20:10.000Z
- Description: How futures prop firms work: point values, typical rules by size, data and platforms, with a worked sizing example.
- Author: Prop Firm Duel
- Tags: Futures, forex, crypto & stocks, #Import 2026-09-27 23:22, #Import 2026-09-29 04:04

**A futures prop firm funds you to trade exchange-listed futures contracts, such as the Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500.** You're sized in contracts, your loss limits are in dollars, and most programs now use end-of-day drawdown. Market data and platform choices matter more here than in any other market.

## Key takeaways

- We list 13 futures prop firms and 39 futures programs.
- On 50K accounts, the most common rules are a $3,000 target and a $2,000 drawdown.
- 33 of 38 programs that publish a drawdown type use end-of-day drawdown.
- Point values decide your risk: NQ is $20 a point, MNQ is $2.

## How do contracts and point values work?

Each futures contract has a dollar value per point:

| Market       | Mini             | Micro              |
| ------------ | ---------------- | ------------------ |
| Nasdaq-100   | NQ, $20 a point  | MNQ, $2 a point    |
| S&P 500      | ES, $50 a point  | MES, $5 a point    |
| Dow          | YM, $5 a point   | MYM, $0.50 a point |
| Russell 2000 | RTY, $50 a point | M2K, $5 a point    |

That's why futures rules are written in dollars and contracts. A $2,000 drawdown means 100 points on one NQ, or 1,000 points on one MNQ. See [micro vs mini contracts](https://www.propfirmduel.com/micro-vs-mini-contracts/).

## What do futures prop firm rules look like?

When we checked on September 26 and 27, 2026, futures programs were strikingly similar by size:

- **Targets:** about 6% of the account, such as $3,000 on 50K in 28 of 29 programs.
- **Drawdown:** $2,000 on 50K in 31 of 34 programs, mostly end-of-day.
- **Contract limits:** 4 minis or 40 micros was the most common 50K limit.
- **Billing:** 30 of 38 programs that state billing charge a one-time fee.
- **Price:** a median of about $214 for a one-time 50K evaluation.

Because the headline numbers match so closely, the details decide which program fits: drawdown type, daily limit, consistency and payout rules. See [prop firm drawdown rules](https://www.propfirmduel.com/prop-firm-drawdown-rules/).

## What about data and platforms?

Futures exchanges license their price data, so some programs charge a data fee once you're funded. Platforms vary by firm, with Tradovate and NinjaTrader the most widely supported in our data. See [data fees](https://www.propfirmduel.com/prop-firm-data-fees/) and [prop firms by platform](https://www.propfirmduel.com/prop-firm-trading-platforms/).

## A worked example

Say you trade NQ with a 15-point stop on a 50K account with a $2,000 drawdown. One NQ contract risks $300 per stop, so about six losses in a row would end the account. Switch to three MNQ contracts and the same stop risks $90, giving you room for about 22 losses. Same market, same stop, very different survival.

## Where can you compare futures programs?

The list of [futures prop firms](https://www.propfirmduel.com/futures-prop-firms/) shows every futures program we track, with each one's rules and sources. You can also filter by [end-of-day drawdown](https://www.propfirmduel.com/end-of-day-drawdown-prop-firms/), [no activation fee](https://www.propfirmduel.com/no-activation-fee-prop-firms/) or [one-time fee](https://www.propfirmduel.com/one-time-fee-prop-firms/).

## Common questions

### Which futures can I trade at a prop firm?

Most futures firms allow major index, energy, metals, currency and interest-rate contracts on US exchanges. Each firm lists its allowed products.

### Why are futures limits in dollars?

Futures profit and loss is measured in dollars per point per contract, so dollar limits map directly to your positions.

### Can I hold futures overnight?

Many programs require you to be flat by a set time each day. Check the rules. See [types of prop firms](https://www.propfirmduel.com/types-of-prop-firms/).

## How we got these numbers

Figures come from each firm's published rules, reviewed by a person on September 26–27, 2026\. See our [methodology](https://www.propfirmduel.com/methodology/).