How Much Does a Prop Firm Cost? Real Prices for 2026
What prop firm evaluations cost by account size, every extra fee, one-time vs monthly, and what it really costs to reach a payout.
By Prop Firm Duel · · updated Sep 27, 2026
A 50K futures prop firm evaluation has a median list price of about $214 as a one-time fee, or $170 a month, across the programs we track. The list price is only part of the cost, though. Resets, activation fees and data fees can add to it, while discount codes can cut it sharply.
Key takeaways
- Median one-time evaluation prices run from $139 for 25K to $410 for 150K in our data.
- Monthly programs charge every month until you pass, so a slow pass costs more.
- 26 of the 28 futures programs that publish an activation fee charge nothing.
- The cost that matters is the total across every attempt it takes to get paid.
How much does a prop firm evaluation cost?
Evaluation prices climb with account size. Here are the median list prices for futures evaluations when we checked each firm's website on September 26 and 27, 2026:
| Account size | One-time (median) | Monthly (median) |
|---|---|---|
| 25K | $139 (15 programs) | $140 a month (6) |
| 50K | $214 (18 programs) | $170 a month (7) |
| 100K | $293 (17 programs) | $285 a month (7) |
| 150K | $410 (13 programs) | $360 a month (7) |
The range around each median is wide. A one-time 50K evaluation ran from about $134 to $1,190, because a few programs bundle features, such as no activation fee, into a much higher price. 50K prop firm accounts lists every program at that size.
What other fees do prop firms charge?
The evaluation is the fee you see first. Four others can follow it:
- Reset fee: the price to restart an evaluation after breaking a rule. Among 50K futures programs that publish one, the median was $95, and 4 programs don't offer resets at all. See prop firm reset fees.
- Activation fee: a one-time charge when you pass and move to a funded account. Only 2 of 28 futures programs with a published figure charged one, at $149 and $189. See prop firm activation fees.
- Data fee: some futures firms pass on exchange market data costs, usually once you're funded. See prop firm data fees.
- Instant funding premium: programs that skip the evaluation cost more. 50K instant funding ranged from $398 to $679 in our data. See instant funding explained.
Is one-time or monthly billing cheaper?
It depends on how fast you pass. A one-time fee costs the same whether you pass in three days or three months. A monthly fee costs less if you pass inside the first month and more with every month after that. At a $170 monthly median, a two-month pass costs $340, well above the $214 one-time median. One-time vs monthly prop firms shows where the lines cross.
What does a prop firm really cost to get paid?
Most evaluations don't end in a payout, so the real cost is the price per attempt times the number of attempts. Tradeify, for example, reports on its website that 17.2% of its evaluation accounts were completed from August 2025 to July 2026. Your own pass rate will differ, but budgeting for one attempt is rarely realistic.
Here's a simple budget for a 50K one-time program at the $214 median, with a $95 reset:
- Pass on the first try: $214.
- Pass after one reset: $214 + $95 = $309.
- Pass after two resets: $214 + $95 + $95 = $404.
Add any activation or data fee on top. Our All-in Cost tool runs this math for every program, using each firm's own prices.
How to pay less for a prop firm
- Choose the rules first. The cheapest program you fail twice costs more than a pricier one you pass once.
- Use a discount code. Many firms run frequent promotions, so full price is often avoidable. See prop firm discount codes and today's codes.
- Match billing to your pace. Fast traders can save with monthly; slower traders usually save with one-time.
- Pick the smallest account that fits your plan. A 25K account with the same rules costs about a third of a 150K.
Common questions
How much does a $50,000 funded account cost?
A 50K futures evaluation had a median list price of about $214 one-time, or $170 a month, in our data. Instant funding at 50K cost $398 to $679. Discount codes often lower these prices.
Are there free prop firm evaluations?
Not at the firms we track. Some offer free trials or demos of their platform, but the evaluation itself is paid.
Do prop firms refund the evaluation fee?
A few refund it with your first payout. Most don't. Check the firm's refund policy before you buy.
What is the cheapest prop firm?
The cheapest list price isn't always the cheapest path to a payout. Use Compare or the All-in Cost tool to see full costs side by side.
How we got these numbers
Prices are list prices before discounts, taken from each firm's own website and reviewed by a person on September 26–27, 2026. Medians cover futures evaluation programs that publish a price for that size. Prices change often, so confirm them on the firm's site. See our methodology.
Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone. Prop firm evaluations and most funded accounts trade in a simulated environment, and payouts depend on meeting each firm's rules. Everything on this site is general education, not financial advice. Rules and prices change: always read the firm's current terms before you buy. We have no affiliate or paid relationship with any firm listed. Our disclosure.