Prop firms / Prop Firm True Cost Calculator
Calculator · updated November 2026
By PropKoala · How we check the data

Prop Firm True Cost Calculator

The cheapest prop firm depends on how long it takes you to pass. Set your months and attempts and see what every firm really costs.

Short answer
If you pass first time in a month, the cheapest futures firm is Lucid Trading at $94. It stays the cheapest if it takes you three months too, at $94. 6 of the 20 futures firms we track bill monthly, so their cost keeps rising the longer you take.
  1. 1
    Lucid TradingOne-time
    $94 · no activation fee
    $94
  2. 2
    The5ers FuturesOne-time
    $99 · no activation fee
    $99
  3. 3
    AquaFunded FuturesOne-time
    $113 · no activation fee
    $113
  4. 4
    FundedNext FuturesOne-time▲ 3
    $133.99 · no activation fee
    $133.99
  5. 5
    BulenoxOne-time▲ 3
    $143 · no activation fee
    $143
  6. 6
    TradeifyOne-time▲ 3
    $145 · no activation fee
    $145
  7. 7
    Futures EliteOne-time▲ 3
    $152 · no activation fee
    $152
  8. 8
    My Funded FuturesOne-time▲ 3
    $153 · no activation fee
    $153
  9. 9
    E8 FuturesOne-time▲ 4
    $170 · no activation fee
    $170
  10. 10
    Legends TradingMonthly▲ 2
    2 × $59 + $99 activation
    $217
  11. 11
    GOAT Funded FuturesOne-time▲ 4
    $138 + $99 activation
    $237
  12. 12
    Traders LaunchOne-time▲ 4
    $240 · no activation fee
    $240
  13. 13
    TopstepMonthly▲ 1
    2 × $49 + $149 activation
    $247
  14. 14
    Funded Futures FamilyMonthly▼ 10
    2 × $125 · no activation fee
    $250
  15. 15
    Alpha FuturesMonthly▼ 10
    2 × $129 · no activation fee
    $258
  16. 16
    TradeDayMonthly▼ 10
    2 × $131 · no activation fee
    $262
  17. 17
    Apex Trader FundingOne-time▲ 1
    $249 + $89 activation
    $338
  18. 18
    TopOne FuturesOne-time▲ 1
    $218 + $189 activation
    $407
  19. 19
    Take Profit TraderMonthly▼ 2
    2 × $170 + $130 activation
    $470
  20. 20
    PhidiasOne-time
    $580 · no activation fee
    $580

Arrows show how each firm moves compared with passing first time in one month. Monthly plans are charged for each month until you pass, and each attempt takes at least a month. One-time plans are bought again for each attempt. Discount codes are applied to the first purchase only, unless the deal says it lasts for every month. List prices for a 50K account.

How the real cost adds up

  • Monthly plans charge you every month until you pass. A cheap monthly fee gets expensive if you need three or four months.
  • One-time plans cost the same however long you take, but you pay again if you fail and buy a new evaluation.
  • Activation fees are charged once, after you pass. They are often the biggest part of the bill. See which firms charge none.

Be honest with your inputs. Most traders need more than one month and more than one attempt, and that is exactly when the rankings change. Prices are list prices for a 50K account, checked against each firm's own site. Updated November 2026.

Questions

Why does the cheapest prop firm change with more months?

Monthly plans charge you again every month until you pass, while one-time plans do not. A $49 a month evaluation beats a $150 one-time evaluation if you pass in the first month, but after three or four months it costs more.

How do failed attempts change the cost?

With a one-time plan, failing usually means buying a new evaluation, so each attempt adds the full price. With a monthly plan you normally keep paying the monthly fee, or pay a reset. The calculator counts each attempt as at least one month on monthly plans.

Do discount codes make a big difference?

On the first purchase, often yes. Most codes only apply to the first payment, so they matter less the more months or attempts it takes you. A few monthly deals last for every month, and the calculator applies those to each month. Tick "Apply current discount codes" to see the effect.

Related

Prop firms with no activation feeWhere the evaluation price is the whole price.Prop firms with no monthly feeOne-time evaluations that do not cost more if you take longer.Current discount codesEvery live deal, sorted by real cost to funded.