Best prop firm in 2026: our ranking
A good prop firm is first and foremost a company that pays out, with rules you can actually stick to. The price of the challenge comes second. We compared four of the firms most used by UK and English-speaking traders on their loss rules, prices, payouts, platforms and automated trading.
Our pick: FTMO. It is the oldest and most established of the four, its two-step rules have no time limit, the fee is refunded with the first profit split, and it is the only one that officially confirms both cTrader and the use of bots.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Two-step challenge rules, side by side
On all three of these offers, the maximum overall loss is calculated on the starting balance (static). Phase 2: a 5% target at all three. Checked on 31 October 2026.
The ranking in one table
| FTMO | FundedNext | The5%ers | E8 Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry price | from €89 (2-Step) | 25k: $159.99 on promotion (2-Step) | Check on the website | Check on the website |
| Profit split | up to 90% | 80%, up to 90-95% | 80%, up to 100% with scaling | up to 100% advertised |
| Time limit | none | none | none (expires after 30 days of inactivity) | none (1 trade every 60 days) |
| Format | 1 or 2 steps | 1 or 2 steps | 1, 2 or 3 steps | 1 phase |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes | Yes (+$10) | Yes |
| Bots (EAs, cBots) | Allowed, with limits | Not on cTrader, MT4/MT5 under 50k only | Allowed, with conditions | Allowed, with caps |
1. FTMO: the benchmark
Founded in 2014, FTMO has become the best-known brand in the industry and acquired the broker OANDA, a deal completed at the end of 2025. It offers a two-step challenge (targets of 10% then 5%, 5% daily loss, 10% maximum overall loss, a minimum of 4 trading days per phase, no time limit), a tighter one-step challenge and an instant account.
The available platforms are MT4, MT5 and cTrader. Bots are allowed, but FTMO prohibits practices that exploit latency or pricing errors, coordinated opposing positions across accounts, and more than 2,000 server requests per day.
The weak point: it is not the cheapest, and the 1-Step rules (3% daily loss, a maximum loss that trails your balance, a consistency rule) demand discipline.
See FTMO challenges2. FundedNext: the cheapest on promotion
FundedNext draws traders in with frequent promotions and a lower phase 1 target (8% instead of 10% on the Stellar 2-Step). The split starts at 80% and can rise to 90%, or even 95% with a paid add-on. Payouts on the 1-Step offer are quick: first withdrawal within 7 days, then every 5 business days.
The big drawback for automated traders: bots are prohibited on cTrader and Match-Trader. They are only allowed on MT4/MT5, on accounts below 50k, with a paid add-on.
Read our full FundedNext review
See FundedNext challenges3. The5%ers: for long-term growth
The5%ers stands out for its scaling programme, with a split that can reach 100%. Its High Stakes challenge follows the classic rules (10% then 5%, 5% daily loss, 10% maximum overall loss). You must avoid trading in the 2 minutes around high-impact economic releases, and the account expires after 30 days without activity. Its one-step Growth programme pauses the account after a 3% loss in a day instead of failing it.
See The5%ers programmes4. E8 Markets: a single phase, tight rules
E8 Markets now only offers single-phase evaluations. On E8 One, the target is 6%, with a 3% daily loss and a 4% maximum overall loss that trails your profits. E8 Pro targets 8%, but a single day can only count for 2%. No time limit, bots allowed with caps, and a wide choice of platforms including cTrader. The margin for error is small: experience helps.
Read our full E8 Markets review
See E8 Markets offersHow to choose
- You are new to prop firms: a two-step challenge with no time limit and a fee refund. FTMO or FundedNext.
- You trade with a cBot on cTrader: FTMO. Read our guide to cTrader-compatible prop firms.
- Your budget is tight: keep an eye on FundedNext promotions and start with a small account.
Challenges are paid evaluations and most participants fail. Only buy a challenge with money you can afford to lose. Read the risk warning