10 Best Prop Firms Using Simulated Trading in 2026

In this article, I will discuss the best prop firms using simulated trading in 2026. I will focus on trusted firms that provide their traders with fair evaluations, honest payouts, and prospects for steady growth. Following the demise of several MetaTrader firms in 2024-25, credibility and honesty have emerged as the yardsticks of success.

The firms featured in this article provide forex and futures trading and have been reviewed for profit splits, capital contribution limits, trading platforms, costs associated with trading, and payouts.

What Is Prop Firms Using Simulated Trading?

Prop firms use simulated trading to evaluate candidates on a copy firm capital account after a candidate completes a test account. As a candidate trades on the test account, they are under rules to meet profit targets, drawdown limits, and risk parameters.

The firms determine candidate profitability and funding potential after the test account duration; candidates receive funded accounts for real trading. Typically, candidates receive 70-100% of profits. Prop firm capital accounts support the trading platforms and platforms under MT4, MT5, cTrader, NinjaTrader and TradingView. Leverage set at 1:100 typically helps traders in trading forex and futures. The firm sets fees based on account size, with a range of $19 to $1,080.

Why Choose Prop Firms Using Simulated Trading

Evaluation of Skills Without Financial Risk – traders’ skills are evaluated in a risk-free trading environment, with no financial risk to the traders.

Delivery of Legitimate Payouts – even though evaluations are simulated, payouts that are delivered are genuine once capital is provided.

High Profit Payouts – Many firms provide payouts from 70-100% of profits, rewarding consistent traders.

Extensive Growth Possibilities – The5ers and FundedNext provide the opportunity to grow up to $4M.

Low Entry Cost – Evaluations priced as low as $19 are offered.

Varying Trading Platforms – support for MT4, MT5, cTrader, NinjaTrader, TradingView and more.

Firm Flexibility – some firms allow overnight/weekend trading, while others are predominately intraday.

Quick Payouts – FundedNext and MyFundedFutures process payouts in 24 hours.

Extended Education – Firms like CTI provide academies and mentorship with funding.

Potential for Live Funding – Futures firms like Phidias and Topstep provide transition services to a funded live brokerage account.

Key Points

1. FundingPips

Started in 2022 (Dubai), FundingPips is now one of the most reviewed CFD prop firms with $137M+ verified payouts. Their account sizes range from $5K – $300K, and can go as high as $2M, and they offer four challenge models: 1-Step, 2-Step, Pro, and Zero (instant funding).

Profit splits go up to 100%, with most splits occurring at the 95% mark. FundingPips has platform offerings of MT5, cTrader, MatchTrader, and TradeLocker. Drawdowns vary: they are 10% static on the 2-Step model, 6% on the Pro model, and 5% on Zero, which is also a trailing drawdown.

Fees start at $29 – $69, but are refunded after the initial payout. Very competitive in its offerings, FundingPips has restrictions including no weekend holding on Zero and limited news trading. FundingPips is especially good for new traders looking for high potential payouts, low entry, and flexible evaluation options.

FundingPips Features, Pros & Cons

2. Tradeify

Founded in the USA in 2024, Tradeify is one of the first futures trading firms with account sizes as large as $300K. Tradeify has Growth, Select and Lightning evaluations, with End-of-Day trailing drawdown rules. Profit splits are 90% on simulated funded accounts, and 80% on Elite Live accounts. They use Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Quantower, Sierra Chart and WealthCharts.

Fees are one time and begin at $103 for a funded account of 50K with no monthly fees after that. Users can scale their accounts to Elite Live accounts after five payouts. Leverage is contract based with ES, NQ, YM, CL, GC and micros. Tradeify is aimed at disciplined intraday futures traders and provides flexibility and a direct route to live trading capital.

Tradeify Features, Pros & Cons

3. Topstep

Established in 2012 (Chicago), Topstep is one of the oldest futures prop firms with over $1.4 billion paid to traders. One of their offerings is a Trading Combine that costs $50K, $100K or $150K per month. Topstep pays traders 90% of the profits on a weekly basis. TopstepX, NinjaTrader, TradingView, and Quantower are the available trading platforms.

Traders can expect a 6% profit target for evaluations. Rules include daily drawdowns with a trailing loss limit of $1K to $3K, depending on the size of the account. Admin fees start at $49 per month, though these costs will be refunded if the traders successfully pass the evaluation.

Topstep offers the opportunity for traders to scale capital by maintaining multiple funded accounts. Topstep’s contract-based leverage for CME futures is limited. Topstep is great for traders who want educational support, consistent payouts, and positive trading system longevity, especially with their subscription-based model.

Topstep Features, Pros & Cons

4. Apex Trader Funding

Founded in 2021, in Austin, TX, Apex is the largest futures prop firm in terms of payout volume at $721M+. One-step evaluations are available at account sizes from $25K to $150K, and initial profit splits are 100%, becoming 90/10 after targets are hit. Trading platforms offered are Rithmic, Tradovate, and WealthCharts.

In 2026, Apex incorporated EOD trailing drawdown in their evaluations, making them more forgiving. Fees are typically 80-90% off, one-time only, at an entry price of $19.90. Each account is limited to six payouts after which the account is automatically closed. Scaling is available for up to 20 accounts, with copy trading. Apex is best for futures traders seeking an affordable entry price and quick aggressive scaling, but payout caps limit long-term potential.

Apex Trader Funding Features, Pros & Cons

5. MyFundedFutures

MyFundedFutures (MFFU), started in 2023, operates primarily in the United States. It looks at smaller accounts up to $150K and has Core, Scale, Pro, Rapid, Flex, and Builder Plans that each operate under their own rules.

Splits range from Builder/Pro at 80% to Rapid at 90%. Supported platforms include Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Quantower, Rithmic, and Fintevo. The drawdowns across the majority of the plans are End Of Day, or EOD, trailing, whereas Rapid switches to Intraday trailing after funding is given.

Pricing starts at $77/mo, and Rapid would allow users to receive payouts after less than one day trading a funded trade. There is the potential for users to gain more funds as users become more consistent. Rapid features a flexible drawdown, but Plans will charge a surplus as their rules become more complex.

MyFundedFutures Features, Pros & Cons

6. The5ers

The5ers is one of the first Forex prop firms established in 2016 (Israel). It offers Hyper Growth, High Stakes, and Bootcamp programs which can scale client accounts from $250K to $4M. Most client accounts run at 80% profit split.

Trading platforms include MT5 and cTrader, up to 1:100 leverage. Program fees range from $39 (Bootcamp) to $875 (High Stakes). Daily loss limits range from 3%-5%, and clients have drawdowns set at static levels. Payments are made bi-weekly to clients and have scalable trading paths for consistent traders. The5ers attracts forex traders interested in structured programs with multi-million dollar account scaling potential.

The5ers Features, Pros & Cons

7. FTMO

FTMO, started in 2015 in Prague with $500M+ Payouts, is the largest Forex Prop firm. Account sizes range from $10K–$200K, scaling to $2M. Profits over 80–90% of trades are kept and fees returned following the first payout. Supported platforms include MT4, MT5, cTrader and DXtrade with up to 1:100 leverage.

Drawdown and loss limits are set at 10% and 5% respectively, while the Best Day Rule suggests no individual trading day trumps 50% of total profits. Composite fees range from €89–€1,080. Traders can opt for monthly or request a payout at any time.

Swing accounts provide the ability to trade at any time, including over the trading day and news release periods. Traders looking for credibility, transparency, and an extended reach often choose FTMO.

FTMO Features, Pros & Cons

8. FundedNext

Launched in 2022, FundedNext has already paid out over $300M to 121,000 traders. Their programs include Stellar 1-Step, Stellar 2-Step, Stellar Lite, Stellar Instant, and Stellar Futures programs with account levels from $5K – $200K, or even $4M for those who qualify.

FundedNext even offers profit splits as high as 95% with a unique 15% profit share during evaluation. They also support MT4, MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader, Tradovate, and NinjaTrader. They have fees starting from $59.99 for $6K accounts and offer payouts within 24 hours (with a 3.5% withdrawal fee).

FundedNext has balance-based drawdowns but requires no trading consistency for Stellar. They are ideal for those looking for evaluation profit sharing, scalability, and fast payouts. Traders may also experience high withdrawal fees.

FundedNext Features, Pros & Cons

9. Phidias

Founded in 2024, Phidias is a proprietary futures trading firm based in France (Gibraltar). This firm is geared toward traders looking for flexibility with rules and a genuine opportunity for capital. They offer trader accounts in the ranges of $25,000 to $150,000 with the potential for growth to $300,000 with multiple accounts.

After five payouts, profit splits progress to 100% on Premium accounts. Platforms include Rithmic, Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, and DeepCharts, with leverages based on CME futures contracts of ES, NQ, CL, and GC. Fees are set at a fixed percentage, with many discounted services, for example, a $50,000 account costs $723 (evaluation fee).

Drawdowns are set to either end-of-day trailing or static, and Phidias had no limit for daily losses. Premium accounts empower traders to hold trades over night and through the weekend. Payouts are processed via RiseWorks.io or Deel with bi-weekly payouts on funded accounts and daily payouts on live accounts with live account upgrades available through Dorman Trading.

Phidias Features, Pros & Cons

10. City Traders Imperium

London prop firm City Traders Imperium (CTI) was launched in 2018. It stood out in the crowded market for its offering of longevity and structure in forex trading and CFDs. CTI offers account sizes from $10k to $200k, with a potential scale of account size to $2 million. Profit splits start at 70% and go to 85% based on performance and account choice.

CTI uses MT4 and MT5, with a provided leverage of 1:100 on forex pairs. Costs differ based on packages. Starter evaluations cost approximately £109 for small account sizes and go up from there for the advanced packages.

CTI supports funding trader development through its Trader Academy and combines this with opportunities for trading education. Monthly payouts come with static drawdowns, alongside daily risk limits, which help support traders looking for structure for growth. CTI is best suited for traders looking for long-term holding.

City Traders Imperium Features, Pros & Cons

Prop Firm Comparison (2026)

Conclusion

The 2026 prop trading landscape has stabilized following the intensities of 2024-25, and has now begun to favor more credible and transparent firms. In regards to firms with a solid payout and clear rule structure, FundingPips, Tradeify, and Topstep are strong competitors.

For firms more critically focused on futures, Apex Trader Funding, MyFundedFutures, and Phidias have more flexible evaluation criteria and provide more genuine access to live capital. In forex, The5ers, FTMO, FundedNext, and City Traders Imperium remain the top players with structured scaling and international credibility.

Ultimately, forex traders should be more concerned with the reliability of payouts and transparent rules rather than sophisticated marketing. A trader’s firm choice, dependent upon whether they trade forex CFDs or CME futures, also depends on the emphasis placed on sustainable growth, trustworthy profits, and long-term firm partnerships.

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