This article is about the Best Prop Firms That Refund Challenge Fees After the First Payout. These prop firms refund traders’ evaluation fees once they receive a funded payout.
We will highlight and contrast Refund Policies, Account Sizes, Trading Conditions, Payout Structures, and Refund Features. By doing so, we hope to assist you in selecting a prop firm that aligns with your trading style.
What is a prop firm challenge fee refund?
A challenge fee refund is a benefit provided by many proprietary trading firms. This benefit states that if a trader receives a payout on their first funded account, then the challenge or evaluation fee will be reimbursed.
This benefit is appealing to traders because it reduces the financial risk of joining the prop firm. The fee will not be treated as a sunk cost, because prop firms reimburse the fee for traders who meet the challenge.
Because of this, traders will view the trading program as a cost that is reimbursed upon successful trading, which makes the funded trading program more appealing.
Why Select a Prop Firm That Refunds Challenge Fees?
- Challenge fee refunds improve ROI post payout.
- Overall, trading expenses decrease with a greater initial funded trading payout profit.
- Refund the initial investment upon successful funding payout.
- Funds available to cover challenge expenses.
- Challenge fees aren’t wasted.
- Encourages disciplined trading as traders are less likely to treat trading as a game.
- Challenge fees more likely to be a short-term expense.
- Challenge provides extra trading capital.
- Indicates the firm’s trust in their funding and evaluation process.
- Challenge refunds make funded trading opportunities more accessible.
- Challenge refunds allow traders to focus on performance.
Key Poinst & Best Prop Firms That Refund Challenge Fees After the First Payout
| Prop Firm | Refund Policy & Account Size |
|---|---|
| FTMO | Refund issued with first profit withdrawal on eligible two-step challenges only. Account sizes available from $10K–$200K. |
| FundedNext | Fee returned with the first withdrawal on Stellar two-step funded accounts. Account sizes range from $6K–$300K. |
| FundingPips | Registration fee fully refunded after receiving your first successful payout. Account sizes range from $5K–$100K. |
| Topstep | The evaluation fee is refunded completely after the first funded account payout is received. Account sizes available from $50K–$150K. |
| The5ers | Challenge fee refunded with the very first payout from a funded account. Account sizes range from $5K–$100K. |
| Goat Funded Trader | Full fee refund provided upon receiving your first payout successfully. Account sizes available from $5K–$200K. |
| E8 Funding | The initial evaluation fee is refunded after first funded payout achievement successfully. Account sizes range from $25K–$250K. |
| AquaFunded | Challenge fee refunded on the first successful withdrawal from a funded account. Account sizes available from $10K–$200K. |
| FXIFY | Entry fee returned with first payout under refundable account programs. Account sizes range from $15K–$400K. |
| OneFunded | The evaluation fee is refunded completely after the first profit withdrawal is processed. Account sizes available from $5K–$200K. |
10 Best Prop Firms That Refund Challenge Fees After the First Payout
1. FTMO
FTMO might be the best proprietary trading firm option for serious traders. Because they offer accounts sized between $10K and $200K as part of their two-step evaluation challenge, both beginner and professional traders have an opportunity to participate.

Benefit from the evaluation and get a refund of the challenge fee to withdraw profit for the first time from your funded account.
FTMO users also get advanced trading analytics, educational tools, and swift customer support. Together with their transparent rules and reputation, FTMO is the number one choice for most traders globally.
FTMO Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong industry reputation and proven payout history | The two-step challenge may take longer to complete |
| Advanced trading analytics and performance tools | Fee refund not available on some challenge types |
| Excellent educational resources and trader support | Strict risk-management rules for beginners |
2. FundedNext
FundedNext integrates appealing payout conditions with a flexible evaluation system. Choose your challenge from $6K to $300K based on your funding goals and level of experience. If you have a Stellar 2-Step account, the challenge fee will be refunded with your first withdrawal, ensuring you profit.

Their multilingual customer support, competitive profit splits, and excellent scaling make them a great option. Their strong dashboard and promotions make them a great option among modern prop firms.
FundedNext Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Large account sizes up to $300K | Refund terms vary between account models |
| Frequent promotions and discount offers | Some programs have complex payout structures |
| Multilingual customer support | Rules can differ significantly across challenges |
3. FundingPips
FundingPips has a direct challenge and trader-friendly funding program. With a choice of account sizes of $5K and $100K, they have diversity for many trading styles.

Payers of the registration fee receive a full refund after their successful first payout. FundingPips also has fast payout processing, easy trading goals, and great support. With their flexible trading and clear scaling, they have a great reputation among funded traders.
FundingPips Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Simple evaluation objectives | The maximum account size is lower than that of some competitors |
| Fast payout processing system | Fewer advanced trader tools available |
| Challenge fee refunded after first payout | Newer brand compared with established firms |
4. Topstep
Topstep is an average prop firm that focuses on futures trading. They cater to traders with buying power aspirations between $50K and $150K. A unique feature of Topstep is that the assessment fee is returned after the first payout with the funded account.

Because of this feature, Topstep does not charge an assessment fee. Topstep aims to help traders by offering educational coaching, performance tracking, and an assessment. A dedicated trader support team and a strong industry presence in futures make Topstep an ideal firm for disciplined traders.
Topstep Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Specialized for futures traders | Not ideal for forex-focused traders |
| High-quality coaching and education | Limited account size flexibility |
| Evaluation fee refunded after the first payout | Futures trading experience often required |
5. The5ers
Funding flexibility is offered by The5ers, and they appear to be the only firm that takes a long-term view and aims to develop their traders over time. Their account sizes range from $5K to $100K, meaning that a trader can choose a plan that caters to their aspirations.

The challenge fee is returned with the first payout of a funded account. They also have a flexible instant funding option with an aggressive scaling plan and trader support.
Because of their long-term view and focus on app funding, they are a great firm for traders who require funding with a sustainable perspective.
The5ers Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Instant funding options available | Smaller maximum account size than some rivals |
| Long-term account scaling opportunities | Evaluation requirements can be demanding |
| Strong focus on trader growth | Limited challenge variety compared to competitors |
6. Goat Funded Trader
Goat Funded Trader has attractively priced challenges and trader-friendly policies. Account sizes range from $5K to $200K, sponsored challenges have their fees refunded upon the first payout, and traders enjoy a generous profit split along with favorable trading conditions and frequent promos.

Supported by a responsive customer service team, participants appreciate low challenge fees and funded account offers. Recently, Goat Funded Trader has gained a new customer base of both novice and seasoned traders for their deceptively simple offers.
Goat Funded Trader Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable challenge entry fees | Newer company with a shorter track record |
| Flexible trading conditions | Policies may change as platform expands |
| Refund available on first payout | Fewer educational resources than leading firms |
7. E8 Funding
E8 Funding believes in using technology to create flexible funding options for traders. Participants can access between $25,000 to $250,000 to trade. The first evaluation cost is paid back after the first funded payout. This helps traders get their money back quickly.

There are new and more advanced performance dashboards, challenge requirements, and customer service offered. With efforts on innovating and developing traders, E8 Funding is one of the fastest-growing prop firms.
E8 Funding Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Modern trading dashboard and analytics | Higher starting account sizes may cost more |
| Funding up to $250K available | Evaluation rules require careful risk management |
| Transparent challenge requirements | Less community history than older firms |
8. c
AquaFunded is growing in popularity due to its profit-sharing and favorable conditions for traders. AquaFunded offers accounts of $10,000 to $200,000 and pays back challenge costs with the first withdrawal.

AquaFunded supports a favorable payout policy and flexible trading conditions. AquaFunded’s low cost of entry, much funding, and clear policies is liked by traders who take their trading seriously.
AquaFunded Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Attractive profit-sharing structure | The brand is relatively new in the industry |
| Flexible trading rules | Fewer account options than larger competitors |
| Challenge fee refunded after first withdrawal | Limited long-term performance history |
9. FXIFY
FXIFY offers one of the largest account sizes in the industry, from $15,000 to $400,000. The entry cost is paid back by the first payout. FXIFY is popular for its flexible account sizes, drawdown options, and challenge formats.

FXIFY customers even get advanced support and a variety of ways to scale. FXIFY is popular because of its wide variety of funding options, its ambitious traders, and its support for trader growth.
FXIFY Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Large account sizes up to $400K | Higher-priced programs for larger accounts |
| Multiple challenge formats available | Rules vary across account types |
| Static drawdown options offered | Beginners may find choices overwhelming |
10. OneFunded
The quick payouts and simple funding procedures at OneFunded have made it a popular new prop firm. This firm offers $5K to $200K account balances for traders to select from based on their experience and goals. Evaluation fees are reimbursed after the first profit withdrawal

So, there is no financial burden for achieving success. OneFunded’s efficient support and flexible trading conditions, as well as their transparent rules, all work to their advantage. The industry will be unable to ignore them for a long time.
OneFunded Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Fast payout processing reputation | Smaller community compared with major firms |
| Straightforward funding process | Limited historical performance data |
| Full fee refund after first withdrawal | Fewer educational resources available |
Conclusion
To summarize, the top proprietary firms that reimburse challenge fees after the initial payout provide an affordable option to supported trading.
The firms FTMO, FundedNext, FundingPips, Topstep, The5ers, and FXIFY integrate fee refunds with attractive account sizes, excellent scaling, and supportive structures.
Selecting a reliable firm with a refund policy allows traders to decrease the initial investment and risk while increasing the flexibility and the potential of supported trading in the future.
FAQ
Yes, FTMO refunds the fee with the first profit withdrawal on eligible two-step challenges.
Refunds are usually provided only after successfully passing the evaluation and receiving a funded payout.
FXIFY offers account sizes up to $400K, one of the largest among refund-based prop firms.
Most prop firms add the refunded challenge fee directly to your first funded withdrawal.
Yes, many firms offer smaller accounts starting from $5K, making them beginner-friendly.














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