We’ve all seen how many prop firms suddenly crashed, with others refusing to pay traders after making profits with them, of which we also experienced with a number of them, especially HFT providers. We saw the tweets. The posts. The panic. “Prop firm is dead.” “No more MT4 or MT5 accounts.” “Eightcap is shutting down”, and so on.
The noise got even louder, especially around late 2024. Prop firm spaces were shaking, and a lot of traders, including funded ones, started asking the same question:
Is prop firm funding still worth it? Or even alive at all?
Let’s clear the air.
Prop firm funded accounts is dead?. No. It just got more serious.
Prop Firm Funded Accounts Is Dead? – Why the Rumor Spread Fast
Sometime around Q2 of 2024, prop trading groups and online forums were flooded with screenshots of MetaTrader being pulled, brokers issuing notices, and accounts being deactivated without warning, thereby suggesting that prop firm funded accounts is dead or has failed.
Some traders began losing funded accounts. Others faced platform issues or got migrated to a different trading platform. Meanwhile, Telegram channels, Reddit threads, and X (formerly Twitter) posts screamed:
“RIP prop firms.”
“They’re just cash grabs now.”
Truth is, many of the shady ones were. But not all.
Here at PropTradingPros, we’d been following the space closely. So much was changing so fast, we lost a number of our funded accounts to some of these sneaky firms too. But rather than churn out half-baked opinions, we decided to take a step back, observe, and wait out the storm.
Now that we’ve done that, here’s what really happened — and where we go from here.
Prop Firm Shakedown of 2024: What Really Happened
The truth is, the prop firm industry has been through some fire lately. Let’s break it down:
1. MetaQuotes Shut the Gate
One of the biggest hits came when MetaQuotes started restricting brokers from offering MT4 and MT5 licenses, especially through Eightcap and other broker partners many prop firms used. This caused a fallout as a bunch of popular prop firms who relied on these platforms lost access and were left scrambling for alternative platforms like cTrader or DXtrade.
Traders were forced to migrate to new platforms like DXtrade, cTrader and TradeLocker. Some didn’t even know what hit them. The user experience suffered.
2. Prop Firm Regulation Clampdown
Regulatory scrutiny especially in the U.S. and Europe increased. More eyes turned to the prop firm industry, especially as some shady firms exploited the model. Overpromising, underdelivering, or worse still never intending to pay out. It started with the big My Forex Funds in late 2023 and extended to others afterwards. Some firms disappeared overnight. Others got called out for sketchy practices making traders to lose trust, and that trust is what this model thrives on.
The result? Some firms went dark. Others were publicly exposed. And in this wave of clean-up, a lot of small-time operators simply shut down.
3. HFT & Arbitrage Prop Firms Wiped Out
A whole breed of high-frequency trading (HFT) firms that allowed news scalping, and EA-driven sniper models with low-latency arbitrage strategies simply died off. Because the real system these HFT EAs and Algo were built to work on have been terminated, maybe because they weren’t really built for long-term sustainability and it became a game over.
The death of these firms sent shockwaves. Suddenly, traders had to rethink not just where they got funded, but how they traded.
Why We Took a Step Back
We’re not going to lie: all these affected even us in several ways.
At PropTradingPros, we decided to take a break from posting new updates. The goal was to study the evolving market, watch the trends, and most importantly, identify which prop firms are still solid, legit, and sustainable.
And now, we’re back, even stronger—with our 2025 list of top prop firms you can count on. These are not just random picks, they are prop trading firms that have stood the test of time and storm, upgraded their models, adjusted their payout systems, and improved transparency.
The Real Trader Pain Points in 2024
Let’s acknowledge the reality for most traders last year:
- Funding accounts vanished overnight – No good explanation. Just platform access revoked.
- Delayed payouts – Some prop firms kept pushing the goalpost. Others cited “security reviews” forever or even claimed account breach.
- Fake trading rules – With hidden rules, or conditions that made real withdrawal nearly impossible.
- No transparency – Terms changed mid-way. Or support went silent.
This made traders understandably skeptical. Many, quit prop trading entirely.
But a core truth remains: the model isn’t broken. Just the bad actors were flushed out.
Best Prop Firms for 2025 – Our Top Picks
Even though some traders believed that prop firm funded accounts is dead, we know that this only helped to wipe out the sneaky ones and shape the market. Here is a list of prop firms we have found to be solid, secure and reliable. They process payouts unlike many of those in the past that inconsidrably denied traders their payouts.
1. FTMO – The Original King
Why we like it:
- Time-tested and trusted globally
- Regulated prop firm with tight risk management
- Multi-currency accounts
- Offers MT4, MT5, cTrader and DXTrade platforms
FTMO Funding Models:
- Two-phase Evaluation: Starting from just €89 for a $10,000 account to €1,080 for $200k account
- Scaling plan allows capital growth up to $400k and beyond
Visit FTMO Official Website for more information.
Payout Schedule:
- Paid out over €40 million+ to traders
- 1 – 2 Business days payouts upon confirming the invoice.
- Receive by bank wire transfer, instant transfer via Visa Direct/Mastercard, Skrill, or cryptocurrencies, at no additional commissions.
Pros:
- Great dashboard
- Deep liquidity
- Fast payout, less than 24 hours
- Excellent trader support
2. Funded Trading Plus – Trusted Prop Firm
Why we like it:
- Hot one-phase Experienced Programs from $12.5k
- Offers instant funding, no evaluation needed
- Simple rules, flexible trading conditions
- Payout from 0 days on some packages
- Customizable accounts
- Multiple platforms: MT5, Match-Trader, DXtrade & cTrader
FTP Funding Packages:
- Instant Master: No targets, 6% Daily drawdown starts at $225 for $5k to $4,500 for $100k accounts
- One-phase Experienced: 4% Daily drawdown, 10% profit targets from $119 for $5k to $949 for $200k accounts
- Two-phase Advanced: 5% Daily drawdown, 10% & 5% profit targets from $249 for $25k to $1,099 for $200k accounts
- Two-phase Premium: 4% Daily drawdown, 8% & 5% profit targets from $247 for $25k to $1,097 for $200k accounts
- Two-phase Prestige: 5% Daily static drawdown, 10% & 5% profit targets from $299 for $25k to $649 for $100k accounts
FTP Discount Codes: 15EXPER for 15% off $12.5k, $25k & $50k One-phase Exprienced Programs valid until August 3rd 2025. Or PTP10 for 10% off any trading package.
Visit Funded Trading Plus official Website for more details on their offers and features.
Payout Schedule:
- $50 minimum, On-demand & Weekly payouts
- Up to 100% profit share
Pros:
- No time pressure
- EA-friendly
- Affordable entry
3. InstantFunding.io – True Instant Access
Why we like it:
- Instant Funding accounts with 4.3x higher payout chance. No stress
- Customizable Accounts
- On-demand payout
- Commission-free & RAW Spreeds
- News trading, overnight & weekend holding
Instant Funding Packages:
- Instant Funding: No targets, 10% Max drawdown starts at $44 for $625 to $3,460 for $80k accounts
- One-phase: 3% Daily drawdown, 10% profit target starts at $49 for $5k to $977 for $200k accounts
- Two-phase: 5% Daily drawdown, 10% & 5% profit targets starts at $49 for $5k to $1,049 for $200k accounts
- Scaling: doubles at 10% profit, up to $1.28m
Instantfunding Discount Codes: LEAP save 30% unlimited-use on any product. Or LAUNCH for 20% off, a 90% profit split, major-news trading, and weekend holding. Alternatively PTP10OFF save 10% indefinite.
Visit Instantfunding official Website for more info.
Payout:
- On-demand, bi-weekly payouts
- Profit split: 80%, up to 90%
Unique Feature:
- Extremely trader-focused with fast onboarding
- Affordable price
4. Maven Trading – The Underrated Gem
Why we like it:
- Fast payment
- Easiest to get funded account
- Very affordable Instant funding + Evaluation
- Refundable fee
- Weekend holding, swap free, buyback feature
- Supports Metatrader 5, Match-Trader and cTrader
Maven Trading Packages:
- Evaluation packages: 1 step, 2 step 3 step evaluation starting at $13 for $2k account to $440 for $100k account
- Instant Funding: starting at $19 for $2k account $549 for $100k account
Visit Maven Trading official Website. for deals and other infomation.
Payouts:
- Same day payout
- Up to 90% profit share
5. E8 Markets – Forex and Futures Trading
Why we like it:
- Forex & Futures trading
- Up to 14% daily drawdown
- Over $56,000,000 paid to Traders
- Platforms: Match-Trader, Platform 5, cTrader & TradeLocker
E8 Funding Plans:
- Forex Evaluation: 1-step, 2-step & 3-step startig from $40 for $5,000 account to $4,460 for $500k account.
- Futures Evaluation: Model 1, Model 2 & Model 3 starting from $68/mo for $50k 1-step evaluation to the highest which is $1,176 for $150k Model 3 account.
E8 Markets discount codes: E8PATH for 20% off for new customers or REB8 for 5% off for existing customers. Visit E8Markets official Website for more details.
Payout:
- Payout on-demand
- 80%, up to 100% profit split
6. FTUK (Forex Traders UK) – Simple Structure
Why we like it:
- Very affordable plans
- No Stoplosses, No News Restrictions, No Max Lot Sizes
- Payouts on DEMAND
- Overnight & weekend holding
- Platforms MatchTrader, DXtrade and TradeLocker
FTUK Funding Options:
- Instant Funding: No targets, 5% Daily drawdown starts at $119 for $5k to $1,499 for $100k account
- One Step: 4% Daily drawdown, 10% profit target starts at $179 for $10k account to $649 for $100k accounts
- Two Step: 5% Daily drawdown, 10% & 5% profit targets starts at $99 for $10k account to $499 for $100k account.
- Scaling: at 10% profit, up to $6.4m
Ftuk Discount Codes: EDGE30 save 30% off all programs | 1Step: 12% Max DD, 6% Daily DD +80% Profit Split on L1 | Instant & 2Step: + Level 7 add-on.
Visit Ftuk official Website for more details and deals.
Payout:
- On-deman payout
- Profit share up to 80%
7. The5ers – Better Funding for Traders
Why we like it:
- Doubling your funded account on every target reach
- Holding open trades over the weekend
- News trading allowed (with some restrictions)
The5ers Funding Options:
- Hyper Growth 1-step program: starting from $260 for a $10k to $850 for $40k accounts
- High Stakes 2-step program: High–risk high–reward starts from $39 for $5k to $545 for $100k accounts
- Bootcamp 3-step program: low-cost evaluation starting from $95 for $25k account
Visit The5ers official Website for more information.
Payout:
- First payout, 14 days from date of funded account, max 72 hours processing time
- 50%, up to 100% profit split
8. Lark Funding – Fast, No Delays
Why we like it:
- Instant payout in under 6 hours. No delays, no excuses
- Instant access and multiple evaluation options
- Supports Match-Trader and DXtrade
Lark Funding Models:
- Instant Funding from $200 for $5k, to $4,500 for $100k accounts
- 1-step from $75 for $5k to $1,000 for $200k accounts
- 2-step evaluation from $50 for $5k to $500 for $100k accounts
- 2-step evaluation from $60 for $5k to $700 for $200k accounts
Visit Lark Funding official Website for more details
Payout Schedule:
- Payout within 6 hours
- 80%, up to 90% profit split
9. OneUp Trader
Why we like it:
- FREE NinjaTrader License
- Free unlimited profit withdrawals from day 1
- Affordable fee, $65/mo for $15k account
- A generous 90% profit split
- 7 Days free trial
Oneup Trader Objectives:
- One-Step challenge from $65/mo for $25k account
- Starts from 6% max drawdown, 6% profit target
- No daily drawdown
Visit OneUp Trader official Website for more details
Payout:
- 1 – 2 business days payouts via Bank transfer or same day withdrawal via cryptocurrency
- Profit share: 90%, up to 100%
10. FXIFY – Top-Tier Funding
Why we like it:
- Offers customizable accounts
- EAs Trading
- News trading
- Weekend holding
- Institutional trading environment
- Supports MT4, MT5, DXtrade
Fxify Funding Models:
- Instant Funding from $69 for $1k, to $4,249 for $100k accounts
- One phase evaluation from $59 for $5k to $2,950 for $400k accounts
- Two phase evaluation from $59 for $5k to $2,950 for $400k accounts
- Three phase evaluation from $39 for $5k to $1,599 for $400k accounts
- Lighting 1-step account from $59 for $10k to $399 for $100k accounts
Fxify discount codes: INSTANT40 for 40% off all Instant Funding accounts for new customers only, or JULY4 for 20% on all evaluation + 2 free add-ons [90% profit split & Bi-Weekly Payout].
Visit FxIfy official Website for more details
Payout:
- First payout after 5 days
- Profit share: 75% – 90%
11. GOAT Funded Trader – Truly The Goat?
Why we like it:
- Offers multiple funding options forevery trader
- Customizable accounts with ad-ons
- News trading
- Overnight & weekend holding
- Supports MT4, MT5, DXtrade
Goat Funded Trader Models:
- Instant Funding Goat from $75 for $5k, to $943 for $200k accounts
- Instant Funding Goat from $68 for $2.5k, to $1,398 for $50k accounts
- 1 step evaluation from $124 for $15k to $768 for $200k accounts
- 2 step Goat evaluation from $17 for $5k to $439 for $150k accounts
- 2 step Standard evaluation from $17 for $5k to $712 for $200k accounts
- 2 step Pro evaluation from $17 for $5k to $733 for $200k accounts
- 3 step Goat evaluation from $45 for $10k to $465 for $200k accounts
Goat Funded Trader discount codes: SUMMER30 for 30% plus 100% refund of fee.
Visit Goat Funded Trader official Website for more details.
Payout:
- First payout on-demand, after 10 days, bi-weekly or 30 days
- Profit share: 80% – 100% with add-ons
12. OFP Funding – Instant No Evaluation Accounts
Why we like it:
- OFP no evaluation accounts with low fee
- On-demand payout
- Highly customizable accounts with add-ons
- Platforms: cTrader, MatchTrade, Tradelocker
OFP Funding Options:
- Instant Funding accounts starting at $35 for $5k account to $1,155 for $300k accounts
OFP discount code: HOT30 for 30% off for Instant Funding accounts, how to get a funded trading account with ofp?
Visit OFP Funding official Website for more, valid until 14th July 2025.
Payout Schedule:
- On-demand, Bi-weekly & Monthly payouts
- Profit split up to 100%
What Type of Trader Should Use Each Prop Firm?
Not all prop firms are the same — and neither are traders. Here’s our short recommendation based on trading style:
Beginners or Learning Traders:
- FTUK – Simple rules, lower risk
- The5ers – Low drawdown + lots of educational support
EA & Automation Traders:
- Funded Trading Plus – EA-friendly and simple drawdown rules
- FXIFY – Allows automation, strong infrastructure
Aggressive Scalpers Style:
- E8 Markets – Low spreads, fast execution
- Lark Funding – Flexible rules
Swing / Long-Term Position Traders:
- FTMO – Classic, supports longer-term trades
- Maven Trading – Well-rounded with room to scale
Instant Access, No Evaluation:
- InstantFunding.io
- OFP Funding
You can always mix styles — but these picks will give you the least headaches based on how you trade. Please read their trading rules to know what’s best for your trading style.
Final Thoughts: Prop Trading Is Not Dead, It Just Evolved
Yes, the prop firm industry changed. A lot of the fluff and fake hype got filtered out. But what’s left? Stronger prop firms, better rules, more transparency, and real opportunity.
This isn’t the same industry it was in 2023. It’s now leaner. It’s now stricter. But it’s also more real.
So don’t buy the fear. Buy the facts.
If you’re still dreaming of trading professionally and getting funded in 2025, these prop firms might actually be a better place to start.
We’ve done the work. We’re back with the real ones that are still paying. You decide what happens next. And don’t worry, we’ll keep updating the site as we keep testing these firms.
Got questions? Please drop them in the comments. If you want exclusive prop firm discount codes, subscribe to our updates. We’re there too.
Get you funded — the right way.
— The PropTradingPros Team
