How to Get a Prop Firm Account
Sign up for a futures prop firm evaluation account. Pass the test, and you get to trade with their money and keep most of the profits.
What Is a Prop Firm Evaluation?
A prop firm evaluation is like a test drive. The firm gives you a simulated account with $150,000 in it. You trade with that fake money. If you make enough profit without losing too much, you "pass." Then the firm gives you a real funded account. You trade with their money and keep 80–100% of the profits you make.
Every firm has rules you must follow. The two biggest rules are the profit target (how much you need to make) and the drawdown (the most you're allowed to lose). If your account drops below the drawdown limit, you fail and have to start over.
Three Things to Always Remember
You Need a Tradovate Login
That's what your trading service uses to place trades. Every firm below gives you Tradovate credentials after you sign up.
Pick the $150K Account
Every time you sign up, choose the $150K account size. This is the recommended size for the best balance of cost and opportunity.
Always Use a Coupon Code
Never pay full price. These firms almost always have discounts of 20–90% off. Each firm section below has coupon codes you can copy.
Quick Comparison — All Six Firms
| Firm | Cost (w/ discount) | Target | Drawdown | Type | Min Days | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apex | ~$40 | $9,000 | $5,000 | Trailing intraday | 7 | $105/mo |
| BluSky | ~$119 | $3,000 | $1,000 | Static (fixed) | 4–8 | $0 |
| MFF (Rapid) | ~$278 | $9,000 | $4,500 | Trailing EOD | 2 | $0 |
| Take Profit | ~$216 | $9,000 | $4,500 | Trailing EOD | 5 | $130* |
| Elite | ~$180–210 | $9,000 | $5,000 | Trailing intraday | 5 | $80/mo |
| TradeDay | ~$210 | $9,000 | $4,000 | Trailing intraday | 5 | $0 |
* Waived with NOFEE coupon codes. Click any row to jump to that firm's guide.
Detailed Sign-Up Guides
The Basics
Apex Trader Funding is one of the biggest and most popular futures prop firms. They started in 2021 in Austin, Texas. They have paid out over $500 million to traders. Apex runs big sales (up to 90% off) almost every month, making it one of the cheapest ways to get a funded account.
apextraderfunding.com$150K Account Details
How the Trailing Drawdown Works
Your drawdown starts at $145,000 ($150,000 minus $5,000). As your account goes up, the drawdown line moves up too — but it never moves back down. For example, if your account reaches $154,000 (even for a moment during a trade), your new drawdown line is $149,000. If your account then drops below $149,000, you fail.
This is the #1 reason traders fail — be careful with it. On Tradovate, the trailing drawdown never stops trailing during the evaluation.
How to Sign Up — Step by Step
Go to the website
Open your web browser and go to apextraderfunding.com.
Find the Tradovate plans
Scroll down on the main page until you see the pricing section. You will see tabs that say Rithmic, Tradovate, and WealthCharts. Click on the Tradovate tab.
Pick the 150K plan
Look for the plan called "150K Full" under the Tradovate tab. Click the "Start Now" button next to it.
Fill in your information
Type in your full legal name (the name on your ID — this is very important), your email address, phone number, and home address.
Enter your coupon code
Look for the box that says "Enter coupon code." Type in your code (see the coupon section below).
Do NOT check the box that says "I agree not to use a coupon code" — if you check that box, you will pay full price and cannot undo it.
Agree to the rules
Check all the boxes for the terms, privacy policy, and billing agreement. Then click "Next."
Pay
On the payment page, make sure the price shown matches the discounted price. Enter your credit or debit card information and click submit.
Set up Tradovate
After you pay, you will get Tradovate login details in your email and on your Apex dashboard. Go to trader.tradovate.com in your web browser (use a computer, not the phone app). Log in with the username and password Apex gave you. Choose "Non-Professional" when asked. Sign the data agreements. Wait 10–90 minutes for your data to turn on.
Coupon Codes
As of February 2026, Apex is running a 90% off sale on all evaluations. First month is 90% off, recurring months are 50% off.
Tips for New Users
Never pay full price. Always enter a coupon code before paying.
After passing, you pay a $105/month activation fee (or $280 one-time) to start your funded account.
Your profit split is 100% on the first $25,000 you earn, then 90/10 after that.
Firms That Were Considered but Excluded
No longer supports Tradovate. Since July 2025, all new accounts must use TopstepX (their own platform). Your trading service cannot connect through Tradovate.
Uses Rithmic only. Does not support Tradovate at all.
Primarily Rithmic-based. Does not offer native Tradovate login credentials.
General Tips That Apply to Every Firm
Before You Sign Up
Always look for a coupon code first. Every firm runs regular discounts of 20–90% off. Never pay full price.
Make sure you select Tradovate as your platform (or CQG at Take Profit Trader, which connects to Tradovate).
Always choose the $150K account size.
Use your real legal name (the name on your government ID) when signing up. If your name doesn't match your ID, you will not be able to get paid later.
After You Sign Up
Go to trader.tradovate.com on a computer (not the phone app) to set up your Tradovate account.
When Tradovate asks if you are a "Professional" or "Non-Professional," choose Non-Professional.
Sign all the data agreements so your market data turns on.
Your Tradovate username and password are what you'll use to connect your account. Keep them safe.
Common Questions
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