Best Prop Firms for Futures Traders in 2026

PropTallyMarch 1, 20265 min read

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Futures prop firms operate differently from their forex counterparts. You are trading real exchange-listed contracts on the CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX — not CFDs. That means regulated pricing, transparent execution, and a fundamentally different cost structure.

Here are the best futures prop firms in 2026 and what makes each one stand out.

What Makes a Good Futures Prop Firm?

Before diving into specific firms, here is what to evaluate:

Platform support: Rithmic, Tradovate, and NinjaTrader are the big three. Your preferred platform narrows your options.
Instruments: Most firms offer the major CME contracts (ES, NQ, YM, CL, GC), but micro contracts (MES, MNQ, MCL) availability varies.
Commissions: Per-contract fees range from $0.50 to $4.00 per side. Over hundreds of trades, this adds up significantly.
Drawdown type: Trailing vs. EOD vs. static — this matters more in futures because of intraday volatility.
Data fees: CME market data costs $10–$100/month depending on the bundle. Some firms cover this during evaluation but charge it for funded accounts.

Top Futures Prop Firms Compared

|---|---|---|---|---|---|

| Bulenox | 1 | $250K | EOD trailing | 90% | Rithmic |

| Earn2Trade | 1 | $200K | EOD trailing | 80% | Rithmic, NinjaTrader |

| Take Profit Trader | 1 | $150K | EOD trailing | 80–90% | Rithmic, Tradovate |

| Leeloo Trading | 1 | $300K | Trailing | 80–90% | Rithmic |

Detailed Reviews

1. Apex Trader Funding — Best Overall

Apex Trader Funding leads the futures space for good reason: single-phase evaluation, no daily loss limit, 100% profit split on the first $25,000, and aggressive promotional pricing. The trailing drawdown locks at the starting balance, effectively becoming static once you have built enough profit.

Pros: Cheapest on sale, highest initial profit split, no daily loss limit, supports Rithmic and Tradovate

Cons: Trailing drawdown can be tricky early on, activation fee for funded accounts

Best for: Experienced futures traders who want maximum profit retention.

2. TopStep — Best Reputation

TopStep has been in business longer than any other futures prop firm. The Trading Combine evaluation is straightforward, payouts are fast, and the company is based in Chicago — the heart of futures trading. The 100% split on the first $10K in payouts is a nice bonus.

Pros: Longest track record, US-based, clean platform via Tradovate, strong community

Cons: Smaller maximum account sizes, Tradovate only (no Rithmic)

Best for: Traders who prioritize firm reliability and reputation above all else.

3. Bulenox — Best EOD Drawdown

Bulenox differentiates itself with end-of-day drawdown calculation, meaning intraday equity swings do not count against you. This is a significant advantage for traders whose strategies involve holding through intraday pullbacks. The 90% profit split is competitive.

Pros: EOD drawdown, 90% split, competitive pricing, Rithmic support

Cons: Newer firm with less track record, limited educational resources

Best for: Day traders who need room for intraday drawdown.

4. Earn2Trade — Best for Beginners

Earn2Trade integrates education with their evaluation. The Gauntlet Mini program offers generous time limits and forgiving rules, making it ideal for traders transitioning from demo to funded trading. Funded accounts are held at a real brokerage partner.

Pros: Educational integration, real brokerage accounts, beginner-friendly rules

Cons: Lower profit split (80%), fewer promotional discounts

Best for: Newer futures traders who value learning alongside evaluation.

5. Take Profit Trader — Best Payouts

Take Profit Trader has built its reputation on fast, reliable payouts. The rule set is clean and straightforward with no gimmicks. Both Rithmic and Tradovate are supported, giving traders platform flexibility.

Pros: Fast payouts, dual platform support, simple rules, scaling to 90% split

Cons: Smaller maximum account sizes, less aggressive promotional pricing

Best for: Traders who prioritize payout speed and reliability.

6. Leeloo Trading — Best Large Accounts

Leeloo Trading offers account sizes up to $300K with a single-phase evaluation. The Leeloo Express program provides faster funding, and the firm has been steadily improving its rule set and trader experience.

Pros: Large account options, single-phase evaluation, Rithmic support

Cons: Trailing drawdown, less transparent on some rules

Best for: Traders who want large account sizes with a straightforward evaluation.

Futures Platform Comparison

|---|---|---|---|---|

Rithmic provides the fastest execution and is preferred by scalpers. Tradovate offers the best all-in-one experience with built-in charting and a mobile app. NinjaTrader excels at charting and custom indicators.

Managing Risk Across Futures Accounts

Futures contracts have fixed tick values — $12.50 per tick on ES, $5.00 per tick on NQ, $10.00 per tick on CL. This makes position sizing more rigid than forex. Use the PropTally risk calculator to calculate exact position sizes for your account's drawdown limits.

The drawdown calculator can help you model worst-case scenarios before entering a trade, especially important when trading volatile contracts like CL (crude oil) or NQ (Nasdaq).

Track Everything in One Place

Most futures traders run multiple evaluations and funded accounts simultaneously. PropTally lets you import trades from any futures prop firm, monitor drawdown across all accounts in real time, and compare performance between firms.

Browse all futures firms on our prop firm comparison page.

Start tracking your prop firm payouts

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