Prop Firm Fees Explained: What Are You Really Paying For?
Understand all the fees involved in prop trading: challenge fees, resets, monthly costs, and hidden charges to watch out for.
Table of Contents
- 01Challenge Fees (One-Time)
- 02What's Included
- 03Additional Costs to Consider
- 04Hidden Fees to Watch
- 05Fee Refund Policies
Before buying a prop firm challenge, understand exactly what you're paying for - and what additional costs might come later.
Challenge Fees (One-Time)
The main cost to start your evaluation:
- $10K account: $100-$200
- $25K account: $150-$300
- $50K account: $250-$400
- $100K account: $400-$600
- $200K account: $800-$1,200
What's Included
- ✅ Challenge evaluation access
- ✅ Demo trading account
- ✅ Trading platform (MT4/MT5)
- ✅ Market data feeds
- ✅ Basic support
Additional Costs to Consider
Reset/Retry Fees
If you fail and want to try again:
- Typically 80-100% of original fee
- Some firms offer free resets (conditions apply)
- FTMO: Free reset if profitable but didn't hit target
Monthly Fees (Futures Firms)
- Topstep: $150-$375/month
- Apex: $147-$657/month
- Earn2Trade: $150-$350/month
Data Fees
- Sometimes separate from challenge fee
- $10-$50/month for real-time data
- More common in futures trading
Hidden Fees to Watch
- ⚠️ Inactivity fees
- ⚠️ Platform fees for premium features
- ⚠️ Withdrawal fees
- ⚠️ Currency conversion fees
- ⚠️ Scaling program fees
Fee Refund Policies
Most firms offer fee refund when you pass and get funded:
- FTMO: Full refund with first profit split
- Funded Next: Full refund on first payout
- E8 Funding: Full refund when funded
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- Use discount codes (check our Deals page)
- Wait for sales (Black Friday, holidays)
- Start with smaller account to test firm
- Read refund terms carefully
Ready to Get Funded?
Compare 70+ prop firms and find the perfect match for your trading style.
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