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IQ CapitalCheapest Futures Prop Firm 2026 (True Cost, Not Sticker Price)
Published 2026-09-26 · Figures change often; confirm on official sites.
"Cheapest" in prop trading is misleading if you only look at the headline evaluation price. A $50 evaluation with a large activation fee and paid resets can cost more than a $150 evaluation with neither.
The true-cost formula
In plain words: add up everything you pay before your first payout, not just the price tag.
True cost = evaluation price + activation fee + (expected resets × reset fee)
If a firm has no resets, use the price of a new evaluation as the reset cost. If the firm bills monthly, multiply by the number of months you expect to need.
Worked example (illustrative numbers, not any specific firm)
- Firm A: $50 eval + $120 activation + 2 × $80 resets = $330
- Firm B: $150 eval + $0 activation + 2 × $100 resets = $350
- With 0 resets: A = $170, B = $150. The "cheap" firm is now more expensive.
Real example from our data (50K, list prices)
- Topstep: $49/mo (first month) eval + $149 activation + 2 × $49 resets = $296
- Tradeify: $145 eval + $0 activation + 2 × $95 resets = $335
- With 0 resets: Topstep = $198, Tradeify = $145.
Verified 2026-09-27 / 2026-09-27 on official pages. Before discounts; monthly plans cost more if you need extra months.
The ranking flips depending on your expected number of attempts. That's why we built a calculator instead of a static "cheapest" list.
Run your own numbers → Find my firm (quiz)
Current data
| Firm | Cost per $1K funded | Eval price (from) | Activation | Reset | Profit target | Drawdown | Payout rules | Coupon code | Last checked | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apex Trader FundingTrustpilot 4.2/5 (opens in new tab) · 21,265 reviews · Founded 2021NotesList prices before coupons (a site-wide coupon was running on 2026-09-27). Activation $90 on EOD accounts. No reset on new evaluations: touching the EOD threshold fails the evaluation and you buy a new one. 30-day access period per evaluation. 'No Activation Fee' EOD variant: 50K $1,190, 100K $1,590. Intraday-trailing variant: 50K $249 + $59 activation. | $13.60 $680 all-in, 50K | 50K $590 | $90 + monthly fee once funded | no resets (re-buy) | $3,000 | EOD trailing (checked once a day at the close); an intraday-trailing product is also sold | 100% payout split; 5 qualifying trading days of $250+ profit (50K) or $300+ (100K); 50% consistency rule; minimum payout $500; safety net = drawdown + $100; max 6 payouts per Performance Account (per-payout caps: 50K $1,500 to $3,000, 100K $2,000 to $4,000) | Code coming soon | 2026-09-27 source for Apex Trader Funding (opens in new tab) | Visit Apex Trader Funding (opens in new tab) Full review of Apex Trader Funding Rules explained for Apex Trader Funding Report error |
Take Profit TraderTrustpilot 4.4/5 (opens in new tab) · 10,846 reviewsNotesList prices shown on takeprofittrader.com on 2026-09-27 (a promo code was advertised that waives activation). PRO activation is a one-time $130 fee. Reset prices are scaled by size (50K $99, 100K $169). Test minimum: 3 trading days plus 50% consistency on new tests bought from Aug 17, 2026 (tests bought earlier, and their resets, keep the 5-day minimum), per TPT's blog post '3-day evals'. | $6.00 $300 all-in, 50K (1st month) | 50K $170/mo | $130 + monthly fee once funded | $99 | $3,000 | Test: EOD trailing. PRO: intraday. PRO+: end of day | PRO: 80/20 split, withdrawals from day one, buffer required; PRO+: 90/10 split, no buffer; no daily loss rule on PRO/PRO+; up to 5 PRO accounts | Code coming soon | 2026-09-27 source for Take Profit Trader (opens in new tab) | Visit Take Profit Trader (opens in new tab) Full review of Take Profit Trader Report error |
TradeifyTrustpilot 4.4/5 (opens in new tab) · 5,057 reviewsNotesGrowth plan list prices (resets 50K $95, 100K $169). Select plan: 50K $165 (reset $109), 100K $265, daily payouts, 40% consistency. Lightning (direct-funded) 50K $492. | $2.90 $145 all-in, 50K | 50K $145 | $0 + monthly fee once funded | $95 | $3,000 | EOD trailing | Growth: payouts every 5 days; 90% profit split; consistency: none listed on the Growth plan; daily loss limit $1,250 (50K) / $2,500 (100K) | Code coming soon | 2026-09-27 source for Tradeify (opens in new tab) | Visit Tradeify (opens in new tab) Full review of Tradeify Report error |
MyFundedFuturesTrustpilot 4.9/5 (opens in new tab) · 22,303 reviewsNotesRapid list prices; promo prices shown on 2026-09-27: 50K $125, 100K $214. No reset on Rapid: a breach ends the account and you buy a new evaluation. Minimum 2 days to pass. | $4.18 $209 all-in, 50K | 50K $209 | $0 + monthly fee once funded | no resets (re-buy) | $3,000 | Evaluation: EOD. Funded: intraday trailing, stops trailing (static) once you reach start + $100 | Daily payouts; 90/10 split; minimum payout $500; required buffer $2,100 (50K) / $3,100 (100K); no daily loss limit and no consistency rule once funded | Code coming soon | 2026-09-27 source for MyFundedFutures (opens in new tab) | Visit MyFundedFutures (opens in new tab) Full review of MyFundedFutures Report error |
Alpha FuturesTrustpilot 4.4/5 (opens in new tab) · 6,124 reviewsNotesStandard plan. Resets: 50K $109, 100K $199. Drawdown calculation type (EOD vs intraday) is not stated on the plan page: check the official site. | $2.58 $129 all-in, 50K (1st month) | 50K $129/mo | $0 + monthly fee once funded | $109 | $3,000 | check site | 90% performance split; up to 4 requests per month after every 5 winning days of $200+; 50% consistency in the evaluation, 40% once qualified; no daily loss guard | Code coming soon | 2026-09-27 source for Alpha Futures (opens in new tab) | Visit Alpha Futures (opens in new tab) Full review of Alpha Futures Report error |
FundedNext (Futures)PartnerTrustpilot 4.5/5 (opens in new tab) · 81,223 reviewsNotesFlex challenge. List prices. FundedNext runs its own promotions, so check your checkout total. | $2.84 $141.99 all-in, 50K | 50K $141.99 | $0 | $82.99 | $2,500 | EOD Max Loss Limit | Flex: rewards after 5 benchmark days, 95% reward share, max withdrawal $1,500 (50K), no consistency once funded (40% in challenge), $250 minimum | Code TRUECOST: enter at checkoutCheck the final price at checkout before you pay. use code at FundedNext (Futures) (opens in new tab) · affiliate | 2026-10-18 source for FundedNext (Futures) (opens in new tab) | Visit FundedNext (Futures) (opens in new tab) Full review of FundedNext (Futures) Report error |
FTMO (Futures)PartnerTrustpilot 4.8/5 (opens in new tab) · 54,158 reviews · Since 2015NotesGrowth plan. Pro 50K: $139/mo, reset $129, DD $3,000, $1,000 hard DLL, 100% withdrawable, cap $5,000, every 5 days. | $2.38 $119 all-in, 50K (1st month) | 50K $119/mo | $0 | $109 | $3,000 | EOD trailing (locks at initial balance) | Growth: 90/10, every 4 days, 4 days >= $150 (50K), withdraw 50%, cap $2,500 (50K); no consistency rule on Sim-Funded | Partner link, no code open partner link for FTMO (opens in new tab) · affiliate | 2026-09-26 source for FTMO (Futures) (opens in new tab) | Visit FTMO (Futures) (opens in new tab) Full review of FTMO (Futures) Rules explained for FTMO (Futures) Report error |
BulenoxTrustpilot 4.7/5 (opens in new tab) · 1,817 reviewsNotesOne-time Qualification prices. Reset $78 per the official FAQ (one price stated, not per size). Master activation fees per the Help Center (Master Account > Activation Fee): 25K $143, 50K $148, 100K $248, 150K $498, same for Option 1 and 2; the activation link is valid 7 days. Always-on public coupon shown on the pricing page. | $6.46 $323 all-in, 50K | 50K $175 | $148 + monthly fee once funded | $78 | $3,000 | Your choice at purchase: trailing drawdown (Option 1, no scaling) or end-of-day drawdown (Option 2, with scaling plan and daily loss limit) | First $10,000 of payouts 100% to you, then 90/10; regular Master Account payouts processed every Wednesday (Fast Track/Momentum daily); consistency rule applies (figure in Help Center) | Code coming soon | 2026-09-27 source for Bulenox (opens in new tab) | Visit Bulenox (opens in new tab) Full review of Bulenox Report error |
Lucid TradingTrustpilot 4.4/5 (opens in new tab) · 6,603 reviewsNotesLucidPro list prices (sale prices with coupon shown on 2026-09-27: 50K $115.40, 100K $180.40). Other plans: LucidFlex, LucidDaily, LucidDirect. | $3.84 $192 all-in, 50K | 50K $192 | $0 + monthly fee once funded | $115 | $3,000 | EOD trailing (end-of-day Max Loss Limit) | 90/10 split; per cycle earn at least $500 (50K) / $750 (100K); 40% consistency; profits must exceed buffer (initial Max Loss Limit + $100); minimum $500; max first payout $2,000 (50K) / $2,500 (100K) | Code coming soon | 2026-09-27 source for Lucid Trading (opens in new tab) | Visit Lucid Trading (opens in new tab) Full review of Lucid Trading Report error |
TopstepTrustpilot 3.7/5 (opens in new tab) · 14,914 reviewsNotesStandard Path list prices. Consistency target in the Combine: best day at or below 55% of the profit target (Topstep help centre, 'Consistency at Topstep', rechecked 2026-09-27; third-party guides quoting 50% are out of date). XFA reactivation (Back2Funded): 50K $599, 100K $699. Topstep's affiliate program was reportedly sunset in Aug 2026, so we expect no code. | $3.96 $198 all-in, 50K (1st month) | 50K $49/mo | $149 + monthly fee once funded | $49 | $3,000 | EOD trailing (Maximum Loss Limit, set from the end-of-day balance high; stops at the starting balance) | 90/10 split; Standard XFA: 5 winning days of $150+ per payout, request up to 50% of balance, capped at $2,000 (50K) / $3,000 (100K) per request; minimum payout $125 | No code available | 2026-09-27 source for Topstep (opens in new tab) | Visit Topstep (opens in new tab) Full review of Topstep Rules explained for Topstep Report error |
| IQ CapitalPartnerTrustpilot 4.7/5 (opens in new tab) · 556 reviews New firm (2025), limited independent payout history NotesFutures Core (position-loss) list prices from the pricing page CMS data on iqcapital.io; activation $129 (50K) / $149 (100K) after passing. Rules, payouts and caps from the official FAQ; countries from /countries. Futures platforms listed: DeepChart, ATAS, Quantower. The site shows conflicting figures in places (futures monthly fee $19 vs $39; Rapid split). Challenge fees are non-refundable. | $6.16 $308 all-in, 50K | 50K $179 Sale: ~$18 (2026-09-27, verify at checkout) | $129 + monthly fee once funded | check site | $3,000 (6%) | 6% EOD trailing (locks at starting capital); per-trade loss cap 1% in challenge, 0.5% funded (3rd breach closes the account) | 90/10 split from the first dollar; first payout after 10 active trading days, then 10 new active days + 50% new profit per payout; each payout capped at 50% of profit and $1,500-$2,500 (50K), $2,000-$3,000 (100K), $3,000-$4,000 (200K); funded consistency 30% (best day) | Partner link | 2026-09-27 source for IQ Capital (opens in new tab) | Visit IQ Capital (opens in new tab) Full review of IQ Capital Rules explained for IQ Capital Report error |
Cost per $1K funded = (50K evaluation list price + activation fee, pass first try; monthly plans count the first month) ÷ 50. List prices from each firm's official page on its "Last checked" date, before any sale or code. Gold-bordered rows marked "Partner" are affiliate partners; the partnership never changes a firm's numbers or its place in the order. Trust: Trustpilot score and review count read from trustpilot.com on 2026-10-09; founding year only where the firm states it on its own site. How we score.
"check site" = we have not yet verified this figure on the firm's official page, so we don't show a number. Prices change often and discounts are frequent. Coupon codes: "Code coming soon" means we have no code for that firm yet (we're negotiating TrueCostProp codes with top firms; none is shown until a deal is signed). Affiliate disclosure: where we show our code (currently TRUECOST for FundedNext; and our FTMO and IQ Capital partner links), the link is an affiliate link and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Details. Spotted a mistake? Report an error
Things that don't show up in the price
- Payout rules (minimum days, consistency %, caps) affect how soon you can recover the cost.
- Drawdown type (EOD, intraday trailing, static) affects how likely you are to need a reset.
- Rule changes: see the 2026 rule-change log.