DTF
🏆 Roundup Guide

Cheapest Prop Firms in 2026: Complete Price Comparison

"Cheapest" depends on how long you trade. A $49/month firm looks cheap — until you've paid $588 over a year. And that $49 is just the list price — TopStep regularly runs 50%+ off sales, Apex is famous for near-permanent 80% off, and almost every firm discounts heavily. We're showing you both list prices AND typical street prices, because we believe in honesty. Here's the real cost breakdown.

Last updated: February 2026 • Pricing verified against official websites

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Our Pick

DayTrader Funding

Cheapest over any timeframe beyond 2–3 months. One-time fee of $249 (50K) with $0 data fees means your total cost is fixed and predictable.

#1

DayTrader Funding

$249 (50K) / $419 (100K) / $599 (150K) — one-time, forever

Get Started

The only major firm with a true one-time fee. Pay $249 for a 50K account and never pay again. No data fees, no subscription renewal. Over 6+ months, DTF is the cheapest option by far.

✅ Pros

  • + One-time fee — cost is fixed forever
  • + $0 data fees (saves $55–$135/mo vs competitors)
  • + Cheapest resets in the industry ($79/$129/$169)
  • + No hidden costs or surprise charges

❌ Cons

  • Higher upfront cost than first month of subscription firms
  • Not the cheapest if you pass within 1 month

Verdict: Cheapest prop firm for 90%+ of traders who take more than 2 months to pass.

#2

TopStep

$49/mo (50K) — typically ~$22/mo on sale (50–60% off weekly)

Full Comparison

Lowest listed monthly price at $49/mo for 50K — but TopStep runs 50–60% off sales almost every week, bringing that to ~$22/mo. Even at sale price, the monthly model costs $132 over 6 months vs DTF's one-time $249. But if you pass quickly, TopStep on sale is very cheap.

✅ Pros

  • + $49/mo list (~$22/mo on frequent sales)
  • + No data fees during Combine

❌ Cons

  • $264–$804/year even at sale prices if you don't pass quickly
  • Potential data fees once funded

Verdict: Cheapest per month on sale. DTF wins by month 6+ even vs sale prices.

#3

Leeloo Trading

$97/mo (50K) — typically ~$58/mo on sale (30–50% off)

Full Comparison

Starting at $77/mo list for 25K, with regular 30–50% off sales bringing a 50K account to ~$58/mo. One of the cheapest subscription options at any price. But the 10-day minimum means at least one full month, and even ~$58/mo × 6 = $348.

✅ Pros

  • + $77/mo starting price for 25K (~$46/mo on sale)
  • + Multiple evaluation options

❌ Cons

  • Monthly subscription adds up even at sale prices
  • 10-day minimum requirement

Verdict: Affordable on sale, but DTF still saves money by month 5.

#4

Elite Trader Funding

$125/mo (50K) / $205/mo (100K) / $280/mo (150K)

Full Comparison

Starting at $80/mo for 25K accounts. Competitive pricing with $75 reset fees. But still a monthly subscription model.

✅ Pros

  • + $80/mo for 25K is competitive
  • + $75 resets are cheap

❌ Cons

  • Monthly subscription
  • 80/20 profit split

Verdict: Good value for monthly model. But one-time fees are still cheaper long-term.

#5

My Funded Futures

$113/mo (50K) / $188/mo (100K) / $313/mo (150K)

Full Comparison

Starting at $113/mo for 50K. Data fees included. Reasonable pricing but still a subscription model that compounds over time.

✅ Pros

  • + Data fees included
  • + $113/mo for 50K is mid-range

❌ Cons

  • Monthly subscription
  • 80/20 profit split

Verdict: Mid-range pricing. DTF is cheaper by month 3.

#6

Bulenox

$155/mo (50K) — typically ~$109/mo on sale (20–40% off)

Full Comparison

Already one of the cheaper firms at list price, plus frequent 20–40% off sales bringing a 50K account to ~$109/mo. That's $654 over 6 months at sale price — still more than DTF's one-time $249.

✅ Pros

  • + Frequent 20–40% off sales on already competitive pricing
  • + Cheap during promos

❌ Cons

  • Even sale price adds up monthly ($654 over 6 months for 50K)
  • Confusing real pricing due to constant sales

Verdict: Cheap during sales, but monthly model still costs more than DTF by month 3.

Quick Comparison Table

FirmPricingProfit Split
#1 DayTrader Funding$249 (50K) / $419 (100K) / $599 (150K) — one-time, forever80%
#2 TopStep$49/mo (50K) — typically ~$22/mo on sale (50–60% off weekly)100% on first $10K, then 90/10
#3 Leeloo Trading$97/mo (50K) — typically ~$58/mo on sale (30–50% off)80/20 (scaling to 90/10)
#4 Elite Trader Funding$125/mo (50K) / $205/mo (100K) / $280/mo (150K)80/20 (scaling to 90/10)
#5 My Funded Futures$113/mo (50K) / $188/mo (100K) / $313/mo (150K)80/20 on first payout, then scaling to 90/10
#6 Bulenox$155/mo (50K) — typically ~$109/mo on sale (20–40% off)90/10

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest futures prop firm?
At face value, TopStep on sale (~$22/mo for 50K) is cheapest per month. But over time, DayTrader Funding's one-time $249 wins. Even TopStep at sale prices costs $264/year. Factor in that Apex's 'cheap' $33/mo sale price comes with $85/mo data fees (real cost: $118/mo), and the picture changes fast.
Is a one-time fee or monthly subscription cheaper?
For most traders, one-time fees are significantly cheaper. The average trader takes 2-6 months to pass an evaluation. Even at typical sale prices, a subscription firm costs more over time. Example: TopStep at ~$22/mo on sale = $132 over 6 months (close to DTF's $249). But most traders also reset multiple times.
Do prop firms charge data fees?
Some do — and this is often hidden from sale price comparisons. Apex charges $85/mo for Rithmic data ON TOP of their subscription (even during 80% off sales). DayTrader Funding, TopStep (during eval), Take Profit Trader, and several others include data fees. Always factor data fees into total cost.
What's the cheapest prop firm to reset?
DayTrader Funding has the cheapest resets at $79 (50K), $129 (100K), $169 (150K). Most subscription firms require a full month re-subscription to reset.

Ready to Get Funded?

One-time fee. $0 data fees. Two‑phase drawdown: intraday while clearing buffer → EOD after. 3-day minimum. 80% profit split. Day-1 payouts.

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