A prop firm challenge is a paid evaluation that costs about $49 to more than $1,200 as of September 20, 2026. The price depends on the firm, account size, market and billing model.
- Futures evaluations commonly use monthly subscriptions or one-time fees.
- Forex and CFD challenges often charge a one-time fee.
- Some firms add an activation fee after you pass.
- The advertised account size usually represents simulated capital, not cash deposited into your brokerage account.
Prop Firm Challenge Costs at a Glance
| Prop firm or program | Market | Example challenge cost | Billing structure | Additional cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO 2-Step | Forex and CFDs | $99 for $10,000 to $1,249 for $200,000 | One-time fee | Refunded after the first eligible reward withdrawal |
| FTMO 1-Step | Forex and CFDs | Starts at $79 | One-time fee | Not refunded |
| Topstep Trading Combine | Futures | $49 to $199 per month on the Standard Path | Monthly subscription | $149 activation fee after passing |
| Topstep No Activation Fee Path | Futures | $95 to $229 per month | Monthly subscription | No activation fee after passing |
FTMO's published U.S. prices are $99 for a $10,000 2-Step account, $289 for $25,000, $399 for $50,000, $619 for $100,000 and $1,249 for $200,000. FTMO says the 2-Step fee is paid once and refunded with the first eligible reward withdrawal.
Topstep lists monthly Standard Path prices of $49 for a 50K account, $99 for 100K and $199 for 150K. Its No Activation Fee Path costs $95, $149 and $229 per month for the same account sizes.
What Is the Cheapest Type of Prop Firm Challenge?
The lowest entry price in these examples is Topstep's $49-per-month 50K Standard Path. Passing that evaluation adds a $149 activation fee, so the initial price is not the full cost.
For forex and CFD challenges, FTMO's smallest listed 2-Step account costs $99. Larger account sizes cost several hundred dollars or more. The 2-Step fee can be refunded after the first eligible reward, while the 1-Step fee is not refundable.
One-Time Fee Versus Monthly Subscription
The billing model can matter more than the price shown at checkout.
One-Time Challenge Fees
A one-time fee gives you access without automatic monthly rebilling. FTMO's CFD challenge uses this model. Apex Trader Funding also says its current evaluations are one-time purchases that provide 30 calendar days of access, with no recurring evaluation charge.
If you fail or let the access period expire, you normally need to buy another evaluation. Apex says traders must purchase a new evaluation after the 30-day period ends or after the evaluation fails.
Monthly Subscriptions
A monthly challenge can cost less at checkout, but the total rises if you need several months to pass or forget to cancel. Topstep says its subscription continues until you pass the Trading Combine or cancel it.
For a Topstep 100K account, the listed prices are:
- Standard Path: $99 per month, plus a $149 activation fee after passing
- No Activation Fee Path: $149 per month, with no activation fee
| Time billed | Standard Path | No Activation Fee Path |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month and pass | $248 | $149 |
| 2 months and pass | $347 | $298 |
| 3 months and pass | $446 | $447 |
The No Activation Fee Path costs less if you pass quickly. The Standard Path becomes slightly cheaper after about three billed months. These figures exclude trading commissions, taxes and failed attempts.
Additional Costs to Check Before Buying
The challenge fee may not be the full cost.
Activation Fees
Some firms charge an activation fee after you pass. Topstep lists a $149 activation fee for an Express Funded Account on its Standard Path. The fee applies to the 50K, 100K and 150K account sizes.
Resets and Replacement Evaluations
A reset can cost as much as another challenge fee. Topstep lists reset prices equal to its monthly subscription prices. Apex's current evaluation model does not use a reset fee, but a failed account requires a new evaluation purchase.
Trading Commissions and Market Data
Futures traders may also pay commissions and market data fees. Topstep lists Level 2 market data at $38 per month. Its TopstepX examples show a round-turn trading cost of $3.78 for an E-mini S&P 500 contract and $1.22 for a Micro E-mini S&P 500 contract.
Taxes and Payment Charges
Sales tax may be added at checkout where applicable. Currency conversion and payment-provider charges can also affect the final amount, especially when a firm prices its challenges in euros or another currency.
Does a $100,000 Challenge Give You $100,000 in Cash?
No. The account size is generally a simulated trading balance, not money deposited into your personal brokerage account.
FTMO says its FTMO Accounts use fictitious capital and that traders receive rewards based on simulated trading performance. Topstep describes its Trading Combine as a real-time simulated evaluation before traders move to a funded-account stage.
The maximum drawdown is often more useful than the headline account size. A $100,000 account with a $3,000 maximum loss may offer less practical risk capacity than the account size suggests.
How Much Money Should You Budget?
Use this calculation:
Total expected cost = challenge fee + subscription months + activation fee + resets or replacement attempts + trading costs
A one-time $399 challenge costs $798 if you need one failed retry, before other charges. For a monthly program, include every month you expect to remain active, not only the first payment.
Bottom Line
Common prop firm challenge prices range from about $50 to $600, while larger accounts can cost $1,000 or more. The lowest advertised fee is not always the lowest total cost.
Check these terms before buying:
- One-time fee versus monthly subscription
- Refund policy
- Activation fee after passing
- Reset or replacement cost
- Maximum drawdown
- Trading commissions and data fees
- Whether the account uses simulated capital
A small futures challenge may offer the lowest upfront price. A one-time challenge may be easier to budget for if you expect to need more time.