Prop Challenges
Prop Firms
Education
What Is the Price of a Prop Firm Challenge?
The price of a prop firm challenge is the upfront fee you pay to join a proprietary trading firm’s evaluation program. This fee gives you access to a simulated trading account where you must prove you can trade profitably and follow risk rules. If you pass, you get a funded account from the firm.
What Do You Get for the Challenge Price?
- Access to the evaluation account (Phase 1 / Phase 2 / etc.).
- Trading platform access (MT4 / MT5 / cTrader / TradeLocker, etc.).
- Risk parameters (daily drawdown, max loss, profit targets).
- Support and dashboard from the prop firm.
- In many cases, a refundable fee if you pass the challenge.
How Is the Challenge Price Decided?
Challenge prices are usually based on:
- Account size: Larger evaluation accounts cost more.
- Evaluation difficulty: Easier rules (no time limit, lower target, higher drawdown) usually cost more.
- Program type: One-step challenges often cost more than two-step challenges because they are faster to pass.
Is the Challenge Fee Refundable?
Many firms refund the initial fee with your first payout after you pass the evaluation and start earning profits. This means the “price” can act more like a security deposit than a true cost.
How to Compare Prop Firm Challenge Prices
When comparing prices, don’t just look at the raw number. Ask:
- How big is the evaluation account?
- Are the rules realistic for my trading style?
- Will the fee be refunded if I pass?
- What is the profit split once funded?
Key Takeaway
The prop challenge price is the entry ticket to prove your skill to a prop firm. A lower fee is good, but the real value is in the funding, the rules, and whether you can actually pass.