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Home » Our Methodology

Our Methodology In 2025

We help traders find the best prop firms by comparing features, trade costs, and execution speeds. Our rankings focus on profit payouts, account costs, leverage, and funding steps, with regular updates and thorough platform testing by our research team.

Written by Noam Korbl

Updated: 20/05/2025

What Changed?

We regularly adjust our content based on prop challenge changes including entry costs, trading rules to requirements.

Fact Checked

We double-check broker fee details each month which is made possible through partner paid advertising. Learn more about our methodology.
prop firms methodology

Our prop firm comparisons and reviews are reader supported and we may receive payment when you click on a link to a partner site. For more information, read our About Us page.

 Best Prop Firms Methodology

At Best Prop Firms, our rankings provide a comprehensive, data-driven evaluation of prop trading firms, scoring each firm based on the factors that matter most to traders.

propfirms methodology

We apply a detailed, weighted scoring system, which reflects a firm’s performance across multiple categories such as trading costs, account options, evaluation challenges, and platform usability.

Each category’s score feeds into an overall rating, prioritising aspects that directly impact a trader’s experience and earnings potential. We thoroughly look at the pros and cons of prop trading with each firm, helping traders make well informed decisions.

Challenge Accounts

challenge accountsIn our methodology, each prop trading firm is evaluated on its approach to onboarding and challenge structures, as these processes often reveal the firm’s transparency, accessibility, and fairness in funding.

Each prop firm’s scoring in this area depends on the flexibility, clarity, and cost of their evaluation challenges, with a focus on the following:

  • Prop Challenge Levels: We assess the variety and accessibility of each challenge at each funding level (e.g., $5,000 to $500,000) offered by each prop firm. Firms with broader, more accessible entry points receive higher scores, as they provide options for a range of traders.
  • Profit Targets: Firms with achievable targets in Phase 1 and Phase 2, typically under 10% and 5% respectively, are ranked higher. These targets indicate a reasonable and sustainable approach to evaluation.
  • Drawdown Limits: Flexible and transparent daily and overall drawdown limits (e.g., 5% daily, 10% overall) score well, as these help traders manage risk without restrictive or unpredictable conditions.
  • Challenge Flexibility: Higher-scoring firms often offer one-step, two-step, or custom challenge formats that cater to varying trading styles and risk tolerances. Lower fees for challenges also contribute to a more accessible and trader-friendly approach.
  • Additional Policies: Key policies such as inactivity rules, consistency requirements, and refund policies on challenge fees also factor into scoring. Firms that maintain fair, clear policies that encourage long-term success for traders are rated higher.

Scoring Example

  • 9-10/10: Low fees, flexible drawdown (5% daily, 10% overall), achievable profit targets under 10%, varied challenges.
  • 6-8/10: Moderate fees, standard drawdowns and targets (10-12% for Phase 1, 5-8% for Phase 2), limited flexibility.
  • 0-5/10: High fees, restrictive drawdowns, high targets above 12%, limited challenge formats or rigid requirements.

how we score the challenge accounts

 

Spreads and Commission Fees

spreads and commission feesSpreads and commission fees are crucial for maintaining profitability, especially in high-frequency trading.

Firms are scored based on how well they control these costs, with lower spreads and transparent, competitive commission rates scoring higher.

Transparent cost structures that keep total trading fees low are prioritized in our assessments.

  • Forex Spreads: Tighter spreads (e.g., below 0.5 pips for EUR/USD) receive top marks.
  • Commission Fees: Low and consistent fees earn higher scores, especially when they enhance value.

Scoring Example

  • 9-10/10: Sub-0.5 pips spread, low commission (up to $3.50 per lot).
  • 6-8/10: 1 pip spread, fair commission (~$4.50).
  • 0-5/10: Spreads above 1.5 pips, high or unclear fees.

how we score the spreads and commission fees

It’s important to note that we have specific pages for different tradable prop instruments where the fees of that market are the prime focus. This included the following pages:

  • Forex Prop Firms
  • Stock Trading Prop Firms
  • Futures Prop Firms
  • Crypto Prop Firms

Financial Markets and Leverage

financial markets and leverageA diverse market selection and appropriate leverage give traders more flexibility in strategies. We look for firms that offer a broad range of financial markets, from forex and indices to commodities and crypto.

Leverage that allows traders to balance opportunity and risk, typically up to 50:1 for forex, also ranks higher.

  • Financial Market Range: Wide access to markets, including niche options.
  • Leverage Levels: Balanced leverage, typically up to 50:1, for forex.

Scoring Example

  • 9-10/10: Access to forex, indices, crypto; leverage up to 50:1.
  • 6-8/10: Basic forex and indices access; industry-standard leverage.
  • 0-5/10: Limited markets, restricted leverage.

how we score the financial markets and leverage

Leverage and markets may be restricted based on the trader’s location. For this reason, we have created trader based pages with ratings based on what prop trading firms can offer these individuals including:

  • Prop Firms For US Traders
  • Prop Firms For Canadian Traders
  • Prop Firms For UK Traders

Trading Platforms

trading platformsPlatforms play a key role in traders’ experience, so we assess firms based on the quality and versatility of their trading platforms. Firms that offer multiple platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, or TradingView score higher, especially if they come with advanced tools, high performance, and mobile accessibility.

  • Trading Platform Options: Multiple platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader are rated higher.
  • Advanced Trading Tools: Tools for risk management, charting, and order types enhance scoring.

Scoring Example

  • 9-10/10: Full platform range (MT4, MT5, cTrader), advanced charting.
  • 8-8/10: Limited platforms, basic trading tools.
  • 0-5/10: Performance issues, limited or minimal features.

how we score the trading platforms

Payments and Profit Payouts

payments and profit payoutsProfit payouts are essential for traders looking to access earnings without delay. Firms are scored on payout frequency, minimum withdrawal amounts, and profit split percentages. Firms offering low minimums, higher splits, and fast payout cycles earn higher marks for supporting trader cash flow and flexibility.

  • Profit Split: Higher profit splits (above 80%) rank well.
  • Payout Frequency: Frequent (weekly/bi-weekly) payouts with low minimums are preferred.

Scoring Example

  • 9-10/10: 80%+ split, weekly payouts, low withdrawal minimum.
  • 6-8/10: Standard splits (~75-80%), bi-weekly payouts.
  • 0-5/10: Low split, high withdrawal minimums, infrequent payouts.

how we score the payments and profit payouts

Customer Service and Education

customer service and educationA prop firm’s support and educational resources are vital for a positive trading experience.

Trading firms with responsive 24/7 support, especially with live chat and phone options, are scored higher. Educational resources, such as tutorials, guides, and webinars, especially those relevant to prop trading, also contribute to higher scores.

  • Customer Support Availability: 24/7 support with live chat, email, or phone access is highly rated.
  • Educational Resources: High-quality tutorials, webinars, and relevant training improve scores.

Scoring Example

  • 9-10/10: 24/7 support, live chat, extensive educational content.
  • 6-8/10: Limited support hours, basic tutorials.
  • 0-5/10: Delayed responses, minimal educational content.

how we score the customer service and education

Trust and Community

trust and communityTrust and community engagement reflect a firm’s reliability and openness. We consider reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, the transparency of fees and policies, and the presence of active communities (e.g., Discord).

Prop firms with high ratings and clear policies score well, along with those that facilitate community support.

  • Reputation: High Trustpilot or similar scores indicate trustworthiness.
  • Forex Broker Partnerships: Is the prop firm connected to a reputable and regulated broker?
  • Trading Community: Active communities on social media or forums score better.

Scoring Example

  • 9-10/10: Positive reviews, active community, transparent fees.
  • 6-8/10: Mixed reviews, moderate community presence.
  • 0-5/10: Poor reviews, limited transparency.

how we score the trust and community

Sign Up Process

sign up processA straightforward, quick sign-up process is essential for a smooth onboarding experience. Firms that offer simple, secure sign-up forms and immediate access to evaluation challenges score highly. Clear KYC requirements and guidance on the onboarding process also add to the score.

  • Simplicity and Speed: A streamlined sign-up process with clear steps rates best.
  • KYC and Verification: Transparent KYC requirements enhance onboarding.

Scoring Example

  • 9-10/10: Simple sign-up, clear KYC, immediate challenge access.
  • 6-8/10: Moderate sign-up steps, standard KYC.
  • 0-5/10: Complicated or unclear sign-up, lengthy KYC.

how we score the sign up process

Overall Prop Firm Scores

The overall score is a comprehensive assessment that combines each category’s individual rating, creating a single, consolidated score that reflects a prop firm’s overall performance.

This score helps traders quickly gauge a firm’s strengths and limitations, with a higher score indicating a firm that excels across essential aspects such as challenge accessibility, trading costs, platform usability, and payout policies.

Each category is weighted based on its impact on a trader’s experience and potential earnings. For instance, factors like challenge accounts and profit payouts receive higher weights due to their direct influence on a trader’s financial success, while factors like customer support and community contribute to the firm’s accessibility and supportiveness.

Prop Firm QualityScore
Outstanding performance across all categories, offering the best challenges, high flexibility, low costs, and strong customer support.80 - 90/100
Good balance of features but may have minor limitations in areas like platform range or customer support.60 - 79/100
Significant limitations in multiple categories, potentially restricting trader success and flexibility.0 - 59/100

By combining individual scores into an overall rating, our methodology provides a balanced view of each prop trading firm, helping traders identify which firms best align with their trading goals and preferences. This consolidated rating offers a clear, data-driven way to compare prop firms side by side.

Our methodology ensures traders have a clear understanding of each prop firm’s strengths and limitations. By consistently reviewing and updating our scoring, we strive to provide relevant, up-to-date insights to support informed trading decisions.

noam korbl 300x280
About the author: Noam Korbl

Noam Korbl is the co-founder and has been a trader since 2014. He has Finance degree at Monash University and is an investor in shares and equities and successfully started and sold the online business Hearing Choices.

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