Compare the cheapest prop firm accounts for $100K challenges. Find low-cost options with high profit splits, fast payouts, and flexible rules.
If you’re exploring funded accounts from proprietary trading firms but want to keep your costs low, this guide uncovers the most budget-friendly options that still deliver excellent trading conditions. We focused exclusively on $100K “two-step” challenge models—one of the most widely offered formats—evaluating fees, profit-split fairness, drawdown limits, and trader perks. All figures are current as of late June 2025.
Side-by-Side: Top 10 Cheapest Prop Firm Challenges
| Rank |
Firm |
Challenge Fee |
Step 1 Target |
Step 2 Target |
Max Daily Drawdown |
Max Total Drawdown |
Min Trading Days |
| 1 |
IC Funded |
$499 |
$10K |
$5K |
$4K |
$8K |
5 days |
| 2 |
ThinkCapital |
$499 |
$8K |
$5K |
$4K |
$8K |
3 days |
| 3 |
Blueberry Funded |
$500 |
$10K |
$5K |
$5K |
$10K |
3 days |
| 4 |
Seacrest Funded |
$500 |
$8K |
$5K |
$5K |
$8K |
3 days |
| 5 |
City Traders Imperium |
$519 |
$10K |
$5K |
$5K |
$10K |
3 days |
| 6 |
BrightFunded |
$535 |
$8K |
$5K |
$5K |
$10K |
5 days |
| 7 |
The 5%ers |
$545 |
$8K |
$5K |
$5K |
$10K |
3 days |
| 8 |
Funded Trading Plus |
$547 |
$8K |
$5K |
$4K |
$8K |
0 days |
| 9 |
FundedNext |
$549 |
$8K |
$5K |
$5K |
$10K |
5 days |
| 10 |
DNA Funded |
$549 |
$10K |
$5K |
$6K |
$10K |
3 days |
Top Picks and Why They Shine
1. IC Funded – Best Overall for Affordability
-
Fee: $499
-
Why choose it?
-
Backed by the reputable IC Markets, it provides tight spreads and top-tier liquidity.
-
Offers an 80% profit split after you pass Step 2.
-
No deadline pressure—take as long as you need to complete both steps.
-
Refund of the challenge fee once you make your first payout.
2. ThinkCapital – Budget Guru with Strong Rewards
-
Fee: $499
-
Highlights:
-
Profit splits can reach 90%.
-
Payouts are available weekly or bi-weekly.
-
Fee-free trading is available on select platforms.
-
Ideal for crypto-focused traders.
3. Blueberry Funded – Prize for Patience
-
Fee: $500
-
Advantage:
-
80–90% profit splits with payout every two weeks.
-
Spread as low as 0.1 pips on forex pairs.
-
Affordable, but note restrictions on news-trading and non-existent swap-free accounts.
4. Seacrest Funded – Fast-Track One-Step Option
5. City Traders Imperium (CTI) – Salary-Style Setup
-
Fee: $519
-
Standout features:
-
Profit splits can hit 100%.
-
Rapid scaling—up to $2 million in capital.
-
Starting fee is low, but leverage is more conservative and U.S. support is limited.
6. BrightFunded – Power User Friendly
-
Fee: $535
-
Notable perks:
-
Profit splits up to 100%.
-
“Trade2Earn” loyalty program for rewards.
-
Unlimited scaling, but platform options are limited to cTrader and DXtrade and some add-ons cost extra.
7. The 5%ers – Scale Big or Go Home
-
Fee: $545
-
Why it stands out:
-
Profit splits span 80–100%.
-
Massive scaling—get up to $4 million funded.
-
Offers instant account types and stock challenges.
-
Transparent $8 roundtrip commission but spread details are vague.
8. Funded Trading Plus (FTP) – Instant Fund Access
-
Fee: $547
-
Highlights:
-
Payout splits can reach 100%.
-
Instant funding available.
-
Massive scalability—up to $5 million in capital.
-
But spreads aren’t always transparent, and using cTrader adds a $25 fee.
9. FundedNext – Strong Spread and Scale
10. DNA Funded – Trusted Broker Integration
-
Fee: $549
-
Why it matters:
-
Backed by a reputable broker—enhanced trust and execution.
-
Up to 90% profit splits and low commissions.
-
No scaling plan yet, and MT4/5 aren’t available—TradeLocker only.
How We Ranked These Cheapest Prop Firm
-
We started with the $499 Minimum – all platforms offering the lowest entry fees topped the list.
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Then we compared profit targets, allowed drawdowns, and trading window restrictions.
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We verified payouts and profit split consistency—even the cheapest prop firm is worthless if they delay payments or impose hidden costs.
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Finally, we ranked on reliability, some firms with low fees (like Lark or OneUp) didn’t score as well on overall transaction transparency and user satisfaction.
FAQs on Cheapest Prop Firm Accounts
Which firm truly offers the lowest cost?
Who pays out fastest?
Which firm has the highest profit split?
-
City Traders Imperium, BrightFunded, The 5%ers, and Funded Trading Plus all offer up to 100% profit splits—though conditions vary (e.g., salary models, loyalty programs, instant funding fees).
Can I grow beyond $100K?
-
Absolutely—firms like CTI, The 5%ers, FundedNext, and Funded Trading Plus let you scale to $2–5 million, with fully transparent scaling systems.
Final Takeaways
Choosing the right low-cost prop firm depends not just on the challenge fee but on payouts, drawdown policies, platform flexibility, and growth potential. Here’s a quick summary to guide your decision:
-
Best overall budget choice: IC Funded—dependable execution, refundable fee, solid 80% split.
-
Best for high reward: ThinkCapital—up to 90%, fee-free trades, quick payouts.
-
Best spread vs. cost: Blueberry Funded—0.1 pip spreads and mid-range fees.
-
Best payout speed: ThinkCapital (weekly) and Seacrest (bi-weekly).
-
Best for growth: CTI, The 5%ers, FundedNext, Funded Trading Plus—all scale into the low millions.
-
Best for overall trust: DNA Funded, backed by a licensed broker with transparent conditions.
Final Recommendation
If you’re entering prop trading and cost is your top concern, start with IC Funded or ThinkCapital—both offer compelling conditions for $499. Once you’re confident and scaling matters, consider stepping up to platforms like City Traders Imperium, The 5%ers, or Funded Trading Plus.
No matter which route you pick, fully read the firm’s terms—especially around drawdowns, withdrawal schedules, and platform rules—to ensure a smooth path toward consistent profits. Happy trading!