Top 8 Prop Firm Challenges Hidden Gems Under

Prop firm challenges have become more available than ever, and traders can now start with entry fees as low as $17. The proprietary trading industry's evolution amazes me as it creates opportunities for traders at almost any budget level.

Prop firms have changed how trading works. Traditional trading needed large upfront capital, but companies like Goat Funded Trader now give traders access to substantial trading capital with minimal investment. Market analysis shows that most affordable prop firm challenges have entry fees between $25 for $5,000 accounts and $400 for $100,000 accounts. RebelsFunding's Copper 4 program stands out with its $25 entry fee.

The scale of change in this industry is remarkable, especially when you have over 98,000 traders and $9.1 million in funded capital through a single provider. Competition among prop trading firms has grown fierce as they work to provide better entry points without sacrificing quality.

This piece breaks down 8 affordable prop firm challenges that give excellent value. These options combine low entry fees, favorable profit splits, and trader-friendly conditions. They work great for traders seeking their first funded account or those comparing prop firms to get a better deal.

GFunded

GFunded started in 2016 and has become one of the most experienced proprietary trading firms in the industry. Based in Israel, this firm serves traders worldwide. CEO Saul Lokier leads this seasoned company that fosters a trader-first mindset with innovative funding models focused on eco-friendly growth.

Key Features of GFunded

GFunded takes a fresh approach to prop trading with several notable benefits. The firm runs three main programs that suit different trader types: Hyper Growth, Bootcamp, and High Stakes. Their scaling potential makes them stand out. Traders can grow their accounts up to $4 million. You can hold positions overnight, over weekends, and during economic news releases. The platform values consistency over speed and sets no time limits for evaluation completion. Traders also get bi-weekly payouts that don't affect milestone progress.

GFunded Pricing

GFunded offers multiple funding options with competitive entry fees:

New traders can also benefit from refunds and cash prizes as extra incentives.

The GFunded Evaluation Process

Each program has its own evaluation structure. The Bootcamp features a three-stage evaluation that suits disciplined traders who value consistency. It requires 6% profit targets across all stages. The High Stakes program uses a two-phase challenge. Traders need 8% profit in Phase 1 and 5% in Phase 2. They must maintain a 5% daily loss and 10% overall drawdown limit per phase. The Hyper Growth program targets experienced traders with a one-step evaluation. It needs a 10% profit target on accounts from $10K to $40K. Traders can reach these targets at their own pace since there's no time pressure.

GFunded Profit Split

The profit share grows as traders show consistent results. Bootcamp and Hyper Growth traders start with a 50% share. This can rise to 75% and reach 100% through the scaling plan. High Stakes traders get a better deal with an 80% initial split that can also hit 100% profit retention. The firm pays profits every two weeks without deducting fees from payouts. However, third-party payment platforms might charge small fees.

GFunded Platform & Instruments

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) serves as the exclusive trading platform. You can trade various instruments like forex pairs, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and energy commodities. The platform charges $4 per round lot and offers leverage up to 1:100 based on the program.

Who is The GFunded Best For?

The GFunded shines as a prop firm with proven stability and longevity. Part-time traders and those who prefer careful analysis benefit from no time limits. Swing traders can hold positions overnight and through weekends. The Hyper Growth program's modest 10% profit target appeals to traders who want realistic goals instead of aggressive targets. The GFunded remains a strong choice among affordable prop firm challenges, especially when you have consistency and long-term growth in mind.

Goat Funded Trader

Goat Funded Trader has made its mark in the prop firm world with a huge trader network of over 98,000 users. Since its launch in 2023, this newcomer has quickly become popular among traders who want affordable challenge options.

Key Features of Goat Funded Trader

Goat Funded Trader sets itself apart from other firms with several unique benefits. Traders can take as much time as they want on challenges without time restrictions. It also gives traders multiple ways to get funded through 1-Step, 2-Step, 3-Step evaluations and instant funding options. Traders can hold positions over weekends and trade during news events, which gives them complete freedom. The platform lets traders access account sizes up to $800,000 with some of the best trading conditions you can find. The company's fast payout system comes with a 2-day payment guarantee and a $500 penalty if they miss the deadline.

Goat Funded Trader Pricing

The company offers some of the best prices in the market, particularly for smaller accounts:

You'll often find promotions running, like their current "BOGO35" deal that gives you 35% off with a buy-one-get-one option. New traders can use the code "FIRSTGFT" to get up to 50% off their first purchase.

Goat Funded Trader Evaluation Process

Each challenge type has its own evaluation structure. The 1-Step model asks traders to hit a 10% profit target while keeping daily losses under 4% and total losses under 6%. The 2-Step evaluation needs 8-10% profit in phase one and 5-6% in phase two, with a bit more room for daily drawdowns at 5% and maximum losses at 10%. The 3-Step model looks for 6% profit in each phase with 4% daily and 8% maximum drawdown limits. Every evaluation type needs at least three trading days.

Traders who don't want to go through evaluation can pick instant funding options to get immediate access to capital, though they'll face stricter risk rules.

Goat Funded Trader Profit Split

The basic profit split starts at 80% for all account types. Traders can boost this to 100% by choosing an upgrade option at checkout. Instant funding accounts work differently with a tiered system: 65% for your first payout, 70% for the second, and 80% after that. Payouts usually happen every two weeks, but traders can upgrade to get their first withdrawal whenever they want.

Goat Funded Trader Platform & Instruments

The company gives traders access to several trading platforms including cTrader, TradeLocker, MatchTrader, Volumetrica, and MT5. Leverage varies by what you're trading: up to 1:100 for forex, 1:20 for indices and commodities, and 1:2 for crypto during evaluation. Traders can access over 1,300 forex pairs, 14,000 stocks, 21,000 ETFs, and more than 1,500 crypto pairs.

Who is Goat Funded Trader Best For?

Goat Funded Trader works great for beginners because of its features and pricing. Traders with day jobs love the no-time-limit policy since they can't trade every day. Swing traders can hold positions over weekends, and news traders can trade during major market events. The platform suits disciplined traders who prefer steady progress over aggressive trading, with its reasonable profit targets and clear drawdown rules.

AquaFunded

AquaFunded has grown faster than expected to become a major player in the affordable prop firm space since its Dubai launch in 2023. The firm's competitive pricing and trader-friendly conditions have helped build a strong community of over 118,000 traders.

Key Features of AquaFunded

Several unique aspects set AquaFunded apart from others. Traders get their money within 48 hours through bi-weekly payments or on-demand options. The firm returns 100% of your fees after your 4th payout. These benefits have earned AquaFunded a high satisfaction score of 9.4/10 from over 5,000 verified reviews. Traders often praise the platform's customer support team for their quick responses.

AquaFunded Pricing

The platform provides accounts from $2,500 to $400,000, with competitive pricing for trading models of all types:

Right now, traders can take advantage of a "40% OFF All Models + 120% Refund + BOGO" promotion.

AquaFunded Evaluation Process

Each challenge type has its own evaluation structure. The 1-Step Standard needs a 9% profit target with at least 3 trading days. The 1-Step Pro requires 6% with a minimum of 5 trading days. Traders in the 2-Step Standard must hit an 8% profit target in Phase 1 and 5% in Phase 2, with 5 minimum trading days for each. The 3-Step model keeps it simple with a 6% profit target for all phases.

Daily drawdown limits range from 4-5%, while maximum total loss limits sit between 8-10%. The platform uses both static and trailing drawdown types. Trailing drawdowns update daily based on the highest equity reached by 7 PM EST.

AquaFunded Profit Split

Traders start with a 90% profit split and can upgrade to 100% as an add-on during checkout. Payouts happen every two weeks, but you can speed up your first payout to just 7 days with an upgrade. This solves the common issue of waiting too long for withdrawals.

AquaFunded Platform & Instruments

Traders can choose from MetaTrader 5, MatchTrader, TradeLocker, and cTrader platforms. Leverage options change based on what you trade and your evaluation phase. Forex gets 1:100 during evaluation and 1:50 when funded. Indices and commodities both get 1:20/1:10, while crypto stays at 1:2.

Who is AquaFunded Best For?

The platform works great for traders who want flexible evaluation options without time pressure. High profit splits of 90-100% make it attractive for profit-focused traders. The bi-weekly payouts and 7-day fast-track option help traders get their money sooner. Both new and experienced traders can benefit from using the firm's capital instead of risking their own. Some models don't require minimum trading days, which suits part-time traders perfectly.

AquaFunded stands out as one of the best value prop firm challenges you can find today. The refundable fees, high profit splits, and multiple challenge options make it an excellent choice for most traders.

FundedNext

A 2-year old UAE-registered proprietary trading firm, FundedNext started with a mission to strengthen traders through simulated funding opportunities. The firm has paid out more than $150 million to over 47,300 traders worldwide. This young prop firm has quickly become a strong player in the affordable funding space.

Key Features of FundedNext

FundedNext stands out with several unique benefits. The firm guarantees payouts within 24 hours and offers $1,000 compensation if they miss this timeline. Traders can earn a 15% profit share during the challenge phase - something rare in the prop firm industry. Multiple challenge models like Stellar (1-Step, 2-Step, and Lite) suit different trading styles. Successful traders can grow their accounts up to $4 million through structured performance tiers. Balance-based drawdown calculations instead of equity-based rules give traders more flexibility during market swings.

FundedNext Pricing

FundedNext's challenge accounts come at competitive prices across their models:

Futures traders can start with $129 for a $25K account, $249 for a $50K account, and $449 for a $100K account. The first payout refunds all challenge fees, making this one of the most affordable prop firm challenges available.

FundedNext Evaluation Process

Each challenge type has its own evaluation structure. Stellar 1-Step needs a 10% profit target with 3% daily loss and 6% overall loss limits. The 2-Step challenge asks for 8% profit in Phase 1 and 5% in Phase 2, with 5% daily and 10% maximum loss limits. Stellar Lite requires 8% profit in Phase 1 and 4% in Phase 2, with 4% daily and 8% maximum loss limits.

Traders must trade for at least 2 days in the 1-Step model and 5 days in both 2-Step and Lite models. The best part? No time limits exist to reach profit targets.

FundedNext Profit Split

Traders start with an 80% profit split on Evaluation, Stellar Lite, Stellar 1-Step, and Stellar 2-Step accounts. This grows to 90% with more withdrawals and account scaling. Some add-ons can boost the profit split to 95%. Express accounts begin at 60%, climb to 75%, and reach 90% with subsequent withdrawals. The first payout comes in 5 days for 1-Step accounts and 21 days for 2-Step and Lite accounts. After that, payouts happen every two weeks.

FundedNext Platform & Instruments

The firm supports popular platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader, and others. Traders can work with over 70 CFD symbols including forex pairs (EURUSD, GBPJPY, etc.), commodities (gold, silver, oil), indices (US30, GER30), and cryptocurrencies. Futures traders get access to over 30 contracts in metals, energy, stock indices, and agricultural markets. Leverage ranges from 1:30 for 1-Step to 1:100 for 2-Step accounts.

Who is FundedNext Best For?

FundedNext works great for both new and seasoned traders who want reasonable profit targets and solid risk management. The lack of time limits makes it perfect for part-time traders. The 15% profit share during challenges attracts traders who want quick returns on their skills. Success stories from traders of all backgrounds praise the company's support system and clear rules.

FundedNext has become one of the most attractive cheap prop firm challenges thanks to its fair pricing, multiple challenge options, and generous profit-sharing structure.

Hola Prime

Hola Prime draws in traders who take a disciplined, systematic approach with its straightforward methods and top-tier execution. This newer player in the prop trading space puts clear rules first. The firm focuses on immediate compliance and steady cash flow that appeals to traders who care more about consistency than hype.

Key Features of Hola Prime

The firm stands out in several ways. They process payouts in just one hour, which removes the usual waiting game for cash that plagues other firms. Traders can get their hands on up to $4 million in capital through well-laid-out scaling. The platform watches trades in real-time to help traders avoid breaking rules before it happens. You can choose between instant funding or go through an evaluation - whatever suits you best. The firm shows its commitment to openness by putting out daily price reports. They even have their own Risk and Compliance Department - something you won't find at most other firms.

Hola Prime Pricing

The firm gives traders several account options with competitive rates:

You'll get all your challenge fees back after passing. This makes it one of the most budget-friendly prop firm challenges out there.

Hola Prime Evaluation Process

Each challenge model has its own setup. The 1-Step Prime Challenge needs you to hit one profit target. The 2-Step Challenge splits into two phases, each with its own goals. The 3-Step Prime Challenge adds another verification phase on top. Risk limits stay pretty similar across the board - you're looking at 3-5% daily loss caps and 5-8% maximum drawdowns. Company numbers show that 35% of traders made it through their challenges from November 2024 to May 2025.

Hola Prime Profit Split

The firm ties your profit split to how often you want to get paid. Weekly payouts get you 65%, bi-weekly bumps it to 80%, and monthly gives you the best deal at 95%. Direct Account traders can grab up to 90% with bi-weekly payments. This setup lets you pick between convenience and better percentages - you decide what matters most to you.

Hola Prime Platform & Instruments

Traders can pick from MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, DxTrade, and MatchTrader. You'll find all the usual suspects here - forex, futures, indices, commodities, and crypto. Leverage goes up to 1:100 for forex pairs.

Who is Hola Prime Best For?

Systematic traders who like clear rules and steady cash flow will feel right at home here. The one-hour payout guarantee is perfect for traders who want quick access to their profits. Rule-focused traders will love how straightforward everything is. The platform works best for disciplined traders who play the long game instead of going for risky quick wins.

SabioTrade

SabioTrade is an affordable Irish-based proprietary trading firm that started in 2023. The company helps aspiring traders access funded accounts without large upfront costs. This new player has quickly drawn attention with its efficient approach to prop trading challenges.

Key Features of SabioTrade

The company's straightforward one-step assessment process lets you work at your own pace without time pressure. Their platform combines the trading dashboard with an integrated ecosystem that creates a smooth experience. Traders also get a free 3-step educational course about simple trading concepts, technical and fundamental analysis. Though relatively new, SabioTrade returns evaluation fees after your first payout. You'll also find daily trading signals and built-in price analysis tools.

SabioTrade Pricing

SabioTrade has several account tiers with competitive pricing:

Traders can start with smaller accounts at just $50 for a $10,000 balance and 75% profit share. The platform often runs promotional discounts, including their current "30% off" with promo code "SABIO26".

SabioTrade Evaluation Process

The assessment follows a well-laid-out approach. Traders need a 10% profit target during evaluation. Risk limits include a 3% daily loss cap and 6% maximum trailing drawdown. Successful traders get their funded account within 24-48 hours after submitting KYC documents. Part-time traders benefit since there are no minimum trading days required.

SabioTrade Profit Split

Profit sharing ranges from 80% to 90% based on account type. Standard, Premium, and Gold accounts earn 80% profit share, while Platinum accounts receive 90%. Traders keep more earnings since there are no withdrawal fees. You can request payouts right after making profits without minimum trading day requirements.

SabioTrade Platform & Instruments

The company employs a proprietary trading platform from Quadcode that includes over 100 built-in technical analysis tools. Traders can view up to 9 charts at once. More than 250 trading instruments are available, including forex, stocks, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, and ETFs. Leverage ranges from 1:30 standard to 1:100 for certain accounts.

Who is SabioTrade Best For?

Beginners will appreciate the educational resources that come with funding opportunities. The platform works well for traders who want clear, simple rules. Mobile traders have full platform access—something rare among prop firms. Algorithmic traders can run their automated strategies here too.

FXIFY

FXIFY emerged as a notable player in prop trading in 2023. The UK-based firm has paid out over $30M to traders in its first year. Their approach to funded trading opportunities sets them apart from competitors.

Key Features of FXIFY

The firm raised its default profit split from 75% to 80% and launched new $5K accounts for entry-level traders. FXIFY distinguishes itself by supporting algorithmic trading, martingale strategies, grid trading and weekend positions. The platform runs on reliable infrastructure through mutually beneficial alliances with FXPIG and Alchemy Markets.

FXIFY Pricing

Account sizes range from $5,000 to $400,000, and evaluation fees cost between $39 and $1,999. Traders can choose optional add-ons: increased leverage (25% fee), a profit split boost to 90% (20% fee), and bi-weekly payouts (5% fee).

FXIFY Evaluation Process

The platform offers three evaluation paths:

• One-phase: 10% profit target, 3% daily drawdown
• Two-phase: 10% phase 1 and 5% phase 2 targets, 4% daily drawdown
• Three-phase: 5% target per phase, 5% daily drawdown

Each evaluation needs a minimum of 5 trading days without maximum time restrictions.

FXIFY Profit Split

The base profit split starts at 80% and can reach 90%. Traders receive their earnings every two weeks.

FXIFY Platform & Instruments

The platform gives access to over 300 instruments through MT4/MT5, DXtrade, and the newly integrated TradingView. Traders can access CME Group products with leverage up to 1:50.

Who is FXIFY Best For?

Algorithm developers, swing traders who hold weekend positions, and traders who value strategy freedom find FXIFY particularly appealing. The platform's flexibility with time constraints makes it an excellent choice for these trading styles.

Crypto Fund Trader

Crypto Fund Trader began its journey in November 2022 from Switzerland. The company excels in virtual evaluations across multiple asset classes and focuses heavily on cryptocurrency markets.

Key Features of Crypto Fund Trader

The platform completes withdrawals within 8-24 hours and provides demo capital up to $300,000. Through a mutually beneficial alliance with Bybit, traders can access 715+ crypto trading pairs. Traders can complete their challenges without any time restrictions.

Crypto Fund Trader Pricing

The two-phase evaluation costs range from $58 for $5,000 accounts to $1,150 for $200,000 accounts. Traders choosing one-phase options pay between $63 for $5,000 accounts and $1,250 for $200,000 accounts. The platform's instant challenges start at $2,500.

Crypto Fund Trader Evaluation Process

Traders must achieve an 8% profit in Phase 1 and 4% in Phase 2 during the standard two-phase evaluation. The maximum daily loss limit stays at 5%. The one-phase evaluation needs a 10% profit target with tighter 4% daily loss limits. Both options require trading activities on at least 5 different days.

Crypto Fund Trader Profit Split

You keep 80% of your profits, which can increase to 90% as you demonstrate consistent performance. The platform allows payout requests after 15 trading days or 30 calendar days.

Crypto Fund Trader Platform & Instruments

The platform offers three distinct trading interfaces: MetaTrader 5 suits algorithmic traders, MatchTrader provides advanced charting, and direct Bybit access. The trading options extend beyond cryptocurrencies to include forex, indices, commodities, and stocks.

Who is Crypto Fund Trader Best For?

The platform works best for professional crypto traders who need exchange-grade execution through the Bybit ecosystem. It stands out as an excellent choice for algorithmic traders and those who need extensive pair coverage.

Conclusion

Our analysis of eight affordable prop trading firms reveals a game-changing fact - traders don't need deep pockets anymore to access substantial trading capital. You can start your trading career with less than $100, though premium accounts still need higher entry fees.

These affordable options share some common features. They give high profit splits from 80-100%, flexible evaluation processes, and various account sizes that match your trading style. It also helps that many firms refund your challenge fees after successful payouts, which makes your entry practically free.

Each platform caters to different types of traders. Goat Funded Trader works best for beginners since it has no time limits. AquaFunded shines with its 90-100% profit splits. FundedNext draws traders who want quick returns through its 15% challenge phase profit sharing. The GFunded, a 7-year old firm, provides stability and lets you grow your account up to $4 million.

Hola Prime catches the eye of systematic traders with one-hour payouts. SabioTrade combines funding with educational resources. FXIFY welcomes algorithm developers. Crypto Fund Trader focuses on cryptocurrency markets with broad pair coverage.

The right prop firm for you depends on your trading style, experience, and goals. You'll find an affordable option that fits your situation - whether you trade part-time or full-time, use algorithms or manual execution, or focus on forex or cryptocurrencies. Prop trading has created opportunities for traders at all levels to prove their skills without risking their own capital.

Key Takeaways

Discover how prop firm challenges have become incredibly accessible, with entry fees starting as low as $17 and offering paths to substantial trading capital without risking your own money.

• Ultra-low entry costs: Cheapest prop firm challenges now start at just $17-$25, making funded trading accessible to virtually any budget level.

• High profit retention: Most affordable prop firms offer 80-100% profit splits, with many providing refundable challenge fees after first payout.

• Flexible evaluation models: Choose from 1-step, 2-step, or 3-step challenges with no time limits, accommodating part-time and full-time traders alike.

• Diverse specializations: Each firm serves different needs - from crypto-focused platforms to algorithm-friendly environments and beginner educational resources.

• Scalable growth potential: Successful traders can scale accounts up to $4 million, transforming small initial investments into substantial trading capital access.

The prop trading revolution has eliminated traditional barriers to entry, allowing skilled traders to prove themselves with minimal upfront investment while retaining the majority of their profits. Whether you're a beginner seeking educational support or an experienced trader wanting algorithm freedom, there's an affordable prop firm challenge designed for your specific trading style and goals.

FAQs

Q1. What are the most affordable prop firm challenges available? Some of the cheapest prop firm challenges include Goat Funded Trader, AquaFunded, and FundedNext, with entry fees starting as low as $17-$25 for smaller account sizes. Many offer refundable fees after successful payouts.

Q2. How do profit splits typically work with prop firms? Most affordable prop firms offer profit splits ranging from 80-100%. For example, Goat Funded Trader starts at 80% but allows upgrades to 100%, while AquaFunded offers 90% standard splits with options to increase to 100%.

Q3. What should beginners look for in a prop firm challenge? Beginners should consider firms with flexible evaluation processes, no time limits, reasonable profit targets, and clear rules. Platforms like Goat Funded Trader and AquaFunded are often recommended for their trader-friendly conditions and educational resources.

Q4. Are prop firms legitimate or just scams? While there are some questionable operators, many prop firms are legitimate businesses offering real funding opportunities. It's important to research thoroughly, read reviews, and choose established firms with transparent terms and proven track records of payouts.

Q5. What trading instruments are typically available through prop firms? Most prop firms offer a wide range of instruments including forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. For example, FXIFY provides access to over 300 instruments across multiple asset classes, while Crypto Fund Trader specializes in over 715 cryptocurrency pairs.