Which Prop Firms Charge the Lowest Evaluation/Entry Fee?
Your trading journey doesn’t have to start with a heavy price tag—because in prop trading, your skill matters more than your wallet.
Every trader dreams of turning market moves into real income without risking their own savings. That’s where prop firms step in—funding traders with company capital and letting them keep a cut of the profits. The catch? Most firms need you to prove you can handle the pressure by passing an evaluation, and that usually means paying an entry fee. The lower the fee, the sooner you can focus on strategy instead of stressing over up‑front costs. But not all prop firms price that gateway the same way, and hunting for the right one can feel like scrolling through endless fine print. Let’s break down who’s making it easiest—and cheapest—for new traders to get in the game.
Why Entry Fees Matter for Traders
Entry fees are more than just numbers on a pricing page; they set the tone for your first trade with a prop firm. Choose too high, and you’re already feeling the burn before the first candle moves. Choose a fair and low rate, and you’ve got more mental space to figure out your trading edge.
Most firms design these fees based on account size. A $10K test account might feel cheap at $100, but double that funding level and costs can jump. The trick isn’t always choosing the smallest fee—it’s finding the lowest cost for the amount of capital you actually need.
The Low-Fee Standouts in Prop Trading
There’s a growing cluster of firms competing to lower entry barriers. Traders have noticed three key models emerging:
1. Ultra-budget evaluation tiers Some firms, like FTMO’s smaller account option or The Funded Trader’s micro challenge, give entry points under $150. The idea is to let new traders experiment without sweating over each contract or pip.
2. “One-phase” tests Instead of dragging you through multi-stage qualification, firms like MyFundedFX or Fidelcrest’s express accounts simplify the evaluation. That saves not only time but also repeat fees if you fail the first stage.
3. Refund-on-success models The concept sounds like free money: pass the evaluation, and they give your entry fee back. Both E8 Funding and Funding Pips have versions of this, turning the fee into a refundable deposit rather than a sunk cost.
Assets, Strategies, and the Bigger Picture
Low entry fees open the door, but what you trade once inside is where the real story begins. Prop firms now cover nearly every asset class—forex for quick liquidity moves, stocks for trend riders, cryptos for high‑volatility plays, indices for macro bets, options for leverage tacticians, and even commodities like gold or oil for fundamental macro traders.
Diversifying across these isn’t just for hedge funds. For retail prop traders, running currency trades alongside an S&P 500 position can flatten risk or amplify opportunity when markets wobble. An attractive entry fee gives you more room to experiment with this mix without feeling like every pip costs double.
The Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Undercurrent
Prop trading is rooted in centralized funding, but DeFi is playing an increasingly loud role. Platforms are testing AI‑driven contracts that manage trades automatically, smart contracts that lock profits before you can overtrade, and tokenized funding models where a prop account is represented by a blockchain asset. Challenges? Regulation isn’t fully in sync, and liquidity pools can be fragile in downturns. Still, the fusion of prop firm infrastructure with DeFi capabilities could drop entry fees even further—automating what currently costs firms in admin and tech.
The Road Ahead for Prop Trading
Fee wars between prop firms are going to intensify. Expect tighter competition on smaller account challenges, faster evaluation periods, and bonus features that make entry feel like onboarding to a premium service instead of taking a test. AI will crunch trader data to predict potential, possibly cutting costs for those statistically likely to succeed. That means the “lowest fee” conversation could soon be replaced by “fee matched to talent.”
Slogan for the savvy trader: Your skill is your deposit—low fees let performance do the talking.
The takeaway? A low evaluation fee isn’t just about saving cash; it’s a mental unlock. Pick the right prop firm, one that doesn’t tax your start, and you’re free to pour energy into the chart instead of the checkout page. Trading is already enough of a marathon—don’t let your starting line be uphill.
If you want, I can put together a comparison chart of the lowest entry-fee prop firms so it’s even easier to bookmark and decide. Do you want me to add that now?
