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Prop Firm Profit Split Explained: How Much Do You Keep?
Written by Renan Filho, Technology & AI specialist. Expiry dates and activation fees are always visible.
Quick Answer: The short answer: you keep 70% to 100% of profits, depending on the firm and your account size. The split is the biggest factor in your take-home pay. FTMO offers 80% from the start. Apex gives you 100% after the first payout. Topstep holds 50% for the first month. Here is how each deal stacks up for US traders.
Key Facts for US Traders (2026)
| Market | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| US indices | S&P 500, NASDAQ, Dow Jones | NYSE / NASDAQ |
| Regulator | CFTC (futures) / SEC (securities) | Official |
| Prop firm model | Funded evaluations with profit split 70-95% | Vendor terms |
| Verification | Updated regularly | PropFirmDiscountApp |
| Best deal today | Code DISCOUNTAPP — up to 90% off | Updated regularly |
How Profit Splits Actually Work
Most prop firms use a two-step evaluation. Pass it, and you get a funded account. The split is the percentage of profits you keep. The firm keeps the rest to cover risk and costs. Splits start at 50% and climb to 90–100% as you hit profit targets. US traders should look at the starting split and how fast it scales. Lower splits kill your earnings if you are a consistent winner.
FTMO – The 80% Benchmark, But Not the Best
FTMO pays 80% from day one. After you make 10% profit, the split jumps to 90%. That is solid. But the evaluation is strict and the challenge costs $155–$1,080. The 80% starting point is fair, but not the highest. Apex and FundedNext beat it. FTMO is a safe bet, but you leave money on the table if you are a strong trader.
Apex vs Topstep – Two Very Different Deals
Apex offers 80% split, but after your first payout you get 100% of all future profits. That is the best deal on the market. Topstep starts at 50% for the first 30 days, then moves to 80%. Only after 12 consecutive winning days does it hit 90%. Apex is clearly better for day traders who scale fast. Topstep is for grinders who want a lower entry cost.
FundedNext, True Forex, The5ers, E8 – The Rest
FundedNext gives 80% split, then 90% after 10% profit. True Forex Funds pays 85% straight up on some plans and goes to 90%. The5ers starts at 80% and scales to 90% after 10% gain. E8 Markets offers 80% with a max of 85% after a 15% profit. None beat Apex’s 100% after first payout. True Forex’s 85% starting is good for traders who hate scaling delays.
Hidden Costs That Eat Your Split
Keep an eye on withdrawal fees, inactivity fees, and scaling rules. FTMO charges a 5% admin fee on first payout. Apex has a $15 monthly fee if you are inactive. Topstep takes a $49 monthly subscription. These costs cut into your effective split. Always calculate net profit after fees. A 100% split with high fees may be worse than an 80% split with zero fees.
What the Profit Split Actually Costs You: Fees, Refunds, and Hidden Rules
Your advertised split (e.g., 80/20 or 90/10) is only part of the equation. The real cost comes from the challenge fee structure: a $100K account at FTMO costs €355 for a two-step evaluation, while MyForexFunds (MFF) charged $250 for the same, and The Funded Trader often runs $99 sales. However, the "keep" percentage is tied to strict consistency rules—most firms cap your daily loss at 5% and trailing drawdown at 10%, meaning a single bad day can wipe out the account before you ever see a payout. Payout frequency matters too: FTMO pays on-demand (any time after 14 calendar days), while E8 Markets pays bi-weekly, and Topstep requires a minimum of 5 trading days. Also, check refund policies—FTMO refunds the fee on your first payout, but many cheaper firms do not, effectively reducing your real split by 2-4% over the first month. Finally, platform fees (Rithmic, Tradovate) are often passed to you, adding $30-$50/month, which can eat 5-10% of a $2,000 monthly profit on a 50K account.
Comparing Real Payouts: 50K vs. 100K Accounts Across Top Firms
Traders often ask, "Which split gives me the most cash in hand?" Let's compare a $50K account with an 80% split and a $100K account with a 90% split. On a $50K account at FTMO (80% split), if you make $4,000 in a month, you keep $3,200 (minus a 10% consistency fee if violated). On a $100K account at Apex (90% split, but with a 50% consistency rule), earning $8,000 nets you $7,200—but only if your largest winning day is under $4,000. Meanwhile, Funding Pips offers a 100% split on your first payout for a $50K account (fee $149), but only if you pass a 10% profit target with a 5% daily drawdown; failure means a $50 re-evaluation fee. The real differentiator is drawdown: a 5% trailing drawdown on a $100K account allows only $5,000 of risk, so a 90% split on a $100K often yields less absolute cash than an 80% split on a $50K with a 10% drawdown ($10,000 risk buffer). Always calculate your "effective split" = (profit × split) − (fees + failed attempts) before choosing.
Hidden Costs and Payout Timelines: What Actually Hits Your Wallet
Beyond the headline 80/20 split, traders must factor in the full cost structure. Most firms charge a one-time activation fee (e.g., $49 to $99) after you pass a challenge, plus a monthly subscription that ranges from $89 (for a $10K account) to $549 (for a $200K account) if you skip the refundable fee. Notably, payouts are rarely instant: firms like FTMO and FundedNext process withdrawals within 24–72 hours after a request, but they often cap your first withdrawal at 50% of the profit split until you hit a trailing threshold. For example, on a $100K account with a 10% profit target, you might earn $8,000 at an 80/20 split, but the firm may withhold $4,000 as a "reserve" until you complete 5 trading days or reach a new equity high. Also, watch for hidden rules: inactivity fees ($15/month after 30 days no trades) and scaling plans that require a 12% profit before bumping your split to 90/10. Always read the payout clause—some firms ban news trading or require a minimum of 2 trades per week to qualify for a withdrawal.
Prop Firm Profit Split Showdown: FTMO vs. The5ers vs. E8 Markets
Traders often ask: "Which firm gives me the best effective split after drawdowns?" Let's compare three popular options. FTMO offers a standard 80/20 split on accounts from $10K to $200K, with a 10% max drawdown (static) and a 5% daily loss limit. The5ers, however, uses a "High Stakes" plan: a 50% profit split up to $100K, but after you hit a 10% profit, your split jumps to 80/20, and after 20% profit, it becomes 90/10—effectively rewarding consistency. E8 Markets is more aggressive: a flat 90/10 split from day one, but with a tighter 6% max drawdown and a 4% daily loss limit, making it riskier for volatile strategies. In terms of real money, on a $50K account with a 5% monthly return ($2,500), FTMO gives you $2,000; The5ers gives you $1,250 initially but $2,000 after the 10% threshold is met; E8 gives you $2,250 but with a higher chance of a blown account. The "best" split isn't just the percentage—it's the ratio of split to drawdown tolerance. A 90/10 with a 6% drawdown is mathematically worse than an 80/20 with a 10% drawdown if your average losing streak exceeds 5%.
The Bottom Line on Features
| Firm | Starting Split | Max Split | Scaling Condition | Fees (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO | 80% | 90% | After 10% profit | 5% admin fee on first payout |
| Apex Trader | 80% | 100% | After first payout | $15/mo inactivity fee |
| Topstep | 50% | 90% | 30 days + 12 winning days | $49/mo subscription |
| FundedNext | 80% | 90% | After 10% profit | None |
| True Forex | 85% | 90% | After 8% profit | None |
| The5ers | 80% | 90% | After 10% profit | None |
| E8 Markets | 80% | 85% | After 15% profit | None |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average profit split at prop firms?
Most firms start at 80% and scale to 90% or 100% after you hit a profit target. Apex gives 100% after the first payout.
Which prop firm offers the highest profit split?
Apex Trader Funding gives you 100% of profits after the first payout. No other firm matches that.
Do I keep 100% of my profits in a prop firm?
Only Apex offers 100% after the first payout. Other firms top out at 90% or 95%.
Are there hidden fees that reduce my profit split?
Yes. FTMO charges a 5% admin fee on the first payout. Topstep has a $49 monthly subscription. Apex charges inactivity fees.
How does profit split scaling work?
You start at a lower split, usually 80%. After you earn a certain profit percentage (e.g., 10%), the firm increases your split to 90% or 100%.
The Takeaway
Pick the firm that matches your trading style. If you want the highest split fast, go with Apex. If you prefer a proven brand with a smooth process, FTMO is solid. Avoid Topstep unless you are patient and want low entry costs. Compare the numbers, calculate net earnings, and start scaling.
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Risk warning: Trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for every investor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Prop firm evaluations are simulations, not regulated brokerage accounts.