The sticker price of a prop firm evaluation can be misleading. A "$147/month" evaluation sounds reasonable — until you add activation fees, platform costs, resets, and the time it takes to pass. Here's what funded futures trading actually costs.
The Three Layers of Cost
Layer 1: Evaluation Fee
This is the headline price — what you pay to start your evaluation. There are two models:
Monthly subscription — You pay each month until you pass (or quit). Most firms use this model. If it takes you 3 months to pass a $167/month evaluation, that's $501 in eval fees alone.
One-time fee — You pay once and evaluate until you pass within a time limit. E8 Futures and FundedNext use this model. The upfront cost is higher, but there's no recurring charge.
For a typical 100K evaluation:
- Apex Trader Funding: $297/month
- Topstep: $149/month
- Take Profit Trader: $199/month
- Trade Day: $139-179/month (varies by drawdown type)
- E8 Futures: $588 one-time
Check the deals page before you buy — most firms run frequent promotions with 40-80% discounts.
Layer 2: Activation Fee
Once you pass your evaluation, most firms charge an activation fee to set up your funded account. This ranges from $0 to $149:
- $0 — E8 Futures, Legends Trading, Alpha Futures (Zero path)
- $130 — Take Profit Trader
- $139 — Trade Day
- $149 — Topstep (Standard Path), Alpha Futures (Standard/Advanced)
- $85-105/month — Apex Trader Funding charges a monthly PA fee instead of a one-time activation
This is the cost most traders overlook. A "$149/month" eval with a $149 activation means your first month funded has already cost you $298+ before you trade a single tick.
Layer 3: Ongoing Costs
Some firms have recurring costs even after you're funded:
- Monthly platform/data fees — Funded Futures Network charges ~$126/month for data
- Monthly subscription continuation — Apex charges $85-105/month PA fee
- Reset fees — If you breach your funded account, resets typically cost $80-100
The True Cost Formula
Here's a realistic cost breakdown for getting funded and receiving your first payout:
True Cost = (Monthly eval fee × months to pass)
+ Activation fee
+ First month funded costs
Realistic scenario — 100K account, 2 months to pass:
| Firm | Eval Fees | Activation | Monthly Funded | Total | |------|-----------|------------|---------------|-------| | Apex | $594 (2mo) | $105/mo ongoing | $105/mo PA | ~$804 | | Topstep | $298 (2mo) | $149 | $0 | ~$447 | | Take Profit Trader | $398 (2mo) | $130 | $0 | ~$528 | | Trade Day (EOD) | $318 (2mo) | $139 | $0 | ~$457 | | E8 Futures | $588 (once) | $0 | $0 | ~$588 |
These numbers assume you pass in 2 months with no resets. The FirmBase payout simulator can model your specific scenario.
Hidden Costs to Watch
Failed Evaluations
The average trader doesn't pass on their first attempt. If you fail and restart, you're paying the evaluation fee again (or a reset fee). A $167/month eval that takes 3 attempts over 5 months costs $835 — not $167.
Opportunity Cost of Time
Minimum trading days means you can't speed-run an evaluation. A firm requiring 10 minimum days means at least 2 calendar weeks. Factor in the profit target and consistency rules, and most traders need 3-8 weeks per attempt.
Platform-Specific Fees
Some platforms have their own costs. Tradovate has data fees; NinjaTrader has a license. These vary by firm — check the firm's specific platform requirements.
Strategies to Minimize Cost
- Wait for promotions — Most firms run 50-80% off sales. Check our deals page
- Choose one-time fee models — If you're not confident you'll pass quickly
- Start with smaller accounts — A $50K eval costs less and the profit targets are proportionally easier
- Pick the right drawdown type — Matching your style to the rules reduces failed attempts
Compare All Costs
FirmBase calculates the true cost to get funded for every firm and tier. Use the comparison tool to see eval fees, activation costs, and ongoing charges side-by-side — or try the payout simulator to model your expected costs and returns.