Prop firm index

A firm that gives you a trading account with its capital for a fee. You trade within its rules (daily and max loss, sometimes a profit target); keep them and you get a share of the profits. The fee is the most you can lose.

2-step: two targets in a row, usually wider limits and a lower price. 1-step: one target, tighter limits. Instant: funded from day one with no challenge, usually pricier with stricter rules.

Daily loss: the most you may lose in one day. Max loss: the deepest the account may ever fall. Breaking either closes the account, so know both in dollars before every trade (each shop's account lab works them out).

Static: the loss limit is measured from the starting balance and never moves. Trailing: the limit rises with your highest balance, so every gain lifts the stop line too. Static is easier for most traders.

Very short trades (seconds to minutes) for small targets. Some firms set a minimum trade duration or ban certain patterns, so read the shop's prohibited section before buying.

During major releases (US jobs, inflation) price moves fast and slippage grows. Some firms allow it fully; others block opening or closing trades a few minutes around the release.

Swing: holding a trade for days. Overnight: holding into the next day (swap fees may apply). Weekend: keeping it open Friday to Monday, which some accounts ban because of opening gaps.

Programs that trade automatically on MetaTrader. Most firms allow them with conditions: no exploiting price errors and no off-the-shelf EA shared across thousands of accounts. Check the prohibited section.

Mirroring trades from one account to another automatically. Many firms allow copying your own accounts only and ban copying signals or other traders.

Holding a buy and a sell on the same pair at once. Inside one account it is often allowed, but hedging across accounts or firms is banned at most firms and closes the account.

Stops most of your profit coming from one day or trade. Example: at 30% with $1,000 profit, your best day can't exceed $300. Even risk per day keeps you inside it.

Lets you open a position larger than your balance. Higher leverage doesn't mean more profit; your lot size and stop loss decide your risk.

The share of profit you keep (e.g. 80% or 90%) and how often you can withdraw (weekly, bi-weekly, on demand). Each shop's Payouts tab shows what the official site publishes.

Most firms offer currency pairs, gold and indices; some add crypto. Leverage and trading hours differ between markets inside the same account.

The number of days you must place a trade before a phase passes or a payout unlocks, even if you hit the target early.

MetaTrader 5 is the most common and runs EAs. cTrader, Match-Trader and TradeLocker are alternatives with different interfaces. Make sure the platform fits your tools before buying.