Prop firm challenges compared 2026
Which prop firm challenge is worth your money? We lined up prices, profit splits, trading rules and customer reviews for 31 firms that accept UK traders, and scored each one out of 10.
See the scores
Blue Guardian
- Score
- 7.5/10
- Profit split
- 85%
- 100K challenge from
- $239
- Trustpilot
- 4.0
The 10 best prop firms for UK traders (2026)
Sorted by score. Prices are list prices without discount codes for a $100,000 account.










The rest of the field (31 firms in total)
Find the right prop firm
Prices by account size
Popular comparisons
- Blue Guardian vs FXIFY
- Blue Guardian vs AquaFunded
- Blue Guardian vs FundedElite
- Blue Guardian vs Lark Funding
- Blue Guardian vs Maven Trading
- Blue Guardian vs FTMO
- Blue Guardian vs The5ers
- FXIFY vs AquaFunded
- FXIFY vs FundedElite
- FXIFY vs Lark Funding
- FXIFY vs Maven Trading
- FXIFY vs FTMO
Guides to get started
- What is a prop firm and how does it work?
- How a prop firm challenge works: phases, targets and limits
- Drawdown explained: static, trailing and daily limits
- The consistency rule: what it is and how to avoid problems
- Prop firm profit split: how much do you really keep?
- Instant funding: trading without a challenge
- 1-Step vs 2-Step challenge: which should you choose?
- Pay-after-pass prop firms: how they work and whether they're worth it
Prop firms in the UK: what to know
Is it allowed?
Yes. A prop firm is not a broker: it sells a challenge on a demo account and pays you part of the profit. Most are not FCA-authorised, so check the firm's history and reviews, and search the FCA Warning List before you pay.
Tax?
Payouts are taxable income and normally go on a Self Assessment return. Whether they count as trading income or something else depends on your situation. An accountant can confirm.
Paying?
By card, bank transfer or crypto. Nearly every firm charges in US dollars or euros, so your bank may add a conversion fee. A card with no foreign transaction fees saves money.
Getting paid?
By bank transfer (often via Rise) or crypto (USDT/USDC). Keep a record of every payout and the exchange rate on the day for your tax return.
How we score
Every score is built from four parts. We use each firm's published prices and rules plus Trustpilot ratings, and turn the result into a score out of 10.
No firm can pay for a better position. Some links earn us a commission, but that never changes a score.
Frequently asked questions
What is a prop firm?
A prop firm lends you a trading account funded with its capital. You pay a one-off fee for an evaluation called a challenge. Pass it and you trade the firm's account and keep a share of the profit, usually 80–90%.
Are prop firms legal in the UK?
Yes. A prop firm sells an evaluation on a demo account and is not a broker, so most are not authorised by the FCA. That is legal, but it means less protection, so stick to firms with a long track record and good reviews.
Which prop firm is cheapest?
For a 100K account, the cheapest challenges with at least an 80% split are: Blue Guardian (2 Step Nano, $239), Instant Funding (One-Phase Micro, $259), AquaFunded (Two Step Pro, $279.20). Price isn't everything; loss limits and rules matter just as much.
Do I pay tax on prop firm payouts?
Yes. HMRC treats payouts as taxable income, usually through Self Assessment. How exactly depends on your circumstances, so speak to an accountant.
1-Step or 2-Step?
A 1-Step has a single profit target but usually tighter loss limits. A 2-Step has two targets and a little more room for losses.