A free trial lets you test a firm’s platform, execution and rules before paying for an evaluation. Use it to confirm your strategy fits the loss limits, not to chase a profit target.
What to look for
- How long the trial lasts
- Whether it uses the same platform and rules as the paid challenge
- Any limits on instruments or account size
Our picks
1. SabioTrade
SabioTrade offers a 7-day free trial, useful for learning its Quadcode-based Traderoom before paying.
| Entry price | $139 ($20K) |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Sabio Traderoom (Quadcode) |
| Maximum loss | 6% trailing from highest balance |
Visit SabioTrade Read our SabioTrade review
2. FTMO
FTMO offers a free trial so you can try its platforms and rules before buying a challenge.
| Entry price | €89 ($10K) |
|---|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader, cTrader, DXtrade |
| Maximum loss | 10% static (2-Step); 10% trailing (1-Step) |
Visit FTMO Read our FTMO review
How to use a free trial well
Trade exactly the size and setups you plan to use in the paid challenge, log every trade, and check how the daily loss limit behaves with open positions. If you’d have breached during the trial, adjust your risk before paying.
Quick comparison
| Firm | Entry | Maximum loss | Split |
|---|---|---|---|
| SabioTrade | $139 ($20K) | 6% trailing from highest balance | 80% ($20K–$50K) or 90% ($100K+) |
| FTMO | €89 ($10K) | 10% static (2-Step); 10% trailing (1-Step) | 80%, up to 90% via scaling |
The real cost of getting funded
The entry price is only part of the cost. Most traders fail at least once, so the realistic cost is the fee multiplied by the number of attempts, minus any refund when you finally pass. A $39 challenge you pass on the fourth attempt costs more than a $100 challenge you pass on the first.
Use cheap accounts to learn a firm’s rules and payout process, then move up. Pay by credit card where possible, which can give you Section 75 or chargeback options if a firm fails to deliver, and watch for non-sterling transaction fees of around 3% on USD and EUR charges, unless your card waives them.
How to lower your cost per attempt
- Start with the smallest size that lets you trade your normal risk.
- Use free trials to test your strategy against the rules.
- Choose firms that refund the fee with your first payout.
Estimate your numbers with our challenge ROI calculator.
All firms listed accept UK residents. Rules change often, so confirm the details on each firm’s site before you buy, and read our guide on how to choose a prop firm.
Prop firms we currently recommend
-
1
FundedNext Best for MetaTrader users
- Max account
- $200,000 (up to $4M through scaling)
- Profit split
- 80%, up to 95%
- Fee from
- $59.99 USD (confirm at checkout)
- Our rating
- 4.4 out of 5
-
2
SabioTrade Best for learning while you evaluate
- Max account
- $1,000,000
- Profit split
- 80–90%
- Fee from
- $139 USD (confirm at checkout)
- Our rating
- 4.0 out of 5
FAQ
Do prop firms offer free trials?
Some do, including SabioTrade (7 days) and FTMO.
Can I get funded from a free trial?
No. Free trials are for practice; you still need to pass a paid evaluation.
What should I test in a prop firm free trial?
The platform, execution, spreads and how the loss limits react to your normal position sizes.