- In 2026, pick by plan, not just by firm
- Budget picks: Fintokei StartTrader (from about 10,000 JPY) and The5%ers Bootcamp (from $22)
- Zero-cost start: FTMO Free Trial as a practice run
- Criteria: entry cost, time limits, rule forgiveness, language support
Scope and criteria
We already cover how to choose a firm as a beginner in the beginner’s guide to prop firms. This article goes one level deeper: which specific plan a beginner should buy first, as of July 2026.
The four criteria, stated up front:
- Entry cost — cheap enough to fail once or twice without pain
- Time limits — can you pass at your own pace?
- Rule forgiveness — low profit targets, workable loss limits
- Language support — does it matter for you?
Disclosure: this site is an affiliate partner of FTMO, The5%ers and Fintokei. Non-partner firms appear under the same criteria.
The 2026 beginner shortlist
| Plan | Fee | Profit targets | Time limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fintokei StartTrader | from ~10,000 JPY | 2% → 3% → 6% | 180 days per step |
| The5%ers Bootcamp | from $22 | +6% per stage | generous |
| FTMO Free Trial | free | demo | short |
| FTMO Challenge $10K | from $89 | 10% → 5% | none |
| FundedNext Stellar | from ~$45 | 10% (1-Step) | none |
| FundingPips small tiers | from ~$29 | varies by model | none |
Prices and rules change often — always confirm at checkout.
1. Fintokei StartTrader — the lowest targets in the business
Fintokei, a Japan-focused firm with growing international support, runs StartTrader as its entry plan.
- From about 10,000 JPY, among the cheapest entries anywhere
- Three steps with targets of 2%, 3% and 6% — unusually low per step
- Loss limits are tighter (-3% daily, -6% overall), but low targets suit small lots
- 180 days per step, effectively plenty of time
The profit split starts at 50% and can rise to 100% with track record — a fair trade-off for the easy targets. See the Fintokei plans comparison for details. Coupon code FINTO5KEI takes 5% off at checkout.
2. The5%ers Bootcamp — $22 to learn in stages
The5%ers (founded 2016) offers Bootcamp, a three-stage program with a +6% target at every stage.
- From $22, among the cheapest tickets at any long-established firm
- The uniform +6% target keeps planning simple
- Ten years of operation with a public payout track record
If you prefer a standard two-step evaluation, the same firm’s High Stakes starts at $19 with 10% → 5% targets and no time limit. See The5%ers programs compared. Coupon code HZZS4 applies at checkout.
3. FTMO Free Trial — fail for free first
Before paying anyone, consider FTMO’s Free Trial.
- Costs nothing, no card required
- A shortened single-phase version of the real challenge
- No funded account at the end — it is purely practice
Most beginners bust evaluations on the daily loss limit. Experiencing that once for free is worth more than any article. Details in the FTMO Free Trial guide.
The real FTMO Challenge (from $89) has no time limit, refunds the full fee with your first payout, and splits profits 80% rising to 90%.
4. Non-partner options: FundedNext and FundingPips
Two firms we have no commercial relationship with also deserve a place.
FundedNext (founded 2022) runs the Stellar line with no time limit; the 1-Step version targets 10% with a two-trading-day minimum. Fees are refunded with the first payout (except Stellar Instant), and a 15% profit share on challenge-phase profits exists, though eligibility tightened for accounts bought on or after January 12, 2026. Splits go up to 95%.
FundingPips (founded 2022) is the budget benchmark with tiers from around $29. In 2026 it moved to selectable payout cycles (weekly to monthly) with the profit split varying by cycle, and — per its published terms as of April 2026 — refunds the evaluation fee with the first payout on eligible challenges. Terms move quickly — read the current official rules before buying.
The order a beginner should do things
- Run the FTMO Free Trial for a week or two, for free
- Buy either Fintokei StartTrader or a small The5%ers Bootcamp / High Stakes account
- Budget for two or three attempts — failing once is normal
- Only scale account size after you have passed and withdrawn once
The single biggest account-killer is the daily loss limit. Read risk management for the evaluation before your first trade.
FAQ
Q. Which plan first?
A. Fintokei StartTrader or The5%ers Bootcamp for paid starts; FTMO Free Trial for a free one.
Q. Can I try an evaluation for free?
A. Yes — FTMO’s Free Trial.
Q. Are time limits a dealbreaker?
A. Unlimited is ideal, but a generous limit like 180 days per step is rarely a problem.
Q. Can I trust an affiliate site’s picks?
A. We disclose our partnerships, state criteria first, and list non-partners under the same criteria. Verify everything on official sites.
Bottom line
The 2026 beginner playbook is: start small, cheap and unhurried. Low targets, small lots, no deadline pressure — and you can buy that experience for the price of a dinner. Prop firms do not guarantee profits; the final decision is yours.
Recommended prop firms
The5%ers — cheap, staged learning
Founded 2016. Bootcamp from $22 with +6% stages; High Stakes from $19 with no time limit.
→ The5%ers official (coupon code HZZS4)
FTMO — the industry benchmark
Eleven years of operation. Free Trial to practice, full fee refund with the first payout when you pass.