Prop Firm Fees Explained: What You Really Pay to Get Funded

Key takeaways

• Most forex prop firms charge a one-time fee per account; many futures firms charge monthly.
• At Clarity Traders, $5,000 accounts start at $55 for Two Step, $59 for One Step and $95 for Instant.
• The true cost depends on how many attempts you need, so compare expected cost, not sticker price.
• Optional add-ons such as a refund guarantee can change the maths, but only buy them for a reason.

The price on a prop firm’s homepage is rarely the full story. Add-ons, resets, subscriptions and failed attempts all affect what you actually pay before your first payout. This guide breaks down the common fee models, shows how to calculate the true cost of getting funded, and explains when a more expensive account is actually cheaper.

The main pricing models

One-time evaluation fee

You pay once per account. If you pass, you are funded. If you breach a rule, the attempt ends and you can buy another. This is the most common model at forex prop firms, including Clarity Traders.

Monthly subscription

Common at futures prop firms. You pay every month until you pass, sometimes followed by an activation fee when you are funded. Slow progress means higher total cost.

Instant accounts

A higher one-time fee in exchange for skipping the evaluation. You start funded immediately, usually with tighter loss limits.

Clarity Traders’ pricing at a glance

• Two Step: from $55 for a $5,000 account, up to $1,099 for $200,000.
• One Step: from $59 for a $5,000 account, up to $1,133 for $200,000.
• Instant: from $95 for a $5,000 account.

All are one-time fees, with no monthly subscription. Prices for every size are on the Compare Accounts page, and checkout shows the final price including any add-ons. Prices can change, so always check before you buy.

Add-ons and what they cost you

Optional add-ons are offered at checkout. Each has a price and a specific purpose:

• Refund Guarantee: refunds your fee after your first successful payout.
• 100% Rewards: keep all eligible simulated profits instead of the standard split.
• Express Payouts: weekly payout cycles instead of every 14 days.
• EA’s Allowed: permission to run Expert Advisors that follow the trading policies.
• Double Leverage: more buying power on the same balance.

Add-ons increase the upfront cost, so pick only the ones that solve a real problem for your trading.

One-time fees, no subscriptions. See every account size and price side by side.
Compare accounts →

How to calculate the true cost of getting funded

The honest way to compare accounts is expected cost: the fee multiplied by the number of attempts you are likely to need.

Expected cost ≈ fee ÷ your realistic chance of passing.

For example, suppose a challenge costs $100. If you have a 50% chance of passing, you should expect to spend about $200 on average. If a more forgiving challenge costs $120 but your chance rises to 75%, the expected cost is about $160. The more expensive account is cheaper in practice.

Be honest about your pass rate. Look at your real drawdowns over the last few months and compare them with each account’s loss limits. Our guide to Instant vs. 1-Step vs. 2-Step challenges helps you match account to strategy.

Fees vs. rewards: the payback period

Once funded, a single payout often covers the fee several times over. On a $50,000 account, a 2% payout cycle at the 70% first-payout split is $700. With the Refund Guarantee add-on, the original fee comes back after your first successful payout, so the payback is even faster. These are illustrations, not projections. For realistic earnings, read How Much Can You Make With a $100K Funded Account?

Hidden costs to look for at any firm

• Reset fees to restart a failed attempt.
• Monthly data or platform fees, more common with futures.
• Activation fees charged after you pass.
• Minimum payout amounts that delay your first reward.
• Currency conversion if fees are priced in a currency you do not hold.

Read the terms and FAQ before you buy. A firm with clear, published pricing is easier to plan around.

Five ways to spend less on evaluations

1. Start with a size you can trade calmly. A failed $200,000 attempt costs far more than a passed $25,000 one.
2. Choose the account with the most room for your drawdown. Passing first time is the biggest saving.
3. Use small risk per trade. 0.25% to 0.5% keeps you in the game long enough for your edge to work.
4. Skip add-ons you do not need.
5. Take your time. Clarity evaluations have no time limit, so there is no reason to force trades and fail.

The Two Step is Clarity’s lowest-priced evaluation, with the most drawdown room.
See Two Step →

Frequently asked questions

Are prop firm fees refundable?

At Clarity Traders, only with the optional Refund Guarantee add-on, which refunds your fee after your first successful payout.

Can I lose more than the fee?

No. Clarity accounts are simulated and use virtual funds. The most you can lose is the fee and any add-ons you paid for.

Why is an Instant account more expensive?

You skip the evaluation and start funded straight away, so the fee is higher and the loss limits are tighter.

Is the cheapest challenge the best value?

Only if you are likely to pass it. Compare expected cost, not just the headline price.