Activation Fees Explained
You just passed your evaluation — congratulations! But before you start trading your funded account, there's a surprise: an activation fee. Here's what it is, who charges it, and how to factor it into your true cost of getting funded.
What Is an Activation Fee?
An activation fee is a one-time charge that some prop firms require after you pass your evaluation, before they give you access to a funded/sim-funded account. Think of it as a "gateway toll" between passing the challenge and actually trading with the firm's capital.
Activation fees are separate from the evaluation fee (what you pay to take the challenge). They're particularly common among futures prop firms and range from $0 to $250+ depending on the firm and account size.
Activation Fees by Firm
| Firm | Activation Fee | Refundable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take Profit Trader | $0 (with QQ code) | N/A | Free activation with promo codes |
| My Funded Futures | $0 | N/A | No activation fee |
| Apex Trader Funding | $85 | No | Fixed regardless of account size |
| Topstep | $149 | Yes (with first payout) | Refunded as part of first withdrawal |
| Bulenox | $0–$130 | Varies | Depends on account type and promo |
| Earn2Trade | $150 | No | Fixed fee for all accounts |
| FTMO | $0 | N/A | Evaluation fee refunded on first payout instead |
| FundedNext | $0 | N/A | No activation fee — CFD firms rarely charge them |
Calculating Your True Cost
Scenario A (TPT 50K): $105 eval + $0 activation = $105 total
Scenario B (Apex 50K): $167 eval + $85 activation = $252 total
Scenario C (Topstep 50K): $165 eval + $149 activation = $314 total (though $149 refunded with first payout)
Don't forget resets: If you fail and reset your evaluation, each reset costs $100+ in most firms. A trader who needs 3 attempts to pass might spend $300 in resets before even reaching the activation fee. Factor this into your expected total cost.
Futures vs. CFD: Why the Difference?
Futures Prop Firms
Usually charge activation fees ($0–$250). This is because futures funded accounts require real market data subscriptions (Rithmic, CQG) that cost the firm money. Some firms absorb this cost; others pass it to traders.
CFD Prop Firms
Rarely charge activation fees. CFD platforms (MT4/MT5, cTrader) are cheaper to operate, and CFD firms typically refund the evaluation fee with your first payout instead of charging a separate activation fee.
Compare total costs across firms
See evaluation fees, activation fees, and true cost breakdowns for all 32 prop firms.
View Best Deals