For a few months now, a category of prop firms has been skyrocketing: those that have traders trade futures (futures contracts on indices, commodities…). The names that keep coming up — Apex, Topstep, Tradovate as a platform — sometimes cause confusion. Let's sort it out, without ranking or advertising.
Futures, forex, or mixed: what's the difference?
Prop firms fall into major families depending on the markets offered:
- Futures: standardized contracts (mini/micro on US indices like the Nasdaq or the Dow, gold, oil…), traded on regulated exchanges, via platforms such as Tradovate or Rithmic.
- Forex / CFD: currency pairs and index CFDs, often on MetaTrader.
- Mixed: a bit of both.
The JARVIS METHOD lends itself well to highly liquid markets like indices — and therefore to the futures universe — but the logic of discipline remains the same everywhere.
The criteria that really matter
Rather than looking for "the best" firm (the answer depends on you), look at concrete criteria:
- Drawdown: fixed or "trailing" (that follows your gains)? This is what most often trips you up.
- Payout rules: from when, and how often can you withdraw? Is there a minimum number of days?
- Consistency: some firms require regular gains, not a single lucky strike.
- Platform and fees: monthly subscription, data fees, challenge reset.
Neutrality matters
No firm is "the right one" in absolute terms, and conditions change often. The important thing is to read the rules before paying and to check that they match your way of trading. To compare objectively, rely on an independent comparison tool (resources in your member area) rather than on a sponsored video.
To go further
The "prop firms" module of the JARVIS METHOD training details how to choose according to your profile and pass a challenge without burning out. And remember: the firm is only a framework — it's your method and your discipline that make the difference, not the logo.
Educational content. Trading involves a risk of capital loss; this is neither investment advice nor tax advice, and past performance does not guarantee future results.