Introduction:
If you’re new to trading, you’ve probably asked yourself:
“How much money do I need to get started?”
In the past, the answer was simple — you needed thousands (sometimes tens of thousands) to open a brokerage account and trade with size.
But today in 2025, there’s a better way — and it’s changing the game for beginner traders:
👉 Prop firms (proprietary trading firms)
Prop firms let you trade with their capital — after passing a simple evaluation — for a fraction of what it would cost to fund your own large account.
At Mastery Trader Academy, we recommend prop firms for most beginners because:
✅ You don’t risk your personal savings
✅ You can trade larger positions
✅ You learn discipline — passing an evaluation teaches solid risk management
✅ Many prop firms offer huge discounts and monthly specials to make it even more affordable
But how much do you actually need to start?
✅ How much is the evaluation fee?
✅ What account size should you choose?
✅ What are the hidden costs to watch out for?
In this beginner’s guide, you’ll learn:
✅ How prop firms work in 2025
✅ How much money you need to start — with real numbers
✅ Tips for choosing the right account size for your skill level
✅ What to avoid when getting started
✅ How to trade smart with funded capital
By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how much to budget — and how to start trading with a prop firm the smart way.
How Prop Firms Work in 2025
Before you decide how much money you need, it’s important to understand how modern prop firms operate — because the model has changed a lot in recent years.
What is a prop firm?
A prop firm (short for proprietary trading firm) gives you access to large amounts of trading capital — in exchange for a monthly fee or a one-time evaluation fee.
You trade their money — not your own savings — and share a portion of the profits.
How does it work?
• You pay for an evaluation (or challenge).
• The firm gives you a simulated account (example: $50K, $100K, $250K).
• You must follow rules — such as max daily loss, consistency, no over-leverage.
• If you pass — you receive a funded account with live capital.
• You trade — and keep a portion of your profits (typically 75% to 90%).
What are the advantages?
✅ You don’t need to risk your own $10K–$50K
✅ Small upfront cost — typically $100–$300
✅ You can access much larger buying power
✅ You build discipline through the evaluation process
✅ Prop firms often offer discounts and promos
At Mastery Trader Academy, we recommend this path because it gives beginners a smart way to:
✅ Learn good habits
✅ Trade with size
✅ Limit personal risk
✅ Build funded accounts — step by step
How Much Money You Need to Start — Real Examples from 2025 Prop Firms
The best part about trading with prop firms in 2025 is that you don’t need a huge amount of money to get started — and many firms now offer massive discounts, making it even easier for beginners.
In fact, it’s common to find promotions offering up to 90% off the usual evaluation fees — especially during holidays, seasonal sales, or through trusted partners (like educational communities).
That means what used to cost $300+ can sometimes be started for as little as $30 to $50 during the biggest discounts.
Here are typical price ranges in today’s market:
$50,000 account
✅ Normal fee: $145 to $180
✅ With promo codes: as low as $30–$50 during big sales (yes — up to 90% off)
$100,000 account
✅ Normal fee: $180 to $250
✅ With discounts: often $50 to $100
$250,000 account
✅ Normal fee: $300 to $400
✅ Discounted: sometimes $100 to $150 if you catch the right deal
Monthly reset options
✅ $99 to $159/month — stay funded month-to-month
✅ Great flexibility — no one-time evaluation needed
How much do you need overall?
Realistically, in 2025 you can get started for:
✅ $50 to $150 for a $50K or $100K account — if you catch a good discount
✅ $150 to $250 for a larger account — with smart timing and promos
At Mastery Trader Academy, we recommend traders take advantage of these opportunities — especially if you’re new and want to test the waters without risking personal savings.
How to Choose the Right Prop Firm Account Size for You
One of the biggest decisions when starting with a prop firm is choosing the right account size — because it affects your:
✅ Trading rules
✅ Risk limits
✅ Payout potential
✅ Monthly stress level
Here’s how to think about it:
Start with a realistic goal
If you’re a beginner or just passing your first evaluation:
👉 You don’t need the biggest account — you need the one that matches your skill and experience.
A $50K or $100K account is usually plenty for most new traders — and the rules are often easier to manage.
Smaller accounts = tighter risk, easier to manage
✅ $50K or $100K accounts have smaller daily loss limits — but also lower stress.
✅ You’ll learn faster because you’re managing risk carefully — without feeling forced to hit big numbers.
Bigger accounts = more profit potential, stricter discipline required
✅ $250K or larger accounts offer higher payouts — but also come with tighter rules (larger minimum days, tighter consistency requirements).
✅ Not always ideal for first-time funded traders — unless you have strong discipline and experience.
Factor in your budget
✅ If you’re starting with $50–$150 to spend — a discounted $50K or $100K evaluation is perfect.
✅ If you catch a 90% sale — even a larger account may fit your budget.
But remember: success comes from discipline — not account size.
It’s better to master a small account first, then scale up.
At Mastery Trader Academy, we teach traders to:
👉 Focus on building skill and consistency
👉 Start with an account you can manage confidently
👉 Move up only when your trading proves ready
What to Avoid When Getting Started with a Prop Firm
Prop firms offer a great opportunity — but many beginners make simple mistakes that cost them their funding.
Here’s what to watch out for:
Don’t chase the biggest account just because of discounts
Yes — some firms offer huge 80–90% discounts on $250K or $300K accounts.
But that doesn’t mean you should start there.
👉 Bigger accounts = stricter rules
👉 Bigger daily loss limits = more emotional pressure
👉 More temptation to overtrade or force big wins
It’s smarter to start small — build consistency first — then scale up.
Don’t overleverage or oversize trades
A common mistake: going in with too many contracts too early, trying to “pass the challenge fast.”
That usually leads to blowing the account or failing consistency rules.
Instead:
👉 Trade your normal plan
👉 Respect the firm’s max lot size
👉 Manage risk like you would with real capita
Don’t ignore the rules
Every firm has its own set of:
✅ Daily drawdown limits
✅ Trailing drawdowns
✅ Consistency rules
✅ Payout schedules
Before you start, read the fine print — and follow the rules 100%.
Too many traders fail because they simply didn’t understand the rules.
Don’t rush
Another mistake: trying to pass the evaluation in 2–3 days.
The goal isn’t to “pass fast” — it’s to build the skills that will keep you funded long term.
👉 Take your time
👉 Trade quality setups
👉 Stay within your rules
👉 Build consistency
That’s what prop firms — and real trading success — reward.
At Mastery Trader Academy, we always teach:
Discipline first — profits follow.
When you avoid these common mistakes, you’ll have a much better shot at building a long-term funded trading career.
Final Thoughts
In 2025, trading with a prop firm is one of the smartest ways for beginners to start — because it gives you:
✅ Access to real capital
✅ A structured environment to learn discipline
✅ A way to trade without risking your personal savings
✅ The potential to grow and scale over time
And the best part?
👉 You don’t need $10,000 or $50,000 to get started.
👉 Thanks to huge discounts (up to 90%), you can often begin with as little as $50 to $150 — and trade a $50K or $100K account.
At Mastery Trader Academy, we strongly recommend this path for new traders.
But remember:
👉 Choose an account size you can manage
👉 Focus on consistency and discipline
👉 Avoid rushing the process or chasing size
👉 Build skills first — profits will follow
If you take the right approach, trading with a prop firm can help you grow faster — with less personal risk — and give you the foundation for long-term success in any market.
One of the most important concepts beginner traders must master before scaling up with a funded account is understanding how liquidity works — especially in high-volume markets like futures and forex. Liquidity drives the entire flow of trading, and smart traders use it to their advantage by identifying areas where retail traders are likely to be trapped and institutions are likely to step in. A powerful example of this can be seen in our internal article on the Liquidity Inducement Trading Strategy: How Smart Money Lures Retail Traders Into the Trap, which breaks down how professional traders anticipate retail entries to build their own positions.
Learning how to spot these traps is key to avoiding premature entries and exits, which are among the most common reasons traders fail prop firm challenges. To take your understanding further, you can also explore the institutional trading concepts explained by experts at Investopedhttps://www.investopedia.com/ia, which offers valuable insights into how large players operate within the markets. Whether you’re aiming to pass an evaluation or trade a live funded account, integrating this knowledge into your strategy will elevate your decision-making and help you align with the true direction of price — not the noise of retail activity.