Activation fee — A one-time charge to open the funded account after passing an evaluation, separate from the evaluation fee.
How activation fee works in prop trading
The activation fee is charged after you pass, to turn the qualification into a live funded account. It is common in futures programs and frequently exceeds the evaluation fee itself — a $49 evaluation attached to a $149 activation is a normal structure. Some firms offer a choice between a one-time activation and a lower recurring monthly fee.
It is the single biggest reason advertised prices mislead. A trader comparing two $99 evaluations, one with no activation fee and one with a $150 activation plus $85 a month, is comparing products that differ by hundreds of dollars on the path to a first payout. Always price the funded stage, not the evaluation.
Key points
- Charged after passing, so it never appears in the advertised evaluation price.
- Often larger than the evaluation fee itself in discounted futures programs.
- Some firms offer one-time activation or a lower monthly fee as alternatives — the monthly option costs more if you hold the account for long.
- Generally non-refundable, including if the funded account breaches shortly afterwards.
Also known as
- funded account activation fee
- funding fee
- activation cost
Frequently asked questions
Do all prop firms charge an activation fee?
No. It is common in futures programs and less common in forex-style ones, and a number of firms have removed it as a competitive feature. It is worth checking before purchase because it usually costs more than the evaluation.
Is the activation fee refundable?
Generally not, including if the funded account breaches soon after activation. Some firms credit it against the first payout; that is a meaningful difference and it will be stated in the funded-account terms.
Put this into practice
Activation fee is described here as a plain-language educational definition. Firms, platforms, and account programs may apply different conditions or calculations. Verify the current official terms before using this definition to make an account decision.