Profit split — The share of trading profits the trader keeps, with the remainder retained by the firm.
How profit split works in prop trading
Profit split is quoted from the trader's side: a 90/10 split means you keep 90%. Futures programs cluster between 80% and 100% at the funded stage, and 100% splits are usually capped — the first few thousand dollars of profit are yours entirely, after which the split reverts to something lower.
The split is the least differentiating number in a prop firm comparison, because the difference between 80% and 90% is small next to the difference between reaching a payout and not reaching one. A 90% split behind a 40% consistency rule and a $2,600 buffer pays less in practice than an 80% split with neither. Read the split alongside the conditions that gate it.
Key points
- Quoted from the trader's side — 90/10 means the trader keeps 90%.
- 100% splits are almost always capped at a first tranche of profit, not permanent.
- Some firms scale the split upward with cumulative withdrawals or account age.
- A higher split behind stricter payout conditions can pay less than a lower split with looser ones.
Example
On $4,000 of profit, a 90% split pays $3,600 and an 80% split pays $3,200 — a $400 difference, smaller than a single reset fee plus a month of account fees.
Also known as
- payout split
- profit share
- revenue split
Frequently asked questions
What is a good profit split for a prop firm?
In futures, 90% is the common benchmark at the funded stage and 80% is normal at entry level. Treat anything above 90% as a promotional or capped rate and check what it reverts to. The split matters less than the payout conditions attached to it.
Do prop firms really pay 100%?
Several advertise it, and it is generally real but bounded — typically the first $10,000 to $15,000 of profits, or the first few payouts, after which the standard split applies. The terms state the cap; the marketing usually does not.
Put this into practice
Profit split 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.