How to Choose the Best Swing Trading Prop Firms in 2025
Market News
September 16, 2025
Swing trading sits between day trading and investing. You hold trades for several days or weeks. The goal is to catch bigger moves while avoiding the stress of intraday noise.
But swing trading has unique needs. Not every prop firm is built for it. Many firms favor short-term traders. They often add rules that clash with swing strategies.
That’s why picking the right swing trading prop firms is vital in 2025. The right choice gives you freedom to trade well. The wrong choice traps you in rules that kill your edge.
This guide explains what to look for, reviews the best prop firm for swing traders, and shows how to avoid common mistakes.
Why Swing Trading Prop Firms Matter
Prop firms give traders access to capital. You use firm money to trade instead of your own. In return, the firm takes a share of profits.
For swing traders, more capital means more freedom. A trade held for a week may move 200 pips. With a small account, that gain feels minor. With a larger funded account, the same move pays much more.
But money is not the only factor. Swing traders need rules that let them hold trades longer. That includes weekends, news events, and even slow markets. Many firms don’t allow this. That’s why choosing the right prop firms for swing trading makes a difference.
For readers new to this space, see our blog on what is prop trading for a deeper look.
Core Features to Check in a Prop Firm for Swing Traders
Here are the features that matter most when judging swing trading prop firms.
1. Holding Rules
Swing traders need to keep trades open overnight. Many setups take days to play out. A prop firm for swing traders must allow weekend and overnight holds. If not, your trades will be cut short.
2. Drawdown Rules
Firms use drawdown limits to control risk. Two types matter:
Equity-based drawdown: Counts floating losses. Even if a trade is still alive, a dip can break your account.
Balance-based drawdown: Only counts closed losses. This lets trades breathe during pullbacks.
Balance-based is safer. The best prop firm for swing traders will always offer it.
3. Evaluation Time Limits
Some firms force you to hit targets in 30 days. That pushes traders to rush. Swing strategies don’t work well under pressure. Firms with no time limits or long deadlines are far better.
4. Profit Targets
High profit targets push you into forced trades. Lower targets fit swing trading. Combine that with no time limits, and you can trade patiently.
5. Payout Terms
Payouts show if a firm is fair. Some pay weekly or bi-weekly. Others offer instant payouts. Swing traders don’t withdraw every few days, but knowing payouts are reliable builds trust.
6. Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions, and swaps matter. Swing trades last longer, so fees eat into profits. The best swing trading prop firms offer raw spreads, low commissions, and swap-free accounts.
7. Profit Split
Most firms pay 70–90% of profits to the trader. Some upgrade to 100%. Look for firms that start at 80% or higher.
8. Scaling Potential
Growth matters. Many swing traders want to scale over time. The best prop firm for swing traders will let you expand accounts up to millions.
Here is a List of Best Prop Firms For Swing Traders
Pipstone Capital
Pipstone Capital is built for swing traders who want fair conditions.
Profit Split: 90% — traders keep more of what they earn.
Time Limits: None on challenges.
News Trading: Daily news trading allowed.
Payouts: 24-hour payout.
Funding: Up to $400K.
Trading Conditions: Raw spreads, fast execution, and true market access.
Philosophy: The goal is to help traders pass and scale, not profit from failure.
Goat Funded Trader (GFT)
Goat Funded Trader has grown fast in 2025. It is one of the most swing-friendly firms available.
Holding: Unlimited. Trades can run overnight and through weekends.
Drawdown: Balance-based, safer for long trades.
Profit Split: 80–90%.
Funding: Up to $800K with scaling to more.
Special Program: Swing Plus Challenge with swap-free accounts and no consistency rules.
Payouts: Fast, often within days.
GFT focuses on making swing trading fair. Many traders pick it as the best prop firm for swing traders.
MarketMates
MarketMates is newer but designed with swing traders in mind.
Holding: Overnight and weekend holding allowed.
Drawdown: Balance-based.
Rules: No forced trade counts.
Vision: Plans for daily payouts and optional zero broker fees.
Focus: Built for swing strategies first.
MarketMates may not be as large as other firms yet. But its rule set shows it aims to be a strong option in 2025.
FundedNext
FundedNext is another strong name among swing trading prop firms.
Packages: The Stellar Package is swing-friendly.
Drawdown: Balance-based, stable during long trades.
Holding: Overnight, weekend, and news trading allowed.
Profit Split: Up to 90%, with upgrades to 100%.
Funding: Accounts up to $300K, scaling to $4M.
Payout Speed: Some traders report payouts within hours.
Costs: Raw spreads, swap-free accounts, low commissions.
With more than 50,000 traders funded and millions paid, FundedNext is one of the best prop firm for swing traders in 2025.
The 5%ers
The 5%ers has always been swing-friendly. It may not pay the highest split, but it offers safe rules.
Drawdown: Balance-based.
Time Limit: None.
Holding: Overnight and news allowed.
Profit Split: 50–75%. Lower than others.
Scaling: Strong long-term growth track.
The lower split is a downside. But for traders who value rule flexibility, The 5%ers is a steady choice.
Other Prop Firms for Swing Trading
FTMO: Well-known but less swing-friendly. Short time limits and equity-based drawdown create issues.
MyFundedFX: Allows swing trades but uses equity-based drawdowns.
Fidelcrest: Longer time windows but bans holding through news events.
These firms work for day traders. But swing traders need more freedom.
Pros and Cons of Swing Trading Prop Firms
Pros
Larger capital to make swing trades worth the time.
Access to better spreads and platforms.
Profit split lets you earn while protecting your own money.
Scaling plans for long-term growth.
Cons
Rules can conflict with your style.
Drawdown types may limit trades.
Evaluation pressure can hurt patience.
Some firms lack swap-free accounts, adding costs.
Example Scenarios: Rule Fit in Action
Scenario 1: Equity vs Balance Drawdown
A trader holds a EUR/USD swing trade. The trade dips 5% before rising 300 pips.
With equity drawdown, the account fails during the dip.
With balance drawdown, the trade survives and ends in profit.
Scenario 2: Weekend Holds
A trader spots a setup on Thursday. The best move comes Monday.
A firm banning weekend holds forces an early close. The trade is missed.
A firm allowing weekend holds lets the trade play out fully.
These examples show why rules matter more than flashy ads.
Strategy Tips for Swing Trading in Prop Firms
Trade fewer pairs to avoid high swap costs.
Always check news rules before holding over events.
Use wider stops to handle normal swings.
Don’t chase daily targets. Swing trades take time.
Keep a journal of trades to spot what rules help or hurt you.
Common Mistakes When Choosing Swing Trading Prop Firms
Ignoring Drawdown Type
Many traders don’t read the fine print. Equity-based drawdowns stop trades too soon.Overtrading to Hit Targets
Don’t rush to pass. The best firms give you time.Skipping Swap and Fees
Holding costs matter. Swap-free accounts save money.Forgetting Rule Fit
Pick firms that match your style. Weekend and news holds are key.Chasing Only High Splits
Profit split matters, but rules matter more.
Before diving into the steps, check our guide on how to pass a prop firm challenge for practical tips.
Step-by-Step: How to Pick the Best Prop Firm for Swing Traders
Write Your Trading Plan
How long do you hold? Do you trade through news? A trading plan needs to be written down.Match Rules to Needs
List your must-haves: balance drawdown, weekend holds, no time limit.Compare Top Firms
Check Goat Funded Trader, FundedNext, The 5%ers, and MarketMates side by side.Start With a Smaller Account
Test the rules before scaling. Build trust with the firm.Scale Once Proven
Use scaling programs to grow into larger accounts over time.
Comparison Table
Firm | Holding | Drawdown | Time Limit | Profit Split | Funding Max |
Goat Funded Trader | Yes | Balance | None | 80–90% | $800K+ |
MarketMates | Yes | Balance | None | 80–90% | Growing |
FundedNext | Yes | Balance | None | 90–100% | $4M |
The 5%ers | Yes | Balance | None | 50–75% | $1.5M+ |
FTMO | Yes | Equity | 30 days | 80–90% | $400K |
For more background, read our post on what is a funded account in forex.
The Future of Swing Trading Prop Firms in 2025
The market is changing. More swing trading prop firms now offer balance-based drawdowns, swap-free accounts, and no time limits. Competition is forcing firms to be fairer.
Traders in 2025 have more choice and more power. That’s good news if you know what to look for.
Why Match-Trader is the Top Platform for Prop Firms
Match-Trader has become the best prop trading platform for firms. It offers fast execution, simple design, and stable performance. Swing traders benefit from its tools and smooth order handling. Pipstone Capital uses Match-Trader to give traders fair access and strong conditions. If you want to join a Match Trader prop firm, Pipstone Capital provides the platform as part of its funded accounts.
Final Thoughts
Swing trading takes patience and freedom. The wrong firm cuts those short. The right firm lets you trade your plan.
In 2025, the top names are Goat Funded Trader, FundedNext, The 5%ers, MarketMates, and Pipstone Capital. Each offers features that work for swing traders.
The best prop firm for swing traders is the one that matches your style. Don’t chase high splits or low fees alone. Focus on rules that let you hold trades the way you need.
If you want a trading prop firm built with traders in mind, consider joining Pipstone Capital. With its 24-hour payout, it gives swing traders fast access to their earnings. Pick well, and the right swing trading prop firms can make your strategy both safer and more profitable.
