Broker vs Prop Firm: What's the Difference?
Two common trading models serve different goals. Understanding how brokers and prop firms work and where StoicFX 10X accounts fit helps you choose the right structure for your capital.
Key Differences at a Glance
Brokers and prop firms serve different purposes with different risk structures.
Capital Ownership
With a broker, you trade your own capital and keep your profits. Prop firms may provide access to firm capital after evaluation, take a profit split, and can restrict account access based on their rules.
Risk Structure
At a broker, your maximum risk is generally limited to your deposited funds. Prop firms add evaluation fees and rule-based constraints that can end access even if your strategy is profitable.
Evaluation Requirements
Brokers typically require no evaluations. Prop firms often require paid multi-phase challenges with drawdown limits, profit targets, and time constraints before access is granted.
Trading Freedom
Brokers generally allow broader strategy flexibility. Prop firms often impose restrictions such as news rules, overnight limits, weekend limits, and maximum position sizing.
Side-by-Side Comparison
How traditional brokers, prop firms, and StoicFX's 10X accounts stack up.
| Feature | Traditional Broker | Prop Firm | StoicFX 10X Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Source | Your own funds | Firm's capital (after evaluation) | Your deposit with amplified buying power |
| Evaluation Required | None | Yes, multi-phase challenge | None |
| Profit Split | You keep your profits | Profit split required | You keep your profits |
| Upfront Fees | None (just your deposit) | Evaluation fees required | None (just your deposit) |
| Trading Restrictions | Broker policy dependent | Many (news, overnight, max lots) | Broker policy dependent |
| Regulatory Oversight | Regulated (FSCA, FCA, etc.) | Mostly unregulated | FSCA Regulated (#53079) |
Capital Source
Evaluation Required
Profit Split
Upfront Fees
Trading Restrictions
Regulatory Oversight
Why Traders Are Moving Away from Prop Firms
Prop firms can look attractive on paper, but many traders discover the real cost is rule pressure.
Evaluations, strict limits, and profit splits can turn execution into compliance.
- Paid evaluations that can reset your progress
- Rule pressure that changes how you trade
- Profit splits that reduce take-home results
- Access that can end after a single breach
- Oversight that varies widely by firm
The 10X Capital Account Alternative
StoicFX 10X accounts offer amplified buying power without evaluations or profit splits. You trade with your own deposit and keep your profits, with trading conditions defined by account terms.
See how 10X accounts workFrequently Asked Questions
What is a proprietary trading firm (prop firm)?
A proprietary trading firm provides traders with the firm's capital to trade in exchange for a share of profits. Traders must typically pass a paid evaluation challenge before accessing funded capital. Most prop firms are not regulated financial institutions.
Do I keep all my profits with a broker?
With a broker, you keep the profits from your trading activity, subject to the account terms, fees, and applicable policies.
Is StoicFX a prop firm?
No. StoicFX is a regulated forex and CFD broker. The 10X Capital Account is not a prop firm funded account and does not use paid evaluations or profit splits.
What is a 10X capital account?
A 10X capital account increases your buying power relative to your deposit. You trade with amplified buying power, with no evaluations and no profit splits, under the account terms.
Which is better for beginners: a broker or a prop firm?
Many beginners prefer starting with a broker because you can begin with smaller deposits and avoid evaluation pressure. The best choice depends on your risk tolerance, experience, and goals.
What are the risks of trading with a prop firm?
Common risks include paid evaluation fees, strict rule constraints that can end access, profit splits, and limited external oversight depending on the firm.
Skip the Evaluation. Keep Your Profits.
Trade with amplified buying power, regulated broker access, and profit retention. No evaluations. No profit splits.