Prop firm evaluation: reset vs new account
Eval went south. Two options: pay the reset fee and keep going, or start a clean new account. Both can be the right call; which one isn't a coin flip.
Almost every eval offers some form of restart — either a discounted reset fee or buying a fresh account at full price. The deciding factor isn't emotion, it's math.
What you're actually choosing between
| Firm | Reset fee | New evaluation (list) | Reset as % of evaluation | Cap on resets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apex | ~$60–$80 (legacy $80 flat) | $137–$677 list; promos of 70–90% common | ~48% of list — a promo evaluation can undercut the reset | Unlimited |
| Topstep | $49 / $99 / $149 (50K / 100K / 150K) | $49/mo + $149 activation | ~100% of one month | Unlimited; monthly rebill continues |
| MyFundedFutures | ~$87–$477 by size | From ~$100/mo | Varies | Unlimited; free monthly reset on some plans |
| Tradeify | ~$25–$99 by plan | $109 (25K Select) to $345 (Lightning) | ~25–50% | Unlimited; one-time fee, no rebill |
| Lucid Trading | $90 (25K) to $245 (150K) | From $89 | 30–40% | Unlimited |
| Take Profit Trader | ~$100 flat | Varies | Varies | Unlimited on Test; PRO+ has no reset |
| TradeDay | Set fee per size | $49–$165/mo | Varies | Verify |
| Alpha Futures | $79 (Zero 25K), $109 (Standard 50K) | Varies | ~40% | Optional monthly; does not move the renewal date |
| Bulenox | $78 (50K) | $145 (25K) to $535 (250K); promos to 89% | ~50% of list | Qualification only — no reset on the Master Account |
| Phidias | Verify | From $21 (10K) to $2,222 (Master $1M) | — | Verify |
| Top One Futures | $30–$120 by size; flat $35 on Elite Access | $139–$359 (Elite Access) | ~25% | Unlimited |
| Funded Futures Family | $78–$324 by plan and size | From $64–$201/mo | Varies | Free monthly reset on some subscription plans |
| FundedNext | ~$132 | $79.99 one-time | Reset costs more than a promo evaluation | — |
| FTMO | Verify | Varies by size | — | Verify |
| FundingPips | Verify | Varies by program | — | Evaluation fee refunded on first payout |
| Maven Trading | Verify | $287–$299 (100K Three-Step) | — | Verify |
Cells marked “Verify” are where current rule trackers are silent or disagree; the firm's own help center is the only binding source. Rules change — this table was checked in September 2026.
When reset is the right call
- You breached a single rule by a small margin, not because the strategy stopped working.
- The reset fee is meaningfully cheaper than a new account.
- You haven't already reset this account multiple times (each reset is a signal something deeper is off).
- The same instrument and strategy still has modeled edge — check on the Pass Estimator.
When a new account is the right call
- You hit the trailing limit hard or breached multiple rules — the strategy or sizing needs rework, not a redo.
- You've reset the same account once or twice already.
- You need the psychological clean slate to stop revenge trading.
- The firm runs a sale that makes a new account cheaper than the reset.
The trap: reset as revenge
The dangerous reset is the one made the same day you breach, while you're tilted. That reset usually ends the same way as the original eval. If the reason for the loss was sizing, news exposure or correlated stacking — classic blowup patterns — fix the rule before you redeploy capital. The Position Size Calculator takes minutes; learning the same lesson twice takes another eval fee.
The honest test: would you take a fresh account right now if it were free? If no, you're not ready to reset either. Wait, fix what broke, then redeploy — the next eval will be cheaper for it.
Whether a reset or a fresh evaluation works out cheaper depends on your pass probability, which the cost to funded calculator factors in.
See every prop firm rule, grouped by mechanism →
The method, applied to the whole catalogue.
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Related
- Payout denied: the rules people miss
- How many payouts per year is realistic
- When to step away: taking breaks and resetting your mind
FAQ
Should I reset a prop firm evaluation or buy a new account?
Reset if the breach was small, the strategy still has modeled edge, and you haven't reset multiple times already. Buy new if you breached multiple rules, you're tilted, or the firm runs a sale that makes a fresh account cheaper than the reset.
Is the reset fee always cheaper than a new account?
Usually, but not always — firms regularly run sales that make a fresh account cheaper than a reset, especially at month-end. Always compare current pricing before deciding.
How many times can you reset a prop firm evaluation?
Most firms allow multiple resets, but each one is a signal something deeper is off — sizing, strategy fit, or mindset. After two resets on the same account, fix the root cause before paying for another.
Not financial advice. Performance figures referenced are hypothetical, modeled outputs (1,500-path Monte Carlo on a backtest + live sample). Past performance does not guarantee future results. Tool names are referenced for education; verify current features and prop-firm rules directly.