Futures prop firms that allow bots and automated trading
Can you run a bot at a futures prop firm? At 25 firms the answer ranges from "yes, with conditions" to "absolutely not" — and even firms that allow bots set rules that can cost you the account. Here is what each firm allows in the evaluation, the funded account and live, with its conditions and sources.
Allowed with conditions: 8 firms
Bots are allowed, but the firm sets specific conditions — read them before you start.
You must be the sole owner of the bot or strategy, and nobody else may use it; Tradeify scans for similar orders on other accounts and may ask for a live video of you starting the code on your own PC.
The bot may be used only at Tradeify — using it at other firms is against the policy.
Automated strategies are allowed with conditions: Topstep doesn't help set them up and makes no exceptions for errant trades or malfunctions.
All trading must come from your personal device: VPS, VPNs and remote servers are prohibited (running automation on a VPS can get the account suspended).
Automation through the TopstepX API needs a separate ProjectX API subscription: $29/month, $14.50 with code topstep.
Automated trading systems (EAs and bots) are allowed during the Challenge and on FundedNext Accounts; FundedNext gives no support for them and isn't responsible for malfunctions.
Strategies exploiting system vulnerabilities — latency abuse, order flooding — are prohibited.
High-frequency trading is not allowed: automated systems are monitored, and HFT-like speed or frequency leads to review and possible termination.
An automated trading system may be used only through a supported platform: NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Jigsaw or Quantower. TradeDay doesn't give API access.
Algos and bots bought from third parties are forbidden; if several users make the same trades, all the accounts are shut down.
The system must respect the prohibited trade practices; VPS are not allowed.
Automated strategies (EAs, algorithms) are permitted when they execute the account holder's own strategy on their own accounts.
Automation may not synchronize execution with other users' accounts or replicate another trader's positions.
HFT rule, for manual and automated trading: if more than 30% of the trades in a session last 5 seconds or less, the account fails and all profits are forfeited — no appeal.
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$74.00
Semi-automated only: 6 firms
Fully automated bots are not allowed; tools that help you (signals, automatic stops and targets) are, if you place and manage the trades yourself.
AI, bots and other automated trading mechanisms are strictly prohibited on all account types; any hands-off or fully automated trading is forbidden.
Semi-automated trading is allowed — e.g. a custom indicator giving buy/sell signals — if you place, monitor and manage the trade yourself and understand the system.
Strategies taking 100+ trades per day are not wanted, automated or not.
Fully automated systems, unattended algorithms, trading bots, AI-driven execution and latency-arbitrage systems are strictly prohibited on all account types.
Semi-automated tools are allowed only while you are present during execution, actively manage positions and understand the strategy.
No more than 100 trades in a single day; repetitive, mechanically identical execution can be reviewed even below that.
Universal Trading Policy #1: "No Trading Bots or Algos" — automated trading systems, bots and algorithmic execution tools are not permitted on Test, PRO and PRO+ accounts.
Coordinated trading with other users and opposite positions across your own accounts are prohibited.
The help center doesn't say directly whether bots are allowed.
Prohibited: software, artificial intelligence or ultra-fast data entry that could manipulate the trading environment or give an unfair advantage; strategies exploiting platform errors; spoofing.
"All trading must be your own" (trade copier policy).
The help center doesn't say whether bots or automated strategies are allowed.
Funded accounts: trades lasting under 10 seconds (micro scalping, HFT, latency arbitrage, tick scalping) and exploiting data errors are prohibited by the funding partners.
The conduct policy forbids "using automated software (AI, ultra-high speed, bulk data entry) to unfairly influence outcomes" — it doesn't say whether an ordinary bot is allowed.
Also forbidden: exploiting glitches or latency, spoofing, off-market trades, delayed data feeds.
The terms prohibit "using automated software, artificial intelligence, high-frequency systems, or bulk data entry tools to manipulate results or gain unfair advantages" — they don't say whether an ordinary bot is allowed.
Also prohibited: exploiting platform errors, spoofing and layering, trading outside the best bid/offer, delayed data feeds.
The FAQ and terms don't say whether bots or automated strategies are allowed.
HFT-style trading is not permitted: if more than 10% of your trades open and fully close within two seconds, the account may be paused for review.
Scalping (trades held 5–30 seconds) is allowed; hedging is not, including across accounts and correlated instruments.
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$99.00
Before you run a bot at a prop firm: what to check
Who wrote the bot. Several firms allow only bots you built yourself and forbid bought, rented or shared ones — the same bot running for other traders counts as group trading.
Where it runs. Some firms forbid VPS and remote servers (trades must come from your own computer); others allow them.
How fast it trades. Almost every firm bans high-frequency trading, often with a precise threshold: trades held under 5–10 seconds, or more than 100–300 trades a day.
How it connects. Some connections cost extra every month (for example API access or third-party software on Rithmic).
Which stage you're in. Rules can differ between evaluation, funded and live accounts — and many firms don't say anything about live. We mark those as unconfirmed.
Copying across accounts. Running the same bot on several accounts is copy trading: see the copy trading rules.
FAQ
Which futures prop firms allow bots?
My Funded Futures, Lucid Trading, Tradeify, Topstep, FundedNext, Bulenox, TradeDay, Funded Futures Network allow automated trading, each with its own conditions (for example no high-frequency trading, no bots bought from third parties, or no VPS).
Which prop firms allow only semi-automated trading?
Alpha Futures, Top One Futures, Blue Guardian Futures, AquaFutures, Phidias Propfirm, Leeloo Trading don't allow fully automated bots, but allow tools that help you — signals, automatic stops and targets — as long as you place and manage the trades yourself.
The published rules of Earn2Trade, OneUp Trader, BluSky Trading, UProfit, Traders Launch don't say clearly whether bots are allowed. We're asking each firm and will update this page when they answer in writing.
Can I use the same bot on several accounts?
Often yes, but it counts as copy trading: firms limit how many accounts can run the same strategy and forbid sharing a bot with other traders. Check each firm's copy trading rules.
Every rule comes from the firm's own help center or website, checked on Sep 30, 2026; each firm page lists the exact sources. Firms change these rules often — confirm with the firm before you rely on them. Commissions are per contract, open + close, all fees included where the firm publishes them.