Platforms
What Software Does a Prop Firm Need?
The prop firm software stack: platform, challenge engine, dashboard, CRM, payments, KYC, affiliates and website, and what a white label bundles.
- By PipValley Editorial
- Published
- 4 min read
Every vendor sells part of the stack as the whole. Lay out every layer first, then decide which to rent as a bundle and which to own. The layers you own are the ones that let you leave a vendor without losing your traders.
What are the layers?
| Layer | What it does | Usually from |
|---|---|---|
| Trading platform | Where traders place simulated trades | MT5 via broker, cTrader, Match-Trader, TradeLocker, DXtrade; futures: NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic routes, Volumetrica |
| Challenge / risk engine | Applies rules, tracks breaches, moves phases | White label or back office |
| Trader dashboard | Login, stats, certificates, payout requests | White label; sometimes custom |
| CRM / back office | Orders, accounts, support, affiliates | White label or prop CRM vendor |
| Payments | Card and crypto checkout | High-risk processor plus crypto |
| KYC | Identity checks, usually at payout | Veriff, Sumsub and others |
| Affiliate tracking | Links, codes, commission | CRM module or affiliate software |
| Website | Pricing, rules, payouts, FAQ, legal | Bundled builder or your own site |
What does it cost?
Published examples, as of October 2026: Match-Trader lists a white label from $2,500 a month, TradeLocker Starter is $3,000 a month for up to 500 active accounts, and PropSuite publishes a $2,749 setup, no monthly fee and a 50–70% founder share of net revenue. Spotware puts upfront platform licensing at $8,000–$25,000 plus $3,000–$8,000 a month for a firm that licenses its own stack. KYC runs from $0.80 per check at Veriff and $1.35 at Sumsub, with monthly minimums.
Which parts should you own?
Platform events make this practical, not theoretical: MetaQuotes in 2024, ProjectX in February 2026 and cTrader's US restriction in July 2026 each forced firms to rebuild onboarding, rules and checkout in days. Our CRM and white-label guides compare the bundles.
- Brand and domain, registered to your company.
- Trader list with consent records, exportable at any time.
- Account and payout history.
- Legal documents written for your firm.
- Website code and content, hosted where you choose.
- Email sending domain and templates.
Questions
Can I run a prop firm on one piece of software?
A white label comes close, bundling platform access, the challenge engine, dashboard and CRM. You still need payments, legal documents and usually your own website and affiliate setup.
Do I need MetaTrader to start a prop firm?
No. Since MetaQuotes' 2024 action many firms use cTrader, Match-Trader, TradeLocker or DXtrade, and futures firms use their own platforms. Plan a second platform route either way.
What is a prop firm back office?
The admin system behind the trader dashboard: orders, accounts, rules, payouts, affiliates and support. It is often called the CRM and usually comes with the white label.
Sources
- Match-Trader: White label as low as $2,500
- TradeLocker: Prop firm pricing
- PropSuite: homepage pricing (checked 12 Oct 2026)
- Spotware: How to start a proprietary trading firm (2026)
- Veriff: plans and pricing
- Sumsub: pricing
- Finance Magnates: Prop trading firms' renaissance: cutting US clients, integrating new trading platforms
- Finance Magnates: ProjectX to end its third-party service offering (Nov 17, 2025)
- Finance Magnates: cTrader restricts US prop firm access following internal regulatory assessment
Illustrative figures, not a forecast. Nothing on this site is legal, tax or financial advice. PipValley is a web design studio; we don’t sell challenges, run trading accounts or provide trading platforms. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it with the date.
Keep reading
Related guides.
Prop Firm CRM: Features, Options and What to Ask (2026)
White Label Prop Firm: How It Works and What It Costs (2026)
What Trading Platform Should a New Prop Firm Use?
Prop Firm Startup Costs (2026): A Line-by-Line Budget
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