How to Compare Prop Firm Software Quotes Side by Side
Vendor proposals often appear incomparable because each includes different infrastructure and uses different billing units. Normalize the quote into a common cost and responsibility matrix before ranking it.
Step 1: separate one-time and recurring
| Line | Vendor A | Vendor B | Vendor C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup/onboarding | ___ | ___ | ___ |
| Monthly base | ___ | ___ | ___ |
| Usage/overage | ___ | ___ | ___ |
| Percentage fee | ___ | ___ | ___ |
Step 2: map included infrastructure
Add rows for trading platform, bridge/connectivity, market data, KYC, PSP, email, API, migration, support and additional brands. Mark Included / External / Optional / Unknown.
Step 3: force the same volume
Calculate every proposal at the same expected active-account/trader count. If a vendor bills another unit, document the conversion assumption instead of hiding it.
Step 4: calculate year one and steady state
Year one includes setup/migration. Year two may better represent recurring economics. A vendor with high setup and low recurring can reverse relative position over time.
Step 5: model growth
Repeat at 2× and 5× expected volume. Identify tier cliffs, overage and percentage models that become material.
Step 6: add contract risk
Record minimum term, cancellation, price-change rights, SLA, data export and exit assistance. A quote is not complete without the terms that govern it.
Step 7: separate unknown from zero
Blank pricing is not $0. If a provider has not quoted an integration or third-party service, mark Unknown and resolve it before total-cost comparison.
Step 8: keep currencies visible
For internal decision-making you can convert currencies at a chosen date, but retain original quoted currency and rate used so the comparison is reproducible.
Use public pricing as a reasonableness check
Our public pricing table provides current anchors for several providers. Negotiated scope can legitimately differ, so treat public data as context rather than a guaranteed quote.
FAQ
Should I compare only first-year total?
No. Compare first-year cash requirement and recurring economics over the likely decision horizon.
How do I compare a revenue-share vendor?
Insert low, expected and high revenue/profit scenarios using the contractually defined percentage base.