Quote from PBateman7:
if you have your own cash why would you want to be prop if you profitable to back yourself wouldnt you want to be out on your own? what am I missing? ive been trading successfully for years now but feel no need to go prop
By far the biggest difference is access to firm buying power. With retail you are capped at 4 to 1 intraday based on your own equity (more if you qualify for portfolio margin), whereas with prop you'll get around 20 to 1 standard, since you are trading the firm's account, not your own personal account.
However, you mentioned SIPC in the other thread. That's one thing where retail trumps prop, since your funds are SIPC protected within limits, whereas with prop your capital is subject to the risks of the firm, and does NOT offer SIPC protection.