30cents per 1000 is for algo trading. Talking millisecond bot trading. Your limited to certain stocks for that such as S, BAC, etc. Super high volume stocks. Their normal prop rates are from .0065 to .00175 depending on your volume. Payout is 99%.
At CTG they have plan A and plan B, plan B is the one with limited stock selection and the 30 cents/1k shares traded. the payout for plan B is a 90/10 split, (90%), the payout for plan A is 99%.
.00175 is the lowest rate if you trade 2+ million a month. They have a ultra low commission designed for algo traders trading thick stocks like S, BAC, etc. Unless you are a HFT it doesnt apply. Expect .003 - .006 rate for the normal prop trader.
.0003 is for scalping high volume highly liquid stocks on a list they have (S, BAC, SIRI, UNG) that's for scalping - but you are restricted to those stocks If you want to trade your own style, they charge .002-.006, which is pretty competitive in all honesty. I doubt you'll be able to get .001 with them unless you do something like 5m shares per month.
i traded my own style with them, the payout was 99%, i think the scalping program was 90/10 but you were required to sit through the 1 month long free training class before they let you trade (you have to pay registration fees for testing and u4 and fingerprinting) The deal could be different now, but it was a good experience trading with them. I switched over to WTS and it was a mistake IMO. the rates are just as good, if not lower at CTG and they have the best customer service in the business. also, nobody offers free software. they range from 200-400 a month everywhere you go
I traded with three prop firms and $5/1000 is very competitive. Dont forget ecn fees alone are $3/1000 then add on the house commission.