FTMO vs The Trading Pit: Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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Introduction
FTMO and The Trading Pit represent two leading proprietary trading firms that provide funded trading accounts to qualified traders. FTMO, established in Prague, has built a strong reputation with its two-phase evaluation process and comprehensive educational resources, with Trustpilot data not pinned in this JoinProp review (defer to direct check). The Trading Pit, a newer competitor, has quickly gained recognition for its innovative 1-Phase or 2-Phase Prime program structure and more flexible trading conditions, maintaining a a Trustpilot listing currently unavailable due to a guidelines flag. Both firms offer traders the opportunity to access substantial capital without risking their own funds, but differ significantly in their evaluation methods, profit splits, and overall approach to trader development.
Quick Facts
| Feature | FTMO | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
|  | |
| Founded | 2015 | 2022 |
| Profit Split | 80-90% (2-Step); 90% flat (1-Step) | 80 |
| Maximum Account Size | $2,000,000 | $200,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 2 | 2 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.8/5 (43,791 reviews) | — |
| Expert Grade | 9.1 | 9.2 |
Program Types
| Program | FTMO | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Prime 1-Phase |
| Advanced Program | FTMO Challenge + Verification | Prime 2-Phase |
| Scaling Options | Yes | Yes |
| Demo Account | No | — |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | FTMO | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 10% then 5% (2-Step); 10% (1-Step) | 10% (1-Phase) or 8%/5% (2-Phase) |
| Maximum Drawdown | 10% static (2-Step); 10% trailing (1-Step) | 7% (1-Phase) or 10% (2-Phase) |
| Minimum Trading Days | 4 per phase (2-Step); none (1-Step) | 3 |
| News Trading | Restricted on Standard; unrestricted on Swing | Yes |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | FTMO | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| CFD $2.5K Account | Not offered | USD 29 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $5K Account | Not offered | USD 49 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $10K Account | EUR 89 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | USD 99 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $20K Account | Not offered | USD 199 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $25K Account | EUR 250 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | Not offered |
| CFD $50K Account | EUR 345 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | USD 349 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $100K Account | EUR 540 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | USD 569 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $200K Account | EUR 1080 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | USD 1139 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| Futures $50K Account | Not offered | USD 99 / Futures Prime / One-time |
| Futures $100K Account | Not offered | USD 189 / Futures Prime / One-time |
| Futures $150K Account | Not offered | USD 289 / Futures Prime / One-time |
| Stocks $25K Account | Not offered | USD 99 / Stocks Challenge / One-time |
| Coupons / Discount | FTMO discount | The Trading Pit discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | FTMO | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader | cTrader, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, ATAS, Rithmic R/Trader Pro |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Available | No |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | Yes |
Payout
| Feature | FTMO | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly via bank transfer, e-wallets, wire transfer, cryptocurrencies | Bi-weekly (CFD: $100 minimum), follows profitable-day requirements (Futures) |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | FTMO | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Full fee refund on 2-Step; static drawdown; no consistency rules; zero withdrawal commission; scaling to $2M | Multi-asset trading, 80% split from day one, No time limits, Affordable entry, Scaling opportunities, Flexible trading rules |
| Weaknesses | No reset product; 1-Step fee never refunded; 50% Best Day Rule blocks payouts; 1-Step payout resets buffer | 80% split capped, Newer firm (2022), Trustpilot flagged, Futures market-data fees, Classic program discontinued |
| Best For | 2-Step recommended for most; 1-Step only if 90% split outweighs other concerns | Traders seeking affordable entry, multiple asset classes, and no time pressure |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose FTMO if you want a higher profit split, up to 90%, a larger funded ceiling at $2M and coverage of bonds that the other does not offer. Choose The Trading Pit if a cheaper entry, from USD 29 and news trading allowed matter more to you. Neither firm is better in the abstract. The right choice depends on your strategy, your budget and the instruments you trade, so read both full reviews before you commit. Verify current rules and pricing on each firm’s own site before purchasing.
Frequently asked questions
What should I know about FTMO’s programs?
FTMO offers separate 1-Step and 2-Step CFD evaluations. The 2-Step route requires at least four trading days per phase; the 1-Step route uses different objectives, including a Best Day Rule. FTMO official rules; FTMO official program information.
What should I know about The Trading Pit’s programs?
The Trading Pit separates CFD Prime, CFD Instant and Futures Prime programs. Their reward rules and account-date conditions differ. The Trading Pit official rules; The Trading Pit official program information.
How do payouts differ between FTMO and The Trading Pit?
FTMO lists a 90% reward ratio for 1-Step and 80% for 2-Step, with an increase to 90% under applicable scaling or premium conditions. Reward requests are available from day 14 after the first trade, subject to eligibility. FTMO official rules; FTMO official program information.
CFD Prime lists an 80% share and 14-day requests above $100 after eligibility requirements are met. Futures Prime also lists 80%, but uses five profitable days of at least $150 and its own withdrawal caps and schedule. The Trading Pit official rules; The Trading Pit official program information.
Which account rules matter when comparing FTMO and The Trading Pit?
Do not apply the 2-Step objectives to 1-Step: drawdown and consistency requirements differ. Both routes have no maximum evaluation completion period. FTMO official rules; FTMO official program information.
CFD Instant has a 30% consistency rule and limits rewards to the lower of $2,500 or 50% of realised profit. These conditions are different from CFD Prime and should not be mixed. The Trading Pit official rules; The Trading Pit official program information.
Is FTMO or The Trading Pit automatically the better choice?
No. The two firms lead on different things: FTMO has the higher profit split at 90% and the larger funded ceiling at $2M, while The Trading Pit has the cheaper entry at USD 29 and unrestricted news trading. Which of those matters more depends on how you actually trade, so compare how each firm measures drawdown, the total fee once add-ons and resets are included and platform availability, rather than the headline numbers. If you fail an evaluation, do not assume either firm offers a fixed reset discount: check the reset terms for the specific account you bought.
How We Compared FTMO and The Trading Pit
Both firms on this page carry a JoinProp Rating out of 10. We produce that rating with the same 9-factor methodology we apply to every firm we review: payout reliability (20%), fee structure (15%), drawdown rules (15%), profit split (15%), evaluation terms (10%), trading rules (10%), support access and responsiveness (5%), scaling plan (5%), and track record and transparency (5%).
The inputs come from our firm reviews, not from this page. For each firm we work from the current terms and conditions rather than marketing pages, track rule and pricing changes over time, and read payout and support reports across Trustpilot, Reddit and Discord, looking for recurring patterns rather than isolated complaints. Every firm is re-checked at least every 90 days, or sooner after a material change. Affiliate relationships have no effect on any rating, and ratings are never sold.
The tables above show the evidence behind those factors. A few rows, including trading platforms, available instruments, maximum account size and demo availability, are there to help you judge fit and do not affect either rating.
Read our full ranking methodology
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