FTMO vs Funding Traders: Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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FTMO product scope: FTMO runs two product lines. The rules and reward terms discussed on this page are its CFD 1-Step and 2-Step programs, while the pricing table also lists its Futures Growth and Pro plans, which are sold on a monthly subscription and carry their own risk limits and payout terms. Both lines are covered in full in our FTMO review.
Introduction
FTMO and Funding traders stand among the industry’s leading prop trading firms, offering traders access to substantial capital without personal financial risk. FTMO, established in Prague, has built a stellar reputation with consistent payouts and innovative trader support systems, with a Trustpilot snapshot of 4.8/5 from 53,102 reviews (checked September 27, 2026). Funding traders, a newer but rapidly growing competitor, offers competitive funding options with flexible trading conditions and has gained popularity for its straightforward evaluation process, with its Trustpilot rating currently unavailable (guidelines breach) – 3,302 reviews on file. Both firms have proven track records of empowering traders to access professional capital, but they differ significantly in their program structures, evaluation criteria, and profit-sharing models.
Quick Facts
| Feature | FTMO | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
|  | |
| Founded | 2015 | 2019 |
| Profit Split | The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 2-Step: 80%, rising to 90% The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 1-Step: 90% from day one | The Product Line - 1-Step PRO: 90% The Product Line - 2-Step PRO6: 80% The Product Line - 2-Step PRO10: 80% The Product Line - Instant Funded: 90% Payouts: 80% (2-Step) or 90% (1-Step, Instant); 100% as a paid add-on |
| Maximum Account Size | CFD: up to $2,000,000 through scaling. Futures: up to $450,000 across 3 Sim-Funded accounts | $400,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | CFD: 1 phase (1-Step), 2 phases (2-Step). Futures: Evaluation, then Sim-Funded, then invitation-only Live Funded | 1-Step PRO: 1; 2-Step PRO6/PRO10: 2; Instant: none |
| Trustpilot Rating | Public Track Record and Ratings: 4.8 / 5 (53,102 reviews) | Not available |
| Expert Grade | 9.1 | 8.5 |
Program Types
| Program | FTMO | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes. CFD 2-Step from EUR 89 one-time; Futures Growth from $119 per month | 1-Step PRO / 2-Step PRO6 / PRO10 |
| Advanced Program | FTMO Challenge and Verification (CFD 2-Step); Futures Pro path with hard daily loss and 100% withdrawals | Instant Funding |
| Scaling Options | The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 2-Step: Subject to eligibility The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 1-Step: Subject to eligibility; see Scaling Plan | Published funded allocation caps: PRO $300k; Instant $400k. Legacy Next-Gen $500k is separate. |
| Demo Account | Free Trials for 1-Step and 2-Step; practice only, not qualification. No free trial on Futures | Yes |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | FTMO | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 2-Step: 10% then 5% The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 1-Step: 10% Evaluation objectives - Growth $50K: $3,000 Evaluation objectives - Growth $100K: $6,000 Evaluation objectives - Growth $150K: $9,000 Evaluation objectives - Pro $50K: $3,000 Evaluation objectives - Pro $100K: $6,000 Evaluation objectives - Pro $150K: $9,000 | The Product Line - 1-Step PRO: 10% The Product Line - 2-Step PRO6: 6% then 6% The Product Line - 2-Step PRO10: 10% then 5% The Product Line - Instant Funded: None |
| Maximum Drawdown | The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 2-Step: 10% The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 1-Step: 10% Evaluation objectives - Growth $50K: $2,000 Evaluation objectives - Growth $100K: $3,500 Evaluation objectives - Growth $150K: $5,000 Evaluation objectives - Pro $50K: $3,000 Evaluation objectives - Pro $100K: $4,500 Evaluation objectives - Pro $150K: $6,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $50K: $2,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $100K: $3,500 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $150K: $5,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $50K: $3,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $100K: $4,500 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $150K: $6,000 | The Product Line - 1-Step PRO: 10% The Product Line - 2-Step PRO6: 6% The Product Line - 2-Step PRO10: 10% The Product Line - Instant Funded: 6% |
| Minimum Trading Days | The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 2-Step: 4 per phase The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 1-Step: None | 2-Step: 4 per phase + 2 funded; 1-Step: 2 evaluation + 2 funded; Instant: 5 profitable 0.25% days per 30-day period |
| News Trading | Evaluation: allowed within trading rules. Standard FTMO Account: affected instruments restricted 2 minutes before/after selected releases; Swing exempt. Futures: news trading allowed | PRO evaluation allowed; funded 30% news-profit cap. Instant restricted; help/terms conflict on window and holding add-on. |
| Daily Loss Limit | The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 2-Step: 5% The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 1-Step: 3% Evaluation objectives - Growth $50K: None Evaluation objectives - Growth $100K: None Evaluation objectives - Growth $150K: None Evaluation objectives - Pro $50K: $1,000 hard Evaluation objectives - Pro $100K: $1,500 hard Evaluation objectives - Pro $150K: $2,000 hard Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $50K: $1,000 soft Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $100K: $2,000 soft Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $150K: $3,000 soft Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $50K: $1,000 hard Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $100K: $1,500 hard Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $150K: $2,000 hard | The Product Line - 1-Step PRO: 3% The Product Line - 2-Step PRO6: 3% The Product Line - 2-Step PRO10: 5% The Product Line - Instant Funded: 3% |
| Drawdown Type | The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 2-Step: STATIC - the floor never moves The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 1-Step: END-OF-DAY TRAILING | The Product Line - 1-Step PRO: Trailing - never locks The Product Line - 2-Step PRO6: Static The Product Line - 2-Step PRO10: Static The Product Line - Instant Funded: Trailing until +3%, then locks |
| Time Limit | The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 2-Step: Unlimited The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 1-Step: Unlimited | Not available |
| Consistency / Best Day Rule | The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 2-Step: - The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 1-Step: 50% Evaluation objectives - Growth $50K: 40% Evaluation objectives - Growth $100K: 40% Evaluation objectives - Growth $150K: 40% Evaluation objectives - Pro $50K: 50% Evaluation objectives - Pro $100K: 50% Evaluation objectives - Pro $150K: 50% | Not available |
| Maximum Contracts | Evaluation objectives - Growth $50K: 5 Evaluation objectives - Growth $100K: 10 Evaluation objectives - Growth $150K: 15 Evaluation objectives - Pro $50K: 5 Evaluation objectives - Pro $100K: 10 Evaluation objectives - Pro $150K: 15 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $50K: 2 to 5 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $100K: 4 to 10 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $150K: 6 to 15 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $50K: 2 to 5 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $100K: 4 to 10 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $150K: 6 to 15 | Not available |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | FTMO | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| CFD $10K Account | FTMO 2-Step (regular fee) / EUR 89 / One-time Fee refundable 100% with first payout. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO 1-Step (regular fee) / EUR 79 / One-time Fee not refunded. Source Checked 2026-09-28 | Listed challenge / USD 119 / One-time |
| CFD $25K Account | FTMO 2-Step (regular fee) / EUR 250 / One-time Fee refundable 100% with first payout. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO 1-Step (regular fee) / EUR 199 / One-time Fee not refunded. Source Checked 2026-09-28 | Listed challenge / USD 229 / One-time |
| CFD $50K Account | FTMO 2-Step (regular fee) / EUR 345 / One-time Fee refundable 100% with first payout. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO 1-Step (regular fee) / EUR 319 / One-time Fee not refunded. Source Checked 2026-09-28 | Listed challenge / USD 339 / One-time |
| CFD $100K Account | FTMO 2-Step (regular fee) / EUR 540 / One-time Fee refundable 100% with first payout. Regular fee shown. Offer observed September 26, 2026: EUR 439 only if you do not already have that Challenge active; confirm current eligibility. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO 1-Step (regular fee) / EUR 499 / One-time Fee not refunded. Regular fee shown. Offer observed September 26, 2026: EUR 399 only if you do not already have that Challenge active; confirm current eligibility. Source Checked 2026-09-28 | Listed challenge / USD 599 / One-time |
| CFD $200K Account | FTMO 2-Step (regular fee) / EUR 1080 / One-time Fee refundable 100% with first payout. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO 1-Step (regular fee) / EUR 999 / One-time Fee not refunded. Source Checked 2026-09-28 | Listed challenge / USD 999 / One-time |
| Futures $50K Account | FTMO Futures Growth / USD 119 / Monthly Soft daily loss, Sim-Funded only. Payout cap from $2,500. Payout eligibility 4 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO Futures Pro / USD 139 / Monthly Hard daily loss. Payout caps $5,000 to $8,000. Payout eligibility 5 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 | Not listed in review pricing source |
| Futures $100K Account | FTMO Futures Growth / USD 169 / Monthly Soft daily loss, Sim-Funded only. Payout cap from $2,500. Payout eligibility 4 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO Futures Pro / USD 199 / Monthly Hard daily loss. Payout caps $5,000 to $8,000. Payout eligibility 5 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 | Not listed in review pricing source |
| Futures $150K Account | FTMO Futures Growth / USD 229 / Monthly Soft daily loss, Sim-Funded only. Payout cap from $2,500. Payout eligibility 4 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO Futures Pro / USD 269 / Monthly Hard daily loss. Payout caps $5,000 to $8,000. Payout eligibility 5 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 | Not listed in review pricing source |
| Refund Policy | The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 2-Step: 100% The Two CFD Challenges Compared - 1-Step: None | Eligible evaluation fee bonus: first payout before 8 May 2026 purchases, second from that date; Instant excluded |
| Coupons / Discount | FTMO discount | Funding Traders discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | FTMO | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | CFD: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView. Futures: NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView | TradeLocker, MetaTrader 5 |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Not verified for CFD accounts; check current Symbols | Not available |
| EA/Algo Trading | Allowed subject to trading rules, allocation and platform limits; third-party EAs can create allocation conflicts. | Risk-management tools allowed; personally developed EAs conditional in help, Risk Team exception required by terms |
Payout
| Feature | FTMO | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | CFD: request from day 14 after the first trade on the specific account, subject to eligibility; close all positions and pending orders. Review usually 1-2 business days; payment usually 1-2 business days after invoice approval. Futures Sim-Funded: every 4 days on Growth (50% withdrawable, cap $2,500 to $4,000), every 5 days on Pro (100% withdrawable, cap $5,000 to $8,000). Live Funded: daily, no cap | PRO 21 days (14-day add-on); Instant help 7 days versus terms 14, confirm. Rise $200; USDT ERC20 $50 if Rise unavailable; 24-48 hours excluding weekends. Instant additional cushion/profit/consistency gates. |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
| Payout Frequency | Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $50K: Every 4 days Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $100K: Every 4 days Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $150K: Every 4 days Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $50K: Every 5 days Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $100K: Every 5 days Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $150K: Every 5 days | Not available |
| Payout Cap | Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $50K: $2,500 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $100K: $3,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $150K: $4,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $50K: $5,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $100K: $6,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $150K: $8,000 | Not available |
| Payout Eligibility | Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $50K: 4 days at $150+ Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $100K: 4 days at $250+ Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $150K: 4 days at $300+ Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $50K: 5 days at $200+ Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $100K: 5 days at $300+ Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $150K: 5 days at $500+ | Not available |
| Withdrawable Amount | Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $50K: 50% Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $100K: 50% Sim-Funded account and payouts - Growth $150K: 50% Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $50K: 100% Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $100K: 100% Sim-Funded account and payouts - Pro $150K: 100% | Not available |
Verdict
| Key Element | FTMO | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Full fee refund on 2-Step; static drawdown; no consistency rules on CFD; zero withdrawal commission; scaling to $2M; futures line with no minimum trading days and no activation fee | Static 2-Step drawdown; no evaluation deadline; MT5/TradeLocker; published Discipline tracking |
| Weaknesses | 1-Step fee non-refundable; 50% Best Day condition for passing/rewards; new 1-Step account after reward starts with a 90%-of-initial-capital loss floor; futures is a recurring monthly subscription, Growth pays out only 50% per request, and the Live Funded step is by invitation only | Conflicting help/terms; Instant 15% and 1-Step 50% consistency; risk-tier split reductions; Instant profitable-day and cushion requirements |
| Best For | CFD: 2-Step for most, 1-Step only if the 90% split outweighs other concerns. Futures: Pro if you want 100% withdrawals, Growth if you want the cheapest entry | Traders who can follow aggregated risk limits and product-specific payout gates |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Consider FTMO if you want a choice of 1-Step or 2-Step evaluations and MT4, MT5, cTrader or TradingView. Its Free Trials let you practise before buying. Choose Funding Traders – Elite Firm Review if news trading allowed and a demo account to test the platform first (FTMO also offers Free Trials) 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 a one-phase 1-Step and a two-phase 2-Step evaluation. The 2-Step has targets of 10% then 5%, a 5% daily loss limit and four minimum trading days per phase. The 1-Step has a 10% target, a 3% daily loss limit, no minimum trading days and a 50% Best Day Rule. Both have unlimited completion time. FTMO program comparison.
FTMO offers Free Trials for both evaluation models; they are practice accounts, not a qualification route. Supported platforms are MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, selected in the Challenge configurator.
What should I know about Funding Traders’s programs?
FundingTraders has separate Pro and Instant programs. Its 2-Step Pro account has two evaluation phases and program-specific payout terms. Funding Traders official rules; Funding Traders official program information.
How do payouts differ between FTMO and Funding Traders?
FTMO pays a 90% reward share on 1-Step and 80% on 2-Step, rising to 90% under applicable scaling or premium conditions. Requests can be made from day 14 after the first trade on the specific account, subject to eligibility, with all positions and pending orders closed. Review usually takes 1–2 business days; payment usually follows within 1–2 business days after invoice approval. FTMO reward terms.
The 2-Step Pro guide lists an 80% default share with optional 90% or 100% upgrades. The first payout is normally available 21 days after the first funded trade; the 14-day add-on changes that schedule. Funding Traders official rules; Funding Traders official program information.
Which account rules matter when comparing FTMO and Funding Traders?
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.
For 2-Step Pro purchases on or after May 8, 2026, the evaluation-fee refund is tied to the second qualifying payout, rather than simply passing the evaluation. Risk-management violations can also affect rewards. Funding Traders official rules; Funding Traders official program information.
Is FTMO or Funding Traders automatically the better choice?
No. The two firms lead on different things: FTMO has the larger funded ceiling at $2M and the cheaper entry at EUR 89, while Funding Traders – Elite Firm Review has unrestricted news trading and a demo account to test first (FTMO also offers Free Trials). 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 Funding Traders
Both firms carry a JoinProp Rating out of 10, scored on the same nine weighted factors, led by payout reliability at 20%, then fee structure, drawdown rules and profit split at 15% each. The scores come from our own firm reviews, built from each firm’s current terms rather than its marketing pages and re-checked at least every 90 days. Affiliate relationships have no effect on any rating, and ratings are never sold. The tables above are the evidence behind those scores. Read our full ranking methodology.
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