FTMO vs Funding Traders: Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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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 Trustpilot data not pinned in this JoinProp review (defer to direct check). 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 | 80-90% (2-Step); 90% flat (1-Step) | 80-90% |
| Maximum Account Size | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 2 | 2 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.8/5 (43,791 reviews) | — |
| Expert Grade | 9.1 | 8.5 |
Program Types
| Program | FTMO | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Program | FTMO Challenge + Verification | Yes |
| Scaling Options | Yes | Yes |
| Demo Account | No | Yes |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | FTMO | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 10% then 5% (2-Step); 10% (1-Step) | 5-12% |
| Maximum Drawdown | 10% static (2-Step); 10% trailing (1-Step) | 8-10% |
| Minimum Trading Days | 4 per phase (2-Step); none (1-Step) | 10 |
| News Trading | Restricted on Standard; unrestricted on Swing | Yes |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | FTMO | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| $10K Account | EUR 89 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | USD 119 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| $25K Account | EUR 250 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | USD 229 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| $50K Account | EUR 345 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | USD 339 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| $100K Account | EUR 540 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | USD 599 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| $200K Account | EUR 1080 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | USD 999 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| Coupons / Discount | FTMO discount | Funding Traders discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | FTMO | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader | DXTrade, TradeLocker, MetaTrader 5 |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Available | — |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | No |
Payout
| Feature | FTMO | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly via bank transfer, e-wallets, wire transfer, cryptocurrencies | Bank Wire Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, Cryptocurrency, Wise |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | FTMO | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Full fee refund on 2-Step; static drawdown; no consistency rules; zero withdrawal commission; scaling to $2M | reasonable challenge requirements, trader-friendly policies, transparent fee structure, multiple challenge options, scaling program |
| Weaknesses | No reset product; 1-Step fee never refunded; 50% Best Day Rule blocks payouts; 1-Step payout resets buffer | excessive fees, strict trading rules, high profit targets, capital loss risk, slow withdrawals |
| Best For | 2-Step recommended for most; 1-Step only if 90% split outweighs other concerns | new and experienced traders |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose FTMO if you want a larger funded ceiling at $2M, a cheaper entry, from EUR 89 and coverage of stocks that the other does not offer. Choose Funding Traders – Elite Firm Review if news trading allowed and a demo account to test the platform first 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 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 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.
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. 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 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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