Sway Funded vs FTMO: Elite Prop Firms Comparison
Introduction
Sway Funded and FTMO are two leading proprietary trading firms offering traders the opportunity to access funded accounts after passing evaluation challenges. FTMO, established in 2015, has built a strong reputation with a 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating across 29,000+ reviews, known for its robust trading platform and comprehensive educational resources. Sway Funded, a newer entrant founded February 2024 (Saint Lucia), has quickly gained popularity with a 4.1/5 Trustpilot rating from 800+ reviews, offering competitive profit splits and trader-friendly evaluation parameters. Both firms cater to traders seeking capital without personal financial risk, but differ significantly in their assessment models and compensation structures.
Quick Comparison |
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| Feature | Sway Funded | FTMO |
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|  |  |
| Founded | 2024 (February) | 2015 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.1/5 (623 reviews, June 2026) | 4.8/5 (43,791 reviews, June 2026) |
| Profit Split | Up to 90% | Up to 90% |
| Account Sizes | $1K – $200K | $10,000-$200,000 initial; scaling to $2,000,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | Rapid, Regular, or Instant | 1-Step or 2-Step Challenge |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals? |
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| Program | Sway Funded | FTMO |
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| Standard Challenge | Standard Challenge: 10% target / 5% verification, 5% daily DD, 10% max DD; Professional: 8% / 4% target, 6% daily DD, 12% max DD | FTMO Challenge: 2-Step (10% Phase 1, 5% Phase 2), 5% daily / 10% max DD, 4 days minimum each phase, no time limits since 2024 |
| Express / Single-Phase Option | Instant Account: bypasses evaluation entirely (per Sway’s feature list) | FTMO Challenge: 1-Step (single evaluation, 10% profit target, 3% daily DD, 10% max DD, no time limit) |
| Swing Account | Weekend holding permitted for most instruments with proper risk management | Swing Account: weekend holding permitted; news-trading restrictions apply on Standard FTMO Account but Swing has no news restriction |
| Scaling Plan | Account scaling up to 4x initial size; max account $200,000 | 25% account-balance scale-up per step (after 4-month consistency criteria), up to $2,000,000 |
| Demo Account | 7-day demo access available before purchasing a challenge | Free FTMO demo account available to practice before entering the challenge |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test? |
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| Criteria | Sway Funded | FTMO |
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| Profit Target | Standard Challenge: 10% (phase) / 5% (verification); Professional: 8% / 4% | 2-Step: 10% (Phase 1) / 5% (Phase 2); 1-Step: 10% (single evaluation) |
| Time Limit | No time limit | No time limits on evaluations (since 2024) |
| Maximum Daily Loss | 5% (Standard Challenge) / 6% (Professional Challenge) | 5% of initial account balance (2-Step); 3% on 1-Step |
| Maximum Overall Loss | 10% (Standard) / 12% (Professional); no trailing drawdown | 10% of initial account balance (static, does not trail with profits) |
| Minimum Trading Days | Standard Challenge: 5 days (Phase), 3 days (Verification); Professional: 4 days / 2 days | 4 days minimum each phase (2-Step); no minimum advertised on 1-Step |
| Trading Hours | 24/5 trading permitted; weekend holding allowed; no overnight restrictions except during high-impact news | 24/5 trading permitted; news-trading restrictions on Standard FTMO Account (Swing has no restriction) |
| Scaling Opportunities | Account scaling up to 4x initial size based on consistent results, with incremental increases after profit milestones | 25% account-balance scale-up per step upon meeting 4-month consistency criteria, up to $2,000,000 |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay? |
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| Option | Sway Funded | FTMO |
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| $10,000 Account | Sway-specific fee not pinned in review (one-time fee scales by account size, refundable entry from $10) | $89 one-time refundable fee (FTMO Challenge: 2-Step) |
| $25,000 Account | Sway-specific fee not pinned in review | $250 one-time refundable fee (FTMO Challenge: 2-Step) |
| $50,000 Account | Sway-specific fee not pinned in review | $345 one-time refundable fee (FTMO Challenge: 2-Step) |
| $100,000 Account | Sway-specific fee not pinned in review | $439 one-time refundable fee (FTMO Challenge: 2-Step, Best Value) |
| $200,000 Account | Sway-specific fee not pinned in review (max account size; refundable entry from $10) | $1,080 one-time refundable fee (FTMO Challenge: 2-Step) |
| Refund Policy | Fee refunded after first profit withdrawal | Fee refunded after first profit withdrawal |
| Coupons | Coupon Code | Coupon Code |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use? |
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| Platform Feature | Sway Funded | FTMO |
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| Trading Platforms | Liquid Charts and Liquid Charts Pro (proprietary; no MT4, MT5, or TradingView) | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader |
| Analytics Dashboard | Built-in analytics on Liquid Charts / Liquid Charts Pro | Performance dashboard with trade analytics and account management tools |
| Mobile App | Mobile access not specifically pinned in Sway review | Mobile access not specifically pinned in FTMO review (platforms supported across MT4, MT5, cTrader) |
| Educational Resources | Basic webinars and trading guides | Extensive library, mentorship, regular webinars, coaching |
| Trading Community | Growing Discord community | Large established community with active forums |
Available Options/Products |
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| Options | Sway Funded | FTMO |
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| Tradable Assets | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, and selected Stocks | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies (no Stocks; verbatim review: tradable symbols are Forex, Indices, Crypto and Commodities only) |
| Account Types | Rapid (1-step), Regular (2-step), Instant (0-step) – funded accounts on simulated capital | Standard Account, Swing Account (Challenge: 2-Step or 1-Step) |
| Currency Options | Account currencies not specifically pinned in Sway review | Account currencies not specifically pinned in FTMO review |
| Leverage Options | Up to 1:100 depending on instrument (1:50 per Traders Union third-party review) | Specific leverage ratios not pinned in FTMO review |
| Payment Methods | Payment options not specifically pinned in Sway review | Standard payment processing – bi-weekly payouts with average 8-hour turnaround |
Technical Capabilities/Performance |
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| Feature | Sway Funded | FTMO |
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| Execution Speed | Specific execution speeds not pinned on Sway’s public materials | Specific execution speeds not pinned on FTMO’s public materials |
| Spreads | Specific spreads not pinned in Sway review | Realistic trading conditions with low fees and raw spreads (per FTMO review) |
| Server Reliability | Uptime figures not specifically pinned in Sway review | Uptime figures not specifically pinned in FTMO review |
| EAs/Algorithms | EAs allowed; martingale, grid, arbitrage, and news-sniping prohibited | EAs allowed; no dangerous trading strategies, arbitrage, or price-latency exploitation permitted |
| Withdrawal Processing | Rewards on Demand (1.5% withdrawal fee per Traders Union) | Bi-weekly payouts with average 8-hour turnaround |
Customer Support & Resources |
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| Support Feature | Sway Funded | FTMO |
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| Support Hours | 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and tickets (no phone) | 24/7 dedicated customer support |
| Response Time | Specific response times not pinned in Sway review | Specific response times not pinned in FTMO review |
| Educational Content | Trader development resources via Sway’s platform (specific library not pinned in review) | Educational resources, webinars, and trader resources via FTMO’s ecosystem |
| Language Support | Specific language coverage not pinned in Sway review (active in 150+ countries) | Specific language coverage not pinned in FTMO review (available in 140+ countries) |
| Community Engagement | Active in 150+ countries (per Sway homepage); 24/7 support via live chat, email, tickets | Available in 140+ countries; regular trading contests and trader recognition |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation |
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| Key Element | Sway Funded | FTMO |
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| Strengths | Three challenge models (Rapid 1-step, Regular 2-step, Instant 0-step); no time limits; account sizes from $1,000 with refundable entry from $10; up to 90% profit split with add-on; no trailing drawdown; no consistency rule; 24/7 support | Established 2015 with industry-leading reputation; flat 80% start scaling to 90% via Scaling Plan up to $2,000,000; 1-Step or 2-Step evaluation paths; no time limits since 2024; MT4/MT5/cTrader; bi-weekly payouts ~8h; available in 140+ countries |
| Weaknesses | Newer firm (founded Feb 2024); proprietary platform only (Liquid Charts / Liquid Charts Pro – no MT4, MT5, or TradingView); 1.5% withdrawal fee; no phone support | News-trading restrictions on Standard FTMO Account (Swing has no restriction); higher fee tiers; strict drawdown rules; no Stocks (Forex, Indices, Crypto, Commodities only) |
| Best For | Traders who want low-cost entry ($10 refundable), no consistency rule, no trailing drawdown, and a choice of three challenge models including a fully evaluation-free Instant option | Traders who want an established firm with deep MT4/MT5/cTrader support, fast bi-weekly payouts, and the choice between a 1-Step or 2-Step path with no time limits |
| Final Grade | 4.4/5 | 4.55/5 |
| Discount Codes | Coupon Code | Coupon Code |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
FAQ
What makes Sway Funded popular among users?
Sway Funded has gained popularity for its three flexible challenge models (Rapid 1-step, Regular 2-step, and Instant 0-step which bypasses evaluation entirely), no time limits, and accessible entry (account sizes from $1,000 with refundable entry from $10). Traders also appreciate the absence of a consistency rule, no trailing drawdown, and 24/7 support across 150+ countries. The platform runs on Sway’s proprietary Liquid Charts / Liquid Charts Pro (no MT4/MT5/TradingView). Note: Sway is a newer firm (founded February 2024) with a 1.5% withdrawal fee per third-party reviews.
How does FTMO differ from other similar organizations?
FTMO stands out as the industry’s most established prop firm – founded in 2015 in Prague, Czech Republic. It offers two evaluation paths (1-Step and 2-Step Challenges), no time limits since 2024, and a flat 80% profit start scaling to 90% via the Scaling Plan up to $2,000,000. Traders use MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, or cTrader. Bi-weekly payouts are processed with an average 8-hour turnaround. Note: FTMO does NOT offer Stocks – tradable symbols are Forex, Indices, Crypto, and Commodities only (verbatim from FTMO review).
Which firm offers better profit splits to traders?
Both Sway Funded and FTMO offer competitive profit splits reaching up to 90%, but their structures differ slightly. Sway Funded typically starts traders at an 80% profit split and increases to 90% after consistent performance. FTMO starts at 80% for newly funded traders and scales up to 90% via the Scaling Plan after 4-month consistency criteria are met. For many traders, the effective difference is minimal, as both firms offer industry-competitive splits. The decision should factor in other considerations like evaluation difficulty, account sizes available, and additional fees rather than focusing solely on the profit percentage difference.
Can I hold positions over weekends with both companies?
Yes, both firms allow weekend holding but with different rules. Sway Funded permits weekend holding for most instruments with proper risk management (no overnight restrictions except during high-impact news). FTMO has news-trading and overnight/weekend restrictions on the Standard FTMO Account, while the Swing Account is specifically designed for traders who hold positions over weekends. Always check current rules per the firm’s dashboard for the specific account type.
Which firm is better for beginners versus experienced traders?
For beginners, Sway Funded offers an accessible entry (refundable challenge fees from $10, account sizes from $1,000, no consistency rule, no time limits) along with the option to bypass evaluation entirely via the Instant Challenge. Experienced traders often prefer FTMO for its established 2015-onwards track record, three platform choices (MT4/MT5/cTrader), and a clear 1-Step or 2-Step path with no time limits and bi-weekly payouts. Choice depends on whether the trader values Sway’s flexibility and lower entry or FTMO’s stability and platform breadth.
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
Our comparison data was meticulously gathered from multiple authoritative sources including the official websites of Sway Funded and FTMO, verified Trustpilot reviews, trader forums like ForexFactory and Reddit, and direct feedback from current and former users of both platforms. We also analyzed public financial data, social media sentiment, and industry publications covering proprietary trading firms. All information was cross-referenced to ensure accuracy and recency, with particular attention to evolving terms and conditions.
2. We Examine
Our team of trading experts with combined experience of over 30 years in proprietary trading analyzed the collected data to identify key differences, advantages, and potential concerns with each platform. We applied standardized evaluation criteria to assess features like platform reliability, execution quality, withdrawal processes, and customer support responsiveness. Several team members have personal experience with both platforms, providing practical insights beyond marketing claims. We also consulted with independent industry analysts to validate our findings.
3. We Score
Our scoring methodology follows a comprehensive 100-point system distributed across multiple weighted categories: Reputation & Trustworthiness (20%), Evaluation Process & Rules (20%), Platform & Tools (15%), Cost Structure (15%), Educational Resources (10%), Customer Support (10%), and Additional Features (10%). Each category contains multiple subcriteria rated on a scale of 1-10. The final scores are normalized to a 5-point scale, with fractional points indicating nuanced differences between the platforms. Scoring is updated quarterly to reflect changing conditions.
4. You Choose
Use this comparison as a starting point for your research, not as the final word. Consider your specific trading style, experience level, and financial goals when evaluating which platform might work better for you. We recommend starting with demo accounts from both providers if available. Remember that success in proprietary trading depends more on your trading discipline and strategy than on the specific platform you choose. Consider creating a decision matrix that weights factors based on your personal priorities to make the most informed choice.
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