FTMO vs Funding Traders: Elite Prom Firms Comparison
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, earning a 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot from over 5,000 reviews. 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, maintaining a 4.3/5 Trustpilot rating across 1,200+ reviews. 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 Comparison
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
Funding Traders |
|
 |
|
| Founded |
2017 |
2020 |
| Trustpilot Rating |
4.6/5 (5,000+ reviews) |
4.3/5 (1,200+ reviews) |
| Maximum Account Size |
$400,000 |
$200,000 |
| Profit Split |
80% for traders |
85% for traders |
| Evaluation Steps |
Two-phase (Challenge + Verification) |
Single or two-phase options |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals?
|
| Program |
FTMO |
Funding Traders |
| Standard Account |
Two-phase evaluation: Challenge + Verification, account sizes from $10,000 to $200,000 |
Express Program: Single-phase evaluation with stricter criteria, account sizes from $10,000 to $100,000 |
| Swing Account |
Extended time frames for position holding, lower daily drawdown limits, ideal for swing trading strategies |
Standard Program: Two-phase evaluation with more relaxed metrics, holding positions through weekends allowed |
| Scaling Plan |
Account size can increase by 25% after every 4% profit in funded account phase |
Account size increases by 25% after showing consistent performance over 2 months |
| Demo Trial |
Free 14-day trial with full platform access on demo accounts |
Free 7-day trial on limited account size |
| Speciality Options |
FTMO Challenge for algorithmic traders, options for trading with variable lot sizes |
Low-cost entry options with flexible scaling opportunities |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test?
|
| Criteria |
FTMO |
Funding Traders |
| Profit Target |
10% for Challenge, 5% for Verification |
8% for first phase, 5% for second phase (Standard); 12% single phase (Express) |
| Maximum Daily Loss |
5% of initial account balance |
4% of initial account balance |
| Maximum Overall Loss |
10% of initial account balance |
8% of initial account balance |
| Minimum Trading Days |
10 trading days for each phase |
5 trading days for Express, 8 days for Standard phases |
| Time Limit |
30 days for Challenge, 60 days for Verification |
30 days per phase for Standard, 30 days total for Express |
| Position Holding |
No weekend holding in Normal accounts, allowed in Swing accounts |
Weekend holding allowed in all account types |
| News Trading |
Allowed with caution, no trading during major economic releases |
Fully allowed, including major economic releases |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay?
|
| Option |
FTMO |
Funding Traders |
| $10,000 Account |
$155 (one-time fee) |
$99 (Express), $129 (Standard) |
| $25,000 Account |
$250 (one-time fee) |
$199 (Express), $249 (Standard) |
| $50,000 Account |
$345 (one-time fee) |
$299 (Express), $349 (Standard) |
| $100,000 Account |
$540 (one-time fee) |
$499 (Express), $599 (Standard) |
| $200,000 Account |
$1,080 (one-time fee) |
$999 (Standard only) |
| Refund Policy |
Registration fee refunded after successful completion of Challenge and Verification |
No refund of initial fees, but lower entry pricing structure |
| Coupons |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use?
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
Funding Traders |
| Trading Platforms |
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader |
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 |
| Performance Dashboard |
Comprehensive metrics tracker with advanced analytics and risk measurement |
Basic performance tracking with essential metrics |
| Mobile Access |
Full mobile app integration for account management and trading |
Limited mobile functionality through MT4/MT5 apps |
| Educational Resources |
Extensive webinars, trading academy, mentorship programs |
Basic educational articles and occasional webinars |
| Custom Indicators |
Proprietary indicators and trading tools provided |
Standard platform indicators only |
| API Access |
Available for algorithm developers |
Limited API functionality |
Available Options/Products
|
| Option |
FTMO |
Funding Traders |
| Available Markets |
Forex, Commodities, Indices, Stocks, Crypto |
Forex, Commodities, Indices, limited Crypto selection |
| Account Currencies |
USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD |
USD, EUR |
| Leverage Options |
1:100 (normal accounts), 1:30 (swing accounts) |
1:100 (all accounts) |
| Withdrawal Frequency |
Bi-weekly withdrawals after first month |
Monthly withdrawals |
| Demo/Practice Accounts |
Free full-featured demo account before purchase |
Limited demo functionality |
| Trading Hours |
24/5 with extended hours for certain instruments |
Standard market hours only |
Technical Capabilities/Performance
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
Funding Traders |
| Execution Speed |
Average 27ms execution time |
Average 45ms execution time |
| Slippage |
Minimal slippage with institutional-grade liquidity providers |
Moderate slippage during high volatility |
| Spreads |
Raw spreads + small commission |
Fixed and variable spread options |
| Server Reliability |
99.9% uptime with backup servers |
99.5% uptime |
| EA/Algo Trading |
Fully supported with detailed analytics |
Supported with basic monitoring |
| Scaling Technology |
Automatic account scaling based on performance |
Manual account scaling review process |
Customer Support & Community
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
Funding Traders |
| Support Hours |
24/5 live support |
16/5 support (business hours + extended evening) |
| Communication Channels |
Live chat, email, phone, social media |
Email, live chat, limited phone support |
| Response Time |
Average 2-4 hours for email, immediate live chat |
Average 12-24 hours for email, 1-2 hours for live chat |
| Community Features |
Active trader forum, regular webinars, community challenges |
Basic community features, occasional trader meetups |
| Educational Content |
Extensive library of videos, articles, trading psychology resources |
Growing collection of basic trading guides |
| Languages Supported |
10+ languages including English, Spanish, German, French, etc. |
English, Spanish, German |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
|
| Key Element |
FTMO |
Funding Traders |
| Strengths |
Industry-leading reputation, comprehensive trader dashboard, extensive educational resources, refundable fee structure, higher maximum account sizes, superior technical infrastructure |
Higher profit split (85%), more flexible trading conditions, single-phase evaluation option, lower entry costs, more lenient weekend position holding rules |
| Weaknesses |
Higher initial fee structure, stricter trading rules, more complex two-phase evaluation system, lower profit split (80%) |
Newer company with less established track record, more limited educational resources, smaller maximum account sizes, fewer platform options |
| Best For |
Experienced traders seeking institutional-grade execution, traders wanting comprehensive performance analytics, those seeking larger account sizes, traders who value educational resources |
Budget-conscious traders, swing traders who hold weekend positions, traders who prefer simpler evaluation processes, those prioritizing higher profit splits |
| Final Grade |
4.7/5 |
4.3/5 |
| Discount Codes |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
FAQ
What makes FTMO popular among users?
FTMO has gained popularity primarily due to its established track record of consistent payouts, transparent evaluation process, and comprehensive trader support ecosystem. Traders particularly value their advanced performance dashboard that provides detailed analytics on trading behavior. The refundable fee structure is also highly appreciated, as successful traders can recoup their initial investment. Additionally, FTMO’s scaling program allows traders to increase their account size as they demonstrate consistent profitability, creating a clear growth path for professional development.
How does Funding traders differ from other similar organizations?
Funding traders distinguishes itself by offering a higher profit split (85%) than many competitors, including FTMO. They also provide more flexible trading conditions, including weekend position holding across all account types and fewer restrictions on news trading. Their Express Program, featuring a single-phase evaluation with a higher profit target but faster path to funding, offers an alternative to the traditional two-phase approach used by most prop firms. Additionally, Funding traders has positioned itself with competitive pricing that’s often lower than established competitors.
Which firm provides better chances of passing the evaluation process?
This depends largely on your trading style. FTMO’s two-phase process with 10% and 5% targets spread across more required trading days (minimum 10 per phase) allows for a more methodical approach with less pressure for daily returns. Funding traders offers both a traditional path and their Express option, which may suit aggressive traders who can hit a 12% target quickly. Overall, FTMO’s slightly more generous maximum drawdown limits (5% daily vs 4% at Funding traders) may give traders more breathing room, but Funding traders’ weekend position holding allowance benefits swing traders significantly. Success rates published by both companies show similar pass percentages around 25-30% for their evaluation phases.
How fast can I expect payouts from FTMO vs Funding traders?
FTMO processes withdrawals on a bi-weekly basis after the first month, with funds typically reaching traders’ accounts within 1-4 business days after processing. Their established payment system has a strong track record for reliability. Funding traders operates on a monthly withdrawal cycle, with payments processed during the first week of each month for the previous month’s profits. Their payment processing typically takes 2-5 business days. Both firms support multiple withdrawal methods including bank transfers and various e-wallets, though FTMO offers slightly more options for international traders.
Are there hidden fees or costs with either company?
Both FTMO and Funding traders are generally transparent about their fee structures. FTMO charges a one-time registration fee that is refundable upon successful completion of both evaluation phases. They do not charge monthly subscription fees for funded accounts, and there are no hidden costs for withdrawals or account maintenance. Funding traders also uses a one-time fee model but does not offer refunds on evaluation fees. Neither company charges for scaling up account sizes based on performance. The only potential additional costs would be if you needed to restart an evaluation after failing to meet targets, which would require paying the initial fee again with either company.
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
Our team gathered comprehensive data from multiple sources to ensure accuracy and completeness. We analyzed the official websites of both FTMO and Funding traders to understand their current offerings, fee structures, and program specifics. We examined hundreds of verified customer reviews across platforms including Trustpilot, Forex Peace Army, and Reddit to understand real user experiences. Additionally, we consulted with active traders using both platforms and industry experts to gain insider perspectives on the strengths and limitations of each service.
2. We Examine
All collected information underwent thorough verification and analysis by our team of trading professionals with direct experience using funded trader programs. We compared stated policies against actual user experiences to identify any discrepancies. Our financial analysts evaluated the fee structures and profit-sharing models to determine true value propositions. We also conducted performance testing of both platforms to verify claims about execution speed, slippage, and platform reliability. This multi-layered examination process ensured that our comparisons reflect the actual experience traders can expect.
3. We Score
Our scoring methodology evaluates both companies across ten key categories: reputation/trustworthiness, program structure, passing criteria difficulty, fee/cost value, platform quality, available markets, technical performance, customer support, educational resources, and scaling opportunities. Each category receives a weighted score based on its importance to the average trader. These scores are combined to create our final ratings, with additional consideration given to unique features that may benefit specific trader types. This balanced approach ensures our final recommendations account for different trading styles and priorities.
4. You Choose
Use this comparison as a starting point for your decision, focusing on the factors most relevant to your trading style and goals. Consider your experience level, preferred trading instruments, and capital requirements when evaluating which program better suits your needs. We recommend taking advantage of any free trials or demo accounts before committing. Remember that successful prop firm trading requires not just selecting the right program, but also having a robust trading strategy and proper risk management. The best choice is ultimately the one that aligns with your personal trading approach and career objectives.
View More Elite Prop Firms Compared: The Funded Trader vs The5ers
