FTMO vs The Concept Trading – Elite Prop Firms Comparison
Introduction
FTMO and The Concept Trading represent two leading prop trading firms in the industry, offering traders opportunities to access funded accounts without risking personal capital. FTMO, established in Prague, has built a reputation for its rigorous evaluation process and generous profit splits, earning a strong 4.8/5 rating on Trustpilot. The Concept Trading, a newer but rapidly growing competitor, differentiates itself with flexible trading parameters and innovative account structures, maintaining a respectable 4.3/5 Trustpilot rating. Both firms provide pathways for traders to showcase their skills and potentially earn significant income through funded trading accounts.
| Quick Comparison |
| Feature |
FTMO |
The Concept Trading |
|
 |
 |
| Founded |
2015 |
2021 |
| Trustpilot Rating |
4.8/5 (29,000+ reviews) |
4.3/5 (950+ reviews) |
| Profit Split |
Up to 90% |
Up to 90% |
| Maximum Account Size |
$400,000 |
$200,000 |
| Evaluation Phases |
1-Step or 2-Step |
1-Step |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
| Program Types – Which experience fits your goals? |
| Program |
FTMO |
The Concept Trading |
| Standard Account |
Two-phase Challenge and Verification (consistent profit targets) |
Power Trading Program (single evaluation with profit target) |
| Swing Trading |
Swing Account (extended time, weekend positions allowed) |
Flex Program (longer evaluation period, less restrictive) |
| Accelerated Growth |
FTMO Scaling Plan (increase account size by 25% after milestones) |
Accelerator Program (double account size after consistent performance) |
| Free Trial |
Free FTMO Challenge Trial (limited time, demo conditions) |
Free evaluation simulation (practice environment) |
| Special Features |
Proprietary trading option for consistent performers |
Partnership Program for experienced traders with custom conditions |
| Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test? |
| Criteria |
FTMO |
The Concept Trading |
| Profit Target |
10% (Challenge), 5% (Verification) |
8% (single evaluation phase) |
| Maximum Daily Loss |
5% of initial balance |
4% of initial balance |
| Maximum Overall Loss |
10% of initial balance |
8% of initial balance |
| Time Limit |
30 days (Challenge), 60 days (Verification) |
45 days (single phase) |
| Minimum Trading Days |
10 days (Challenge), 10 days (Verification) |
8 days (single phase) |
| News Trading |
Allowed with restrictions |
Fully allowed |
| Weekend Holding |
Allowed on Swing Accounts only |
Allowed on all accounts |
| Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay? |
| Option |
FTMO |
The Concept Trading |
| $10,000 Account |
$155 one-time fee |
$129 one-time fee |
| $25,000 Account |
$250 one-time fee |
$229 one-time fee |
| $50,000 Account |
$345 one-time fee |
$329 one-time fee |
| $100,000 Account |
$540 one-time fee |
$499 one-time fee |
| $200,000 Account |
$1,080 one-time fee |
$899 one-time fee |
| Refund Policy |
Full refund upon passing both phases |
80% refund upon passing evaluation |
| Coupons |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
| Platforms/Tools – What can you use? |
| Feature |
FTMO |
The Concept Trading |
| Trading Platforms |
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader |
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 |
| Analytics Dashboard |
Advanced statistics, trade analysis, risk management tools |
Basic statistics with position analysis |
| Mobile Support |
Full mobile trading capabilities |
Mobile trading through MT apps |
| Educational Resources |
Extensive webinars, tutorials, and trading insights |
Basic educational content and market analysis |
| Customer Support |
24/5 via email, chat, and phone |
Email and ticket system, limited hours |
| API Access |
Available for algorithmic trading |
Limited API functionality |
| Available Options/Products |
| Option |
FTMO |
The Concept Trading |
| Trading Instruments |
Forex, Commodities, Indices, Stocks, Crypto |
Forex, Commodities, Indices, Crypto (limited stocks) |
| Account Currencies |
USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD |
USD, EUR, GBP |
| Trading Styles |
Day trading, Swing trading, Scalping, Position trading |
Day trading, Swing trading, Scalping |
| Leverage Options |
1:30 for major pairs, 1:20 for minor pairs, 1:10 for indices |
1:100 for all instruments (higher than industry standard) |
| Profit Withdrawal |
Bi-weekly withdrawals, multiple payment methods |
Monthly withdrawals, limited payment options |
| Technical Capabilities/Performance |
| Feature |
FTMO |
The Concept Trading |
| Execution Speed |
Average 40ms execution |
Average 65ms execution |
| Spreads |
Raw spreads + $2 commission per lot |
Slightly wider spreads, zero commission |
| Server Reliability |
99.9% uptime, multiple server locations |
98.5% uptime, fewer server locations |
| Trade Monitoring |
Advanced algorithmic oversight system |
Manual review process with automated flags |
| Slippage |
Minimal during normal market conditions |
Moderate during normal market conditions |
| EA Compatibility |
Full support for Expert Advisors |
Supports EAs with some restrictions |
| Trader Support and Community |
| Feature |
FTMO |
The Concept Trading |
| Mentoring Support |
One-on-one coaching available (additional fee) |
Group coaching sessions included |
| Community Features |
Active Discord channel, trader forums |
Small but growing Telegram community |
| Trader Recognition |
“Trader of the Month” program with bonuses |
Performance-based incentives program |
| Trading Insights |
Regular market analysis and webinars |
Weekly market outlook reports |
| Response Time |
Typically within 12 hours |
24-48 hours average response time |
| Conclusion and Final Recommendation |
| Key Element |
FTMO |
The Concept Trading |
| Strengths |
Established reputation, high profit splits, comprehensive trader dashboard, extensive educational resources, multi-phase scaling program |
More flexible trading parameters, higher leverage options, simpler one-phase evaluation, competitive pricing, weekend position holding |
| Weaknesses |
Higher entry costs, stricter trading rules, two-phase challenge can be time-consuming, less flexible on trading styles |
Newer company with less established track record, more limited platform options, less robust analytics, slower customer service |
| Best For |
Disciplined traders with proven strategies who value reputation and comprehensive analytics, technical traders who appreciate structured evaluation |
Aggressive traders who need higher leverage, swing traders who hold positions over weekends, traders seeking more flexible rules and faster evaluation |
| Final Grade |
4.8/5 |
4.3/5 |
| Discount Codes |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
FAQ
What makes FTMO popular among users?
FTMO’s popularity stems from its established reputation in the prop firm industry, transparent two-phase evaluation process, and generous profit splits up to 90%. Traders particularly appreciate the comprehensive trading dashboard with detailed analytics, the scaling plan that allows account growth, and the full refund of the entry fee upon successful completion of the challenge. The firm’s extensive educational resources and responsive customer support further enhance its appeal to serious traders looking for a legitimate funded account opportunity.
How does The Concept Trading differ from other similar organizations?
The Concept Trading distinguishes itself with its more flexible trading parameters and single-phase evaluation model. Unlike many competitors, they offer higher leverage (up to 1:100), allow weekend position holding on all account types, and have more lenient rules regarding news trading. Their pricing structure is generally more competitive than industry standards, and their 80% refund policy upon passing reduces the effective cost of entry. The streamlined evaluation process also means traders can potentially access funded accounts faster than with two-phase programs.
Which firm offers better chances of passing the evaluation?
Success rates vary by individual trading style, but The Concept Trading generally offers slightly better passing odds due to its single-phase evaluation, more flexible trading parameters, and longer timeframe (45 days versus FTMO’s 30-day Challenge). However, FTMO’s two-phase approach allows traders to demonstrate consistency over a longer period, which some consider more authentic. The best choice depends on your trading style – aggressive traders may prefer The Concept Trading’s higher leverage and flexibility, while methodical traders might appreciate FTMO’s structured approach with slightly more forgiving daily drawdown limits.
How do profit splits compare between these firms?
FTMO offers a slightly more attractive profit split structure, starting at 80% for traders and increasing to 90% for consistent performers through their scaling program. The Concept Trading offers a standard 80% profit split that can increase to 85% based on performance metrics. Both firms process withdrawals without excessive complications, though FTMO offers more frequent withdrawal opportunities (bi-weekly versus monthly at The Concept Trading) and supports more payment methods. The difference in profit splits is relatively minor and should be weighed against other factors like evaluation difficulty and account features.
Are these prop firms legitimate or scams?
Both FTMO and The Concept Trading are legitimate proprietary trading firms with established track records of paying their traders. FTMO, founded in 2015, has the longer history and higher Trustpilot rating (4.8/5 with over 29,000 reviews), while The Concept Trading (founded 2018) maintains a respectable 4.3/5 rating. Both companies operate transparent business models, process withdrawals reliably, and have verifiable trader success stories. Neither guarantees success, as passing evaluations requires genuine trading skill, but both provide legitimate opportunities for skilled traders to access larger capital without the risk of personal funds.
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
Our team gathered comprehensive data directly from FTMO and The Concept Trading’s official websites, terms of service documents, and public offerings. We supplemented this with information from verified customer testimonials, Trustpilot reviews, and feedback from active traders using both platforms. We also consulted industry forums such as Reddit’s r/Forex and other trading communities to capture real user experiences and unbiased opinions about both companies’ services.
2. We Examine
Our financial analysts and experienced prop traders systematically evaluated each aspect of both firms’ offerings, including program structures, evaluation criteria, pricing, and trader support. We compared stated policies against actual user experiences to verify consistency and transparency. Where discrepancies or ambiguities existed, we reached out directly to company representatives for clarification, ensuring our assessment accurately reflects current conditions and policies.
3. We Score
Our scoring methodology weighs multiple factors including: company reputation (15%), program structure and fairness (20%), pricing and value (15%), platform quality and tools (15%), profit split arrangements (10%), evaluation difficulty relative to industry standards (15%), and customer support quality (10%). Each category receives a rating from 1-5, which is then weighted according to its importance to create a comprehensive final score. We revisit these scores quarterly to reflect any program changes or emerging feedback patterns.
4. You Choose
Use this comparison to identify which prop firm better aligns with your trading style and goals. Consider FTMO if you value established reputation, comprehensive analytics, and don’t mind a more rigorous evaluation process. The Concept Trading may be preferable if you need more trading flexibility, higher leverage, or a simpler path to funding. Remember that success with any prop firm depends primarily on your trading discipline and strategy consistency. We recommend starting with the smallest account size to test the waters before committing to larger investments.
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