FTMO vs The Concept Trading – Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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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, with Trustpilot data not pinned in this JoinProp review (defer to direct check). The Concept Trading, a newer but rapidly growing competitor, differentiates itself with flexible trading parameters and innovative account structures, maintaining a 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating from 450 reviews. Both firms provide pathways for traders to showcase their skills and potentially earn significant income through funded trading accounts.
Quick Facts
| Feature | FTMO | The Concept Trading |
|---|---|---|
| 
| |
| Founded | 2015 | 2021 |
| Profit Split | 80-90% (2-Step); 90% flat (1-Step) | 50% all levels except top (90%) |
| Maximum Account Size | $2,000,000 | $5,000,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 2 | — |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.8/5 (43,791 reviews) | 4.7 |
| Expert Grade | 9.1 | 9.1 |
Program Types
| Program | FTMO | The Concept Trading |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | AUD 65 |
| Advanced Program | FTMO Challenge + Verification | AUD 19997 |
| Scaling Options | Yes | Yes |
| Demo Account | No | Yes |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | FTMO | The Concept Trading |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 10% then 5% (2-Step); 10% (1-Step) | 6-10% |
| Maximum Drawdown | 10% static (2-Step); 10% trailing (1-Step) | 3-10% static |
| Minimum Trading Days | 4 per phase (2-Step); none (1-Step) | — |
| News Trading | Restricted on Standard; unrestricted on Swing | Yes |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | FTMO | The Concept Trading |
|---|---|---|
| $5K Account | Not offered | AUD 65 / Foundation / One-time |
| $10K Account | EUR 89 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | AUD 110 / Foundation / One-time |
| $25K Account | EUR 250 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | AUD 260 / Foundation / One-time |
| $50K Account | EUR 345 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | Not offered |
| $100K Account | EUR 540 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | Not offered |
| $200K Account | EUR 1080 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | Not offered |
| Coupons / Discount | FTMO discount | The Concept Trading discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | FTMO | The Concept Trading |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader | MetaTrader 5, TradeLocker |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | Yes | — |
| Indices | Yes | — |
| Commodities | Yes | — |
| Cryptocurrencies | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Available | — |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | Yes |
Payout
| Feature | FTMO | The Concept Trading |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly via bank transfer, e-wallets, wire transfer, cryptocurrencies | Once per calendar month (Bank transfer, Crypto, Revolut, PayPal) |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | FTMO | The Concept Trading |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Full fee refund on 2-Step; static drawdown; no consistency rules; zero withdrawal commission; scaling to $2M | Static drawdown, no daily drawdown, permissive rules, EAs/HFT allowed, low entry fees |
| Weaknesses | No reset product; 1-Step fee never refunded; 50% Best Day Rule blocks payouts; 1-Step payout resets buffer | Misleading 90% marketing, one payout/month only, 30-day invoice deadline, capped profits, new discretionary clause |
| Best For | 2-Step recommended for most; 1-Step only if 90% split outweighs other concerns | Long-term scalers seeking trading freedom, not monthly income seekers |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose FTMO if you are 2-Step recommended for most; 1-Step only if 90% split outweighs other concerns. Choose The Concept Trading if a larger funded ceiling at $5M, a cheaper entry, from AUD 65 and news trading allowed 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 The Concept Trading’s programs?
The Concept Trading offers a level-based prop program. Its 90% Lock option fixes an eligible account at a chosen level instead of continuing to scale. The Concept Trading official rules; The Concept Trading official program information.
How do payouts differ between FTMO and The Concept Trading?
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.
Its FAQ describes a 50% standard share and 90% at the top level or through the Lock option. The dedicated Lock rules specify weekly payment at 90% after the activation conditions are satisfied. The Concept Trading official rules; The Concept Trading official program information.
Which account rules matter when comparing FTMO and The Concept Trading?
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.
The Lock option is unavailable for Foundation and Intern levels. Once selected, the account cannot scale higher. The site’s general payout and inactivity descriptions differ between pages, so those details require confirmation for the selected model. The Concept Trading official rules; The Concept Trading official program information.
Is FTMO or The Concept Trading automatically the better choice?
No, neither is the default pick. FTMO is built for 2-Step recommended for most; 1-Step only if 90% split outweighs other concerns, and The Concept Trading has the larger funded ceiling at $5M and the cheaper entry at AUD 65. 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 The Concept Trading
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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