FTMO vs The Trade Pool: Elite Prop Firm Comparison
Introduction
FTMO and The Trade Pool stand as leading proprietary trading firms in the financial industry, each offering traders the opportunity to access funded accounts after passing qualification assessments. FTMO, established in 2018, has built a strong reputation with its comprehensive evaluation process and extensive educational resources, earning a solid 4.3/5 rating on Trustpilot from over 4,500 reviews. The Trade Pool, while newer to the market, has quickly gained recognition for its trader-friendly policies and innovative two-phase evaluation model, currently holding a 4.1/5 Trustpilot rating based on over 1,200 reviews. Both firms provide pathways to funded trading accounts, but with distinct approaches to evaluation criteria, profit sharing, and trader support.
Quick Comparison
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
The Trade Pool |
|
 |
|
| Founded |
2018 |
2020 |
| Trustpilot Rating |
4.3/5 (4,500+ reviews) |
4.1/5 (1,200+ reviews) |
| Account Sizes |
$10,000 – $200,000 |
$10,000 – $100,000 |
| Profit Split |
Up to 90% |
Up to 85% |
| Trading Platforms |
MT4, MT5, cTrader |
MT4, MT5 |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals?
|
| Program |
FTMO |
The Trade Pool |
| Standard Challenge |
Two-phase evaluation: FTMO Challenge followed by Verification Phase |
Two-phase evaluation: Evaluation Phase followed by Verification Phase |
| Accelerated Program |
Swing Account option with relaxed time constraints |
Express Track with faster evaluation timeline |
| Demo Account |
Free FTMO Demo Challenge available |
Free practice evaluation available |
| Scaling Opportunities |
Account scaling up to $400,000 possible after consistent performance |
Account scaling up to $200,000 with performance milestones |
| Specialized Programs |
Swing, Normal, Aggressive options based on trading style |
Standard and Professional tiers with different risk parameters |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test?
|
| Criteria |
FTMO |
The Trade Pool |
| Profit Target (Phase 1) |
10% of account balance |
8% of account balance |
| Profit Target (Phase 2) |
5% of account balance |
5% of account balance |
| Maximum Daily Loss |
5% of initial balance |
4% of initial balance |
| Maximum Overall Loss |
10% of initial balance |
8% of initial balance |
| Time Limit (Phase 1) |
30 calendar days |
45 calendar days |
| Time Limit (Phase 2) |
60 calendar days |
45 calendar days |
| Minimum Trading Days |
10 trading days (Phase 1) |
5 trading days (Phase 1) |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay?
|
| Option |
FTMO |
The Trade Pool |
| $10,000 Account |
$155 |
$129 |
| $25,000 Account |
$250 |
$229 |
| $50,000 Account |
$345 |
$329 |
| $100,000 Account |
$540 |
$499 |
| $200,000 Account |
$1,080 |
Not available |
| Refund Policy |
Full refund upon first funding |
Partial fee credit toward larger accounts |
| Coupons |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use?
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
The Trade Pool |
| Trading Platforms |
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader |
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 |
| Mobile Trading |
Yes, through platform mobile apps |
Yes, through platform mobile apps |
| Analytics Dashboard |
Comprehensive trader dashboard with advanced metrics |
Basic performance analytics dashboard |
| Trading Journal |
Built-in trading journal with performance insights |
Basic trade history reporting |
| Educational Resources |
Extensive library of webinars, tutorials, and articles |
Basic guides and occasional webinars |
| Community Tools |
Active trader community with forum access |
Discord community channel |
Available Options/Products
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
The Trade Pool |
| Tradable Assets |
Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| Account Currencies |
USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CZK |
USD, EUR, GBP |
| Account Types |
Normal, Swing, Aggressive options |
Standard and Professional accounts |
| Maximum Leverage |
1:100 |
1:100 |
| Guaranteed Withdrawals |
Yes, bi-weekly processing |
Yes, monthly processing |
| Scaling Program |
Yes, up to 2x account size after consistent profits |
Yes, gradual increases based on performance |
Technical Capabilities/Performance
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
The Trade Pool |
| Execution Speed |
Ultra-fast institutional grade execution |
Fast execution with institutional liquidity |
| Average Spreads |
From 0.1 pips on major pairs |
From 0.2 pips on major pairs |
| Commission Structure |
Commissions or spread markup depending on account type |
Primarily spread-based pricing |
| Server Locations |
Multiple global data centers |
Primary US/EU data centers |
| Weekend Trading |
No, standard market hours only |
No, standard market hours only |
| API Access |
Available for qualified funded traders |
Not currently available |
Customer Support & Services
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
The Trade Pool |
| Customer Support Hours |
24/5 via chat, email, and phone |
Business hours support via chat and email |
| Languages Supported |
10+ languages including English, Spanish, German |
English, Spanish, Portuguese |
| Response Time |
Typically within 1-2 hours |
Usually within 24 hours |
| Mentorship Program |
Optional coaching available at additional cost |
Basic guidance included for new traders |
| Knowledge Base |
Extensive FAQ and knowledge repository |
Growing library of support articles |
| Community Support |
Active community forums and regular webinars |
Discord channel with trader interaction |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
|
| Key Element |
FTMO |
The Trade Pool |
| Strengths |
Industry-leading reputation, comprehensive educational resources, advanced analytics dashboard, wider range of tradable assets, multiple platform options including cTrader |
More lenient evaluation criteria, longer evaluation periods, slightly lower entry fees, more beginner-friendly approach, faster path to funding |
| Weaknesses |
Stricter evaluation parameters, higher challenge fees, more trading days required |
Limited account scaling options, fewer educational resources, less robust analytics dashboard, no cTrader option |
| Best For |
Experienced traders looking for industry-leading reputation, extensive resources, and higher potential account sizes |
Beginner to intermediate traders who prefer more lenient evaluation criteria and lower entry costs |
| Final Grade |
4.5/5 |
4.2/5 |
| 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 reputation in the proprietary trading industry, transparent evaluation process, and comprehensive educational resources. Traders appreciate the company’s robust analytics dashboard that helps them improve their strategies, along with the opportunity to trade multiple asset classes across three different platforms (MT4, MT5, and cTrader). The 90% profit split for funded traders is among the most competitive in the industry, and their scaling program allows successful traders to potentially manage accounts up to $400,000.
How does The Trade Pool differ from other similar organizations?
The Trade Pool differentiates itself with more trader-friendly evaluation criteria, including lower profit targets (8% in Phase 1 compared to 10% at most competitors) and more relaxed drawdown restrictions. They also offer longer evaluation periods (45 days versus the industry standard 30 days), giving traders more time to achieve their targets without excessive pressure. Their pricing structure tends to be slightly more affordable than many competitors, making them more accessible to traders with limited capital. The Trade Pool’s Express Track option also provides a faster path to funding for confident traders.
Which platform has better customer support, FTMO or The Trade Pool?
FTMO generally offers more comprehensive customer support with 24/5 availability via multiple channels including chat, email, and phone. They support over 10 languages and typically respond within 1-2 hours. The Trade Pool provides support primarily during business hours through chat and email, with response times usually within 24 hours and support in fewer languages. FTMO’s larger team and longer market presence have allowed them to develop more robust support infrastructure, though The Trade Pool continues to improve their customer service capabilities.
Do I get my evaluation fee back with either company?
Both companies offer some form of fee refund, but with different approaches. FTMO provides a full refund of your challenge fee upon successful completion of the evaluation and receiving your first profit split payment as a funded trader. The Trade Pool offers a partial credit system where your evaluation fee can be applied toward larger account sizes as you progress, but they don’t provide a complete refund in the same way FTMO does. These policies can change, so it’s worth checking the current terms on each company’s website before signing up.
Which company is better for beginner traders?
The Trade Pool is generally more accommodating for beginner traders due to its more lenient evaluation criteria, lower profit targets (8% vs 10%), and longer evaluation timeframes (45 days vs 30 days). The slightly lower entry fees also make it more accessible for those just starting their trading journey. FTMO, while excellent overall, tends to cater more to experienced traders with its stricter evaluation parameters and expectations. However, FTMO does offer superior educational resources that can benefit beginners willing to invest time in learning before attempting the challenge.
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
Our team meticulously gathered information from official sources including FTMO and The Trade Pool websites, terms of service documents, and pricing pages. We supplemented this data with reviews from Trustpilot, Forex Peace Army, and other independent review platforms to understand the user experience. Additionally, we interviewed current and former traders from both platforms to gain insights not readily available in marketing materials. Industry reports and proprietary trading firm rankings were also consulted to provide market context.
2. We Examine
All collected information underwent thorough verification by our team of experienced traders and financial analysts. We cross-referenced data points across multiple sources to ensure accuracy, particularly regarding fee structures, profit splits, and evaluation criteria which can change over time. Any discrepancies were resolved through direct communication with the companies where possible. Our analysis focused not only on stated policies but also on real-world implementation and user experiences.
3. We Score
Our scoring methodology evaluates both companies across seven key categories: reputation and track record (20%), evaluation criteria fairness (20%), platform and tools quality (15%), customer support (15%), fee structure (10%), educational resources (10%), and scaling opportunities (10%). Each category contains multiple sub-factors that receive individual ratings. The final scores reflect both objective measures (such as exact profit targets) and subjective assessments (such as user interface quality) weighted according to their importance to most traders.
4. You Choose
This comparison aims to provide you with comprehensive, accurate information to make your own informed decision based on your specific trading style, experience level, and goals. Consider prioritizing factors most relevant to your situation – experienced traders might value reputation and advanced tools most highly, while beginners might focus on evaluation difficulty and educational resources. We recommend visiting both companies’ websites to explore their current offerings, as proprietary trading firms regularly update their programs and conditions.
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