FTMO vs The Trade Pool: Elite Prop Firm Comparison
Published: · Last updated:
FTMO product scope: FTMO runs two product lines. The rules and reward terms discussed on this page are its CFD 1-Step and 2-Step programs, while the pricing table also lists its Futures Growth and Pro plans, which are sold on a monthly subscription and carry their own risk limits and payout terms. Both lines are covered in full in our FTMO review.
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 2015, has built a strong reputation with its comprehensive evaluation process and extensive educational resources, with a Trustpilot snapshot of 4.8/5 from 53,102 reviews (checked September 27, 2026). The Trade Pool, founded in September 2022, has built recognition as the only major prop firm specialising in US equity trading — 12,000+ stocks/ETFs via the Trader Evolution platform backed by Interactive Brokers, with a single-step evaluation and a 4.4/5 Trustpilot rating from 672 reviews (June 2026). Both firms provide pathways to funded trading accounts, but with distinct approaches to evaluation criteria, profit sharing, and trader support.
Quick Facts
| Feature | FTMO | Trade The Pool |
|---|---|---|
| 
| |
| Founded | 2015 | 2022 |
| Profit Split | The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 2-Step: 80%, rising to 90% The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 1-Step: 90% from day one | 70 |
| Maximum Account Size | CFD: up to $2,000,000 through scaling. Futures: up to $450,000 across 3 Sim-Funded accounts | $200,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | CFD: 1 phase (1-Step), 2 phases (2-Step). Futures: Evaluation, then Sim-Funded, then invitation-only Live Funded | 2 |
| Trustpilot Rating | Public Track Record and Ratings: 4.8/5 from 53,102 reviews | — |
| Expert Grade | 9.1 | 8.5 |
Program Types
| Program | FTMO | Trade The Pool |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes. CFD 2-Step from EUR 89 one-time; Futures Growth from $119 per month | FLEX |
| Advanced Program | FTMO Challenge and Verification (CFD 2-Step); Futures Pro path with hard daily loss and 100% withdrawals | MAX |
| Scaling Options | The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 2-Step: Subject to eligibility The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 1-Step: Subject to eligibility; see Scaling Plan | Yes |
| Demo Account | Free Trials for 1-Step and 2-Step; practice only, not qualification. No free trial on Futures | No |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | FTMO | Trade The Pool |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 2-Step: 10% then 5% The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 1-Step: 10% Evaluation objectives — Growth $50K: $3,000 Evaluation objectives — Growth $100K: $6,000 Evaluation objectives — Growth $150K: $9,000 Evaluation objectives — Pro $50K: $3,000 Evaluation objectives — Pro $100K: $6,000 Evaluation objectives — Pro $150K: $9,000 | 6% (day), 15% (swing) |
| Maximum Drawdown | The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 2-Step: 10% The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 1-Step: 10% Evaluation objectives — Growth $50K: $2,000 Evaluation objectives — Growth $100K: $3,500 Evaluation objectives — Growth $150K: $5,000 Evaluation objectives — Pro $50K: $3,000 Evaluation objectives — Pro $100K: $4,500 Evaluation objectives — Pro $150K: $6,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $50K: $2,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $100K: $3,500 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $150K: $5,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $50K: $3,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $100K: $4,500 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $150K: $6,000 | 4% daily, 4% max (Flex day); 3% daily, 3% max (Max day); 3% daily, 7% max (swing) |
| Minimum Trading Days | The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 2-Step: 4 per phase The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 1-Step: None | — |
| News Trading | Evaluation: allowed within trading rules. Standard FTMO Account: affected instruments restricted 2 minutes before/after selected releases; Swing exempt. Futures: news trading allowed | No |
| Daily Loss Limit | The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 2-Step: 5% The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 1-Step: 3% Evaluation objectives — Growth $50K: None Evaluation objectives — Growth $100K: None Evaluation objectives — Growth $150K: None Evaluation objectives — Pro $50K: $1,000 hard Evaluation objectives — Pro $100K: $1,500 hard Evaluation objectives — Pro $150K: $2,000 hard Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $50K: $1,000 soft Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $100K: $2,000 soft Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $150K: $3,000 soft Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $50K: $1,000 hard Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $100K: $1,500 hard Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $150K: $2,000 hard | — |
| Drawdown Type | The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 2-Step: STATIC - the floor never moves The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 1-Step: END-OF-DAY TRAILING | — |
| Time Limit | The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 2-Step: Unlimited The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 1-Step: Unlimited | — |
| Consistency / Best Day Rule | The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 2-Step: - The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 1-Step: 50% Evaluation objectives — Growth $50K: 40% Evaluation objectives — Growth $100K: 40% Evaluation objectives — Growth $150K: 40% Evaluation objectives — Pro $50K: 50% Evaluation objectives — Pro $100K: 50% Evaluation objectives — Pro $150K: 50% | — |
| Maximum Contracts | Evaluation objectives — Growth $50K: 5 Evaluation objectives — Growth $100K: 10 Evaluation objectives — Growth $150K: 15 Evaluation objectives — Pro $50K: 5 Evaluation objectives — Pro $100K: 10 Evaluation objectives — Pro $150K: 15 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $50K: 2 to 5 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $100K: 4 to 10 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $150K: 6 to 15 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $50K: 2 to 5 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $100K: 4 to 10 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $150K: 6 to 15 | — |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | FTMO | Trade The Pool |
|---|---|---|
| CFD $10K Account | FTMO 2-Step (regular fee) / EUR 89 / One-time Fee refundable 100% with first payout. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO 1-Step (regular fee) / EUR 79 / One-time Fee not refunded. Source Checked 2026-09-28 | Not listed in review pricing source |
| CFD $25K Account | FTMO 2-Step (regular fee) / EUR 250 / One-time Fee refundable 100% with first payout. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO 1-Step (regular fee) / EUR 199 / One-time Fee not refunded. Source Checked 2026-09-28 | Not listed in review pricing source |
| CFD $50K Account | FTMO 2-Step (regular fee) / EUR 345 / One-time Fee refundable 100% with first payout. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO 1-Step (regular fee) / EUR 319 / One-time Fee not refunded. Source Checked 2026-09-28 | Not listed in review pricing source |
| CFD $100K Account | FTMO 2-Step (regular fee) / EUR 540 / One-time Fee refundable 100% with first payout. Regular fee shown. Offer observed September 26, 2026: EUR 439 only if you do not already have that Challenge active; confirm current eligibility. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO 1-Step (regular fee) / EUR 499 / One-time Fee not refunded. Regular fee shown. Offer observed September 26, 2026: EUR 399 only if you do not already have that Challenge active; confirm current eligibility. Source Checked 2026-09-28 | Not listed in review pricing source |
| CFD $200K Account | FTMO 2-Step (regular fee) / EUR 1080 / One-time Fee refundable 100% with first payout. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO 1-Step (regular fee) / EUR 999 / One-time Fee not refunded. Source Checked 2026-09-28 | Not listed in review pricing source |
| Futures $50K Account | FTMO Futures Growth / USD 119 / Monthly Soft daily loss, Sim-Funded only. Payout cap from $2,500. Payout eligibility 4 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO Futures Pro / USD 139 / Monthly Hard daily loss. Payout caps $5,000 to $8,000. Payout eligibility 5 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 | Not listed in review pricing source |
| Futures $100K Account | FTMO Futures Growth / USD 169 / Monthly Soft daily loss, Sim-Funded only. Payout cap from $2,500. Payout eligibility 4 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO Futures Pro / USD 199 / Monthly Hard daily loss. Payout caps $5,000 to $8,000. Payout eligibility 5 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 | Not listed in review pricing source |
| Futures $150K Account | FTMO Futures Growth / USD 229 / Monthly Soft daily loss, Sim-Funded only. Payout cap from $2,500. Payout eligibility 4 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO Futures Pro / USD 269 / Monthly Hard daily loss. Payout caps $5,000 to $8,000. Payout eligibility 5 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 | Not listed in review pricing source |
| Stocks $2K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | FLEX Swing / USD 87 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Swing FLEX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 MAX Swing / USD 69 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Swing MAX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 |
| Stocks $5K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | FLEX Day / USD 59 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Day Trade FLEX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 MAX Day / USD 47 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Day Trade MAX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 |
| Stocks $10K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | FLEX Swing / USD 420 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Swing FLEX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 MAX Swing / USD 297 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Swing MAX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 |
| Stocks $20K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | FLEX Swing / USD 670 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Swing FLEX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 MAX Swing / USD 447 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Swing MAX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 |
| Stocks $25K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | FLEX Day / USD 120 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Day Trade FLEX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 MAX Day / USD 97 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Day Trade MAX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 |
| Stocks $40K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | FLEX Swing / USD 1240 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Swing FLEX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 MAX Swing / USD 800 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Swing MAX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 |
| Stocks $50K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | FLEX Day / USD 285 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Day Trade FLEX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 MAX Day / USD 230 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Day Trade MAX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 |
| Stocks $100K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | FLEX Day / USD 545 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Day Trade FLEX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 MAX Day / USD 435 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Day Trade MAX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 |
| Stocks $200K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | FLEX Day / USD 1475 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Day Trade FLEX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 MAX Day / USD 1100 / One-time Official Trade The Pool Day Trade MAX evaluation price from the current program page. Source Checked 2026-08-11 |
| Refund Policy | The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 2-Step: 100% The Two CFD Challenges Compared — 1-Step: None | — |
| Coupons / Discount | FTMO discount | Trade The Pool discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | FTMO | Trade The Pool |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | CFD: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView. Futures: NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView | TraderEvolution |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Indices | Yes | No |
| Commodities | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrencies | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Not verified for CFD accounts; check current Symbols | No |
| EA/Algo Trading | Allowed subject to trading rules, allocation and platform limits; third-party EAs can create allocation conflicts. | — |
Payout
| Feature | FTMO | Trade The Pool |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | CFD: request from day 14 after the first trade on the specific account, subject to eligibility; close all positions and pending orders. Review usually 1-2 business days; payment usually 1-2 business days after invoice approval. Futures Sim-Funded: every 4 days on Growth (50% withdrawable, cap $2,500 to $4,000), every 5 days on Pro (100% withdrawable, cap $5,000 to $8,000). Live Funded: daily, no cap | Minimum $300 profit ($150 on $5K accounts); available 14 days after inception |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
| Payout Frequency | Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $50K: Every 4 days Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $100K: Every 4 days Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $150K: Every 4 days Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $50K: Every 5 days Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $100K: Every 5 days Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $150K: Every 5 days | — |
| Payout Cap | Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $50K: $2,500 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $100K: $3,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $150K: $4,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $50K: $5,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $100K: $6,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $150K: $8,000 | — |
| Payout Eligibility | Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $50K: 4 days at $150+ Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $100K: 4 days at $250+ Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $150K: 4 days at $300+ Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $50K: 5 days at $200+ Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $100K: 5 days at $300+ Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $150K: 5 days at $500+ | — |
| Withdrawable Amount | Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $50K: 50% Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $100K: 50% Sim-Funded account and payouts — Growth $150K: 50% Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $50K: 100% Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $100K: 100% Sim-Funded account and payouts — Pro $150K: 100% | — |
Verdict
| Key Element | FTMO | Trade The Pool |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Full fee refund on 2-Step; static drawdown; no consistency rules on CFD; zero withdrawal commission; scaling to $2M; futures line with no minimum trading days and no activation fee | US traders accepted, no PDT rule, static max drawdown, one-time fee, free real-time data, 24/5 overnight trading |
| Weaknesses | 1-Step fee non-refundable; 50% Best Day condition for passing/rewards; new 1-Step account after reward starts with a 90%-of-initial-capital loss floor; futures is a recurring monthly subscription, Growth pays out only 50% per request, and the Live Funded step is by invitation only | 70% split below CFD rates, 3x daily loss trap, 30-second hold rule, 10-cent minimum move, overnight buying power reduced, stocks/ETFs only, dated platform |
| Best For | CFD: 2-Step for most, 1-Step only if the 90% split outweighs other concerns. Futures: Pro if you want 100% withdrawals, Growth if you want the cheapest entry | US stock traders seeking day trading without $25K minimum or PDT restrictions |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Consider FTMO if you want a choice of 1-Step or 2-Step evaluations and MT4, MT5, cTrader or TradingView. Its Free Trials let you practise before buying. Choose Trade The Pool if a cheaper entry, from USD 59 matters 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 a one-phase 1-Step and a two-phase 2-Step evaluation. The 2-Step has targets of 10% then 5%, a 5% daily loss limit and four minimum trading days per phase. The 1-Step has a 10% target, a 3% daily loss limit, no minimum trading days and a 50% Best Day Rule. Both have unlimited completion time. FTMO program comparison.
FTMO offers Free Trials for both evaluation models; they are practice accounts, not a qualification route. Supported platforms are MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, selected in the Challenge configurator.
What should I know about Trade The Pool’s programs?
Trade The Pool has stock-trading programs with different MAX and FLEX requirements. Buying power and a loss allowance are different measures. Trade The Pool official rules.
How do payouts differ between FTMO and Trade The Pool?
FTMO pays a 90% reward share on 1-Step and 80% on 2-Step, rising to 90% under applicable scaling or premium conditions. Requests can be made from day 14 after the first trade on the specific account, subject to eligibility, with all positions and pending orders closed. Review usually takes 1–2 business days; payment usually follows within 1–2 business days after invoice approval. FTMO reward terms.
The published program guide allows funded requests after 14 days from account inception or the previous withdrawal. The stated minimum is $300, with a $150 exception for $5,000 accounts. Trade The Pool official rules.
Which account rules matter when comparing FTMO and Trade The Pool?
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.
FLEX also requires three profitable days of at least 0.5% of buying power within a 14-day period. This specific requirement does not apply to MAX. Scaling starts a new withdrawal waiting period. Trade The Pool official rules.
Is FTMO or Trade The Pool automatically the better choice?
No. The two firms lead on different things: FTMO has the higher profit split at 90% and the larger funded ceiling at $2M, while Trade The Pool has the cheaper entry at USD 59. 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 Trade Pool
Both firms carry a JoinProp Rating out of 10, scored on the same nine weighted factors, led by payout reliability at 20%, then fee structure, drawdown rules and profit split at 15% each. The scores come from our own firm reviews, built from each firm’s current terms rather than its marketing pages and re-checked at least every 90 days. Affiliate relationships have no effect on any rating, and ratings are never sold. The tables above are the evidence behind those scores. Read our full ranking methodology.
View More Elite Prop Firms Compared: Alpha Capital vs The5ers
