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 2015, has built a strong reputation with its comprehensive evaluation process and extensive educational resources, with Trustpilot data not pinned in this JoinProp review (defer to direct check). 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 582 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 |
2015 (Prague) |
September 2022 |
| Trustpilot Rating |
Not in JoinProp review (defer) |
4.4/5 (582 reviews) |
| Account Sizes |
$10K to $200K (scales to $2M) |
$2K to $200K buying power (US stocks) |
| Profit Split |
Up to 90% |
Up to 80% |
| Evaluation Phases |
1-Step or 2-Step |
Single-step |
| Trading Platforms |
MT4, MT5, cTrader |
Trader Evolution (proprietary, IBKR-backed) |
| 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 (1-Step also available) |
Single-step evaluation across Day Trade and Swing programs |
| Accelerated Program |
Swing Account permits overnight/weekend holding; 1-Step Challenge available |
Day Trade Max and Swing Max (60-day evaluation window with lower fee ratios) |
| Demo Account |
Free FTMO Demo Challenge available |
Not advertised in firm overview |
| Scaling Opportunities |
Scaling up to $2,000,000 via 25% account-balance increases (4-month consistency) |
Milestone-based buying power increases up to $200,000 on Day Trade programs |
| Specialized Programs |
Standard or Swing Account types (no “Aggressive” tier) |
Day Trade Flex/Max and Swing Flex/Max programs |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test?
|
| Criteria |
FTMO |
The Trade Pool |
| Profit Target (Phase 1) |
10% of initial balance (2-Step Phase 1 or 1-Step) |
Scaled per account size (single-step) |
| Profit Target (Phase 2) |
5% of initial balance (Verification) |
N/A (single-step model) |
| Maximum Daily Loss |
5% of initial balance (static) |
Daily stop loss enforced automatically ($-based, varies by program) |
| Maximum Overall Loss |
10% of initial balance (static, not trailing) |
Program-specific $-based overall drawdown |
| Time Limit (Phase 1) |
No time limit |
No limit on Flex programs; 60-day window on Max programs |
| Time Limit (Phase 2) |
No time limit |
N/A (single-step) |
| Minimum Trading Days |
4 trading days per phase |
None; 30-second minimum trade duration applies |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay?
|
| Option |
FTMO |
The Trade Pool |
| $10,000 Account |
$89 |
Not offered (Day Trade Flex starts at $5K for $59) |
| $25,000 Account |
$250 |
Not offered (TTP Day Trade tier ladder differs) |
| $50,000 Account |
$345 |
$230 for $50K Day Trade Max |
| $100,000 Account |
$439 |
Available on Day Trade Flex (fees scale per buying-power tier) |
| $200,000 Account |
$1,080 |
Available on Day Trade programs ($200K max buying power) |
| Refund Policy |
One-time refundable fee — refunded upon first funded profit split |
One-time evaluation fee (no built-in refund program) |
| 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 |
Trader Evolution (proprietary, backed by Interactive Brokers) |
| Mobile Trading |
Yes, through platform mobile apps |
Yes, through platform mobile apps |
| Analytics Dashboard |
Comprehensive trader dashboard with advanced metrics and psychological analysis |
Trader Evolution platform analytics with DOM (Depth of Market), scalper view, and real-time Level 2 data |
| Trading Journal |
Built-in trading journal with automatic categorization and benchmarking |
Trade history via Trader Evolution platform (Nasdaq direct data feed) |
| Educational Resources |
Free webinars and trading courses; performance coaching for top traders |
Stock-trading-focused platform tools and onboarding materials |
| Community Tools |
Active trader community with discussion forums and events |
Trader community via The5ers parent ecosystem |
Available Options/Products
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
The Trade Pool |
| Tradable Assets |
Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto (Stocks not offered) |
US Stocks, ETFs, Penny Stocks (12,000+ instruments); NO Forex/Crypto/Indices/Futures |
| Account Currencies |
USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CZK |
USD, EUR, GBP |
| Account Types |
Standard Account or Swing Account |
Day Trade Flex/Max and Swing Flex/Max programs |
| Maximum Leverage |
1:100 |
1:100 |
| Guaranteed Withdrawals |
Yes, bi-weekly (~8 hour average processing) |
Yes, bi-weekly (every 14 days) |
| Scaling Program |
Yes, up to $2,000,000 via 25% account-balance increases (4-month consistency) |
Yes, milestone-based buying power up to $200K on Day Trade programs |
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 |
Permitted on Swing Account; restricted on Standard Account |
Not applicable (US stock markets closed weekends) |
| API Access |
Trader-owned EAs allowed (source code required); no third-party/rented bots |
Copy trading allowed between a maximum of 2 own accounts |
Customer Support & Services
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
The Trade Pool |
| Customer Support Hours |
24/7 via live chat, email, WhatsApp, and phone (in 20 languages) |
Email and ticket-based support |
| 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 (founded 2015), comprehensive education and 24/7 multi-channel support, advanced analytics dashboard, multi-asset access (Forex/Indices/Commodities/Crypto), three platforms (MT4/MT5/cTrader), scaling up to $2M |
Only major prop firm for US stock traders (12,000+ instruments), no PDT rule, short-selling locate fees covered, pre-market and after-hours access, single-step evaluation from $47 |
| Weaknesses |
Trustpilot rating not consistently reported in 2026 (defer), news-trading restrictions on Standard Account, no Stocks offering |
Stocks-only – no Forex, crypto, indices or futures; profit split starts at 70/30; Max programs add 60-day evaluation pressure |
| Best For |
Multi-asset traders (Forex, indices, commodities, crypto) who want scaling up to $2M, no time limits, and 24/7 support |
Active US equity traders who need 12,000+ stocks, short-selling without locate fees, and no PDT restrictions |
| Final Grade |
4.55/5 |
4.25/5 |
| 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 $2,000,000.
How does The Trade Pool differ from other similar organizations?
The Trade Pool differentiates itself as the only major prop firm built specifically for US stock traders. It offers direct access to over 12,000 instruments (US stocks, ETFs, penny stocks) via the Trader Evolution platform backed by Interactive Brokers. Standout features include no PDT rule (unlimited day trades regardless of account size), short-selling with locate fees covered by the firm, pre-market and after-hours access, and a single-step evaluation starting from $47. The firm is operated by the same team behind The5ers.
Which platform has better customer support, FTMO or The Trade Pool?
FTMO offers comprehensive customer support with 24/7 availability via live chat, email, WhatsApp, and phone (in 20+ languages). 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 two firms target different trader profiles rather than different experience levels. FTMO offers comprehensive education and a structured 2-Step (or 1-Step) evaluation across Forex, indices, commodities, and crypto with no time limits and 4-day minimums per phase — useful for traders building disciplined multi-asset workflows. The Trade Pool is purpose-built for US equity traders who want 12,000+ stocks, no PDT rule, and covered short-selling locate fees via Interactive Brokers; its single-step evaluation rewards stock traders who already understand intraday and swing equity dynamics.
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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