FTMO vs The Trading Pit: Elite Prop Firms Comparison

Published: April 3, 2025 · Last updated: August 13, 2026

Table of Contents

Introduction

FTMO and The Trading Pit represent two leading proprietary trading firms that provide funded trading accounts to qualified traders. FTMO, established in Prague, has built a strong reputation with its two-phase evaluation process and comprehensive educational resources, with Trustpilot data not pinned in this JoinProp review (defer to direct check). The Trading Pit, a newer competitor, has quickly gained recognition for its innovative 1-Phase or 2-Phase Prime program structure and more flexible trading conditions, maintaining a a Trustpilot listing currently unavailable due to a guidelines flag. Both firms offer traders the opportunity to access substantial capital without risking their own funds, but differ significantly in their evaluation methods, profit splits, and overall approach to trader development.

🕑 Last updated: Aug 13, 2026⚖ How we rank firms ↗

FTMO

Grade 9.1/10 · 80-90% (2-Step); 90% flat (1-Step) split

Visit FTMO →🎟 FTMO discount code

The Trading Pit ▲ Higher rated

Grade 9.2/10 · 80 split

Visit The Trading Pit →🎟 The Trading Pit discount code

TL;DR: FTMO (grade 9.1) offers a 80-90% (2-Step); 90% flat (1-Step) profit split; The Trading Pit (grade 9.2) offers 80. Full side-by-side below. Best for: FTMO - 2-Step recommended for most; 1-Step only if 90% split outweighs other concerns. The Trading Pit - Traders seeking affordable entry, multiple asset classes, and no time pressure. Our higher-rated pick: The Trading Pit (9.2 vs 9.1).

Quick Facts

Feature	FTMO	The Trading Pit

Founded	2015	2022
Profit Split	80-90% (2-Step); 90% flat (1-Step)	80
Maximum Account Size	$2,000,000	$200,000
Evaluation Phases	2	2
Trustpilot Rating	4.8/5 (43,791 reviews)	—
Expert Grade	9.1	9.2

Program Types

Program	FTMO	The Trading Pit
Entry Level Program	Yes	Prime 1-Phase
Advanced Program	FTMO Challenge + Verification	Prime 2-Phase
Scaling Options	Yes	Yes
Demo Account	No	—

Rules & Assessment

Criteria	FTMO	The Trading Pit
Profit Target	10% then 5% (2-Step); 10% (1-Step)	10% (1-Phase) or 8%/5% (2-Phase)
Maximum Drawdown	10% static (2-Step); 10% trailing (1-Step)	7% (1-Phase) or 10% (2-Phase)
Minimum Trading Days	4 per phase (2-Step); none (1-Step)	3
News Trading	Restricted on Standard; unrestricted on Swing	Yes

Real trader stories

Read a trading story of a FTMO trader →Read a trading story of a The Trading Pit trader →

Fees & Pricing

Option	FTMO	The Trading Pit
CFD $2.5K Account	Not offered	USD 29 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time
CFD $5K Account	Not offered	USD 49 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time
CFD $10K Account	EUR 89 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time	USD 99 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time
CFD $20K Account	Not offered	USD 199 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time
CFD $25K Account	EUR 250 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time	Not offered
CFD $50K Account	EUR 345 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time	USD 349 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time
CFD $100K Account	EUR 540 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time	USD 569 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time
CFD $200K Account	EUR 1080 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time	USD 1139 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time
Futures $50K Account	Not offered	USD 99 / Futures Prime / One-time
Futures $100K Account	Not offered	USD 189 / Futures Prime / One-time
Futures $150K Account	Not offered	USD 289 / Futures Prime / One-time
Stocks $25K Account	Not offered	USD 99 / Stocks Challenge / One-time
Coupons / Discount	FTMO discount	The Trading Pit discount

Platforms & Markets

Feature	FTMO	The Trading Pit
Trading Platforms	MT4, MT5, cTrader	cTrader, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, ATAS, Rithmic R/Trader Pro
Forex	Yes	Yes
Stocks	Yes	Yes
Indices	Yes	Yes
Commodities	Yes	Yes
Cryptocurrencies	Yes	Yes
Bonds	Available	No
EA/Algo Trading	Yes	Yes

Payout

Feature	FTMO	The Trading Pit
Payout Terms	Bi-weekly via bank transfer, e-wallets, wire transfer, cryptocurrencies	Bi-weekly (CFD: $100 minimum), follows profitable-day requirements (Futures)
See all prop firm payouts →

Verdict

Key Element	FTMO	The Trading Pit
Strengths	Full fee refund on 2-Step; static drawdown; no consistency rules; zero withdrawal commission; scaling to $2M	Multi-asset trading, 80% split from day one, No time limits, Affordable entry, Scaling opportunities, Flexible trading rules
Weaknesses	No reset product; 1-Step fee never refunded; 50% Best Day Rule blocks payouts; 1-Step payout resets buffer	80% split capped, Newer firm (2022), Trustpilot flagged, Futures market-data fees, Classic program discontinued
Best For	2-Step recommended for most; 1-Step only if 90% split outweighs other concerns	Traders seeking affordable entry, multiple asset classes, and no time pressure

Visit FTMO →Read full FTMO review

Visit The Trading Pit →Read full The Trading Pit review

Real funded traders – in their own words

Named traders JoinProp interviewed who passed and traded with these firms. Read their full stories:

Traders who chose FTMO

Traders who chose The Trading Pit

FAQ

What makes FTMO popular among users?

FTMO has gained popularity primarily due to its established reputation in the prop trading industry, transparent evaluation process, and high profit-sharing ratio of up to 90%. Traders especially value their comprehensive educational resources, mental coaching, and detailed performance analytics. Their policy of refunding the evaluation fee after successful verification is also highly appreciated, effectively making the program free for successful traders. Additionally, FTMO’s consistent payouts and responsive customer service have built trust within the trading community.

How does The trading pit differ from other similar organizations?

The Trading Pit distinguishes itself with its 1-Phase or 2-Phase Prime evaluation that provides a more gradual progression to funded status. Unlike many competitors, they offer more flexible trading rules, particularly around news events and weekend positions. Their automatic account scaling based on profit milestones rather than time periods is innovative, allowing successful traders to grow more quickly. Additionally, The Trading Pit typically offers more competitive pricing, with lower entry fees for equivalent account sizes, and provides bi-weekly payout options that appeal to traders requiring more frequent access to their profits.

Which platform has easier evaluation criteria to pass?

The Trading Pit generally has easier evaluation criteria compared to FTMO. Their profit targets are lower (8% vs. 10% in the first phase), maximum loss limits are more forgiving (8% overall vs. 10%), and they require fewer minimum trading days (5 days vs. 10 days per phase). Additionally, The Trading Pit offers a longer time limit (60 days vs. 30 days per phase) to reach targets and has fewer restrictions during high-impact news events. However, their two-phase system means the overall journey to full funding takes longer than FTMO’s two-phase approach, making the total challenge duration a potential trade-off.

How do the profit splits compare between FTMO and The Trading Pit?

FTMO offers a slightly more advantageous profit split structure, starting at 80% for traders and potentially increasing to 90% for consistent performers. The Trading Pit begins with a 70% profit split, which can increase to a maximum of 85% through their scaling program. Both firms offer performance-based improvements to the split ratio, but FTMO maintains a slight edge in maximum potential earnings per trade. However, The Trading Pit’s bi-weekly payout option might offset this difference for traders who value more frequent access to their profits versus FTMO’s monthly payment schedule.

Can I trade using automated systems with these firms?

Both FTMO and The Trading Pit allow automated trading systems (EAs, algos, and bots), but with different restrictions. FTMO permits automation but monitors for specific prohibited behaviors like latency arbitrage and requires performance that suggests sustainable trading rather than exploitation of market inefficiencies. The Trading Pit is generally more accommodating of automated systems with fewer restrictions on operation, making it potentially more suitable for algorithmic traders. Both platforms require disclosure of automated trading usage, and neither allows high-frequency trading strategies that might compromise their execution infrastructure.

How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?

1. We Collect

Our team meticulously gathered data directly from FTMO and The Trading Pit’s official websites, terms of service documents, and public statements. We supplemented this with information from verified Trustpilot reviews, testimonials from actual traders using both services, and insights from industry forums like ForexFactory and Reddit. We also consulted with professional traders who have experience with both platforms to understand nuances that aren’t immediately apparent from published materials.

2. We Examine

Our financial experts and experienced prop traders analyzed the collected data, verifying accuracy by cross-referencing multiple sources. We evaluated key metrics including evaluation criteria, fee structures, profit-sharing models, and platform performance. Special attention was paid to user experiences during critical processes like account funding, withdrawal procedures, and customer support interactions. We tested each platform’s responsiveness and validated claims about execution quality and account features.

3. We Score

Our scoring methodology employs a weighted system across multiple categories: reputation and trustworthiness (20%), evaluation criteria fairness (15%), fee structure and value (15%), profit split generosity (15%), trading conditions and restrictions (15%), platform technology (10%), and customer support quality (10%). Each category is rated on a 1-5 scale with precise criteria. The final scores reflect both objective measurements and subjective user experience factors, balanced to represent the interests of different trader types.

4. You Choose

Use this comparison as a starting point for your own research, considering how each platform’s strengths align with your trading style. Day traders might prioritize execution speed and lower daily loss limits, while swing traders should focus on overnight holding policies. Consider your capital availability for entry fees, your experience level relative to evaluation difficulty, and your preferred trading instruments. We recommend visiting each company’s website to verify current terms, as proprietary trading firms frequently update their offerings and conditions.