FTMO vs The Trading Pit: Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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, earning a 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot. The Trading Pit, a newer competitor, has quickly gained recognition for its innovative three-tier program structure and more flexible trading conditions, maintaining a solid 4.3/5 Trustpilot rating. 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.
Quick Comparison
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
The trading pit |
|
 |
|
| Founded |
2018 |
2021 |
| Trustpilot Rating |
4.6/5 (4,800+ reviews) |
4.3/5 (650+ reviews) |
| Maximum Account Size |
$200,000 |
$200,000 |
| Profit Split |
Up to 90% |
Up to 85% |
| Evaluation Process |
Two-phase (Challenge + Verification) |
Three-tier system (Evaluation + Verification + Funded) |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals?
|
| Program |
FTMO |
The trading pit |
| Standard Account Options |
$10K, $25K, $50K, $100K, $200K |
$10K, $25K, $50K, $100K, $200K |
| Swing Account |
Available with weekend holding |
Available with more flexible weekend positions |
| Free Trial |
14-day demo challenge available |
7-day simulation account |
| Account Scaling |
Scale-up program after consistent profitability |
Automatic scaling after milestone achievements |
| Duration to Funded |
Minimum 20 trading days (Challenge + Verification) |
Minimum 30 trading days across three phases |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test?
|
| Criteria |
FTMO |
The trading pit |
| Profit Target (Phase 1) |
10% of account size |
8% of account size |
| Profit Target (Phase 2) |
5% of account size |
5% of account size |
| Maximum Daily Loss |
5% of account size |
4% of account size |
| Maximum Overall Loss |
10% of account size |
8% of account size |
| Minimum Trading Days |
10 days per phase |
5 days per phase |
| Time Limit |
30 days per phase |
60 days per phase |
| Trading Hours |
Restricted during high-impact news |
More flexible during news events |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay?
|
| Option |
FTMO |
The trading pit |
| $10,000 Account |
$155 |
$129 |
| $25,000 Account |
$250 |
$249 |
| $50,000 Account |
$500 |
$399 |
| $100,000 Account |
$1,000 |
$649 |
| $200,000 Account |
$1,500 |
$1,099 |
| Refund Policy |
Fee refunded after passing verification |
Fee refunded through profit milestones |
| Coupons |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use?
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
The trading pit |
| Trading Platforms |
MT4, MT5, cTrader |
MT4, MT5 |
| Proprietary Tools |
FTMO Trading App, Journal, Mental Coach |
Trade Analytics Dashboard, Scaling System |
| Performance Analytics |
Comprehensive trading statistics and metrics |
Advanced performance monitoring and risk analysis |
| Educational Resources |
Webinars, tutorials, coaching sessions |
Learning academy, strategy guides, market analysis |
| Mobile Access |
Dedicated mobile app available |
Mobile-responsive dashboard |
| Community Features |
Trader community forums and events |
Trading groups and mentorship opportunities |
Available Options/Products
|
| Option |
FTMO |
The trading pit |
| Tradable Assets |
Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Stocks |
Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Bonds |
| Account Currencies |
USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CZK |
USD, EUR, GBP |
| Leverage Options |
1:100 (Forex), 1:20 (Indices, Stocks) |
1:100 (Forex), 1:20 (Indices), 1:10 (Crypto) |
| Automated Trading |
Permitted with restrictions |
Permitted with fewer restrictions |
| News Trading |
Limited during high-impact events |
Allowed with specific guidelines |
| Weekend Holding |
Available with Swing Account |
Standard on all accounts |
Technical Capabilities/Performance
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
The trading pit |
| Execution Speed |
Average 50-100ms |
Average 30-80ms |
| Spreads |
Raw spreads + commission structure |
Competitive ECN spreads |
| Slippage Control |
Moderate protection measures |
Advanced slippage management |
| Server Reliability |
99.8% uptime with backup systems |
99.9% uptime with distributed infrastructure |
| Data Centers |
Multiple locations globally |
Equinix NY4, LD4, TY3 |
| Technical Support |
24/5 via chat, email, ticket system |
24/7 via chat, email, dedicated account managers |
Trader Benefits and Rewards
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
The trading pit |
| Profit Split |
Initial: 80%, can increase to 90% |
Initial: 70%, can increase to 85% |
| Payout Schedule |
Monthly |
Bi-weekly options available |
| Scaling Program |
After 4 months of consistent performance |
Automatic based on profit milestones |
| Discount Programs |
Loyalty discounts for repeat customers |
Referral program with revenue sharing |
| Additional Benefits |
1-on-1 coaching sessions, educational webinars |
VIP trader club, exclusive market insights |
| Community Events |
Trading competitions, trader meetups |
Online summits, trading challenges |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
|
| Key Element |
FTMO |
The trading pit |
| Strengths |
Well-established reputation, excellent educational resources, higher potential profit split (90%), comprehensive trader analytics, simpler two-phase evaluation |
More flexible trading conditions, lower entry costs, more lenient during news events, faster scaling opportunities, longer evaluation period |
| Weaknesses |
Stricter trading rules, higher initial fees, more restrictions during news events, less flexible scaling |
Newer company with less established track record, three-phase evaluation process, slightly lower maximum profit split |
| Best For |
Disciplined traders who value reputation and educational resources, traders comfortable with strict rules but seeking higher profit splits |
Traders seeking more flexibility, those who prefer a gradual evaluation process, news traders, and those looking for lower entry costs |
| Final Grade |
4.7/5 |
4.5/5 |
| 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 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 three-tier evaluation system 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 three-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.
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