FTMO vs TradeDay: Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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Introduction
FTMO and TradeDay represent two of the leading proprietary trading firms offering funded trader programs. FTMO, established in 2015, has built a strong reputation for its transparent challenge process and generous profit splits, with Trustpilot data not pinned in this JoinProp review (defer to direct check). TradeDay, a newer entrant founded in 2021, has quickly gained popularity for its simplified evaluation process and flexible trading conditions, maintaining a solid 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating from 1,362 reviews (April 2026). Both firms provide traders with the opportunity to access substantial capital without risking their own funds, but they differ significantly in their approach, evaluation methods, and overall trader experience.
Quick Facts
| Feature | FTMO | TradeDay |
|---|---|---|
| 
| |
| Founded | 2015 | — |
| Profit Split | 80-90% (2-Step); 90% flat (1-Step) | 50/50 below $4,000; 80/20 above $4,000; 90/10 at Funded Live |
| Maximum Account Size | $2,000,000 | — |
| Evaluation Phases | 2 | 1 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.8/5 (43,791 reviews) | 4.6 |
| Expert Grade | 9.1 | 8.9 |
Program Types
| Program | FTMO | TradeDay |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Program | FTMO Challenge + Verification | Yes |
| Scaling Options | Yes | Yes |
| Demo Account | No | Yes |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | FTMO | TradeDay |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 10% then 5% (2-Step); 10% (1-Step) | $10,000 gross ceiling (Quick Pay) |
| Maximum Drawdown | 10% static (2-Step); 10% trailing (1-Step) | $2,000/$3,000/$4,500 by account size; trailing, freezing at starting balance |
| Minimum Trading Days | 4 per phase (2-Step); none (1-Step) | 5 |
| News Trading | Restricted on Standard; unrestricted on Swing | No |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | FTMO | TradeDay |
|---|---|---|
| CFD $10K Account | EUR 89 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | Not offered |
| CFD $25K Account | EUR 250 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | Not offered |
| CFD $50K Account | EUR 345 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | Not offered |
| CFD $100K Account | EUR 540 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | Not offered |
| CFD $200K Account | EUR 1080 / FTMO 2-Step / One-time | Not offered |
| Futures $50K Account | Not offered | USD 125 / Quick Pay Intraday / Monthly |
| Futures $100K Account | Not offered | USD 230 / Quick Pay Intraday / Monthly |
| Futures $150K Account | Not offered | USD 350 / Quick Pay Intraday / Monthly |
| Coupons / Discount | FTMO discount | TradeDay discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | FTMO | TradeDay |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader | — |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| Indices | Yes | — |
| Commodities | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrencies | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Available | — |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | — |
Payout
| Feature | FTMO | TradeDay |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly via bank transfer, e-wallets, wire transfer, cryptocurrencies | Minimum $250 |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | FTMO | TradeDay |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Full fee refund on 2-Step; static drawdown; no consistency rules; zero withdrawal commission; scaling to $2M | No daily drawdown, earned split, transparent pass rates (36%), trader-friendly consistency rule, Day One payouts |
| Weaknesses | No reset product; 1-Step fee never refunded; 50% Best Day Rule blocks payouts; 1-Step payout resets buffer | $10,000 profit ceiling confiscates excess, 50/50 starting split, metals banned, Quick Pay converts to intraday when funded, monthly subscription model |
| Best For | 2-Step recommended for most; 1-Step only if 90% split outweighs other concerns | Futures traders avoiding daily loss limits; transparent disclosure valued |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose FTMO if you want a cheaper entry, from EUR 89 and coverage of forex, stocks, commodities and cryptocurrencies that the other does not offer. Choose TradeDay if a shorter evaluation at 1 phase and a demo account to test the platform first matter 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 separate 1-Step and 2-Step CFD evaluations. The 2-Step route requires at least four trading days per phase; the 1-Step route uses different objectives, including a Best Day Rule. FTMO official rules; FTMO official program information.
What should I know about TradeDay’s programs?
TradeDay offers a Make It Take It futures program with evaluation and Funded Sim stages. The published evaluation requires five trading days and a 30% consistency limit. TradeDay official rules.
How do payouts differ between FTMO and TradeDay?
FTMO lists a 90% reward ratio for 1-Step and 80% for 2-Step, with an increase to 90% under applicable scaling or premium conditions. Reward requests are available from day 14 after the first trade, subject to eligibility. FTMO official rules; FTMO official program information.
Make It Take It lists a $250 minimum request and eligibility from one funded trading day, subject to its rules. Its split is 50/50 below $4,000 net profit, 80/20 above $4,000 and 90/10 in Funded Live. TradeDay official rules.
Which account rules matter when comparing FTMO and TradeDay?
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.
The selected evaluation can use end-of-day or intraday drawdown, while the displayed Funded Sim rules use intraday drawdown. Do not assume those stages have identical loss calculations. TradeDay official rules.
Is FTMO or TradeDay automatically the better choice?
No. Each firm wins on a different axis. FTMO has the cheaper entry at EUR 89 and market access the other lacks, namely forex, stocks, commodities and cryptocurrencies. TradeDay has the shorter evaluation at 1 phase and a demo account to test first. 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 the evaluation objectives for the exact program you buy, 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 TradeDay
Both firms on this page carry a JoinProp Rating out of 10. We produce that rating with the same 9-factor methodology we apply to every firm we review: payout reliability (20%), fee structure (15%), drawdown rules (15%), profit split (15%), evaluation terms (10%), trading rules (10%), support access and responsiveness (5%), scaling plan (5%), and track record and transparency (5%).
The inputs come from our firm reviews, not from this page. For each firm we work from the current terms and conditions rather than marketing pages, track rule and pricing changes over time, and read payout and support reports across Trustpilot, Reddit and Discord, looking for recurring patterns rather than isolated complaints. Every firm is re-checked at least every 90 days, or sooner after a material change. Affiliate relationships have no effect on any rating, and ratings are never sold.
The tables above show the evidence behind those factors. A few rows, including trading platforms, available instruments, maximum account size and demo availability, are there to help you judge fit and do not affect either rating.
Read our full ranking methodology
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