Who Are FTMO?
At its core, FTMO is a proprietary trading firm (or “prop firm”) that funds skilled traders with company capital. That’s right you trade with their money, not yours. You keep a share of the profits (up to 90%), and if things go south, your personal funds stay safe. Pretty sweet deal, right?
Founded in Prague, Czech Republic, FTMO shot to fame by offering a structured, rules-based evaluation process that allows traders to prove their skills without traditional barriers like capital requirements or years of trading experience. In short, it democratized access to big trading capital.
But what really sets FTMO apart is its two-phase evaluation process: the FTMO Challenge and the Verification stage. You’ll need to demonstrate discipline, strategy, and risk management—not just luck. Unlike gambling apps disguised as trading platforms, FTMO insists on consistency and professionalism.
- Elevating Trading Mindsets: A Dedicated Trading Psychologist
- Amplifying Success: Capital Scaling Plan for Growth
- Limitless Opportunities: Free Evaluation Retries without Constraints
- Consistent Rewards: Bi-Weekly Payouts for Thriving Traders
- Tailored Profits: Reaping 80% to 90% Profit Splits
- Tailored Learning: Educational Videos Catering to Novices and Intermediates
- Empowering Learning Journeys: Video Resources for Skill Enhancement
- Strategic Account Management: Two Accounts Cap with $200,000 Maximum Balance
What Makes FTMO Different From Other Prop Firms?
Let’s keep it real. The prop trading space is now packed tighter than a trader’s screen on FOMC day. So what makes FTMO the LeBron James of prop firms?
- Payouts up to 90%
- No monthly fees once funded
- Flexible trading instruments (Forex, indices, crypto, etc.)
- Scaling plans up to $2M
- Global recognition & top-tier Trustpilot reviews
More than just a funding company, FTMO has built a community. You’re not just a number in their system—you’re a trader with potential they’re betting on.
How the FTMO Prop Firm Challenge Works
Understanding how the FTMO Challenge works is the first step toward unlocking your trading career. Think of it like applying to be on the Olympics of retail trading—except instead of gold medals, you’re after real capital and a chance to scale.
The process is rigorous but rewarding, structured in a way that weeds out gamblers and rewards real strategists. Here’s how it all breaks down:
Choose Your Account Size and Profit Split
Before you even place a trade, FTMO lets you customize your challenge based on your goals and risk appetite. You get to choose:
- Account size: $10,000, $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, or $200,000
- Risk level: Normal (10% maximum loss) or Aggressive (20% maximum loss)
- Profit split: Typically 80/20, but with progression and trust, you can reach up to a 90/10 split
The fee for joining the challenge varies depending on account size but is refunded after you pass and get funded. So technically, if you succeed, the challenge is free.
And yes, you can repeat challenges or even run multiple accounts at once—FTMO gives you flexibility like a yoga instructor in a bull market.
Complete the FTMO Prop Firm Challenge
This is Phase 1—the proving ground. Your job is to hit a profit target (usually 10%) in 30 calendar days while staying within the risk rules:
- Max daily loss: 5%
- Max overall loss: 10%
- Minimum trading days: 10
No need to go full cowboy here. They want to see consistent skill, not YOLO gambling. If you can hit the profit target without violating any rules, congrats! You graduate to the next level.
Pass Evaluation and Get Funded
Welcome to Phase 2—Verification. This stage confirms you weren’t just lucky in Phase 1. Here, your profit target is usually reduced (to 5%), and you have 60 days to complete it.
Again, you must stick to:
- The daily and total drawdown limits
- The minimum trading days
- Trading ethically and in accordance with their rules
Think of this phase like a final job interview. With the evaluation phase is basically saying, “We liked what we saw—now show us it wasn’t a fluke.”
Once you pass, you get a real, funded Account, and now, the real fun begins.
Video Review
What Are The Options For Funded Accounts?
Once you’ve battled through the Challenge and Verification and emerged victorious, the big leagues open up. This is where your journey as a funded FTMO trader truly begins. But not all funded accounts are created equal which gives you several choices tailored to your risk profile, trading style, and long-term goals.
Here’s what you can expect.
Funded Account Sizes
FTMO offers a variety of funded account sizes depending on what you chose during the challenge. These include:
Account Size | Challenge Fee | Profit Target | Max Daily Drawdown | Max Overall Drawdown |
$10,000 | €155 | $1,000 (10%) | $500 (5%) | $1,000 (10%) |
$25,000 | €250 | $2,500 (10%) | $1,250 (5%) | $2,500 (10%) |
$50,000 | €345 | $5,000 (10%) | $2,500 (5%) | $5,000 (10%) |
$100,000 | €540 | $10,000 (10%) | $5,000 (5%) | $10,000 (10%) |
$200,000 | €1,080 | $20,000 (10%) | $10,000 (5%) | $20,000 (10%) |
Your performance doesn’t just end with one account, though. Through their Scaling Plan, traders can increase their account size over time—up to a whopping $2 million. Think of it like leveling up in a video game, but with real money and no cheat codes.
Want to scale fast? Be consistent and follow the rules. Traders who grow their accounts methodically and demonstrate strong risk management are rewarded generously.
Profit-Sharing Models
Initially, you start with an 80/20 profit split. That means you take home 80% of the profits, while FTMO takes 20%—pretty standard across reputable prop firms.
But here’s where FTMO really shines: top-performing traders can eventually earn a 90/10 split, meaning you keep 90% of the profits. This isn’t just a nice number—it’s a real difference-maker, especially for high-frequency or swing traders who bank serious returns over time.
Let’s break that down:
Profit Earned | At 80/20 Split | At 90/10 Split |
$5,000 | $4,000 (You) | $4,500 (You) |
$10,000 | $8,000 (You) | $9,000 (You) |
$20,000 | $16,000 (You) | $18,000 (You) |
More money. Same trades. Just better conditions.
Scaling Plans
FTMO’s Scaling Plan is designed to reward responsible, consistent traders—not just the lucky ones. If you consistently hit profit targets over a 4-month window and meet their risk criteria, they’ll bump up your account size incrementally.
Here’s how it typically works:
- Trade at least 2 of the 4 months profitably
- Hit at least 10% net profit
- Stick to risk management rules
If you qualify, FTMO increases your balance by 25% each time, and this process can continue until you reach the $2,000,000 ceiling.
Yes, you read that right. You could eventually be trading with seven-figure capital—without risking a single dime of your own.
FTMO’s Rules and Restrictions
Before you start daydreaming about cashing out your first five-figure payout, let’s talk real-talk: rules. FTMO isn’t your wild-west casino; it’s more like a professional training ground with guardrails to ensure traders aren’t blowing accounts like confetti.
Whether you’re a scalper, swing trader, or algo-enthusiast, these rules are the backbone of your funded journey—and they’re there to protect both you and the firm.
Risk Management Guidelines (Trailing Drawdown, Max Daily Loss)
A traders biggest emphasis? Risk management. If you’re the kind of trader who goes all-in on a news candle, you’re gonna have a bad time.
Here are the non-negotiables:
- Max Daily Loss: You can’t lose more than 5% of your starting equity in a single day. This includes closed losses and any floating losses. Break it? You’re out. No second chances.
- Max Overall Loss: The total loss from the beginning of the account can’t exceed 10%. This is your full account buffer. It’s the financial equivalent of a safety net under your tightrope.
🧠 Pro Tip: Use stop losses religiously and keep leverage in check. Think of the prop firm as your trading coach—not your ATM.
Unlike other firms that implement a trailing drawdown (which tightens your leash as you profit), FTMO uses a static drawdown model—which gives you room to breathe. You’re not punished for being profitable.
News Trading, Overnight Holds, and Other Restrictions
FTMO is surprisingly flexible here—especially compared to more restrictive firms. But there are a few landmines you’ll want to avoid:
- News Trading: It does not restrict trading during high-impact news releases. However, wild volatility can spike your drawdown, so trade at your own risk.
- Overnight & Weekend Holds: Permitted for most instruments unless your account settings state otherwise (especially crypto accounts).
- Expert Advisors (EAs) & Bots: Allowed, but only if they’renot copying trades from other accounts or violating their proprietary rules. If it’s your own coded system, you’re good.
Still, FTMO has robust risk detection software, so if you’re using copy trading, grid martingale systems, or manipulating trade execution—expect an email, not a payout.
Consistency and Scaling Rules
FTMO rewards consistency, not chaos. Here’s what that means:
- Consistent trading behavior increases your odds of scaling.
- Avoid large imbalance between your average profitable days and one-off monster trades.
- Trade actively—accounts with zero activity or sudden inactivity may not qualify for scaling.
And yes, if you do crush it consistently, FTMO will scale your capital every 4 months. Their algorithm looks for traders who treat trading like a profession—not a lottery ticket.
Payment, Withdrawals, and Payout Process
Once you’ve proven yourself, passed the challenge, followed all the rules, and finally made those sweet, sweet profits—it’s payday! FTMO doesn’t play games when it comes to paying out its traders. They’ve built their rep on transparency and timely withdrawals, and they’ve got the Trustpilot reviews to back it up.
Let’s break it all down.
Fee Payments (for Challenges and Funded Accounts)
Let’s clear the air first: theres a one-time charge, a upfront fee for each Challenge you take. These are:
- Refundable if you pass both the Challenge and Verification
- Based on account size (see the previous table)
- Paid only once per challenge (no monthly or hidden fees)
For example:
- $10,000 account → €155 fee
- $50,000 account → €345 fee
- $200,000 account → €1,080 fee
You’ll pay this fee only once at the beginning, and if you succeed, FTMO refunds it with your first profit payout. It’s like putting down a refundable deposit on your dream gig.
⚠️ No fees are charged on the funded account itself. FTMO does not take any further commissions or force monthly subscriptions like some competitors.
Profit Withdrawals and Payout Schedules
Alright, onto the juicy stuff—how and when you get paid.
Here’s how the payout process works:
- Payouts start 30 days after you begin trading on a funded account.
- After that, you can request payouts monthly, or even more frequently if you qualify for bi-weekly payouts under their performance system.
- Profit split: You keep 80% of the profits to start, with potential to reach 90%.
- Withdrawal methods: Bank wire, cryptocurrencies (like BTC and USDT), and selected payment processors depending on your region.
- Processing time: Most payouts are processed within 1–3 business days once approved.
Comparison: FTMO vs Other Top Prop Firms
With the rise of remote trading, the prop firm industry has exploded. Dozens of platforms now offer “get funded quick” schemes—but not all are built equally. FTMO might be the OG, but how does it stack up against other big players, the top prop firms in 2025?
We’ll break it down with facts, not fluff.
Feature | FTMO | The5ers |
Founded | 2015 | 2016 |
Challenge Model | Two-step (Challenge + Verification) | One-step and Two-step options |
Account Sizes | $10K–$200K (Scalable up to $2M) | $6K–$100K (Scalable up to $4M) |
Profit Split | 80%–90% | 50%–75% |
Drawdown Rules | Static Drawdown Model (No trailing drawdown) | Conservative Fixed Drawdown |
Trading Style Flexibility | News trading, overnight holds allowed | Some restrictions on news and overnight trading |
Platform Options | MT4, MT5, cTrader | MT4, MT5 |
Funding Speed | After Challenge + Verification (1–2 months) | Immediate or after evaluation, depending on model |
Scaling Plan | Yes, up to $2M | Yes, up to $4M |
Educational Resources | Strong: Courses, webinars, performance coaching | Moderate: Community resources, some guidance |
Customer Support | Live chat, email, quick response times | Email support, slower response |
Reputation & Trust | High—well-established with strong reviews | Reputable, but less recognized |
The Final Word on Comparisons
While other firms like the 5ers, fundednext and blueberry funded have compelling offers—bigger accounts, faster payouts, or looser rules—FTMO still stands as the gold standard:
- It’s time-tested.
- It’s transparent.
- It actually pays you.
Many traders start with other firms but come home to FTMO once they’re burned by payout issues or surprise rule changes.
Customer Support and Help
Email: support@ftmo.com
Social Media Profiles
- Instagram profile with 450k followers
- X/Twitter account with 102k followers
- Youtube channel has 406k subscribers with 419 videos.
- Facebook page with 250k followers
- TikTok profile with 7614 followers
- Linkedin page with 29k followers
Trust Pilot Reviews
They have received a hue amount of positive customer feedback from its traders on Trust Pilot. With an overall score of 4.8 out of 5 from 23,024 reviews.
Conclusion
FTMO isn’t just another name in the ever-growing list of proprietary trading firms—it’s the blueprint for what a top-tier prop firm should be. With its structured two-step evaluation, professional-grade educational resources, world-class support, and generous profit-sharing model, FTMO offers more than just funding—it offers a real shot at a trading career.
Unlike firms that shift rules like sand in the wind, FTMO provides transparency, consistency, and opportunity. Whether you’re an aspiring trader building your edge or a seasoned veteran looking to scale without risking personal capital, FTMO delivers the infrastructure to thrive.
In an industry where trust is currency, FTMO stands as a reliable, reputable, and rewarding platform that has earned its place at the top. If you’re serious about trading and ready to put your skills to the test, FTMO might just be the partner you’ve been searching for.
Take the challenge. Trade with discipline. Get funded.
FAQ’s
FTMO is a proprietary trading firm that funds skilled traders after they pass a two-step evaluation (Challenge + Verification). You trade with FTMO’s capital, keep 80–90% of profits, and avoid risking your own money.
The Challenge phase gives you 30 days to hit the profit target, and the Verification phase offers 60 days. Combined, most traders complete both within 1–2 months.
Yes, if you pass both the Challenge and Verification, your fee is refunded with your first profit payout from your funded account.
Yes, FTMO allows both news trading and overnight/weekend holds, giving traders more flexibility than many competing firms.
Payouts are processed monthly or bi-weekly (if eligible). You keep up to 90% of profits, and funds can be withdrawn via bank transfer or crypto.
Violating key rules (like max daily drawdown) results in an automatic failure of the Challenge or termination of your funded account. It’s critical to respect the rules.
About the Author
Is an online marketing expert and forex trader. He was one of the top 50 affiliates in the world for 8 years in a highly competivie niche. He has spoken on stages all around the world sharing his wisdon and success. Having successfully buildt and sold 9 websites for multiple six figure sums. He now spends his time helping others to learn how to trade and take their own trading and businesses to the next level.
