The firm that started it all — a decade of trader-first funding, transparent rules, and payouts the whole industry measures itself against.
Trading Platforms
MT4/MT5
cTrader
DXTradePayout Methods
Crypto
SkrillAbout FTMO
Founded in January 2015 and based in Prague, Czech Republic, FTMO is one of the most established proprietary trading firms in the industry. With over 10 years of operation, FTMO offers traders access to capital up to $400,000 (up to $2M with scaling), with profit splits starting at 80% and increasing to 90% through their scaling plan. FTMO operates as an Institutional Liquidity Provider and serves traders worldwide through multiple platforms including MT4, MT5, cTrader, and DXTrade.
Challenge Programs
2-Step Challenge
Phase 1: 10% profit target → Phase 2: 5% profit target. Static drawdown.
Profit Split: 80% (up to 90% after scaling)
Daily Loss: 5% | Max Drawdown: 10% (Static) | Min 4 trading days | Leverage: 1:100 Forex • 1:30 Metals • 1:50 Indices • 1:3 Crypto
1-Step Challenge
Single 10% profit target with EOD trailing drawdown and a 50% best-day consistency rule.
Profit Split: 90%
Daily Loss: 3% | Max Drawdown: 10% (EOD Trailing) | Min 2 trading days (consistency) | Leverage: 1:100 Forex • 1:30 Metals • 1:3 Crypto
Key Features
• No Time Limit: Complete evaluation at your own pace (minimum 4 trading days required per phase)
• Scaling Plan: 25% account increase every 4 months when meeting criteria, up to $2M cap with 90% profit split
• Multiple Platforms: Trade on MT4, MT5, cTrader, or DXTrade
• Swing Accounts: Available for traders who want to hold positions over weekends and during news
• News Trading: Allowed on Swing accounts and during evaluation phases
• Copy Trading: Allowed between your own accounts only, respecting the $400K allocation limit
• Account Freeze: Request to freeze your account for 7 days to 6 months to avoid inactivity termination
Leverage
| Asset | 1-Step | 2-Step |
|---|---|---|
| Forex | ||
| Metals | ||
| Indices | ||
| Energy | ||
| Crypto | ||
| Stocks |
Commissions
| Asset | Commission |
|---|---|
| Forex | $5 per lot |
| Metals | 0.0014% per volume |
| Indices | No commission ($0) |
| Energy | No commission ($0) |
| Crypto | 0.0650% per volume |
| Stocks | 0.0040% per volume |
Restricted Countries
| Size | Program | Profit Target | Max Loss | Daily Loss | Drawdown | Profit Split | Payout | Loyalty | Activation Fee | Price |
|---|
20% Off 1-Step 100K
Get 20% off the FTMO 1-Step $100,000 Challenge — $463.00 instead of $579.00. No code needed; the discount applies automatically at checkout.
19% Off 2-Step 100K
Get 19% off the FTMO 2-Step $100,000 Challenge — $499.00 instead of $619.00. No code needed; the discount applies automatically at checkout.
Crypto Trading on Weekends Allowed
Allowed on all account types with no restrictions.
Expert Advisors (EAs) Allowed
EAs are allowed, with a maximum of 2,000 server requests per day. Popular third-party EAs risk exceeding the $400,000 max capital allocation, which can lead to denial or suspension of the account.
VPN / VPS Policy Allowed
Trading while travelling and using a VPN/VPS is generally allowed. The only exception: do not log into MetaTrader or cTrader from the United States, and do not set your VPN/VPS geolocation to the US.
Consistency Rules Restricted
1-Step Standard — Best Day Rule (evaluation & funded): no single trading day may account for more than 50% of your total profit. 2-Step accounts have no consistency rule.
Minimum Trading Days Restricted
2-Step Standard & Swing: 4 days (evaluation 4 days, funded none). 1-Step Standard: none, though ~2 days are typically needed to satisfy the 50% consistency rule.
News Trading Restricted
Allowed: Swing accounts (funded and evaluation) and Standard accounts (evaluation only). Not allowed: Standard accounts in the funded stage within 2 minutes before or after high-impact news.
Weekend Trades Restricted
Holding trades over the weekend or over a market rollover longer than 2 hours is prohibited for funded traders on Standard accounts. Standard market hours are listed on the trading platforms and at ftmo.com/en/symbols/.
Capital Allocation Limit Restricted
FTMO Traders: $400,000 max capital per strategy per person — accounts running identical strategies that exceed $400,000 allocated capital may be suspended. Prime Status: $600,000. Supreme Prime Status: $1,000,000.
Position Sizes Restricted
Opening significantly larger position sizes, or a substantially different number of positions compared to your other trades, is prohibited.
1%–1.5% Risk Guidance Rule Restricted
FTMO recommends risking no more than 1%–1.5% of your initial balance per trade. Higher-risk behaviour may trigger risk monitoring, warnings or protective restrictions intended to prevent gambling-style trading.
Copy Trading Restricted
Copying your own trades across your FTMO accounts is allowed. Copying other traders is strictly prohibited — you must be the only person managing your accounts and you must respect the $400,000 maximum capital allocation rule.
Inactivity Rule Restricted
Open at least one trade every 30 days to avoid termination for inactivity. Alternatively you can freeze your account for 7 days up to 6 months.
USA & Australia Traders Restricted
US traders are served via OANDA (ftmo.oanda.com) and Australian traders via the VRGK entity, for regulatory compliance.
Third-Party Trading Prohibited
Your account must not be traded by any third party.
Forbidden Trading Practices Prohibited
FTMO may determine at its discretion that certain trades or strategies are forbidden: overleveraging, overexposure, one-sided bets and account rolling. See ftmo.com/en/forbidden-trading-practices.
Multiple Profile Accounts Prohibited
Opening multiple profile accounts is prohibited.
Restricted Countries
We only track firms that pay via RISEPAY on-chain. This firm uses a different payout method.
See All Live-Tracked Firms →No min withdrawal • $20 Bank Wire / $50 Crypto fee • Maximum: No limit
Processing: 1-2 business days
2-Step Standard & Swing
Bi-weekly (14 days) • 80% split
1-Step Standard
Bi-weekly (14 days) • 90% split
After Scaling
Bi-weekly (14 days): 90%
Minimum 4 months cycle, at least 10% total net profit, process at least 2 rewards, positive account balance. Benefits: 25% size increase per cycle, 90% profit split, up to $2M cap.
Available Markets & Leverage
Forex
Metals
Indices
Energy
Crypto
Stocks
Commissions
Forex
$5 per lot
Metals
0.0014% per volume
Indices
No commission
Energy
No commission
Crypto
0.0650% per volume
Stocks
0.0040% per volume
Trader Reviews 0
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FTMO Reviews & Ratings
Rated by our community & expert team
FTMO stands as a true pioneer and one of the most respected proprietary trading firms in the industry, with an impressive track record spanning over 10 years since its founding in January 2015. As the firm that essentially created the modern prop trading evaluation model, FTMO has maintained its position at the top through consistent reliability, transparent operations, and a proven payout history that few competitors can match. Their 2-Step evaluation process offers a well-balanced approach with achievable 10% and 5% profit targets across two phases, combined with reasonable 5% daily and 10% maximum drawdown limits that give traders room to execute their strategies without excessive pressure.
Summary
FTMO is the Prague-based proprietary trading firm that pioneered the funded trader industry when it launched in January 2015, fundamentally changing how retail traders access institutional capital. With an outstanding 4.8 TrustPilot rating from 44,733 reviews accumulated over a decade of operation, FTMO has built an unmatched reputation for reliability, professionalism, and consistent payouts that has made them the gold standard in the prop trading space. The firm offers a straightforward 2-Step evaluation with an 80% profit split that scales to 90% through their scaling program, providing traders a clear path to managing up to $2 million in capital. Traders benefit from access to four major trading platforms—MT4, MT5, cTrader, and DXTrade—giving flexibility to use familiar tools and interfaces. For traders who prioritize working with a proven, established firm with an impeccable track record over chasing the most lenient rules, FTMO remains the top choice in the industry.
Deep Dive
More About FTMO
Is FTMO Legit?
FTMO is one of the most established and trusted proprietary trading firms in the world, founded in January 2015 in Prague, Czech Republic. With over 10 years of continuous operation and a stellar 4.8 TrustPilot rating from 44,733 verified reviews, FTMO has proven itself as the gold standard in the prop trading industry. The firm pioneered the modern evaluation model that most competitors now imitate, and has maintained an impeccable track record for reliable payouts and transparent operations. FTMO operates as an Institutional Liquidity Provider and offers dedicated solutions for US traders (via OANDA) and Australian traders (via VRGK entity), demonstrating their commitment to regulatory compliance.
FTMO vs Other Forex Prop Firms
FTMO vs FundingPips: FundingPips offers higher default profit splits and more program variety. FTMO counters with the longest track record (since 2014), highest brand recognition, and proven reliability. FTMO's 4.8 TrustPilot rating and massive payout history make it the industry benchmark.
FTMO vs Ment Funding: Ment Funding offers 4.9 TrustPilot, up to 100% split, and no consistency rules. FTMO has operated 10+ years longer with proven reliability. FTMO offers a 90% max split but with unmatched track record and industry recognition.
FTMO vs The5ers: Both established firms with 4.8 TrustPilot ratings. The5ers scales to 100% split with three program paths since 2016. FTMO offers a simpler 2-Step evaluation since 2014 with 90% max split. The5ers has more program variety while FTMO has the strongest brand.
FTMO Frequently Asked Questions
What is FTMO's profit split?
FTMO offers an 80% profit split that increases to 90% after meeting the scaling plan criteria. Payouts are processed bi-weekly (every 14 days).
Does FTMO have a time limit?
No, FTMO has no time limit for their evaluation phases. You only need a minimum of 4 trading days per phase to qualify.
What is FTMO's scaling plan?
FTMO's scaling plan increases your account size by 25% every 4 months when you meet the criteria: at least 10% total net profit, 2 processed rewards, and a positive balance. The profit split also increases to 90%. Maximum cap is $2M.
What platforms does FTMO support?
FTMO supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, and DXTrade. Traders can choose their preferred platform when purchasing a challenge.
Can US traders use FTMO?
Yes, US traders can use FTMO through their OANDA partnership at ftmo.oanda.com. Australian traders use ftmo.com/au/ facilitated via the VRGK entity.
Are Expert Advisors allowed on FTMO?
Third-party EAs are strictly prohibited on FTMO. Only personal trading strategies and your own risk management tools are permitted.
What are FTMO's payout methods?
FTMO offers payouts via Bank Wire ($20 fee), Cryptocurrency ($50 fee), and Skrill. No minimum withdrawal. Processing takes 1-2 business days.
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