FTMO at a Glance
| Methodology score | 84 / 100 |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Prague, Czech Republic |
| Markets | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Stocks CFDs |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, DXtrade |
| Challenge types | Two-step (FTMO Challenge and Verification); Swing variant |
| Account sizes | $10,000 to $200,000 |
| Profit split | 80%, rising to 90% under the scaling plan |
| Drawdown type | Static |
| Payouts | Every 14 days on request after the first payout; first payout after 14 days |
What Is FTMO?
FTMO started in Prague in 2015 and is the firm most people mean when they say prop firm. Its model is the two-step evaluation that the rest of the industry copied: pass the Challenge, pass the Verification, trade an FTMO account and keep most of the profit.
The firm's reputation rests on consistency. The rules have changed little in years, the payout record is public, and the fee is refunded with the first payout. It is not the cheapest firm and it does not have the loosest rules, but it is the one most traders judge others against.
How the FTMO Challenge Works
- Choose an account size and the standard or swing variant, and pay the fee.
- Pass the Challenge: 10% profit target, 5% daily loss limit, 10% maximum loss, at least four trading days, no time limit.
- Pass the Verification: 5% target with the same limits.
- Trade the FTMO account with the same loss limits and no target; request payouts every 14 days.
- Scale: 25% more balance every four months of profit.
Challenge Options
- Two-step (FTMO Challenge and Verification)
- Swing variant
Challenge Fees
From about €155 for $10,000 to about €1,080 for $200,000; refunded with the first payout. Discounts are common across the industry; the fee guide explains how to compare them, and FrugalFX tracks current offers.
Profit Targets
10% in the Challenge, 5% in the Verification. The ratio between the target and the maximum loss is the best single measure of how hard a challenge is; the profit targets lesson explains why.
Drawdown Rules
Daily loss limit: 5% of the initial balance. Maximum loss: 10% of the initial balance. Drawdown type: Static. A static drawdown is measured from the starting balance and never moves, which rewards early profit with a cushion. Read the drawdown rules guide before paying for any evaluation.
Trading Rules
| Profit targets | 10% in the Challenge, 5% in the Verification |
| Daily loss limit | 5% of the initial balance |
| Maximum loss | 10% of the initial balance |
| Drawdown type | Static |
| Minimum trading days | 4 in each phase |
| Maximum trading days | None |
| News trading | Restricted on the funded account: no opening or closing two minutes either side of high-impact news; allowed on the swing variant |
| Weekend holding | Not allowed on standard accounts; allowed on the swing variant |
| EA and automated trading | Allowed, with restrictions on copied and commercial EAs |
Platforms and Markets
FTMO offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, DXtrade for trading forex, indices, commodities, crypto, stocks cfds. The platform reference pages compare the major platforms.
Funded Account
After passing, the funded account keeps the same loss limits and drops the profit target. FTMO offers a free trial or demo, which is the cheapest way to learn its rules before paying. The funded accounts lesson explains what a funded account is and is not.
Profit Split
80%, rising to 90% under the scaling plan.
Payouts
Every 14 days on request after the first payout; first payout after 14 days. Payout terms decide how much of the split you actually see; the payouts guide lists what to check.
Scaling
25% balance increase every four months of net profit, to $2 million.
Methodology Scores
| Challenge cost | 62 |
| Trading rules | 82 |
| Drawdown | 90 |
| Profit targets | 70 |
| Profit split | 75 |
| Payouts | 92 |
| Platforms | 92 |
| Markets | 85 |
| Company transparency | 96 |
Key Strengths
- A decade-long public payout record
- Static drawdown in every phase
- Fee refunded with the first payout
- Free trial to learn the rules
- Four platforms including cTrader and DXtrade
Important Considerations
- Fees are at the upper end and discounts are rare
- The news rule on standard funded accounts is strict
- No weekend holding except on the swing variant
- The 80% starting split is below some newer rivals
Who Is FTMO Suitable For?
Traders who want a firm whose rules and payouts are predictable and who can pass a conventional two-step evaluation without needing weekend or news trading.
Compare FTMO
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is FTMO legitimate?
FTMO has operated since 2015 from Prague, Czech Republic as FTMO Evaluation Global s.r.o.. Like almost all online prop firms it is not a regulated financial firm; its reliability rests on its record of paying traders, which our transparency score (96/100) reflects.
How much does the FTMO challenge cost?
From about €155 for $10,000 to about €1,080 for $200,000; refunded with the first payout.
What is the FTMO profit split?
80%, rising to 90% under the scaling plan.
What drawdown rules does FTMO use?
Daily loss limit: 5% of the initial balance. Maximum loss: 10% of the initial balance. Drawdown type: Static. See the drawdown lesson for what each measurement means.
Does FTMO refund the challenge fee?
Yes, with the first payout from the funded account. Failed attempts are not refunded.
Is the FTMO account real money?
The FTMO account is a simulated account; FTMO pays the trader's share of its profit from its own funds and hedges positions at its discretion.
Visit FTMO
Check the current fees and rules on the firm's own site before buying an evaluation.
Visit FTMO (opens in a new tab)Prop firm evaluations are paid tests; most attempts fail and fees are usually not refunded. Funded accounts are generally simulated and profit is real only when paid. Terms are the firm's at the last check and change without notice. We may earn a commission when you buy an evaluation through a link. Affiliate disclosure.