FTMO Review 2026: Most Trusted Forex Prop Firm Since 2015

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🏆 #1 CFD Partner • Most Trusted Prop Firm

FTMO Challenge Pricing - 2-Phase Evaluation

Industry-leading 80/20→90/10 profit split • Multi-asset trading • Trusted since 2014

Two-phase evaluation • Pass Challenge → Verification → Get Funded

$100K

🎉 10 Years Anniversary Special

$540 regular

$439 one-time

Save $101 (10 Years Promo!)

Phase 1 Profit Target$8,000 (8%)

Phase 2 Profit Target$5,000 (5%)

Profit Split80/20→90/10

Max Daily Loss$5,000 (5%)

Max Total Loss$10,000 (10%)

Min Trading Days4 days per phase

What's Included:

80/20 split (upgrades to 90/10)

Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities

MetaTrader 4 & 5 platforms

Swing trading allowed

News trading permitted

Weekend holding allowed

Bi-weekly payouts

Scale up to $400K

🎉 Get $100K - 10 Years Promo!

Trusted by 300,000+ traders worldwide • Established 2014

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.

What is FTMO? The Complete Overview

FTMO is a proprietary trading firm founded in 2015 in Prague, Czech Republic, that has become the world's largest and most respected prop firm. Unlike traditional prop firms that require you to trade their capital in their office, FTMO operates on a remote funding model: pass their 2-step evaluation, and they'll fund you to trade from anywhere in the world while keeping 80% of your profits.

The business model is simple but effective: you pay a one-time fee to take the FTMO Challenge (their evaluation), demonstrate consistent profitability across two phases, and upon passing, receive a funded account with real capital. FTMO makes money from challenge fees and the 20% profit split, while traders get access to substantial capital without risking their own money. It's a win-win when executed properly.

Who is FTMO For?

✓Forex traders who want multi-asset capability (currencies, indices, commodities, crypto)
✓Consistent profitable traders who can demonstrate sustainable edge over time
✓Risk-conscious traders who prioritize capital preservation and consistent growth
✓MetaTrader users comfortable with MT4, MT5, or cTrader platforms
✓Traders seeking legitimacy who value working with a regulated, established firm

FTMO offers 5 account sizes: $10K, $25K, $50K, $100K, and $200K. All accounts follow the same evaluation structure—10% profit target in Phase 1, 5% in Phase 2, with maximum daily loss of 5% and overall drawdown of 10%. The challenge fee ranges from $89 for $10K up to $1,080 for $200K. The $100K account is currently 19% OFF at $439.

The profit split is 80/20 (you keep 80%), which can scale to 90/10 after you've withdrawn a certain amount or maintained profitability for an extended period. Payouts are processed bi-weekly, and the challenge fee is refunded on your first profit split—making the evaluation essentially free if you pass.

5 Key Advantages That Make FTMO the Industry Standard

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1. Proven Track Record & Legitimacy (10 Years Strong)

FTMO isn't some fly-by-night operation—they've been in business since 2015, making them one of the oldest and most established prop firms in the industry. With 300,000+ funded traders and $200M+ paid out, they've proven their business model works long-term. This matters because the prop firm space is littered with firms that disappear overnight or change their rules mid-game.

FTMO is regulated and operates with full transparency. Their statistics are public, their terms are clear, and they have a massive community of successful traders vouching for them. When you pass FTMO's evaluation, you're not just getting capital—you're getting credibility. An FTMO-funded account on your trading resume carries weight that newer firms simply can't match. This legitimacy translates to better partnerships, networking opportunities, and career advancement in professional trading.

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2. Multi-Asset Trading Platform (Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto)

Unlike futures-only firms like Apex or TopStep, FTMO gives you access to over 100 instruments across multiple asset classes. Trade major and minor forex pairs, global indices (S&P 500, NASDAQ, DAX), commodities (gold, oil, silver), and even crypto CFDs (Bitcoin, Ethereum). This diversity is massive for traders who specialize in specific markets or want to hedge their strategies across different assets.

The multi-asset approach also means you're not locked into one market's personality. If forex is slow, you can trade indices. If commodities are trending, you can jump in. This flexibility allows you to adapt to market conditions rather than being forced to trade a single asset class regardless of conditions. It's a significant edge that pure futures or pure forex firms can't offer.

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3. Scalable Profit Split (80% → 90%)

FTMO starts you at an 80/20 profit split, which is already industry-standard. But here's where it gets better: after you've withdrawn a certain amount ($2,000-$5,000 depending on account size) or maintained profitability for an extended period, FTMO increases your split to 90/10. This scaling incentive rewards consistent traders and means the longer you stay profitable, the more you keep.

Compare this to firms with static 80/20 splits that never improve. FTMO's approach aligns their interests with yours—they want you to succeed long-term, not just pass once. The 90/10 split puts FTMO on par with the best futures firms like Apex (90-100%) while still offering the multi-asset flexibility. It's the best of both worlds for profitable traders.

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4. Challenge Fee Refund System (Essentially Free if You Pass)

One of FTMO's most trader-friendly features: your challenge fee is refunded on your first profit split. Paid $540 for the $100K challenge? You get that $540 back with your first payout. This makes the evaluation essentially free for traders who pass—you're only paying for the opportunity cost of time, not the actual capital to participate.

This refund policy dramatically changes the risk-reward math. If you're confident in your trading, the only real cost is the time spent in evaluation (typically 30-60 days). Compare this to firms that keep your challenge fee regardless of performance. FTMO's approach means passing traders aren't out any money, while the fee still filters out unserious participants. It's a win-win that shows FTMO backs their evaluation process.

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5. Educational Resources & Community (Free FTMO Academy)

FTMO doesn't just throw you into the evaluation and wish you luck. They provide comprehensive educational resources through FTMO Academy: free courses on risk management, psychology, technical analysis, and strategy development. The content is high-quality, actionable, and designed specifically for passing their evaluation and succeeding as a funded trader.

Beyond education, FTMO has built a massive global community. Their Discord channels, webinars, and trader meetups connect you with thousands of other FTMO traders sharing strategies, insights, and support. This community aspect is invaluable—you're not trading in isolation but as part of a network of professionals. Many successful traders credit FTMO's community as much as the capital for their growth.

FTMO Disadvantages: What You Need to Know

FTMO isn't perfect. Here are the honest cons you should consider before committing:

1. The Consistency Rule (30-40% Max Best Day)

FTMO's consistency rule limits your best trading day to roughly 30-40% of your total profit during evaluation. Hit a massive winning day that represents 50% of your profits? You might fail the consistency check even if you hit your profit target. This rule prevents "lottery ticket" passes where traders get lucky on one trade but lack sustainable edge. While it promotes good habits, it can feel frustrating when you have a legitimately great trading day that pushes you over the consistency threshold. Some traders find this rule more restrictive than strict daily loss limits.

2. News Trading Restrictions (2-Minute Blackout)

FTMO prohibits trading 2 minutes before and after high-impact news releases like NFP, FOMC, CPI data. If you're a news trader who profits from volatility spikes during major economic announcements, FTMO isn't for you. While this rule prevents exploitative strategies, it also blocks legitimate news trading approaches. You must either adapt your strategy to avoid news entirely or risk rule violations. Some traders find this too restrictive compared to firms with no news trading limits.

3. Challenge Fees Aren't Cheap (Upfront Capital Required)

While the fee is refunded on first payout, you still need $89 to $1,080 upfront to start. For traders without significant capital, this barrier can be steep. Multiple failed attempts compound quickly—three failed $540 challenges cost you $1,620 before you even get close to funding. Compare this to free-trial firms or lower-cost evaluations. FTMO's premium pricing reflects their legitimacy but can price out talented traders who lack initial capital.

4. Not Ideal for Pure Scalpers or HFT Strategies

FTMO's rules and consistency requirements make it difficult for extreme scalpers or high-frequency traders. If your edge comes from taking 50+ trades per day with tiny profits each, FTMO's evaluation structure will likely frustrate you. The consistency rule can penalize scalpers who have natural variance in daily performance. Firms like Apex or TopStep may be better suited for pure scalping strategies with their different rule structures.

FTMO Trading Rules: Everything You Must Know

Understanding FTMO's rules is critical. Violate them and you're out, no exceptions. Here's the complete breakdown:

Profit Targets

Phase 1: 10% profit target (e.g., $1,000 on $10K account)
Phase 2: 5% profit target (e.g., $500 on $10K account)
No time limit on either phase—trade at your own pace
Minimum 4 trading days required in each phase

Loss Limits

Maximum Daily Loss: 5% of account balance (including floating losses)
Maximum Total Loss: 10% of initial balance (static, doesn't trail)
Important: Losses include commissions, swaps, and overnight gaps
Pro tip: Set alerts at 3% daily loss to avoid breaching 5% limit

Consistency Rule

Best trading day cannot exceed 30-40% of total profits
Applies to Phase 1 and Phase 2 evaluation
Example: If you make $1,000 total, no single day can exceed ~$350
Violation = Failure even if you hit profit target

News Trading & Prohibited Strategies

No trading 2 minutes before/after high-impact news events
Overnight & weekend holds: Allowed
EAs & bots: Allowed (no HFT or exploitative strategies)
Copy trading: Prohibited
Hedging: Allowed on same account only

✅ What IS Allowed

✓ Trade any time outside news blackouts
✓ Hold positions overnight and over weekends
✓ Use Expert Advisors (legitimate strategies only)
✓ Trade multiple symbols simultaneously
✓ Take as long as needed to hit profit targets

5 Common Mistakes That Kill FTMO Challenges

❌ Mistake #1: Ignoring the Consistency Rule

Traders focus on hitting the profit target and completely forget about consistency. They have one massive winning day that represents 60% of their total profits, hit the target, celebrate... and then fail the consistency check. Always track your best day percentage. If one day is approaching 35% of total profits, take a break and spread out your gains across more trading days. The consistency rule is non-negotiable—plan for it from day one.

❌ Mistake #2: Trading During News (2-Minute Rule Violations)

The 2-minute news blackout catches many traders off guard. They forget about NFP, FOMC, or other major releases and take a trade at 8:29 AM with news at 8:30 AM. Instant violation, instant failure. Use an economic calendar religiously. Set alerts 15 minutes before high-impact news to close positions and avoid new trades. Better yet, avoid trading on major news days entirely during evaluation.

❌ Mistake #3: Revenge Trading After Hitting Daily Loss Limit

You hit -3% for the day, get frustrated, and decide to "trade back" the losses. You push to -4.5%, then panic and breach the -5% daily limit. Challenge over. Set a hard stop at -3% daily loss and walk away. No exceptions. Revenge trading is the #1 evaluation killer across all prop firms, not just FTMO. Protect your challenge by accepting small losses and living to trade another day.

❌ Mistake #4: Not Practicing on Demo First

Paying $540 for a $100K challenge without ever practicing on FTMO's demo platform is setting money on fire. The platform behavior, spread costs, and execution speed can differ from your current broker. Request a free FTMO demo, trade it for 2-4 weeks, understand the platform quirks, test your strategy, and verify your edge translates. Many traders fail simply because they didn't adapt to FTMO's specific platform environment.

❌ Mistake #5: Rushing to Hit Profit Target (Overtrading)

There's no time limit on FTMO challenges, yet traders act like they have 30 days to pass or die. They overtrade, force setups, and violate their strategy trying to hit 10% in two weeks. Slow down. Quality over quantity. Take 60-90 days if needed. FTMO rewards patient, consistent trading—not fast, reckless gambling. The best FTMO traders pass slowly and sustainably, not quickly and chaotically.

How to Pass FTMO: Proven Success Strategies

Strategy #1: The "Slow & Steady" Approach

Target 0.5-1% daily gains instead of trying to hit 10% in two weeks. With this approach:

• Hit profit target in 10-20 trading days naturally
• Automatically satisfy consistency rule (no single day stands out in)
• Build sustainable habits that carry into funded trading
• Reduce psychological pressure and emotional trading

Implementation: Set daily profit targets (0.5-1%), stop trading when hit, review results weekly. If you're up 7% in 14 days, coast for the final 3% over the next week. Consistency matters more than speed.

Strategy #2: Trade Around News, Not During News

Avoid major news days entirely during evaluation:

• NFP days (first Friday of month) = no trading
• FOMC days (8x per year) = no trading
• CPI, interest rate decisions = avoid
• Trade Tuesday-Thursday for cleanest price action

Why this works: Eliminates risk of accidental violations, reduces volatility-driven losses, focuses your trading on predictable market conditions. You don't need to trade every day—quality setups only.

Strategy #3: The "3-2-1 Rule" for Risk Management

Structure your risk hierarchically:

• 3% maximum account risk at any one time (stop trading if hit)
• 2% maximum per trade risk (no single trade larger)
• 1% optimal per trade risk (aim for this as baseline)

Implementation: If you lose 3% in a day, stop immediately (well before the 5% limit). This buffer protects you from emotional decisions and gives margin for error. Most failed challenges come from traders who push 4.5-4.9% trying to recover, then breach 5%. Stop at 3%, walk away, come back tomorrow.

Universal Principles (Regardless of Strategy)

✓Journal every trade: Track consistency percentage, daily P&L, and rule compliance
✓Use stop losses religiously: FTMO will check—no stops = likely rejection
✓Practice on demo first: 2-4 weeks minimum to understand platform
✓Focus on process, not outcome: Execute your strategy perfectly, let results follow

MLS Score™ – FTMO Rating

Our proprietary rating based on real trader data and performance metrics

Transparency4.9/5

Industry leader in transparency

Flexibility4.0/5

Strict rules (consistency, news trading)

Profitability Potential4.7/5

90/10 split after scaling, huge capital

Trader-Friendliness4.8/5

Best education & community support

Risk Level4.5/5

One-time fee, refunded on first payout

Overall MLS Score™4.7/5

Methodology: MLS Score™ evaluates prop firms across 5 key categories based on verified trader feedback, payout data, and rule analysis. Updated quarterly.

⭐ FTMO Verdict (2026)

Best For:

Disciplined forex/multi-asset traders who value education, community, and long-term legitimacy

Avoid If:

You're a news trader, scalper, or need more flexible rules and faster payouts

Difficulty:

Medium-Hard

Best Value:

$100K account ($540 fee, refunded)

4.7/5

MLS Score™

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Excellent

Start FTMO Challenge

Looking for alternatives? For more flexibility: Take Profit Trader offers no daily loss limits with EOD trailing drawdown. For higher splits: Apex Trader Funding offers 90/10 profit splits. For fastest payouts: Lucid Trading pays in ~15 minutes (50% OFF: 50K at $90)

⚔️Compare FTMO with Others

vs Apex vs Topstep vs Funded Next vs Funded Trading Plus vs E8 Funding vs The5ers vs Funding Pips vs Lux Trading

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does FTMO cost?

FTMO challenge fees range from $89 for $10K account to $1,080 for $200K account. The $100K account is currently 19% OFF at $439. The fee is refunded on your first profit split, making it essentially free if you pass the evaluation.

What is FTMO's profit split?

FTMO offers an 80/20 profit split (you keep 80%) initially, which can scale to 90/10 after reaching certain profitability milestones. This makes FTMO competitive with the best prop firms in the industry.

Does FTMO allow news trading?

No. FTMO prohibits trading 2 minutes before and after major economic news releases. This rule prevents exploitation of volatile price movements during high-impact events like NFP, FOMC, and CPI announcements.

Can I use Expert Advisors (EAs) with FTMO?

Yes, FTMO allows Expert Advisors and automated trading strategies. However, certain HFT strategies and exploitative EAs that manipulate the platform are prohibited. Always review their terms before deploying bots.

How long does it take to pass FTMO?

There's no time limit on FTMO challenges. Most traders complete Phase 1 in 10-30 days and Phase 2 in 5-15 days, for a total of 15-45 days. Conservative traders may take 60-90 days. Quality over speed.

What happens if I fail the FTMO challenge?

You can retake the FTMO challenge anytime by purchasing a new evaluation. FTMO offers discounted retake pricing and free retry options for traders who nearly passed their previous attempt. Many successful traders failed 2-3 times before passing.

Does FTMO have a consistency rule?

Yes. Your best trading day cannot exceed approximately 30-40% of your total profits during evaluation. This prevents 'lottery ticket' passes and promotes sustainable trading habits. Track your daily performance to avoid violations.

Can I have multiple FTMO accounts?

Yes, you can manage multiple FTMO accounts simultaneously. Many professional traders run 2-4 accounts to diversify strategies and increase total capital allocation. Each account must pass evaluation independently.

How does FTMO compare to Apex Trader Funding?

FTMO offers multi-asset trading (Forex, indices, commodities, crypto) with 80-90% profit split and consistency rules. Apex focuses on futures with 90-100% splits and no consistency rules. Choose FTMO for diverse instruments; choose Apex for pure futures with higher splits.

What platforms does FTMO support?

FTMO provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader platforms. You can choose your preferred platform during account setup and switch between them if needed. All platforms offer full functionality for evaluation and funded trading.

How often can I withdraw from FTMO?

FTMO processes payouts bi-weekly (every 14 days). You request a withdrawal, FTMO reviews your trading performance for rule compliance, and if approved, funds are sent via wire transfer, PayPal, or cryptocurrency within 1-2 business days.

Is FTMO legitimate and regulated?

Yes, FTMO is a legitimate, registered company based in Prague, Czech Republic. They've been operating since 2015, funded 300K+ traders, and paid out over $200 million. They operate transparently with public statistics and clear terms.

Can I trade crypto with FTMO?

Yes, FTMO offers crypto CFD trading on major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and others. You can trade crypto 24/7 alongside forex, indices, and commodities on the same account.

What is FTMO's maximum account size?

FTMO's maximum single account size is $200K. However, successful traders can scale through the FTMO Scaling Plan, potentially reaching $400K+ in total allocation across multiple accounts based on consistent profitability.

Do I need to trade every day at FTMO?

No. FTMO only requires a minimum of 4 trading days in each phase (Phase 1 and Phase 2). There's no maximum time limit, so you can trade at your own pace—weekly, bi-weekly, or daily based on your strategy and lifestyle.

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Join 300,000+ funded traders at FTMO—Challenge fee refunded on first payout

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✓ 80/20 split (scalable to 90/10) • ✓ Multi-asset trading • ✓ Trusted since 2015

FTMO has earned its position as the industry standard through a decade of consistent delivery, transparent operations, and genuine trader success. While no prop firm is perfect—and FTMO's consistency rule and news restrictions won't suit everyone—their comprehensive evaluation process, scalable profit splits, and massive community make them the benchmark against which all other firms are measured. If you're serious about funded trading and can work within their rules, FTMO remains the safest, most legitimate path to professional capital in 2026. Before starting, we recommend using our Risk Calculator to plan your position sizes within FTMO's strict drawdown rules.

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