FTMO Review

What Is FTMO?

FTMO is a Prague-based proprietary trading firm founded in 2015 that has become the most recognized name in the funded trading industry. They offer traders the opportunity to manage accounts ranging from $10,000 to $200,000 after completing a two-step evaluation process. FTMO has paid out over $200 million to traders since inception, making them one of the most established and trusted firms in the space.

The company operates under Czech law and is registered with the Czech National Bank. Their business model is straightforward: traders pay a one-time evaluation fee, pass two challenge phases, and then trade a funded account with an 80-90% profit split. The evaluation fee is refunded with the first profit withdrawal.

Evaluation Process

FTMO uses a two-step evaluation model called the FTMO Challenge (Step 1) and Verification (Step 2). This is the industry standard that many other firms have since adopted.

Step 1: FTMO Challenge

In the Challenge phase, traders must reach a 10% profit target within 30 trading days. There are no minimum trading day requirements, meaning you can pass as quickly as you like. The maximum daily loss is set at 5% of the initial balance, and the overall maximum loss is 10%.

Step 2: Verification

The Verification phase is designed to confirm consistency. The profit target drops to 5%, and the timeframe extends to 60 trading days. All other rules from Step 1 remain the same. This phase ensures that a trader's initial success was not a fluke.

Pricing & Account Sizes

FTMO offers five account sizes with evaluation fees that are competitive for the industry, though not the cheapest available. The key differentiator is that FTMO refunds the evaluation fee with your first profit split after you become funded.

Trading Rules & Conditions

FTMO allows trading in forex, indices, commodities, stocks, and crypto CFDs. Traders can use any trading style including scalping, swing trading, and news trading. The leverage varies by instrument: up to 1:100 for forex, 1:50 for indices, and 1:20 for commodities.

Key rules to be aware of include the 5% maximum daily drawdown (calculated from the higher of starting equity or starting balance at the beginning of each day) and the 10% overall maximum loss from the initial account balance. Weekend holding is allowed, and there are no consistency rules or lot size restrictions.

Profit Split & Payouts

Funded traders receive an 80% profit split by default, which can increase to 90% through FTMO's scaling plan. Payouts are processed on a 14-day cycle (bi-weekly), and most traders report receiving funds within 1-3 business days via bank transfer, Skrill, or cryptocurrency.

The Scaling Plan increases the account balance by 25% every four months if the trader achieves a minimum 10% profit with at least two payouts. This means a $100,000 account can grow to $2,000,000 over time.

Customer Support

FTMO's customer support is available via email and live chat. Response times are typically within 24 hours for email and near-instant for live chat during business hours (CET timezone). They also have an extensive knowledge base and FAQ section. Support is available in multiple languages including English, Czech, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Our Verdict

FTMO remains the gold standard in the prop trading industry for good reason. Their long track record, transparent operations, and consistent payouts make them the safest choice for serious traders. While their pricing is not the absolute cheapest, the fee refund policy and scaling plan provide excellent long-term value. The evaluation process is fair and well-structured, and their platform reliability is among the best in the industry.

Who is FTMO best for? Experienced traders who want the most reliable and established prop firm with a proven track record. Traders who value security and consistency over the lowest possible entry price.