A detailed, unbiased review of FTMO, covering its funding model, trading conditions, legal details, challenge process, and overall reputation.
FTMO is widely recognized as one of the most established and reputable proprietary trading firms in the forex trading industry. Founded in 2015, the company has provided thousands of traders with funded accounts, allowing them to trade with significant capital while assuming zero personal financial risk.
With a well-structured challenge and verification process, a competitive profit split, and a strong regulatory standing, FTMO remains a top choice for traders looking to secure funding.
But is FTMO the right prop firm for you? This review breaks down everything you need to know about FTMO—from its legal structure and funding rules to trading conditions, payout policies, and potential downsides.
Company Overview
FTMO Background
- Founded: 2015
- Headquarters: Prague, Czech Republic
- Official Website: https://ftmo.com
- Supported Markets: Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto
- Funding Potential: Up to $2 million via scaling plan
- Profit Split: 80/20 (scalable to 90/10)
Legal & Compliance Details
FTMO operates under FTMO s.r.o., registered in the Czech Republic. While it is not a regulated broker, the company does not directly handle live funds. Instead, traders operate on simulated accounts, with FTMO mirroring successful trades through its liquidity partners.
Regulatory Considerations
FTMO does not fall under traditional financial regulation (e.g., SEC, FCA, CySEC) because it does not provide brokerage services. Instead, it operates as a funding provider, meaning there is no direct market execution.
Is this a risk?
Not necessarily—many prop firms follow this model, and FTMO has a strong reputation for consistent payouts and transparent operations.
FTMO Challenge & Evaluation Process
FTMO’s funding model is based on a two-step evaluation process, where traders must prove profitability and risk management before receiving a funded account.
Step 1: FTMO Challenge
- Objective: Achieve a specified profit target within a set timeframe while adhering to risk limits.
- Trading Period: 30 days
- Profit Target: 10% of initial balance
- Max Daily Loss: 5%
- Max Overall Loss: 10%
- Trading Restrictions: No copy trading, no high-frequency trading (HFT), no holding trades through major news events.
✅ If the trader meets the profit target without violating risk rules, they move to the next stage.
Step 2: Verification Phase
- Objective: Confirm consistency in performance with a lower profit target.
- Trading Period: 60 days
- Profit Target: 5%
- Max Daily Loss: 5%
- Max Overall Loss: 10%
✅ Passing this phase grants the trader a fully funded FTMO account.
FTMO Account Types & Scaling Plan
| Account Type | FTMO Challenge Fee | Maximum Funding |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | €155 | Up to $40,000 |
| $25,000 | €250 | Up to $100,000 |
| $50,000 | €345 | Up to $200,000 |
| $100,000 | €540 | Up to $400,000 |
| $200,000 | €1,080 | Up to $2,000,000 (via scaling plan) |
Scaling Plan:
FTMO allows traders to increase their funding up to $2 million by maintaining consistent profitability. Every four months, profitable traders can request an account increase of 25%.
Payout System & Profit Split
Payout Structure
- Profit Split: 80/20 (can scale to 90/10 for consistent traders).
- First Payout: After 14 days from the first trade.
- Subsequent Payouts: Bi-weekly or monthly.
- Withdrawal Methods: Bank transfer, crypto, Skrill.
🚀 One of FTMO’s biggest advantages is its bi-weekly payout option, allowing traders to withdraw profits twice a month instead of waiting for a full month.
Trading Conditions & Platform Support
FTMO offers traders access to multiple trading platforms, including:
- MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
- MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
- cTrader
Supported Instruments
- Forex Pairs (EUR/USD, GBP/USD, etc.)
- Stock Indices (S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow Jones)
- Commodities (Gold, Silver, Oil)
- Crypto (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.)
FTMO Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- One of the most reputable prop firms
- Structured challenge process for risk control
- Flexible scaling plan (up to $2M in capital)
- Strong trader support and education
- Fast payouts (14-day cycle)
❌ Cons
- No instant funding (must pass evaluation)
- No news trading allowed
- Strict drawdown limits
Final Verdict: Is FTMO Worth It?
FTMO remains one of the most trusted and established prop firms, offering traders an excellent funding opportunity with a proven track record of payouts.
If you can pass the challenge, FTMO is one of the safest and most rewarding prop firms to trade with.
However, passing the challenge is not easy—which is why many traders fail on their first attempt.
🚀 Struggling to pass the FTMO Challenge?
For those looking to secure a funded account without the stress, some traders turn to professional challenge-passing services to improve their odds. Elite Traders offers a guaranteed challenge pass or money-back guarantee, helping traders secure funding without taking unnecessary risks.
🔗 Learn more about professional FTMO challenge assistance here.
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Review Summary
FTMO is one of the most reputable and structured prop firms, offering competitive payouts, a solid scaling plan, and strong trader support. While the challenge can be strict, those who pass gain access to a trusted and well-established funding opportunity.
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Payout System8
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Trading Rules10
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Account Scaling9
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Reputation & Trust10
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Challenge Difficulty7