Evaluation Model
FTMO offers two main paths: a 2-Step evaluation (a Challenge phase with a commonly cited 10% profit target, followed by a Verification phase with a lower target, often cited around 5%) and a faster 1-Step evaluation with a single 10% target. The 2-Step path is commonly described as using a static maximum drawdown (fixed from the starting balance), while the 1-Step path uses a trailing drawdown model that recalculates daily. Daily loss limits are commonly cited around 5% for the 2-Step and a tighter 3% for the 1-Step. A minimum number of trading days (commonly cited around 4) is generally required before a funded payout.
Profit Split and Payouts
The profit split is commonly cited starting at 80% on the 2-Step path (rising toward 90% through FTMO's Scaling Plan) and starting at 90% on the 1-Step path from the first payout. Payouts are commonly described as processed on a recurring cycle (often cited as every 14 days), with reported processing times of a few business days once approved. Sources describe a scaling plan that can grow a funded account significantly over time (cited up to $2 million) based on sustained, consistent performance.
Reputation and Track Record
FTMO is consistently described across independent review sources as holding one of the longest operating track records and largest verified payout histories in the industry (figures well into the tens of millions of dollars paid, per multiple sources), along with a large base of trader reviews. It's routinely cited as the benchmark other firms are compared against.
Rules Worth Understanding Closely
Several sources highlight a consistency rule (sometimes called a "Best Day Rule" on certain account types), which limits how much of total profit can come from a single trading day — relevant if your strategy tends to produce occasional large winning days. Reviews also note that the daily drawdown reset time is tied to a specific timezone (Central European Time), which some traders outside that timezone find worth planning around.
Pros (per independent reviews)
- Long operating history and large, well-documented payout track record
- Clear, well-documented rule structure with two evaluation paths to choose from
- Scaling plan with a defined path to significantly larger funded capital
- Widely recognized brand, useful if verifying trader credibility matters to your audience
Cons (per independent reviews)
- Daily drawdown reset tied to Central European Time — a consideration for traders in other timezones
- Consistency/Best Day rule can constrain strategies that rely on occasional large winning days
- Some restrictions reported around specific instruments and news-event trading on certain account types
Who It Might Suit
Traders who value a long track record and a well-documented, widely scrutinized rule set over the highest possible headline profit split may find FTMO's reputation for consistency reassuring. Traders whose strategy depends on very large, infrequent winning days should read the consistency rule closely before choosing a plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FTMO regulated like a broker?
No — FTMO operates an evaluation and profit-sharing model on simulated accounts rather than as a licensed broker or financial intermediary in most jurisdictions; it should be evaluated as a performance-based service, not a regulated financial institution.
What is FTMO's profit split?
Commonly cited as starting at 80% on the 2-Step path (rising with the Scaling Plan) and 90% from the first payout on the 1-Step path, though exact current terms should be confirmed on FTMO's official site.
How long has FTMO been operating?
Sources commonly cite 2014 or 2015 as the founding year in Prague, Czech Republic — making it one of the longest-operating firms in this comparison.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. It is not a recommendation to use this firm. Prop firm terms, fees, profit splits and rules change frequently — always verify current details directly on FTMO's official site before purchasing an evaluation.
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