Thinking of trading with someone else’s money? Prop firms like FTMO promise access to massive capital—up to $400,000—but the path isn’t easy. Passing funding challenges can be a grind, with strict rules and high stakes. Is it worth the effort? In this FTMO review, we’ll break down their funding programs, trading rules, payouts, pricing, pros, and cons to see if they’re a legit opportunity in 2025. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned trader, this guide will help you decide if FTMO is your gateway to trading success—or a challenge too far.
Company Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Prague, Czech Republic |
| Funding Models | 2-Step Challenge (Challenge + Verification), Scaling |
| Max Capital | $400,000 (scales up to $2M) |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader |
| Profit Split | 80% to 90% |
Funding Programs
FTMO offers a 2-step evaluation process with a scaling plan for successful traders:
- FTMO Challenge (Step 1)
- Entry Fee: €155 ($10K account) to €1,080 ($200K account).
- Profit Target: 10% (e.g., $1,000 on a $10K account).
- Max Daily Loss / Max Total Loss: 5% daily ($500 on $10K), 10% total ($1,000).
- Trading Days: Minimum 4 active trading days, unlimited time to complete.
- Verification (Step 2)
- Entry Fee: Free (after passing the Challenge).
- Profit Target: 5% (e.g., $500 on a $10K account).
- Max Daily Loss / Max Total Loss: Same as Challenge (5% daily, 10% total).
- Trading Days: Minimum 4 active trading days, unlimited time.
- Instant Funding: Not available—FTMO requires the 2-step evaluation.
- Benefits vs Risks: The evaluation ensures only skilled traders get funded, but the profit targets and loss limits can be tough for inconsistent traders.
- Scaling Plan
- Achieve 10% profit over 4 consecutive months (2.5% per month).
- Account size increases by 25% every 4 months (e.g., $100K to $125K).
- Scales up to $2M with a 90% profit split at higher levels.
Trading Rules & Restrictions
FTMO enforces strict rules to ensure disciplined trading:
- Max Daily Drawdown / Total Drawdown: 5% daily, 10% total on all accounts.
- News Trading: Not allowed during high-impact news for Standard/Aggressive accounts; permitted in Challenge/Verification stages.
- Weekend Holding: Allowed only on Swing accounts (leverage reduced to 1:30).
- Trading Styles Permitted: Scalping, EAs, hedging allowed; grid trading and arbitrage banned.
- Platform: MT4, MT5, cTrader—no TradingView integration.
- Broker Used: FTMO uses liquidity providers for institutional data feeds, not a third-party broker.
Payout & Withdrawals
- Payout Split: 80% to start, scales to 90% with consistent performance.
- First Payout Delay: 14 days after the first trade on a funded account.
- Withdrawal Frequency: Monthly by default, but can request payouts on demand after 14 days (up to 3 changes per cycle).
- Supported Payout Methods: Bank transfer, Skrill, cryptocurrencies—no PayPal.
- Processing Time: 1–2 business days after request.
Pricing & Refund Policy
- Cost per Challenge Size:
- $10K: €155
- $25K: €250
- $50K: €345
- $100K: €540
- $200K: €1,080
- Refund Policy: Challenge fee is refunded with the first profit split after passing.
- Hidden Costs: None reported, but cryptocurrency payments may incur network fees.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High max funding (up to $2M with scaling).
- Excellent support (24/7 live chat, email, phone).
- Good for swing traders (dedicated Swing account).
- Flexible payout schedule after 14 days.
- Wide range of instruments (Forex, crypto, stocks, indices).
Cons
- Strict rules (e.g., no news trading on funded accounts).
- High challenge fees for larger accounts.
- Not available for US traders (as of 2024).
- No TradingView integration.
- Demo-only trading (even funded accounts).
Community Feedback
FTMO has a strong reputation, with a 4.9/5 Trustpilot rating from over 22,500 reviews as of May 2025. Traders praise the firm’s transparency, fast payouts (1–2 days), and supportive tools. On forums like Reddit, users appreciate the unlimited trading period and scaling plan, though some note the challenge fees are steep. A user on Trustpilot shared, “I received my first $200K funded account and got my profit split in just 2 days—smooth process!” However, posts on X highlight mixed sentiment, with some traders calling FTMO overrated due to denied payouts despite meeting rules.
Is This Firm Worth It?
FTMO is ideal for experienced traders who can follow strict rules and want access to serious capital (up to $2M). Its 2-step evaluation, unlimited trading period, and high profit splits (up to 90%) make it a top choice for disciplined forex, crypto, and swing traders. However, beginners may struggle with the profit targets and rules, and US traders are excluded. If you’re a skilled trader ready to scale your trading with a reputable firm, FTMO is a strong contender—just be ready for their rigorous process.
If you’re ready to take your trading to the next level with a funded account, check them out below.
Rate from MMOforALL: 9/10
Start Your Challenge – Sign Up Here!
