My Honest FTMO Review (2026 — After 10 Years, Is It Still the Best?)
FTMO is the firm that invented the modern prop trading challenge model. Founded in Prague in 2015, it has paid out over $400M to funded traders, survived every major industry crisis that destroyed its competitors, and still holds the highest Trustpilot rating of any major prop firm at 4.8/5 from 39,000+ reviews. No other firm has a track record that comes close.
But track record isn't everything. FTMO is also one of the most expensive firms in its tier, doesn't offer instant funding, restricts news trading and weekend holding on normal funded accounts, and is currently not available to US traders on its global platform. If those things matter to your strategy, a cheaper or more flexible firm might serve you better.
This review gives you both sides. I've gone through FTMO's full ruleset, compared it line by line with newer competitors, and focused specifically on what's changed in 2026 — including the addition of the 1-Step challenge, the FTMO x OANDA US partnership, and the evolution of the Premium Programme toward Quantlane.
US nationals and residents cannot access FTMO's global platform (ftmo.com) due to regulatory restrictions. However, FTMO launched a dedicated US product in 2025 through a partnership with OANDA, available at ftmo.oanda.com. The US product offers both 1-Step and 2-Step challenges on MT5, with a special "Account Type US" that removes restrictions on news trading and weekend holding — giving US traders better conditions than the standard global funded account. Always check pricing at ftmo.oanda.com before purchasing.
FTMO at a Glance
FTMO was co-founded in 2015 by Marek Vašíček and Otakar Šuffner in Prague, Czech Republic. They identified a problem that defined an entire industry: skilled retail traders lacked the capital to trade at meaningful size. Their two-step evaluation model became the template that almost every prop firm launched since has copied.
What sets FTMO apart from the imitators isn't just age — it's operational stability and institutional evolution. FTMO has acquired Quantlane (a traditional quant prop firm), built its own suite of performance tools (Account MetriX, Mentor App, Trading Journal), and established a pathway for its top traders to ultimately join a real institutional trading desk through the Premium Programme's Supreme level.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2015, Prague, Czech Republic |
| Co-founders | Marek Vašíček & Otakar Šuffner |
| Max Funded Account | $200,000 (initial); up to $2,000,000 via scaling |
| Max Profit Split | 90% (standard scaling path) |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade |
| Trustpilot Score | 4.8 / 5 (39,000+ reviews) — highest in category |
| Total Payouts | $400M+ to funded traders |
| Payout Frequency | On-demand (minimum 14 days after first trade) |
| Fee Refund | With first payout (2-Step); not refunded (1-Step) |
| Free Trial | ✔ Full challenge conditions, no credit card required |
| US Global Access | ❌ Not available on ftmo.com |
| US Access via OANDA | ✔ ftmo.oanda.com — MT5 only, US account type |
| Community | 100K+ Discord, 413K YouTube subscribers, 511K Instagram |
FTMO's Challenge Options — Which One Should You Choose?
FTMO now offers four distinct challenge paths: the classic 2-Step (Normal and Aggressive risk), the newer 1-Step, and the Swing account variant. Each is designed for a different trader profile and carries meaningfully different rules at the funded stage.
2-Step Normal (Standard)
Most popular — best for most traders- Phase 1 target: 10%
- Phase 2 target: 5%
- Daily loss limit: 5% (balance-based, EOD reset)
- Max total drawdown: 10%
- Min trading days: 4 per phase
- Time limit: None
- Leverage: Up to 1:100 (forex)
- Profit split: 80% → 90% (scaling)
- Fee (e.g. $100K): ~€540 (~$591)
- Fee refund: With first payout ✔
2-Step Aggressive
Higher targets, wider limits — for bold strategies- Phase 1 target: 20%
- Phase 2 target: 10%
- Daily loss limit: 10%
- Max total drawdown: 20%
- Min trading days: 4 per phase
- Time limit: None
- Leverage: Up to 1:100 (forex)
- Profit split: 80% → 90% (scaling)
- Fee (e.g. $100K): ~€740 (~$808)
- ⚠️ Not eligible for Premium Programme
1-Step Challenge
Single phase — fastest path to funded- Profit target: 10%
- Daily loss limit: 3% (floating, recalculated daily)
- Max total drawdown: 6%
- Best Day Rule: No single day > 50% of total profit
- Min trading days: 4
- Time limit: None
- Leverage: Up to 1:100 (forex)
- Profit split: 80% → 90% (scaling)
- Fee refund: ❌ Not refunded on pass
- Note: Swing account type not available on 1-Step
2-Step Swing Account
For news traders and swing/position traders- Same targets as 2-Step Normal (10% / 5%)
- Daily loss limit: 5%
- Max total drawdown: 10%
- Leverage: Up to 1:30 (lower than standard)
- News trading: ✔ No restrictions (evaluation & funded)
- Weekend holding: ✔ Allowed (evaluation & funded)
- Overnight holding: ✔ Allowed (evaluation & funded)
- Fee: Same as 2-Step Normal
- Fee refund: With first payout ✔
- ⚠️ Must select Swing at purchase — cannot switch later
For most traders: 2-Step Normal is the best-value option — fee refund on first payout, no news restrictions during evaluation, and the most forgiving drawdown rules. If you trade around news events or hold positions overnight: 2-Step Swing is the right choice — it removes all restrictions that apply to the normal funded account. The 1-Step is faster but has tighter rules (3% daily limit, Best Day Rule) and no fee refund — only choose it if you're confident and want to skip the Verification phase. The Aggressive account is a niche choice for high-target traders — note it disqualifies you from the Premium Programme.
Account Sizes & Approximate Fees
| Account Size | 2-Step Normal (approx.) | 2-Step Swing (approx.) | 1-Step (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | ~€155 (~$170) | ~€155 (~$170) | ~€199 (~$218) |
| $25,000 | ~€250 (~$274) | ~€250 (~$274) | ~€299 (~$328) |
| $50,000 | ~€345 (~$378) | ~€345 (~$378) | ~€449 (~$492) |
| $100,000 | ~€540 (~$591) | ~€540 (~$591) | ~€699 (~$766) |
| $200,000 | ~€1,080 (~$1,183) | ~€1,080 (~$1,183) | ~€1,299 (~$1,423) |
Fees are approximate EUR figures converted to USD and subject to change. FTMO frequently runs limited-time promotions. Always verify the live price on FTMO's checkout screen before purchasing. The 2-Step Normal fee is refunded with your first payout. The 1-Step fee is not refunded.
What's the Real FTMO Pass Rate?
FTMO does not publish official pass rate data, but community-sourced estimates and independent research consistently point to challenge pass rates in the 8–15% range — significantly lower than most newer prop firms. This isn't because FTMO is unusually harsh; it's because its rules are designed to filter for genuine consistency rather than one-time performance. The unlimited time limit means most failures come from impatience and rule breaches, not insufficient skill.
| Challenge Type | Est. Pass Rate | Biggest Failure Point | Best Strategy Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Step Normal | ~10–15% | Breaching the 5% daily loss limit on a volatile day | Disciplined day traders, swing traders (evaluation only) |
| 2-Step Swing | ~12–18% | Lower leverage (1:30) reduces position sizing flexibility | News traders, fundamental traders, multi-day swing traders |
| 1-Step | ~8–12% | 3% daily limit is very tight; Best Day Rule catches momentum traders | Steady low-frequency traders with consistent daily P&L |
| 2-Step Aggressive | ~15–22% | High targets require aggressive sizing that creates emotional errors | High-conviction, short-duration traders |
Pass rate estimates are community-derived — not official FTMO data. Treat as directional guidance only.
FTMO's daily loss limit is calculated on the previous day's closing balance — not the current balance. If your balance rose to $105,000 on a $100K account, the next day's daily loss limit is still 5% of $100K ($5,000). The calculation resets at midnight CEST. Most failures happen on high-volatility days (NFP, CPI, FOMC) when traders give back intraday gains and hit the daily limit without realising how it's calculated. The Swing account removes this issue for news traders entirely.
Which FTMO Challenge Suits Your Trading Style?
| Trading Style | Best FTMO Plan | Why | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scalper | 2-Step Normal | 5% daily limit gives decent buffer; 1:100 forex leverage; no time pressure | Normal funded accounts restrict news trading — avoid major releases or upgrade to Swing |
| Day Trader | 2-Step Normal | Most balanced plan; fee refund; no consistency rules; unlimited time | Must close all positions before weekends on normal funded account |
| Swing / Overnight Trader | 2-Step Swing | Overnight and weekend holding fully permitted on funded account; no news restrictions | 1:30 leverage only — lower than 1:100 on Normal; factor into position sizing |
| News Trader | 2-Step Swing | Only FTMO plan that allows news trading on both evaluation AND funded account | Normal accounts restrict news trading at funded stage — Swing is mandatory for this style |
| Fundamental / Macro Trader | 2-Step Swing | Multi-day holding, no overnight restrictions, news access — ideal for position trading | Lower leverage and higher fee relative to newer competitors like FundedNext |
| EA / Algo Trader | 2-Step Normal or Swing | EAs permitted — must follow trading rules (no HFT, no latency arbitrage) | HFT, server-flooding, and exploitative EAs are prohibited and will result in disqualification |
| Aggressive / High Target | 2-Step Aggressive | 10% daily limit and 20% max DD give maximum headroom for larger position sizes | Disqualifies from Premium Programme; not eligible for Swing account type |
During the Challenge and Verification phases, news trading and weekend holding are both fully permitted. The restrictions only activate once you have a funded Normal account. If your strategy relies on news events or multi-day holds, you must purchase the Swing account type at checkout — you cannot switch after purchase.
How Fast Does FTMO Actually Pay?
FTMO pays on-demand — you can request a withdrawal at any point after 14 calendar days from your first trade on the funded account, provided your account is in profit and you have no open positions. Most traders report receipt within 1–2 business days of their request being approved.
| Plan | First Payout Eligibility | Frequency | Split (Base) | Split (After Scaling) | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Step Normal | 14 days after first trade | On-demand (bi-weekly cycle) | 80% | Up to 90% | ★★★★ |
| 2-Step Swing | 14 days after first trade | On-demand (bi-weekly cycle) | 80% | Up to 90% | ★★★★ |
| 1-Step | 14 days after first trade | On-demand (bi-weekly cycle) | 80% | Up to 90% | ★★★★ |
FTMO's default profit split is 80%. After your first payout, if you meet the Scaling Plan criteria (10% profit growth over a 4-month period with at least 2 profitable months), your account balance increases by 25% and your split rises to 85%, then 90% on subsequent scales. The split increase is automatic — no application required.
Payout Methods
| Method | Processing Time | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer (SWIFT) | 1–3 business days | Varies by bank | Most popular option; available in multiple currencies |
| Skrill | Same day to 1 business day | Low | Fastest fiat option; widely used by international traders |
| Cryptocurrency (USDT, BTC, ETH) | Minutes to hours | Network fee only | Fastest overall; preferred for US OANDA traders |
| Instant Visa Transfer | Minutes | Low | Available in select regions; near-instant settlement to Visa cards |
FTMO Rules — What You Actually Need to Understand
FTMO's rules are genuinely clear — their documentation is the best in the industry. But there are specific rules that consistently trip traders up, and a critical difference between what's permitted during evaluation versus on the funded account.
The News & Weekend Rule (Most Misunderstood)
During the Challenge and Verification phases, news trading and weekend holding are both fully permitted. The restrictions only activate once you have a funded Normal account. On a funded Normal account you cannot hold trades through major economic news releases, and you must close all positions before the weekend. The Swing account permanently removes both of these restrictions across evaluation and funded stages.
The 1-Step Best Day Rule
Unique to the 1-Step challenge, the Best Day Rule requires that no single trading day accounts for more than 50% of your total profit at the point you request to close the evaluation. This rule does not fail your challenge if breached — it simply means you must continue trading and build more total profit until the largest single day drops below 50% of the cumulative total. It's a soft rule, but it prevents traders from passing on a single lucky day.
Key Rules Summary
| Rule | 2-Step Normal (Eval) | 2-Step Normal (Funded) | 2-Step Swing (Both) | 1-Step (Both) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 10% / 5% | None | 10% / 5% | 10% |
| Daily Loss Limit | 5% (EOD balance) | 5% (EOD balance) | 5% (EOD balance) | 3% (floating) |
| Max Total Drawdown | 10% | 10% | 10% | 6% |
| News Trading | ✔ Allowed | ❌ Restricted | ✔ Always allowed | ✔ Eval / ❌ Funded |
| Weekend Holding | ✔ Allowed | ❌ Must close | ✔ Always allowed | ✔ Eval / ❌ Funded |
| Overnight Holding | ✔ Allowed | ❌ Restricted | ✔ Always allowed | Restricted (funded) |
| Copy Trading | ✔ own account | ✔ own account | ✔ own account | ✔ own account |
| EAs | ✔ (no HFT/arb) | ✔ (no HFT/arb) | ✔ (no HFT/arb) | ✔ (no HFT/arb) |
| Min Trading Days | 4 per phase | None | 4 per phase | 4 |
| Leverage (Forex) | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:30 | Up to 1:100 |
| Best Day Rule | ❌ None | ❌ None | ❌ None | 50% soft cap |
| Consistency Rule | ❌ None | ❌ None | ❌ None | ❌ None |
FTMO applies no consistency rule on any of its challenge types. There is no restriction on how much profit you can make on a single day relative to your total. This is one of FTMO's key advantages over Funding Pips (which has a 35–45% daily cap on certain plans) and many other newer firms. What you earn is what you keep — no daily caps, no payout restrictions based on profit distribution.
FTMO x OANDA — The US Access Route
FTMO's US offering via OANDA (ftmo.oanda.com) is a genuinely good product for US traders and, in some ways, offers better conditions than the global platform. The "Account Type US" removes the news trading and weekend holding restrictions that apply to normal global funded accounts — meaning US traders get Swing-account-level freedom without needing to pay for it separately.
| Feature | FTMO Global (ftmo.com) | FTMO x OANDA US (ftmo.oanda.com) |
|---|---|---|
| Available to US traders | ❌ | ✔ |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade | MT5 only |
| Challenge types | 1-Step, 2-Step, Swing | 1-Step, 2-Step |
| Account Type US | N/A | ✔ Applied to both 1-Step and 2-Step |
| News trading (funded) | ❌ Restricted (Normal accounts) | ✔ No restrictions |
| Weekend holding (funded) | ❌ Restricted (Normal accounts) | ✔ No restrictions |
| Fees | EUR-denominated | USD-denominated (different pricing) |
| Scaling Plan | ✔ | ✔ |
| Premium Programme | ✔ | ✔ |
| Best Day Rule (1-Step) | 50% soft cap | 50% soft cap |
The FTMO x OANDA US account type removes the news and weekend restrictions that apply to global Normal accounts. US traders on the OANDA platform effectively get Swing-account-level freedom on both the 1-Step and 2-Step products without needing to select a separate account type. If you're a US trader who previously found FTMO off-limits, the OANDA partnership makes it one of the strongest options available in 2026.
FTMO's Premium Programme — Prime, Supreme, and Quantlane
FTMO's scaling and premium structure is the most developed in the industry. Beyond the standard Scaling Plan (which increases your account size by 25% every four months), the Premium Programme offers an elite pathway for consistently profitable traders — culminating in the possibility of a real institutional trading role at Quantlane.
📈 Scaling Plan
10% profit over 4 months + 2 profitable months → +25% account size, split rises to 85% then 90%. Repeatable up to $2M allocation.
⭐ Prime Status
4 rewards on a single account at 4%+ profitability each. Unlocks: 1 free challenge, exclusive support, priority review, bonus rewards.
🏆 Supreme Status
Active $400K account, Prime for 3+ months, 3 rewards at 4%+ profitability. Unlocks: top-tier trader benefits and Quantlane assessment.
🔬 Quantlane
FTMO's acquired institutional prop trading firm. Supreme-level traders can be assessed for a real job position trading FTMO's own capital — the only genuine bridge from retail to institutional in the industry.
The Aggressive account type is not eligible for the Premium Programme. If you have any failed FTMO accounts within the last 4 months, you cannot apply for Prime Status. Merged accounts reset the reward counter. Always read the current eligibility criteria on the FTMO website before planning your pathway to Prime or Supreme.
FTMO Pros and Cons — My Honest Assessment
✔ What FTMO Gets Right
- Longest track record in the industry — 10 years, $400M+ paid out
- Highest Trustpilot rating of any major prop firm (4.8/5)
- No consistency rules on any account type
- Free trial — full challenge conditions, no credit card
- Fee refund with first payout on 2-Step (Normal & Swing)
- Swing account removes all news/weekend restrictions permanently
- US traders get excellent conditions via FTMO x OANDA
- Industry-leading analytics suite (Account MetriX, Mentor App, Journal)
- FTMO Academy — comprehensive educational resources
- 24/7 support in 20+ languages
- Institutional pathway via Premium Programme → Quantlane
- On-demand payouts with no fixed schedule
- Copy trading allowed from your own accounts
✖ What FTMO Gets Wrong
- Most expensive challenge fees in the peer group
- Normal funded accounts restrict news trading and weekend holding
- 1-Step fee is not refunded
- Swing account leverage only 1:30 vs. 1:100 on Normal
- No instant funding option
- No copy trading from other traders' accounts
- Scaling plan increments (25%) slower than FundedNext (40%)
- Max initial account capped at $200K
- Aggressive account disqualifies from Premium Programme
- US traders limited to MT5 only via OANDA
FTMO vs FundedNext — Which Is Better in 2026?
These are the two firms I'd recommend above all others for non-US traders in 2026. The choice comes down almost entirely to what you trade and how you value reliability vs. flexibility.
Choose FTMO if you…
- Want the most proven, crisis-tested firm in the industry
- Trade a disciplined strategy that doesn't rely on news events
- Value no consistency rules at any stage
- Want the best analytics tools and educational resources
- Are interested in an institutional career pathway via Quantlane
- Are a US trader and want news/weekend trading access on funded account
- Prefer on-demand payouts with no fixed schedule
Choose FundedNext if you…
- Want faster payouts (avg. ~5 hrs vs. FTMO's 1–2 days)
- Trade news events on a non-Swing challenge type
- Want a 1-Step option with a refundable fee
- Prefer 40% scale-ups over FTMO's 25%
- Want to scale to $4M (vs. FTMO's $2M ceiling)
- Are looking for the lowest possible challenge fees
- Use EAs on MT4/MT5 for automated trading
| Feature | FTMO | FundedNext |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 | 2022 |
| Trustpilot | 4.8 / 5 (39K reviews) | 4.6 / 5 (61K reviews) |
| Total Payouts | $400M+ | $158M+ |
| Max Profit Split | 90% | 95% (add-on) |
| No Consistency Rule | ✔ All plans | ✔ Stellar plans |
| News Trading (Funded) | ❌ Normal / ✔ Swing | ✔ (5-min profit rule) |
| Weekend Holding (Funded) | ❌ Normal / ✔ Swing | ✔ All plans |
| 1-Step Challenge | ✔ (fee not refunded) | ✔ (fee refunded on pass) |
| Instant Funding | ❌ | ✔ Stellar Instant |
| Avg. Payout Time | 1–2 business days | ~5 hours |
| Scale-Up Increment | 25% per cycle | 40% per cycle |
| Max Account (Scaling) | $2,000,000 | $4,000,000 |
| Free Trial | ✔ | ❌ |
| Analytics Suite | ✔ Best in class | Basic |
| Challenge Fee (e.g. $100K) | ~$591 (2-Step) | ~$549 (2-Step) |
| US Access | ✔ Via OANDA (MT5) | ✔ Via Futures platform |
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Use FTMO
FTMO is a strong fit if you are…
- A trader who prioritises reliability and payout certainty above all else
- A disciplined day trader who closes all positions before the weekend
- A swing or news trader who purchases the Swing account type
- A US trader looking for a globally recognised firm with news/weekend access (via OANDA)
- Someone who wants the best analytical tools and educational support in the industry
- A trader building toward an institutional career — the Premium Programme and Quantlane pathway are unique to FTMO
- Anyone who values a free trial before committing challenge fees
FTMO is probably not the right fit if you are…
- A budget trader — FTMO's fees are among the highest in the category
- Someone who wants instant funding — FTMO has no skip-evaluation product
- A trader who needs the fastest possible payouts — FundedNext's ~5 hours vs FTMO's 1–2 days
- Someone using copy signals from other traders' accounts — this is not permitted
- A trader who wants to scale faster than 25% per 4-month cycle
- A US trader who needs platforms beyond MT5 — OANDA only supports MT5
FTI Verdict
FTMO is the most proven prop firm in the world. Ten years of operation, $400M+ paid to traders, the highest Trustpilot score in the category, and an institutional pathway that no competitor has replicated — these things are not marketing claims, they're a verifiable record. When industry crises wiped out firms like MyForexFunds, FTMO kept paying without interruption.
The firm's weaknesses are real but structural: it's expensive, doesn't offer instant funding, and the normal funded account's news and weekend restrictions catch traders out. The solution to the last two is to purchase the Swing account — but that costs the same and trades with lower leverage, which is a meaningful trade-off.
If you are serious about funded trading as a long-term pursuit — not just passing a challenge — FTMO is the firm I would build around. The analytics, education, community, and Premium Programme pathway create an ecosystem no newer firm can match yet. For US traders in particular, the OANDA partnership makes this the most compelling option in 2026.
FTMO FAQ
Is FTMO legit?
Yes. FTMO is a Czech-registered company that has operated since 2015, paid out over $400M to funded traders, and holds a 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from 39,000+ reviews — the highest of any major prop firm. It survived the 2023 industry crisis that collapsed MyForexFunds and continues to operate profitably. It is widely regarded as the most trustworthy prop firm in the category.
Can US traders use FTMO?
US nationals and residents cannot access FTMO's global platform at ftmo.com. However, FTMO launched a dedicated US product in 2025 in partnership with OANDA, accessible at ftmo.oanda.com. The US product offers 1-Step and 2-Step challenges on MT5, with an "Account Type US" that removes news trading and weekend holding restrictions on funded accounts.
What is the daily loss limit and how is it calculated?
FTMO's daily loss limit is 5% of your initial account balance on the 2-Step Normal and Swing accounts (e.g. $5,000 on a $100K account). On the 1-Step, it is 3% and is calculated as a floating limit recalculated each midnight CEST. For the 2-Step, the daily limit is fixed as 5% of initial balance — it does not decrease if your balance rises. The limit includes both realised losses and floating open losses at the time of calculation.
Is the FTMO challenge fee refunded?
For the 2-Step Normal and Swing accounts, your challenge fee is refunded with your first reward withdrawal after passing both phases and reaching a funded account. For the 1-Step, the challenge fee is not refunded. There are no recurring fees — the one-time challenge fee covers both phases of the 2-Step evaluation.
Can I trade news on FTMO?
During the Challenge and Verification phases, news trading is unrestricted on all account types. On funded accounts, news trading is restricted on the Normal account type but fully permitted on the Swing account. US traders on the OANDA platform have no news restrictions at any stage. If news trading is core to your strategy, purchase the Swing account at checkout — you cannot change account types after purchase.
What is the FTMO Free Trial?
The FTMO Free Trial is a no-cost account that replicates full challenge conditions — same profit targets, same drawdown rules, same platforms. No credit card required. It's the best free evaluation tool available at any prop firm and a strong reason to start with FTMO before purchasing any challenge.
What is the FTMO Premium Programme?
The Premium Programme is a two-tier elite system for FTMO's top-performing traders. Prime Status requires four rewards on a single account at 4%+ profitability each. Supreme Status requires a $400K account configuration and active Prime participation. The ultimate goal is a potential assessment for a real trading role at Quantlane — making FTMO the only prop firm with a genuine bridge from retail to institutional trading.
How does the FTMO Scaling Plan work?
The Scaling Plan reviews your performance every four months. If you achieve 10% profit growth during that period with at least two profitable months, your account balance increases by 25% and your profit split moves from 80% to 85% on the next scale, then 90% thereafter. There's no limit on how many times you can scale — the practical maximum allocation reaches $2,000,000. Scaling is handled automatically during the reward withdrawal process when eligibility is confirmed.