FTMO vs Funded Trading Plus: The 2026 Prop Firm Showdown
Choosing between FTMO and Funded Trading Plus isn't just about brand reputation or payout headlines. The real differences show up in the fine print: drawdown math, challenge costs, payout timing, and the subtle rules that can make or break your edge. Below, you'll find a detailed, data-backed comparison—plus the trade-offs most traders miss.
FTMO vs Funded Trading Plus: Key Features Side-by-Side
| Feature | FTMO | Funded Trading Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Firm Rating (2026) | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Profit Split | 80/20 → 90/10 | 80/20 → 100% |
| Account Sizes | $10K, $25K, $50K, $100K, $200K | $5K, $12.5K, $25K, $50K, $100K, $200K |
| Challenge Cost | $155 - $1,080 | $119 - $999 |
| Profit Target | 10% (Phase 1 & 2) | 10% |
| Max Drawdown | 10% (hard), 5% daily | 6% (trailing), 4% daily |
| Leverage | 1:100 | 1:30 |
| Min Trading Days | 4 | 0 |
| Trading Period (Challenge) | 30 days (Phase 1), 60 days (Phase 2) | Unlimited |
| Scaling Plan | Up to $2M (after 4 months profitable) | Up to $2.5M (standard), $5.25M (Premium) |
| Payout Speed | Monthly, reliable | From Day 0 or Day 1 |
| Instruments | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Stocks | Forex, Crypto, Indices, Commodities |
| News Trading, Weekend Holding, EA | Allowed (no swing trading during news) | Allowed (weekend auto-close on some programs) |
| Platform | MT4, MT5, cTrader | MT4, MT5 |
| US Traders | Accepted | Restricted |
For a granular, filterable breakdown, try our side-by-side comparison tool.
Challenge Structure & Evaluation Rules
FTMO: Traditional, Two-Phase, Time-Limited
FTMO runs a classic two-phase evaluation:
- Phase 1: Hit a 10% profit target in 30 days, without exceeding a 5% daily or 10% overall drawdown. At least 4 trading days required.
- Phase 2: Same 10% drawdown rules, but 10% profit target in 60 days. Still a 4-day minimum.
- Free Retake: If you hit the profit target but not in time, you can try again for free.
This structure rewards consistency and time management, but can feel tight if you hit a drawdown early or trade infrequently.
Funded Trading Plus: Flexible, Time-Unlimited, Instant Funding
- Standard Challenge: 10% profit target, 4% daily and 6% trailing drawdown.
- Unlimited Time: No deadline to hit your target. No minimum trading days—pass in one trade if you want.
- Instant Funding: Skip the challenge for a higher fee (but stricter rules and lower leverage).
The unlimited time is a real edge for swing and position traders, or those with day jobs. But the trailing drawdown (see below) is more restrictive than FTMO’s hard stop.
Drawdown Rules: The Real Risk Constraint
FTMO: Hard 10% Max, 5% Daily
FTMO uses a hard max drawdown of 10% and a daily max of 5%. For a $100,000 account, that means you can’t be down more than $5,000 in equity or balance during any day, and never more than $10,000 overall. The limit is fixed—withdrawals don’t shrink your available room.
Funded Trading Plus: 6% Trailing, 4% Daily
Funded Trading Plus employs a 6% trailing drawdown and a 4% daily max. The trailing drawdown follows your peak balance. So if you grow a $100,000 account to $110,000, your max loss threshold rises to $103,400 (110,000 - 6%), but after a withdrawal, it resets to your new balance. This means aggressive withdrawals can back you into a corner.
Profit Split & Payouts
FTMO: 80/20 to 90/10, Reliable Monthly Payouts
FTMO starts with an 80/20 split (you keep 80%), scaling to 90/10 after meeting certain milestones. Payouts are monthly, with a strong reputation for reliability and on-time payments. No instant payouts—but you can request withdrawals every month, and FTMO has a long track record of honoring them.
Funded Trading Plus: 80/20 to 100%, Early & Flexible Payouts
Funded Trading Plus starts at 80/20, but can go up to a true 100% split—meaning you keep all profits above the fee. Payouts are available from Day 0 or Day 1 on most programs, so you don’t have to wait weeks or months to access your profits. However, remember that every withdrawal resets your trailing drawdown, which can limit future risk-taking.
Scaling Plans: How Big Can You Go?
FTMO: Up to $2M, Stepwise Growth
- After 4 months of profitable trading, you can request to scale up your account. The max is $2 million.
- Scaling is gradual and requires consistent performance.
Funded Trading Plus: Up to $2.5M ($5.25M Premium), Milestone-Based
- Scale up with each 10% profit milestone.
- Standard plans go up to $2.5M, Premium plans reach $5.25M—the highest available from a major firm in 2026.
In theory, Funded Trading Plus offers the largest potential capital base, but the trailing drawdown and payout resets mean you’ll need to manage risk and withdrawals carefully to keep compounding.
Costs & Value for Money
| Account Size | FTMO Challenge Fee | Funded Trading Plus Challenge Fee |
|---|---|---|
| $10K | $155 | $119 |
| $25K | $250 | $219 |
| $50K | $345 | $379 |
| $100K | $655 | $599 |
| $200K | $1,080 | $999 |
Funded Trading Plus is generally cheaper at the entry level and for larger accounts. However, consider the stricter drawdown and lower leverage—passing may be harder than the price suggests.
Instruments, Trading Styles, and Platform Access
- FTMO: Offers Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, and Stocks. You can use MT4, MT5, or cTrader. All major trading styles (manual, EA, news trading, weekend holding) allowed, but swing trading during news is not permitted.
- Funded Trading Plus: Offers Forex, Indices, Commodities, and Crypto (no stocks). MT4 and MT5 only. News trading, weekend holding, and EAs allowed, but hedging and grid trading are prohibited. Some programs require auto-close on weekends.
If you trade stocks, FTMO is your only option. For pure FX/indices/commodities, both are viable—but Funded Trading Plus restricts certain advanced strategies.
Payout Speed, Reliability, and Withdrawal Rules
- FTMO: Pays monthly, with a strong reputation for reliability. No payout restrictions or delays after passing the challenge.
- Funded Trading Plus: Payouts available from Day 0 or 1—much faster. But each withdrawal resets your trailing drawdown to the new balance, which can make future trading riskier.
For traders who want to withdraw profits frequently, Funded Trading Plus is more flexible—but you’ll need to adjust your risk management after each payout.
Who Should Choose FTMO?
- You want the industry gold standard: FTMO has the highest trust rating (4.8/5), the longest track record, and the best educational resources.
- You need higher leverage: 1:100 lets you size positions more flexibly, especially if you scalp or day trade.
- You trade stocks: FTMO is one of the few major firms to offer stock CFDs.
- You want a hard stop on risk: The 10% hard drawdown is more forgiving than a trailing threshold, especially if you plan to compound profits or take infrequent payouts.
- You value structured progression: The two-phase challenge and scaling plan suit traders who thrive with clear milestones.
- You live in the US: FTMO accepts US traders; Funded Trading Plus does not.
Who Should Choose Funded Trading Plus?
- You want flexible timing: No minimum trading days and unlimited challenge time mean you can pass at your own pace—ideal for swing traders or those with other commitments.
- You prioritize instant payouts: Access profits from Day 0 or Day 1, a rare feature among major firms.
- You’re aiming for maximum profit split: Scaling to 100% means you keep every dollar after fees, potentially maximizing your income.
- You plan to scale big and fast: The $5.25M Premium track is the largest available, though it requires careful risk management.
- You want lower upfront costs: Entry fees are lower for most account sizes, but see our warning above about rule strictness.
- You trade FX, indices, or commodities only: No stocks, but all major liquid markets are covered.
Non-Obvious Trade-Offs: What Marketing Doesn’t Tell You
- Trailing drawdown can trap you: At Funded Trading Plus, every withdrawal lowers your loss buffer. Taking frequent payouts can leave you with little room for error—especially after a string of wins.
- Leverage limits position sizing: 1:30 leverage at Funded Trading Plus means you’ll need more margin per trade. This can force you to trade smaller, especially on larger accounts or volatile instruments.
- Weekend auto-close (FTP): Some Funded Trading Plus programs close all trades automatically before weekends, which can disrupt certain swing or carry strategies.
- Evaluation pressure (FTMO): FTMO’s 30/60-day challenge windows mean you must perform on a deadline. A bad week can cost you the fee, even if your strategy is profitable long-term.
- Strategy restrictions: Funded Trading Plus bans grid and some hedging strategies. If your edge depends on these, FTMO is safer.
- No US traders (FTP): If you’re based in the US, Funded Trading Plus is off-limits.
Bottom Line: Which Prop Firm Fits Your Trading Style?
Both FTMO and Funded Trading Plus are top-tier, but your choice should hinge on how you trade, how you manage risk, and what you value most in a prop firm. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- Choose FTMO if: You want a forgiving risk structure, higher leverage, structured (but time-limited) challenges, and the industry’s best reputation.
- Choose Funded Trading Plus if: You need unlimited time, instant payouts, and the highest possible scaling—if you can manage the trailing drawdown and lower leverage.
Still not sure? Use our side-by-side comparison tool to filter by your exact needs, or read our detailed FTMO review and Funded Trading Plus review for deeper dives into each firm’s rules and trader health grades.