Funded Trading Plus vs Instant Funding: Which Should You Pick From the Merged Group in 2026?

Funded Trading Plus vs Instant Funding: Which Should You Pick From the Merged Group in 2026?

Two UK-based prop firms. Same group structure now. Two genuinely different products.

In May 2026, Instant Funding officially acquired Funded Trading Plus in a seven-figure deal — bringing two of the more established UK prop firms under a single group. We covered the acquisition in detail in our breakdown of the deal. Both brands continue operating independently, with separate platforms, separate rules, separate payout cycles, and separate customer-facing experiences. What changes happens behind the scenes — shared technology, operational infrastructure, and strategic investment across the group.

For traders trying to figure out which of the two firms is the right one to use, the merger is mostly noise. The practical question is the same it was before: which firm structurally suits how you trade? Funded Trading Plus has built around traditional evaluation challenges with strong scaling pathways and explicit news-trading permission. Instant Funding has built around immediate funded access without evaluation phases.

This post answers the post-merger question: which one should you actually pick? Here's the honest head-to-head.

TL;DR – FTP vs Instant Funding at a Glance

• Choose Funded Trading Plus if you want traditional evaluation challenges with strong scaling (up to 100% profit split), no time limits, news trading at every stage, and the larger cumulative payout track record ($19.5M+ across 60K+ traders since 2021).
• Choose Instant Funding if you want immediate funded access without evaluation phases, 1:100 leverage, scaling to $3.82M, and the distinctive Instant Funding model with no daily drawdown on the flagship product.
• Many traders can use both — Instant Funding for fast access and capital deployment, FTP for traditional evaluation paths and long-term scaling. Diversifying across both within the same group structure is structurally interesting.

Company Overview

Funded Trading Plus is a UK firm registered in December 2021 under the name Funded Trading Plus Ltd, headquartered at 7 Bell Yard, London. CEO Simon Massey has positioned the firm around the "5-Star Promise" — a customer-first approach focused on fairness, transparency, and trader-friendly rules. FTP reports $19.5M+ paid out across 60K+ traders in 180+ countries as of mid-2026, with a Trustpilot rating of Excellent. The firm operates multiple challenge formats — 1-Step Express, 2-Step Classic, Instant Funding, and the Master Trader Program for higher tiers.

Instant Funding is operated by Acello Ltd, a UK company registered at 30 Old Bailey, London. Founded in June 2022 by CEO Lewis Mansbridge, the firm has been built specifically around the instant-funding model — bypassing evaluation phases and providing immediate funded access. Instant Funding has paid out $8.5M+ across nearly 10,000 payouts, supports 25,000+ active traders across 180+ countries, and operates multiple funding models (Single-Phase, Two-Phase, Instant Funding) alongside its flagship instant-access product.

Both firms are now part of the same group following the May 2026 acquisition, but they continue operating as distinct brands with separate operations, separate products, and separate trader-facing experiences.

💡 Why this matters: The acquisition consolidated two firms with genuinely complementary positioning — one focused on evaluation-based challenges with strong scaling (FTP), the other focused on instant funding access (Instant Funding). The group structure means resources can be shared without forcing the firms to compete with each other directly. For broader context on the deal, see our Instant Funding acquires Funded Trading Plus post.

Challenge Programs Compared

The two firms approach the product menu very differently — which is the structural reason the merger makes sense rather than being competitive.

Funded Trading Plus product menu:

• 1-Step Express Challenge — single-phase evaluation, fast pathway to funded
• 2-Step Classic Challenge — traditional two-phase format with 35% consistency rule during challenge
• Instant Funding (FTP version) — immediate access at FTP, trailing drawdown structure
• Master Trader Program — advanced tier for larger accounts up to $4,500 entry fee

Instant Funding product menu:

• Instant Funding (flagship) — immediate funded access, no profit target, no daily drawdown, 1:100 leverage, scaling to $3.82M
• Single-Phase Challenge — one-phase evaluation route
• Two-Phase Challenge — traditional two-phase evaluation

The differentiation is meaningful. FTP offers the broader traditional product menu (evaluation-focused, with scaling progression up to 100% profit split through milestones). Instant Funding's product menu is narrower but built around the instant-funding specialism — particularly the flagship product with no daily drawdown and 1:100 leverage that genuinely differentiates it from FTP's instant funding option.

The overlap is on the instant funding side — both firms offer an Instant Funding product, but with different specs and rules. For traders wanting instant access specifically, comparing FTP's Instant Funding vs Instant Funding's flagship Instant product is the most direct comparison within the merged group.

Evaluation Rules and Drawdown

FTP Rules Structure

FTP applies traditional evaluation rules on the 1-Step Express and 2-Step Classic challenges:

• Profit targets: 10% on 1-Step, structured profit targets on 2-Step Classic
• Daily drawdown: Strict 3% daily drawdown on most products
• Maximum overall drawdown: Static on challenge phases, trailing on Instant Funding and 1-Step
• Time limits: None — take as long as you need to pass
• Minimum trading days: Required on 2-Step Classic, more flexible on Instant
• Consistency rule: 35% on 2-Step Classic during challenge phase

The 3% daily drawdown is notably tighter than most firms' 5% daily limits — FTP rewards conservative position management and penalises larger drawdowns harder than most competitors.

Instant Funding Rules Structure

Instant Funding's flagship Instant product is structurally different:

• No profit target on the Instant model (the flagship feature — you keep what you earn, no evaluation gate)
• No daily drawdown on the flagship Instant product — only an overall 10% "Smart Drawdown" limit
• 1:100 leverage — higher than most prop firms (FTP runs lower leverage on most products)
• Maximum overall drawdown: 10% Smart Drawdown structure
• Time limits: None
• Minimum trading days: None on Instant model

The "no daily drawdown" rule on the flagship Instant Funding product is genuinely distinctive in the prop firm industry — almost every competitor enforces some form of daily loss limit. Removing it gives experienced traders more flexibility to manage volatility, larger position sizes within session limits, and aggressive recovery from intraday losses.

Which approach suits you?

FTP's traditional structure is the right fit for traders who want to prove their performance through structured evaluation before getting funded — particularly those whose strategies benefit from the no-time-limit / news-permission framework. The tighter 3% daily drawdown demands disciplined position management, which the right trader profiles handle well.

Instant Funding's flagship structure suits experienced traders who want immediate capital deployment and are comfortable trading without the daily-drawdown circuit breaker. The 1:100 leverage and no-daily-loss structure is genuinely powerful for traders who can self-manage risk — and genuinely dangerous for traders who can't.

For more on how drawdown structure matters, see our trailing drawdown in prop firms guide.

Profit Splits and Scaling

This is one of the cleanest differences between the two firms.

FTP Profit Splits and Scaling

FTP starts at 80% profit split, scaling to 90% at 20% profit growth on the funded account, then to 100% at 30% profit growth. The path to 100% is structurally explicit — hit the milestone, get the higher split. No add-ons required to access the higher tiers.

For traders who can compound returns sustainably, this is one of the cleaner scaling structures in the industry — the path to 100% is rule-based rather than discretionary, and the milestones are clearly published.

Instant Funding Profit Splits and Scaling

Instant Funding's flagship Instant product starts at 80% profit split, scaling to 90% as you scale up through the program. The scaling pathway reaches $3.82M in maximum allocation — significantly larger than most prop firms in the mid-tier space and competitive with the largest established firms.

The 90% ceiling is meaningful, but FTP's 100% ceiling is higher. For traders specifically chasing the largest possible profit split, FTP has the structural edge. For traders prioritising larger funded capital, Instant Funding's $3.82M cap is genuinely strong.

How they actually compare

FTP wins on: higher profit split ceiling (100% vs 90%), explicit milestone-based progression, no add-on required for highest splits.

Instant Funding wins on: larger funded capital ceiling ($3.82M vs FTP's typical $400K-$1M scaling), structurally distinctive product (no daily drawdown on Instant).

These are different bets. FTP scales the profit split percentage; Instant Funding scales the underlying capital. For most traders, the right choice depends on whether you're trying to maximise per-dollar economics (FTP's 100% split) or maximise total funded capital exposure (Instant Funding's $3.82M).

For broader context on multi-firm scaling strategies, see our multi-firm prop trading portfolio guide.

News Trading

This is where FTP has a structural advantage that's genuinely rare.

FTP permits news trading at every stage — including the funded account, on every product type. No red-folder windows. No profit deductions for news-related gains. No restrictions on holding through high-impact events. For news traders specifically, FTP is one of the most accommodating firms in the entire industry.

This is genuinely uncommon. Most firms apply some form of news restriction (2-5 minute windows, profit caps, full prohibitions). FTP's "trade through any news" approach is structurally rare and meaningful for traders whose edge sits around major economic events.

Instant Funding applies more standard news restrictions on its evaluation products, with the specifics varying by program. Worth checking the specific Instant Funding product you're considering for the exact news policy.

For news traders, FTP is the clearer choice within the merged group. For broader context, see our best prop firms for news traders post.

Pricing

Both firms operate at similar mid-tier price points, with different positioning.

FTP pricing runs from approximately $119 for the 1-Step Express Challenge at smaller account sizes, up to $4,500 for the Master Trader Program at larger Instant Funding accounts. The firm runs scaling promotions and has been progressively expanding its pricing flexibility through 2025-2026.

Instant Funding pricing runs similarly through the mid-tier range, with the Instant flagship product priced higher than evaluation products (paying for the immediate access). Promotional codes are regularly available, including the FUNDING10 10% discount referenced in third-party reviews.

For traders specifically tracking active discounts on either firm, see our verified prop firm discount codes page — including current PFC-exclusive deals.

Platforms and Asset Coverage

Both firms operate on similar platform infrastructure.

FTP supports MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and DXTrade. Asset coverage includes forex, indices, commodities, metals, and cryptocurrency.

Instant Funding supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView Pro integration. Asset coverage spans forex, indices, commodities, metals, cryptocurrency, and the same broader retail-focused product range.

Both firms cover the standard prop trading asset menu. The platform difference is meaningful — FTP has cTrader (FTP's advantage for traders attached to cTrader's order book) while Instant Funding has MT4 (still relevant for some traders despite MT4 being increasingly rare).

For deeper coverage by asset class, see our forex, indices, crypto, and commodities firm comparison pages.

Payouts

This is the other area where the two firms genuinely differ.

FTP payouts operate on bi-weekly cycles (every 10 calendar days on 2-Step Classic) — moving to weekly cycles at higher profit split tiers (90%+ accounts get faster payouts). Processing is fast — typically within 1-3 days of approval.

Instant Funding payouts offer the genuinely distinctive feature: on-demand payouts on challenge accounts — withdrawing whenever you want rather than waiting for cycles. This is structurally rare in the industry. Funded accounts then move to weekly cycles after the initial period.

For traders prioritising fast cash flow: Instant Funding's on-demand challenge payouts are unique. For traders preferring scheduled cycles: FTP's bi-weekly/weekly progression suits traders building predictable income streams.

For broader context on the payout mechanics, see our how prop firm payouts work guide.

Trust and Track Record

Worth being precise about the operational differences.

FTP has the longer track record and larger payout volume — $19.5M+ paid across 60K+ traders since 2021. The Trustpilot rating of "Excellent" with substantial review volume is one of the cleaner trust signals in the UK prop firm space. The firm's "5-Star Promise" customer-first positioning has produced consistent operational reliability over the past four-plus years.

Instant Funding has a smaller but legitimate track record — $8.5M+ paid across ~10,000 payouts since June 2022. The firm has nearly four years of operations, sub-10K confirmed payouts (rather than tens of thousands), but a clear pattern of consistent operations. The May 2026 acquisition of FTP demonstrates the firm has the financial and operational scale to execute material M&A activity.

For traders prioritising scale of verified payout track record, FTP has the clear edge. For traders prioritising the firm that just acquired its competitor, Instant Funding is now the parent operator in the group — meaningful operational signal in its own right.

For broader context on assessing firm trust signals, see our prop firm red flags guide.

Pros & Cons

FTP — Pros

• $19.5M+ paid out across 60K+ traders — verifiable larger track record
• Trustpilot Excellent rating with substantial review volume
• Up to 100% profit split (highest in the merged group)
• News trading permitted at every stage — genuinely uncommon
• Multiple challenge formats including 1-Step Express, 2-Step Classic, and Master Trader
• No time limits on any product
• Clear milestone-based scaling to 100% split
• cTrader support alongside MT5

FTP — Cons

• Tighter 3% daily drawdown than most firms (5% is industry norm)
• 35% consistency rule on 2-Step Classic during challenge phase
• Trailing drawdown on Instant Funding and 1-Step products (less forgiving than balance-based)
• Smaller maximum funded capital than Instant Funding's $3.82M ceiling

Instant Funding — Pros

• No daily drawdown on flagship Instant Funding product (industry-distinctive)
• 1:100 leverage on flagship product (higher than most prop firms)
• Scaling to $3.82M — among the largest in the industry
• On-demand payouts on challenge accounts — structurally rare flexibility
• MT4 support — increasingly rare in the modern prop firm space
• No time limits on standard products

Instant Funding — Cons

• Smaller cumulative payout volume ($8.5M vs FTP's $19.5M)
• Lower profit split ceiling (90% vs FTP's 100%)
• News restrictions more standard than FTP's "trade through anything" approach
• No cTrader support
• Smaller trader base than FTP overall

Who Each Firm Suits Best

Funded Trading Plus is the better choice if you...

• Want traditional evaluation challenges with clear milestone-based scaling
• Prioritise the higher profit split ceiling (100% vs 90%)
• Run news trading strategies — FTP's "trade through anything" approach is structurally rare
• Trade strategies requiring cTrader specifically
• Value the larger verified payout track record
• Are willing to operate within tighter 3% daily drawdown
• Want the 5-Star Promise customer-first operational ethos

Instant Funding is the better choice if you...

• Want immediate funded access without evaluation phases
• Value the no-daily-drawdown flagship Instant product (genuinely distinctive)
• Prioritise higher leverage (1:100 on Instant flagship)
• Want scaling to $3.82M in funded capital (significantly larger than FTP's typical ceiling)
• Need MT4 specifically as your platform
• Want on-demand payouts on challenge accounts
• Are an experienced trader confident managing without daily drawdown circuit-breakers

Final Verdict – FTP vs Instant Funding

Neither firm is objectively better. They serve different trader profiles, which is precisely why their merger makes operational sense rather than being a competitive issue.

FTP wins on: larger payout track record ($19.5M+ vs Instant Funding's $8.5M+), higher profit split ceiling (100% vs 90%), explicit news permission at every stage, broader product menu, and milestone-based scaling progression.

Instant Funding wins on: distinctive flagship product (no daily drawdown, 1:100 leverage), larger maximum funded capital ($3.82M vs FTP's typical scaling), on-demand challenge payouts, and the structural innovation of bypassing evaluation entirely.

The merger context matters. Both firms now sit under the same group, which means using both gives you operational diversification within a single corporate structure. For traders building multi-firm portfolios — see our framework here — this isn't quite the same as diversifying across genuinely separate operators, but it's still a structurally interesting combination.

Most traders should pick based on the structural fit rather than the merger context. If you're a news trader, run traditional evaluation strategies, or want 100% split scaling — FTP. If you're an experienced trader wanting immediate capital deployment without daily-drawdown constraints — Instant Funding.

For traders running multi-firm portfolios across the broader industry, the FTP+Instant Funding combination can sit alongside firms outside the group (FTMO, FundedNext, E8 Markets, or others) as part of the broader diversification approach.

For more on the broader UK prop firm landscape, see our comparisons of FundedNext vs The5ers, E8 Markets vs Maven Trading, and the broader mid-year 2026 industry review.

Compare More Prop Firms

If you want to weigh either firm against the wider field, head over to Prop Firms Compared and filter by:

• Account size — from $5K, $10K, $25K, $50K, $100K, up to $200K
• Number of evaluation steps — Instant, 1-step, 2-step, or 3-step
• Asset class — forex, futures, indices, crypto, or commodities

Or check the latest verified prop firm discount codes — including current offers on both firms.

FAQs – Funded Trading Plus vs Instant Funding

Are Funded Trading Plus and Instant Funding the same company now?

Same group, separate brands. Instant Funding acquired Funded Trading Plus in May 2026 in a seven-figure deal. Both firms continue operating as independent brands with separate platforms, products, rules, and trader-facing operations. Behind the scenes, the group shares technology, infrastructure, and strategic investment. See our acquisition coverage for the full deal context.

Which firm pays out more reliably?

Both firms have multi-year operational histories and verified payout track records. FTP has the larger cumulative volume ($19.5M+ vs Instant Funding's $8.5M+), reflecting its longer operation and larger trader base. Both pay reliably; FTP has more accumulated track record.

Which firm has a higher profit split?

FTP — up to 100% profit split through milestone scaling. Instant Funding caps at 90%. Both start at 80%.

Does FTP really allow news trading?

Yes — across every product type, at every stage including the funded account. This is one of FTP's strongest structural differentiators in the broader prop firm industry, where most firms apply some form of news restriction. See our news traders firm guide for more context.

Does Instant Funding really have no daily drawdown?

On the flagship Instant Funding product, yes. No daily drawdown circuit breaker — only the 10% Smart Drawdown overall limit. This is structurally distinctive in the industry. Other Instant Funding products (Single-Phase, Two-Phase) apply more standard rule structures.

Which firm has higher leverage?

Instant Funding — 1:100 leverage on the flagship Instant product. FTP runs lower leverage on most products, prioritising risk management over leverage scaling.

Which firm scales to larger funded capital?

Instant Funding — up to $3.82M maximum allocation. FTP scales to typical $400K-$1M ceiling depending on the product. For traders prioritising larger funded capital, Instant Funding has the clear edge.

Are these firms good for beginners?

Both are workable, but with different beginner profiles. FTP suits beginners wanting traditional evaluation paths with clear milestone-based scaling. Instant Funding's flagship Instant product is generally better-suited to experienced traders comfortable trading without daily-drawdown circuit breakers. For broader context, see our best prop firms for beginners post.

Can I use both firms in a multi-firm portfolio?

Yes — and it makes structural sense given they serve different purposes. FTP for traditional evaluation challenges and 100% scaling; Instant Funding for immediate capital deployment with the no-daily-drawdown flagship product. Worth noting that both firms now sit under the same group, so the diversification is brand-level rather than fully separate-operator. For broader context, see our multi-firm portfolio guide.

Which firm has better platform support?

Both support modern platforms. FTP — MT5, cTrader, DXTrade. Instant Funding — MT4, MT5, TradingView Pro. Each has unique platform strengths (FTP's cTrader vs Instant Funding's MT4).

Should I use FTP or Instant Funding?

It depends on your trading approach. Choose FTP for traditional evaluation challenges with strong scaling, news permission, and 100% profit split ceiling. Choose Instant Funding for immediate funded access, no-daily-drawdown flexibility, 1:100 leverage, and scaling to $3.82M. The merged group structure means using both is operationally workable if your strategies suit different product types.

Last updated: 3 June 2026. Rules, pricing, and challenge structures change frequently in the prop firm industry. Always verify current details on the official firm websites or via our live comparison tool before purchasing.

Risk disclaimer: Trading involves substantial risk of loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice.