FTMO Prop Firm Review – What You Need to Know in 2025
FTMO, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, is a leading proprietary trading firm offering virtual funded accounts from $10,000 to $200,000, scalable to $2 million. Renowned for its robust evaluation process, up to 90% profit splits, and support for forex, indices, commodities, stocks, and crypto, FTMO has funded over 200,000 traders and paid out over $200 million.
FTMO Best suited for:
- Beginners: Educational resources and free trials for evaluation.
- Intermediate traders: Structured evaluations and performance coaching.
- Experienced traders: High profit splits and scaling opportunities.
- Scalpers and swing traders: Flexible trading conditions with multiple platforms.
Pros & Cons of FTMO
Pros
High Profit Splits: Up to 90% for funded traders, with 10% from evaluation profits.- Established Reputation: Over 10 years, 4.9/5 Trustpilot rating from 12,000+ reviews.
- Flexible Evaluations: 1-step or 2-step challenges with no strict time limits.
- Wide Asset Range: Forex, indices, commodities, stocks, and crypto.
- Multiple Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, DXtrade.
- Comprehensive Support: Performance coaching, trading journal, and educational app.
Cons
Weekend trading not available on most accounts:- Payout timelines may vary based on verification speed:
How Does FTMO Work? (Step-by-Step Guide)
- Choose an account size & challenge type: 1-step (Swing) or 2-step ($10,000-$200,000).
- Pass the evaluation: 10% profit target for 1-step
- 10% then 5% for 2-step.
- Get funded: Trade a demo account with real profit potential.
- Profit splits & payouts: Up to 90% profit split, paid bi-weekly or on-demand.
FTMO Account Types & Funding Options
- Account sizes: $10,000 to $200,000, scalable to $2 million. Funding models: o 1-step evaluation (Swing, 10% profit target, 35 trading days). o 2-step evaluation (10% then 5% profit targets, 10-60 days). Profit splits: 80% default, up to 90% with scaling. Challenge fees: $155-$1,080, non-refundable
- free trial available.:
Profit Targets & Payouts
- Profit targets: 10% for 1-step
- 10% then 5% for 2-step.
- Payouts: Via bank transfer, crypto, or Deel, processed within 48 hours.
- Payout frequency: Bi-weekly standard, on-demand after first payout.
- Maximum drawdown: 10%-20% overall (account type dependent).
- Daily drawdown limit: 5% of starting equity or balance, whichever is higher.
- Comparison: FTMO’s 5% daily drawdown aligns with The 5%ers and For Traders but is stricter than Topstep (2%-4%).
Leverage & Trading Conditions
- Leverage: Up to 1:100 for forex, 1:50 for indices, 1:20 for crypto and stocks.
- Lot size restrictions: None, but must adhere to consistency and risk rules.
Allowed & Restricted Trading Strategies
Allowed Trading Strategies
- Scalping: Short-term trades on small price movements.
- Swing Trading: Holding positions for days or weeks.
- Overnight/Weekend Trading: Allowed for funded accounts, restricted during evaluations.
- Expert Advisors (EAs): Supported across all platforms.
- Copy Trading: Permitted within own accounts.
Restricted Trading Strategies
- News Trading: Prohibited 2 minutes before/after high-impact news during evaluations.
- Arbitrage Trading: Exploiting price discrepancies or glitches.
- High-Frequency Trading (HFT): Trades measured in seconds.
- Hedging Across Accounts: Coordinating trades between accounts.
- Inconsistent Trading: Large position sizes or erratic strategies flagged.
How Long Does It Take to Get Funded by FTMO?
- Challenge duration: 4-35 days for 1-step, 10-60 days for 2-step, with extensions available.
- Evaluation speed: 1-step can be completed in days
- 2-step takes 2-4 weeks.
- User experiences: Traders praise fast funding and clear rules, though strict evaluations challenge beginners.
How Long Has FTMO Been Around?
FTMO has been operating since 2014, with over a decade of experience, funding 200,000+ traders, and paying out $200 million. Its longevity and high Trustpilot score make it a trusted industry leader.
Who Owns FTMO? (Founder & Company Background)
Founder(s): Otakar Suffner and Marek Vasicek, former traders. Company headquarters: Prague, Czech Republic. Mission & vision: To identify and fund talented traders with disciplined strategies, providing capital and professional support. Regulatory status: Unregulated as a prop firm, uses licensed brokers for execution, emphasizing transparency.
What Can You Trade with FTMO? (Supported Markets & Assets)
Markets offered: Forex, indices, commodities, stocks, cryptocurrencies. Forex pairs: Major, minor, and exotic pairs (e.g., EUR/USD, USD/JPY). Indices & commodities: S&P 500, NASDAQ, gold, oil. Crypto trading: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and select altcoins. Restrictions: No news trading during evaluations, no HFT or arbitrage.
Does FTMO Offer Education & Trader Support? (Learning Resources & Coaching)
FTMO Academy, trading journal, webinars, and mobile app. Trader development: Performance coaching, risk management guides, and statistical analysis. Coaching programs: One-on-one sessions with performance coaches. Community & networking: Active Discord, forums, and social media for trader interaction.
How Good is FTMO’s Customer Support? (Response Time & Availability)
Support channels: Live chat, email, Discord, phone. Response times: Typically within hours, highly rated for professionalism. Operating hours: 24/5 during market hours, with weekend support. Trader feedback: Praised for quick, knowledgeable responses, occasional delays during high volume.
Is FTMO a Scam or a Legit Prop Firm?
FTMO is a legitimate prop firm, verified by Czech registration, a 4.9/5 Trustpilot rating from over 12,000 reviews, and over $200 million in payouts. Its transparent rules and long history dispel scam concerns, though strict evaluations and no US access are drawbacks.
User Reviews & Community Feedback on FTMO
- FTMO is a legitimate prop firm, verified by Czech registration, a 4.9/5 Trustpilot rating from over 12,000 reviews, and over $200 million in payouts. Its transparent rules and long history dispel scam concerns, though strict evaluations and no US access are drawbacks.:
Alternatives to FTMO – How It Compares
- The 5%ers: Up to 100% split, no crypto, excludes US traders. FundedNext: 15% challenge profit share, less stringent rules, but newer. MyForexFunds: Lower fees, mixed payout reviews, less established.
Final Verdict – Should You Trade with FTMO?
FTMO is ideal for disciplined traders seeking high profit splits, comprehensive education, and a trusted platform. Its strict rules, robust support, and scaling to $2 million make it a top choice, though news trading restrictions and no US access may deter some. A reliable pick for serious traders in 2025.
