Reviews Prop firms FTMO.com

FTMO.com Review & Trader Rating in 2026

4.4/ 5
Highly ratedAvailable in United States
Traders
5.050%
Editorial
3.325%
External
—25%
ftmo website homepage
cTrader on ftmo
Community summary

FTMO is a Prague-based prop firm offering funded accounts up to $200k after a two-phase challenge. Strong payout structure and scaling plan, but a 1.5/5 rating on Reviews.io from 117 reviews signals meaningful trader dissatisfaction worth investigating.

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Is FTMO.com right for you?

Best for

  • Experienced traders with proven track records
  • Strategy developers seeking capital without personal risk
  • Traders comfortable with strict risk management rules
  • Disciplined traders pursuing scaling opportunities

Avoid if

  • Traders seeking regulated financial protection and compensation scheme coverage
  • Traders who require fast dispute resolution and consistent customer support quality
  • Traders with strategies dependent on news trading or weekend holding without understanding FTMO's specific conditions

Trust score breakdown

Dimensions our methodology weighs when judging a brand's safety.

  • Regulator strength1.0 / 5 · Poor

    FTMO operates as an unregulated proprietary trading firm with no tier-1 or tier-2 financial services license; trader funds lack regulatory protection.

  • Segregated funds1.0 / 5 · Poor

    As a prop firm rather than a regulated broker, FTMO does not maintain segregated client funds under financial services rules.

  • Compensation scheme1.0 / 5 · Poor

    FTMO is not subject to investor compensation schemes; traders have no statutory protection if the firm fails or disputes arise.

  • Company history2.0 / 5 · Weak

    FTMO was founded around 2015 and has established a recognizable presence in prop trading, but a 1.5/5 rating on Reviews.io (117 reviews) with only 10% recommending the firm indicates significant trader dissatisfaction.

  • Transparency2.0 / 5 · Weak

    FTMO publishes its drawdown rules and payout structure clearly, but trader reviews suggest inconsistent dispute resolution and support quality.

Challenge stages

Each phase a trader must clear before earning a funded payout.

StageProfit targetMax lossDaily loss capTime limitMin trading daysFeeRefund
Phase 1———————
Phase 2———————
Funded—10%5%Unlimited14——

Rule book

Conditions that disqualify or warn. Always read the firm's full agreement before depositing.

  • breach

    Traders are not protected under financial services compensation schemes; FTMO operates as a proprietary trading firm, not a regulated broker.

  • info

    Challenge fees are refunded on the first payout.

  • info

    Payouts are processed on a monthly cycle, with the first payout available after a minimum of 14 days on the funded account.

  • breach

    Daily drawdown limit of 5% and maximum total drawdown of 10%, calculated from the initial account balance.

  • info

    Expert Advisors (EAs), news trading, and weekend holding are permitted, subject to specific conditions.

  • info

    Funded accounts available up to $200,000 after passing a two-phase challenge.

Payout policy

First payout after
14 days
Frequency
monthly
Profit split
—
Max consecutive payouts
—

Scaling plan

How account size + profit-split grow when a trader hits performance milestones.

TierAccount sizeProfit splitRequirement
Tier 1———

Trading platforms

Supported clients and automation features per platform.

PlatformWinMacWebiOSAndroidEAsCopy1-clickIndicators
MetaTrader 4✓✓✓✓✓✓??30
MetaTrader 5✓✓✓✓✓✓??38
cTrader✓✓✓✓✓✓??70

Platform screenshots

A look at the FTMO.com trading interface.

Mobile app

No proprietary mobile app — the broker provides mobile access through the third-party trading apps below.

Trust

2.5 /5

FTMO operates as a proprietary trading firm, not a regulated broker, which means trader funds are not protected under financial services compensation schemes.

Pros

  • Established in 2015 with a transparent Prague, Czech Republic corporate identity
  • Challenge fee refunded upon passing evaluation and receiving first payout
  • Free FTMO Challenge demo allows risk-free familiarisation with rules

Cons

  • Operates outside financial regulatory frameworks — no investor compensation scheme applies
  • 1.5/5 rating from 117 Reviews.io reviewers, with only 10% recommending the firm
  • Dispute resolution governed solely by FTMO's internal terms, not a regulator
Read more about Trust
Founded in Prague, Czech Republic in 2015, FTMO has built significant brand recognition in the prop trading space. As a prop firm rather than a retail broker, it falls outside the scope of financial regulators such as the FCA (UK) or CySEC (Cyprus). Traders are not depositing personal funds into a brokerage account — they are paying a challenge fee for the right to trade a simulated or funded account. This structural distinction is important: there is no investor compensation scheme, and disputes are governed by FTMO's own terms and conditions rather than a regulatory body. Reviews.io records a 1.5/5 rating from 117 reviews, with only 10% of reviewers recommending the firm. This level of dissatisfaction — concentrated around account breaches, rule enforcement, and payout disputes — is a material trust signal that prospective traders should weigh carefully. The firm's longevity since 2015 and transparent Prague-based corporate identity are positive indicators, but the absence of regulatory oversight and the volume of negative reviews justify a cautious assessment.

Cost

3.5 /5

Challenge fees are competitive within the prop firm sector and are refunded on the first payout, reducing the net cost for traders who pass.

Pros

  • Challenge fee refunded on first successful payout
  • No ongoing monthly fees on funded FTMO accounts
  • Up to 90% profit split on funded account earnings

Cons

  • Failed challenges result in full fee forfeiture with no partial refund
  • Repeated failures create cumulative fee costs with no cap
Read more about Cost
FTMO charges a one-time fee to enter the two-phase evaluation. The fee for a $100,000 account challenge is €540, and for a $50,000 account it is €345. These fees are refunded as part of the first profit split payout, meaning a successful trader recovers the entry cost. Traders who fail the challenge forfeit the fee, though FTMO offers a free retry under certain conditions. Compared to the capital allocation on offer, the fee-to-account-size ratio is reasonable. However, traders who repeatedly fail evaluations face cumulative fee costs that can become significant. There are no monthly subscription fees on funded accounts, and the profit split of up to 90% compares favourably within the prop firm model.

Payout speed

3.5 /5

FTMO processes payouts on a monthly cycle, with the first payout available after a minimum of 14 days on the funded account.

Pros

  • First payout eligible after 14 days on the funded account
  • Monthly payout cycle with multiple payment method options
  • Profit split of up to 90% under the scaling plan

Cons

  • Monthly payout cycle means earnings are not accessible on demand
  • Negative reviews cite payout disputes and account closures before payout
Read more about Payout speed
Funded account holders become eligible for their first payout after a minimum of 14 calendar days of trading activity. Subsequent payouts follow a monthly schedule, with FTMO processing requests within a defined window each month. Payout methods include bank wire transfer and a selection of payment processors. The 14-day minimum waiting period is standard within the prop firm industry. Negative trader reviews on Reviews.io include complaints about payout delays and account terminations prior to payout, which editorial flags as a material concern. The profit split starts at 80% and can reach 90% under the scaling plan.

Drawdown rules

3.0 /5

FTMO uses a static drawdown model with a 5% daily limit and 10% maximum total drawdown, calculated from the initial account balance.

Pros

  • Drawdown rules are clearly published and consistent across all account sizes
  • Static model is predictable — limits are fixed and easy to calculate in advance

Cons

  • 5% static daily drawdown can be breached in a single volatile session
  • Total drawdown limit does not scale upward as account equity grows
  • Same strict limits apply during evaluation and funded phases with no grace period
Read more about Drawdown rules
FTMO applies a static drawdown methodology. The daily drawdown limit is 5% of the initial account balance, and the maximum total drawdown is 10% of the initial balance. Static drawdown means the limits do not trail upward as the account grows — they are fixed from the starting equity. This is a stricter model than trailing drawdown for traders who build equity quickly, as the absolute loss threshold does not increase with profits. A single high-volatility session can consume the entire daily allowance. During the evaluation phases, the same 5%/10% limits apply, meaning traders must manage risk tightly from day one. The rules are clearly published and consistent across account sizes, which aids planning.

Scaling plan

4.0 /5

FTMO offers a structured scaling plan that increases the funded account size for traders who demonstrate consistent profitability.

Pros

  • Scaling plan allows funded accounts to grow up to $2,000,000
  • 25% account size increase per qualifying period with objective criteria
  • Scaling eligibility based on transparent, published performance metrics

Cons

  • Minimum four-month qualifying window makes scaling a slow process
  • Account must remain in good standing throughout — any breach resets progress
Read more about Scaling plan
FTMO's scaling plan rewards consistent performance. Traders who achieve a 10% profit over a minimum of four months, with at least two months of profitability, qualify for a 25% increase in their account size. This process can be repeated, with the maximum funded account size reaching $2,000,000 under the scaling programme. The scaling increments are clearly defined and tied to objective performance metrics rather than discretionary decisions. For traders who pass the evaluation and maintain disciplined risk management, the scaling plan provides a credible pathway to managing significantly larger capital. The 25% increment per qualifying period is a meaningful step-up, though the four-month minimum timeline means scaling is a gradual process.

Trading platform

4.0 /5

FTMO supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, covering the most widely used retail trading platforms.

Pros

  • MT4, MT5, and cTrader all supported across evaluation and funded phases
  • Expert advisors and algorithmic trading permitted on all platforms
  • Proprietary analytics dashboard provides trade performance and risk metrics

Cons

  • Platform choice is limited to the three listed — no proprietary web terminal
  • Mobile trading experience depends on the third-party platform apps, not FTMO's own
Read more about Trading platform
FTMO provides access to MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and cTrader across both evaluation and funded account phases. This breadth of platform support is a genuine strength — traders can use their existing setups, indicators, and expert advisors without switching tools. MT5 offers a broader asset range and more order types than MT4, while cTrader appeals to traders who prefer its depth-of-market interface and algorithmic trading via cAlgo. All three platforms are available on desktop and mobile, ensuring flexibility. FTMO also provides a proprietary performance analytics dashboard that overlays trade data with risk metrics, which is a useful addition for self-review.

Customer support

2.5 /5

Support channels include live chat and email, but trader reviews indicate inconsistent response quality and dispute resolution outcomes.

Pros

  • Live chat and email support available for account and technical queries
  • Prague-based support team with published contact channels

Cons

  • No phone support line available for urgent or complex disputes
  • Reviews.io feedback highlights poor resolution rates for payout and breach disputes
  • Support hours tied to Central European time, limiting accessibility for Asian-Pacific traders
Read more about Customer support
FTMO offers customer support via live chat on its website and email. The firm's support team is based in Prague and operates during Central European business hours. For straightforward account queries, response times are generally adequate. However, the volume of negative reviews on Reviews.io — particularly complaints about account breach disputes, rule interpretation, and payout denials — suggests that support quality deteriorates when traders contest decisions. The absence of a phone support line limits escalation options. Traders dealing with account termination or payout disputes report difficulty reaching resolution through standard support channels. This pattern is a meaningful concern for a firm where account decisions can result in the loss of earned profits.

Account opening

3.5 /5

The evaluation process is straightforward to begin — registration is online, and the free trial option lowers the barrier to entry.

Pros

  • Fully online registration with no upfront KYC requirement at challenge stage
  • Free trial challenge available before paying any fee
  • Account sizes from $10,000 to $200,000 to suit different trader profiles

Cons

  • KYC verification required before first payout, which can delay fund access
  • Two-phase evaluation means traders must pass two consecutive profit targets before funding
Read more about Account opening
Opening an FTMO evaluation account requires basic personal details and payment of the challenge fee. The process is fully online and does not require identity verification at the challenge stage — KYC documentation is collected when a trader reaches the funded account stage and requests a payout. FTMO offers a free trial version of the challenge, allowing traders to test the rules and platform environment before committing a fee. Account sizes range from $10,000 to $200,000, giving traders flexibility in choosing an evaluation that matches their strategy and risk tolerance. The two-phase structure is clearly documented, with Phase 1 requiring a 10% profit target and Phase 2 requiring a 5% profit target, both subject to the 5%/10% drawdown limits.

Restrictions

3.0 /5

FTMO permits EAs, news trading, and weekend holding, but applies specific conditions that traders must understand before deploying strategies.

Pros

  • EAs and algorithmic strategies permitted across evaluation and funded phases
  • News trading and weekend holding both allowed
  • Copy trading permitted when the trader controls the signal source

Cons

  • News trading subject to post-trade review — certain execution patterns can trigger rule violations
  • Weekend gap risk falls entirely on the trader with no drawdown buffer adjustment
  • Prohibited strategy list includes conditions that can be ambiguous in practice
Read more about Restrictions
FTMO allows expert advisors and algorithmic trading across all account types. News trading is permitted, though FTMO reserves the right to review trades placed within two minutes of high-impact news events if they appear to exploit latency or price gaps rather than genuine market exposure. Weekend holding is allowed, but traders carry full drawdown risk over the weekend gap — positions held through the weekend are subject to the same daily drawdown rules on Monday's open. Copy trading is permitted provided the trader controls the master account. Strategies that exploit platform errors, arbitrage between demo and live feeds, or use tick scalping are prohibited. The instrument range covers forex, indices, commodities, and some cryptocurrency CFDs, though availability varies by account type.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is FTMO and how does it work?
    FTMO is a proprietary trading firm based in Prague, Czech Republic. Rather than operating as a traditional broker, it identifies skilled traders and provides them with funded accounts to trade. Traders must pass a two-phase evaluation challenge before gaining access to funded capital up to $200k.
  • Is FTMO regulated?
    FTMO operates as a proprietary trading firm, not a regulated broker. This means trader funds are not protected under financial services compensation schemes.
  • What are the challenge fees and are they refundable?
    Challenge fees are competitive within the prop firm sector and are refunded on the first payout, reducing the net cost for traders who pass.
  • What are FTMO's drawdown rules?
    FTMO uses a static drawdown model with a 5% daily limit and 10% maximum total drawdown, calculated from the initial account balance.
  • How often does FTMO pay out profits?
    FTMO processes payouts on a monthly cycle, with the first payout available after a minimum of 14 days on the funded account.
  • Which trading platforms does FTMO support?
    FTMO supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, covering the most widely used retail trading platforms.
  • Does FTMO allow Expert Advisors and news trading?
    FTMO permits EAs, news trading, and weekend holding, but applies specific conditions that traders must understand before deploying strategies.
  • What is FTMO's scaling plan?
    FTMO offers a structured scaling plan that increases the funded account size for traders who demonstrate consistent profitability.
  • What customer support options are available?
    Support channels include live chat and email, but trader reviews indicate inconsistent response quality and dispute resolution outcomes.
  • What do trader reviews say about FTMO?
    FTMO has a 1.5 out of 5 rating on Reviews.io based on 117 reviews, with only 10% of reviewers recommending the platform, signaling meaningful trader dissatisfaction.

Top alternatives

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Trader reports

1 community vote on FTMO.com. Below: every report with a written comment.

  1. ★★★★★ 5.0 / 5 DE

    solid

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Florian Fendt

Florian Fendt

Written by

Founder of TraderJury and BrokerCheck. Trader since 2014. Focused on broker accountability and trader-led review systems.

Arsam

Arsam Javed

Fact checked by

Editor and reviewer at TraderJury. Verifies trader reports, audits broker disclosures, and writes risk explainers.

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