What are FTMO's key rules?
How much does FTMO cost?
| Account Size | Challenge Price | Daily Loss Limit | Total Loss Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $155 | $500 (5%) | $1,000 (10%) |
| $25,000 | $250 | $1,250 (5%) | $2,500 (10%) |
| $50,000 | $345 | $2,500 (5%) | $5,000 (10%) |
| $100,000 | $540 | $5,000 (5%) | $10,000 (10%) |
| $200,000 | $1080 | $10,000 (5%) | $20,000 (10%) |
What does FTMO allow?
Platforms
Instruments
What are FTMO's pros and cons?
Pros
- Most established and trusted brand in prop trading (est. 2015)
- Free retry policy if profit target met but other rule breached
- Multiple platform options (MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade)
- Strong payout track record — $500M+ total paid to traders
- Performance coaching and FTMO Academy included
Cons
- News trading restricted (2 min buffer around major events)
- Higher challenge prices than most competitors at same account sizes
- Scaling plan slower than rivals (25% increase every 4 months)
- Maximum initial allocation capped at $200K before scaling
How does FTMO's scaling plan work?
Where can I learn FTMO's rules in detail?
How does FTMO compare to other firms?
Is FTMO Worth It in 2026?
FTMO remains the gold standard for traders seeking a reliable, established prop firm in 2026. With nearly a decade in the industry and an exceptional 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from 40,000+ reviews, this is the firm for serious traders who prioritize trust and long-term stability over flashy promotions. It's particularly suited for swing traders and those who don't rely heavily on news events, given their trading restrictions. If you're looking for your first prop firm experience or want the peace of mind that comes with proven track records, FTMO justifies its premium positioning.
The numbers speak volumes about FTMO's reliability. They've paid out over $500 million to traders—a figure that dwarfs most competitors and demonstrates genuine commitment to trader success. The 80-90% profit split is competitive, and their free retry policy is genuinely valuable if you hit profit targets but breach other rules. The platform diversity (MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade) gives you flexibility, and the included Performance coaching and FTMO Academy add real educational value beyond just capital allocation.
However, FTMO's premium position comes with real costs that can't be ignored. Their challenge fees are consistently higher than competitors for equivalent account sizes, eating into your initial investment. The scaling plan is frustratingly slow at just 25% increases every four months—rivals often offer 50-100% jumps. The news trading restrictions with 2-minute buffers around major events will genuinely limit scalpers and news traders, and the $200K maximum initial allocation feels restrictive when other firms offer $300K+ starting accounts.
FTMO is worth it if you value proven reliability over cutting-edge features or aggressive scaling. You're paying a premium for a firm that's survived market cycles, maintained consistent payouts, and built genuine trader support systems. For experienced traders who can work within their restrictions and don't mind paying extra for peace of mind, FTMO delivers. However, if you're cost-sensitive, trade news events regularly, or want rapid account growth, newer competitors offer better value propositions in 2026.
Who should use FTMO— and who shouldn't?
- First-time prop tradersThe 4.8/5 rating from 40,000+ reviews and $500M+ in payouts provides unmatched credibility for traders who need confidence in their first prop firm experience.
- Conservative swing tradersThe 10% total drawdown limit and weekend holding allowed suits traders who take measured positions and don't need to trade around major news events.
- EA/bot developersClear bot policies that allow automated trading while excluding problematic HFT strategies gives algo traders defined boundaries to work within.
- News event tradersThe 2-minute buffer around major news events effectively eliminates high-impact event trading strategies that many scalpers and news traders depend on.
- Fast scalers seeking quick growthThe 25% account scaling every four months is painfully slow compared to competitors offering 50-100% increases, limiting ambitious traders' growth potential.
- Budget-conscious beginnersChallenge fees consistently run higher than competitors—$155 for 10K vs sub-$100 elsewhere—making it expensive for traders testing multiple firms.
What makes FTMO different from other prop firms?
What should I watch out for with FTMO?
FTMO — Frequently Asked Questions
