FTMO is the most established and most-reviewed proprietary trading firm in the world. Founded in Prague in 2015, it has built a reputation on transparent rules, a real-time performance dashboard (Account MetriX), and a long, public track record of paying funded traders. With a 4.8/5 Trustpilot score across roughly 40,000+ reviews, it carries more independent feedback than any competitor, which makes it a sensible default benchmark when comparing prop firms. That said, FTMO is an evaluation firm, not a broker that hands you live capital on day one. You pay an upfront challenge fee, pass one or two simulated evaluation phases under strict daily- and maximum-loss limits, and only then trade an FTMO-funded (simulated) account for a profit share. It is not the cheapest option, the rules are unforgiving on drawdown, and there is no guarantee of passing or earning anything. It rewards disciplined risk management — not luck.
Best for: FTMO is best for disciplined, risk-aware forex and CFD traders who already have a tested strategy and want access to larger trading capital without risking large amounts of their own money beyond the challenge fee. It suits traders who value a transparent rulebook, a polished dashboard, fast and well-documented payouts, and a wide choice of platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader). It is a poor fit for beginners hoping to "get funded" quickly, for traders who dislike hard drawdown limits, or for anyone expecting guaranteed income.At a Glance
Pros
- Longest track record and the highest review volume of any prop firm (founded 2015; ~40,000+ Trustpilot reviews at ~4.8/5)
- No time limit on the Challenge or Verification phases — trade at your own pace
- High profit split: 80% standard, rising to 90% via the Scaling Plan / Reward Growth Plan
- On-demand payouts after your first reward, typically processed within 1–2 business days of invoice approval (firm-reported)
- Wide platform and instrument choice (MT4, MT5, cTrader; forex, indices, commodities/metals, stocks and crypto via CFDs)
- Transparent, real-time rules tracking through the Account MetriX dashboard, plus free education (FTMO Academy)
Cons
- Funded accounts are simulated/evaluation accounts — you trade the firm's demo environment for a profit share, not your own live capital
- The challenge fee is at risk: fail the evaluation and you must buy a new one to retry
- Strict drawdown rules (e.g. 5% max daily loss / 10% max overall loss on the 2-Step) end the account immediately if breached
- Not the cheapest option — fees rose roughly 15–25% on larger accounts in 2026
- US residents cannot access standard FTMO funded accounts; they are routed to a separate simulated "FTMO via OANDA" offering
Rating Breakdown
Full Review
FTMO review: quick verdict
This FTMO review covers the challenge rules, fees, drawdown limits, profit split and payouts so you can decide whether the world’s most-reviewed prop firm fits your trading. FTMO is the benchmark proprietary trading firm — launched in Prague in 2015, it pioneered the two-phase evaluation model that most competitors now copy and remains the most-reviewed prop firm anywhere. Compare it with the rest of the field on our prop firm reviews hub.
Is FTMO legit?
By the standards of an industry that has seen plenty of short-lived firms, FTMO is about as established as it gets. It has operated since 2015, serves traders across 180+ countries, and holds roughly a 4.8/5 Trustpilot score from around 40,000+ reviews — by far the largest independent review base of any prop firm. Positive reviews consistently praise fast payouts, stable rules and the Account MetriX dashboard, while criticism clusters around account-breach disputes and the fact that failing means buying a new challenge. A key point on what “legit” means here: FTMO is a legitimate evaluation company, not a regulated broker holding your deposits, and the funded stage is a simulated account traded for a contractual profit share.
How the FTMO Challenge works
FTMO’s flagship route is a two-step evaluation: the FTMO Challenge (Phase 1, 10% profit target) followed by Verification (Phase 2, 5% target), with a newer 1-Step option available in some regions. Both phases run under a 5% maximum daily loss and a 10% maximum overall loss of the initial balance. FTMO has removed the time limit and the minimum trading-days requirement on both phases, so you can trade at your own pace. Breach either loss limit and the account ends immediately; pass both and you become an FTMO Trader on a funded (simulated) account.
Pricing and account sizes
FTMO charges a one-time challenge fee per evaluation rather than a subscription, with account sizes from $10,000 to $200,000. Indicative 2026 fees run from around €89 on the smallest account up to roughly €1,080 on the $200,000 2-Step (FTMO raised fees on larger accounts by roughly 15–25% in 2026, so verify current pricing). The fee is refunded with your first payout on a successful account; fail, and the fee is not refunded and you must buy a new challenge to try again.
Profit split and payouts
Once funded, the standard profit split is 80% in the trader’s favour, rising to 90% through FTMO’s Scaling Plan for consistent performers. You can request your first reward from day 14 after your first trade, and after that first payout withdrawals are on-demand with no fixed schedule. FTMO typically reviews a request within 1–2 business days and sends the reward within 1–2 business days of invoice approval — firm-reported timings rather than audited guarantees.
Platforms and what you can trade
FTMO supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and cTrader (DXtrade was discontinued in March 2026). Tradable instruments, all via CFDs, include roughly 44 forex pairs, major global indices, commodities and energy such as gold, silver and oil, around 23 large-cap stocks and about 10 major cryptocurrencies. Leverage is typically up to 1:100 on standard accounts, lower on Swing accounts and non-forex classes. For a futures-only alternative, see our Apex Trader Funding review.
Who FTMO is best for
FTMO suits disciplined, risk-aware forex and CFD traders who already have a tested strategy and want larger capital without risking large personal funds beyond the fee. The unlimited time limit rewards patience and the strict loss rules reward sound risk management. It is a poor fit for beginners chasing quick funding, for traders who dislike hard drawdown limits, or for anyone expecting guaranteed income. US-based traders cannot access standard FTMO funded accounts and are routed to a separate simulated “FTMO via OANDA” offering. Traders wanting a higher headline split can compare our FundedNext review.
Final verdict
FTMO earns its reputation as the default benchmark prop firm: a long track record, the largest independent review base, transparent rules, strong profit splits and well-documented payouts. The honest caveats are that it is an evaluation business, the funded phase is simulated, the rules are strict and the fee is at risk. If you have a tested edge and respect risk limits, FTMO is one of the most credible places to pursue a funded trading arrangement. Overall: 4.4/5.
Prop-firm challenges carry fees and risk; rules, payouts and account terms change — verify the latest details directly with FTMO. This is educational content, not financial advice.
Who Is It Best For?
FTMO is best for disciplined, risk-aware forex and CFD traders who already have a tested strategy and want access to larger trading capital without risking large amounts of their own money beyond the challenge fee. It suits traders who value a transparent rulebook, a polished dashboard, fast and well-documented payouts, and a wide choice of platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader). It is a poor fit for beginners hoping to "get funded" quickly, for traders who dislike hard drawdown limits, or for anyone expecting guaranteed income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FTMO legit?
Yes — FTMO is an established prop firm operating since 2015 from Prague, serving traders in 180+ countries with a roughly 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating across around 40,000+ reviews and a long, public payout history. Note it is an evaluation firm, not a regulated broker, and the funded phase is a simulated account traded for a profit share.
How does the FTMO Challenge work?
The standard route is two phases: the FTMO Challenge (10% profit target) and Verification (5% target), both under a 5% max daily loss and 10% max overall loss. There is no time limit and no minimum trading-days requirement on these phases. Pass both to trade a funded (simulated) account. A 1-Step option is also available in some regions.
What is the FTMO profit split?
Funded traders keep 80% of profits as standard, rising to 90% through FTMO's Scaling Plan / Reward Growth Plan for consistent performers.
Does FTMO accept US traders?
US residents cannot access standard FTMO funded accounts. Following FTMO's tie-up with OANDA, US clients are offered a separate, simulated "FTMO via OANDA" experience structured to fit US rules. Confirm the current status and terms before signing up.
How long do FTMO payouts take?
After your first reward, payouts are on-demand. FTMO typically reviews a request within 1–2 business days and sends the reward within 1–2 business days of invoice approval. Your first reward can usually be requested from day 14 after your first trade.
