FTMO Review 2026: Is It Worth It? Pros, Cons, and Pricing

FTMO is a proprietary trading firm founded in Prague in 2014 that funds traders through a two-step evaluation and has paid out over $200 million to traders worldwide. In this 2026 FTMO review we cover the evaluation rules, pricing, profit split, payouts, pros and cons, and who should choose it, so you can decide whether FTMO is worth the fee.

FTMO at a Glance

Feature	Details
Founded	2014
Total Payouts	$200M+
Account Sizes	$10K – $200K
Profit Split	80% (up to 90%)
Evaluation	2-step (Challenge + Verification)
Profit Target	10% (Step 1), 5% (Step 2)
Max Drawdown	10% (trailing)
Daily Loss Limit	5%
Min Trading Days	4 days per step
Time Limit	30 days (Step 1), 60 days (Step 2)
Payout Frequency	Bi-weekly

FTMO is the largest and most established prop firm in the industry. It has been running since 2015, tracks verified payouts publicly, and is widely regarded as the benchmark every other prop firm measures itself against.

How FTMO Works

FTMO uses a two-step evaluation. Step 1, the Challenge, requires a 10% profit target within 30 days while respecting a 10% trailing drawdown and a 5% daily loss limit. Step 2, the Verification, requires a 5% profit target within 60 days under the same limits, with no minimum profit for the fast-track option. After both steps you receive a FTMO Account with an 80% profit split that rises to 90% after you reach $2,000 in profit and complete 10 trading days.

Payouts are bi-weekly. You can request a withdrawal every 14 days on your FTMO Account, which is faster than most monthly-payout firms. The first payout is available after the first 14 days on the funded account, subject to a minimum withdrawal of $250.

FTMO Pricing (2026)

Account Size	Evaluation Fee	Monthly Fee
$10,000	$155	$0
$25,000	$255	$0
$50,000	$345	$0
$100,000	$540	$0
$200,000	$1,080	$0

FTMO charges no monthly subscription fee once you are funded, and refunds the evaluation fee on the first profitable payout. That refund model is a strong trust signal: FTMO only keeps your money if you do not reach payout, which aligns their incentives with yours.

Pros of FTMO

Proven track record since 2014 with $200M+ verified payouts.
Excellent educational resources through FTMO Academy and a trading community.
Free trial available before you pay the evaluation fee.
Multiple platform support: MT4, MT5, and cTrader.
Scaling plan up to $2 million based on consistency.
Bi-weekly payouts with no monthly fee once funded.
Evaluation fee refunded on first profitable payout.

Cons of FTMO

Two-step evaluation is harder than one-step firms.
Trailing drawdown can be challenging to manage.
$250 minimum withdrawal, higher than some competitors.
4 minimum trading days per step.
Higher evaluation fee than some competitors at the same account size.

FTMO Scaling Plan

FTMO scales your account by 25% every four months when you reach a 10% profit in each period with at least 10 trading days. A $100,000 account grows to $125,000 after the first successful period, $156,250 after the second, and compounds toward the $2 million cap. The scaling plan rewards consistent, low-drawdown trading rather than one lucky month.

Because drawdown limits scale with the account, a bigger FTMO account gives you more room in dollar terms. Review the rules in our prop firm drawdown explained guide before you trade larger size.

Who Should Choose FTMO?

Traders who want a proven, reliable firm with a long payout history.
Traders who value education and an active community.
Traders comfortable with a two-step evaluation.
Traders who want long-term scaling up to $2 million.

Who Should Avoid FTMO?

Traders who want a one-step evaluation with faster funding.
Traders with very small accounts who are sensitive to evaluation fees.
Traders who need instant payouts rather than bi-weekly requests.

How FTMO Compares to Other Firms

FTMO is the safe, established choice, but it is not the cheapest or the fastest. One-step firms fund you faster and usually cost less; futures firms like Apex pay daily and charge far lower fees. If you are comparing providers, start with our best prop firms of 2026 guide and match a firm to your style before paying any fee.

Is FTMO Worth It in 2026?

FTMO is worth it for traders who can pass a two-step evaluation and want a trusted firm with transparent payouts. The main trade-offs are the harder evaluation and higher fee. If you are consistent and plan to trade for years, the refunded fee, 80-90% split, and $2 million scaling make FTMO one of the best value propositions in the industry. If you want the fastest possible route to funding and accept a smaller or newer firm, a one-step alternative may fit you better.

FTMO FAQ

Is FTMO legit?

Yes. FTMO has been operating since 2014, publishes verified payout data, and has paid traders over $200 million. It is one of the most established and trusted prop firms in the industry.

How hard is the FTMO challenge?

The FTMO challenge requires a 10% profit target with a 10% trailing drawdown and a 5% daily loss limit, within 30 days. Roughly 30-40% of traders pass Step 1. It is challenging but achievable with disciplined risk management.

How long does FTMO take to pay out?

FTMO pays on a bi-weekly schedule, so you can request a payout every 14 days. The first payout is available after 14 trading days on the funded account, and the minimum withdrawal is $250.

Does FTMO refund the evaluation fee?

Yes. FTMO refunds the evaluation fee on your first profitable payout. If you never reach a payout, the fee is not returned, which is why consistent traders get the best value.

What platforms does FTMO support?

FTMO supports MT4, MT5, and cTrader, plus mobile apps for each. This covers most automated and manual trading setups. See our MT4 vs MT5 guide when choosing your platform.