FTMO is one of the most well-known prop firms in the trading world, with a clear differentiator: it not only provides capital to traders but also offers a complete ecosystem of education, advanced tools, and performance monitoring. One of its major advantages is the profit split model: up to 90% share for the trader. Another highlight is its professional and transparent approach, making it a trustworthy choice for both beginners and experienced traders.
Quick Summary
Company: FTMO
Segment: Proprietary Trading / Prop Firm
Available Capital: Up to $200,000 (scalable to $400,000)
Initial Profit 100% up to: First withdrawal 100% to the trader
Plans Available: Normal, Swing, Aggressive
Highlights: FTMO Academy, Exclusive tools, 24/7 support, Premium Program with access to professional employment
What is FTMO?
Founded in 2015 in the Czech Republic, FTMO is a private capital firm that allows traders to operate with virtual funds and earn up to 90% of the profits generated. FTMO’s proposal is simple: to identify talent in the financial markets through a rigorous evaluation process and, once approved, fund these traders with significant capital in a monetized demo account.
Key Features
- FTMO Challenge + Verification: A 2-step process to evaluate traders.
- Up to 90% Profit Split: Competitive and scalable share.
- FTMO Points: A points system that allows for fee refunds and new challenges.
- Exclusive Tools: Statistical App, Mentor App, Trading Journal, Account MetriX, Performance Coach, among others.
- 24/7 Support: Available in 18 languages.
- FTMO Academy: Educational platform with courses from beginner to advanced.
5. Overview of All Plans
FTMO offers three types of plans: the Normal Plan, the Swing Plan, and the Aggressive Plan. The Normal Plan is the most common and recommended for traders who follow FTMO’s standard rules, including specific guidelines for news events and holding positions. The Swing Plan is ideal for those who trade longer timeframes and need to keep trades open over weekends or during news releases. The Aggressive Plan offers wider loss limits and more freedom but in exchange reduces the maximum capital allocation.
All Plans Table
| Plan | Capital | Daily Loss Max | Max Loss | Profit Target | Profit/Drawdown Ratio | Initial 100% Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | $10k to $200k | 5% | 10% | 10% | 1:1 | Yes |
| Swing | $10k to $200k | 5% | 10% | 10% | 1:1 | Yes |
| Aggressive | $10k to $200k | 10% | 20% | 20% | 1:1 | Yes |
Pros and Cons of FTMO Prop Firm
Pros:
- High transparency in rules
- Excellent tracking tools
- Up to 90% profit split
- Possibility of initial fee refund
- Multilingual support
Cons:
- No copy trading allowed between third-party accounts
- Strict rules for news trading on “Normal” accounts
- Accounts are always in a simulated (demo) environment, even after approval
- Restrictions for US-based traders and other sanctioned countries
- Risk of account termination when using duplicated strategies (e.g., third-party EAs)
- Capital allocation capped at $400,000 per strategy or trader
- No guaranteed approval after good performance in free trials
Copy Trading
FTMO does not allow copy trading between third-party accounts, nor between personal and FTMO accounts. The use of EAs (Expert Advisors) is allowed, as long as they are not strategies replicated by multiple traders.
Hidden Rules
FTMO’s rules are clearly outlined in its terms, but many traders overlook details such as:
- Prohibited to trade during economic news on “Normal” accounts (allowed in the evaluation phase and Swing accounts)
- Not allowed to hold trades over the weekend (except in Swing accounts)
- Maximum capital allocation per strategy is $400,000 — accounts using the same strategy above this limit may be suspended
- Accounts cannot be operated by third parties
- Opening trades with sizes very different from historical average may be considered a violation
- Trading practices may be classified as prohibited at FTMO’s discretion
- It’s forbidden to create multiple profiles on the platform
- At least one trade must be made every 30 days to avoid closure due to inactivity (or request freezing for 7 days to 6 months)
- Copy trading is allowed in some forms, but identical strategies across multiple accounts may lead to sanctions
- Use of EAs (Expert Advisors) is permitted
Payment Methods
- Credit/Debit Card (no fees)
- Bank Transfer (may take up to 5 business days)
- Cryptocurrencies (3% fee)
- Skrill (3% fee)
FTMO vs FundedNext Comparison
| Prop Firm | Max Capital | Trader’s Profit | 100% Initial Profit | Fee Refund | Copy Trading Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO | $400,000 | Up to 90% | Yes (on 1st withdrawal) | Yes | No |
| FundedNext | $300,000 | 80–90% | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Who Is It For?
FTMO is recommended for traders of all levels who are looking for a professional, educational environment with well-defined rules. It’s especially beneficial for those who are disciplined and willing to adapt to the firm’s specific rules, such as strict risk management, capital limitations per strategy, and consistent trading requirements. Traders who focus on technical analysis and strategic planning may find FTMO a strong ally, especially due to its exclusive tools, educational structure, and capital scaling potential. On the other hand, traders should carefully review the operational rules and restrictions, especially if they use automated strategies, copy trading, or trade during high-volatility events like news releases and weekends. With the right conditions and proper preparation, FTMO can indeed be an excellent gateway to professionalization in the market, even opening doors to future work with Quantlane.
Final Verdict
After thoroughly analyzing every aspect of FTMO, I can say that the firm offers one of the most complete structures among current prop firms. It combines education, psychological support, analysis tools, and a scalable funding system. However, it’s important to note that their approach is strict: risk management rules are non-negotiable, and there are several operational restrictions that may be crucial depending on the trader’s profile. This is not a flaw, but rather a way for the company to maintain consistency and protect its business model. Therefore, FTMO is ideal for those seeking professional growth, structured development in the market, and who value discipline. At Nerd Answers, we fully recommend FTMO, especially for traders ready to treat trading as a serious career. And with our exclusive discount code, you can start this journey with real advantages.
