FTMO remains one of the most trusted proprietary trading firms for retail traders who want serious capital without the headaches of managing investor money. In 2025 they still offer unlimited time to pass, generous drawdown buffers through clear daily and overall loss limits, and a Scaling Plan that can land you on a $2,000,000 account.
This FTMO review looks at fees, rules, payouts, platforms, and eligibility so you know what to expect before you buy a Challenge. The evaluation is two steps — FTMO Challenge then Verification, with 10% and 5% profit targets respectively, minimum 4 trading days per step, and no maximum time limit to complete either phase.
On the funded stage, FTMO advertises an 80% profit split by default, rising to 90% when you meet the Scaling Plan criteria, where successful traders also receive +25% balance increases up to a $2M cap. Payouts are available on-demand after 14 calendar days from your first trade, with FTMO noting monthly by default and bi-weekly style processing depending on the FAQ locale; we will track this closely in our updates.
You can trade on MT4, MT5, cTrader, and DXtrade, though U.S. nationals and residents cannot use MetaTrader or cTrader on FTMO, and FTMO lists the United States among excluded jurisdictions. If you are new to the model, the Free Trial is a safe way to test the rules and platform setup.
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FTMO At A Glance
Quick facts for this FTMO review: rules, payouts, profit split, platforms, and availability.
| Feature | Current Detail |
|---|---|
| Evaluation Path | Two steps: FTMO Challenge then Verification |
| Profit Targets | 10% in Challenge and 5% in Verification; minimum 4 trading days each |
| Time To Pass | No maximum time limit for either step |
| Risk Rules | Max Daily Loss 5% and Max Loss 10% on Normal risk accounts |
| Payout Window | Request after 14 calendar days from your first trade, subject to review and regular processing |
| Profit Split | 80% baseline; up to 90% with the Scaling Plan |
| Scaling | +25% balance at scale-up; overall cap up to $2,000,000 |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade |
| Availability | Global access with exclusions; US nationals and residents are excluded |
| Free Trial | Available; one active trial at a time per trader |
How FTMO Works: Challenge → Verification → FTMO Account
Here is the process, step by step.
1) Start with the FTMO Challenge
Choose your account size and platform, then begin the first evaluation step. Your goal is a 10% profit target with at least 4 trading days. There is no time limit to finish, so you can pace your trades to fit your plan. Two risk rules apply on every day you trade: Max Daily Loss 5% and Max Loss 10% of the initial balance.
For example, on a $100,000 account your daily loss limit is $5,000 and your overall limit is $10,000. Holding positions over the weekend is allowed during the evaluation. You can also trade around news while in evaluation.
2) Move to Verification When You Pass
The second step confirms consistency. The profit target drops to 5%, the minimum is again 4 trading days, and there is no time limit. The same risk rules apply, so your plan should be identical in terms of sizing and drawdown control. Weekend holding and news trading remain permitted in this evaluation step.
3) Trade the FTMO Account after Approval
Once you pass Verification and complete the required checks, you receive an FTMO Account to trade. There is no profit target at this stage. If the account is in profit, you can request a reward after a minimum of 14 calendar days from your first trade, provided there are no open or pending orders.
FTMO describes its processing in two ways across help pages: a regular cycle with on-demand requests after 14 days, and on another page a bi-weekly processing cadence with an average processing time of about 8 hours once queued. In practice, plan for the earliest request at day 14, then follow the instructions sent after the account review.
4) Understand Profit Split and Scaling
The default profit split is 80% to the trader. If you meet the Scaling Plan conditions, FTMO states you can receive a 25% balance increase at scale-up and a 90% reward going forward.
The program literature also notes the ability to increase balances over time, with public materials describing a maximum initial balance up to $2,000,000 through scaling. Scale-ups are handled during the reward withdrawal process when eligibility is met.
5) Know the Account Types on the Funded Stage
A standard FTMO Account has restrictions around news releases and holding trades over the weekend. The FTMO Swing account removes those limits, which is helpful if your strategy needs overnight or weekend exposure. These restrictions do not apply during the Challenge or Verification.
Pricing And Account Sizes
Most traders choose between $10k, $25k, $50k, $100k, and $200k evaluation accounts. Fees are one-time and shown at checkout. Because FTMO runs promos, always verify prices on the order screen before you buy.
Choose an evaluation size that matches your risk plan. Verify current fees at checkout.
| Account Size | Typical Use | Fee (Live at checkout) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | Testing the waters | Shown at checkout | Occasional promos apply |
| $25,000 | Small strategies | Shown at checkout | Good for tight risk |
| $50,000 | Balanced start | Shown at checkout | Popular entry point |
| $100,000 | Core strategy sizing | Shown at checkout | Clear risk planning |
| $200,000 | Larger setups | Shown at checkout | Highest evaluation tier |
Here are the current prices as a guide. As of August 6, 2025, FTMO is running a limited promo where the $10k Challenge is €89. Outside promotions, widely cited Standard risk fees are roughly €155 (10k), €250 (25k), €345 (50k), €540 (100k), and €1,080 (200k).
Fees are one-time for the Challenge (Verification included) and are reimbursed with your first reward once you pass, but final amounts can vary by currency and change at checkout—always confirm the live price on FTMO’s order screen before you buy.
Payouts, Profit Split, And Scaling
Here is how rewards work once you are on the FTMO Account.
Profit split
The default profit split is 80 percent to the trader. When you qualify for the Scaling Plan, FTMO states you can receive a 90 percent split going forward.
When you can request a payout
You can request your reward after a minimum of 14 calendar days from the first trade on the account, as long as the account is in profit and you have no open or pending orders at the time of the request. Processing follows FTMO’s regular cadence described in their payout FAQ.
Scaling plan
If you meet the criteria during your cycle, FTMO applies a +25 percent balance increase at scale-up events. Over time, traders can build toward an overall cap up to $2,000,000. Scale-ups are reviewed during the reward process.
Simple timeline for clarity
- Trade the funded account.
- Hit day 14 and make sure you are in profit with no open or pending orders.
- Request the payout in Account MetriX.
- FTMO reviews and processes the request on the regular cycle.
- If eligible, a scale-up is applied and future rewards move to 90 percent.
Helpful notes
- If your strategy needs to hold through news or over the weekend, consider the Swing account.
- Set your Profit Split Day to align with your schedule so you do not miss the earliest request window.
- Keep screenshots of your dashboard around day 14 in case you need to reference positions and equity.
Platforms And Instruments
FTMO supports the four retail platforms most traders ask for: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and DXtrade. That covers most discretionary and systematic workflows, plus web access if you prefer no installs. You choose your platform at checkout, and all simulated trading runs on FTMO’s own infrastructure.
If your strategy needs to hold through news or over the weekend, pick the FTMO Swing account type. It keeps positions open across events and weekends, with different leverage than the classic setup (1:30 on Swing vs 1:100 on classic). If you only trade intraday and close before major releases, the classic account is fine.
To see platform availability or temporary maintenance windows, check the weekly Trading Updates page, which FTMO publishes regularly with holiday schedules and platform downtime. It is the easiest way to avoid surprise closures.
Availability And Restrictions
FTMO accepts traders globally with explicit exclusions. According to the official FAQ, nationals and residents of the United States (including U.S. territories) and several sanctioned countries cannot join. FTMO lists Iran, Syria, Myanmar, North Korea, and the United States among the restricted jurisdictions. The same page also describes conditional exceptions for some nationalities if strict conditions are met, so always read the latest wording before you buy a Challenge.
For policy language and how “restricted jurisdictions” are defined in the legal docs, you can also review the FTMO Academy Terms.
Try It Safely: Free Trial
If you have not traded with FTMO before, start with the Free Trial. It mirrors a shortened version of the evaluation, lets you test the platform connection, and gives you a light performance analysis. You can run a Free Trial before committing any fee.
Pros and Cons
A quick reality check before you buy a Challenge.
Pros
- Unlimited time to pass both steps, so you can trade at your own pace.
- Transparent risk rules: Max Daily Loss 5% and Max Loss 10% on Normal risk.
- Profit split starts at 80% and can rise to 90% with the Scaling Plan.
- Scaling can add +25% balance at scale-up and build toward a $2M cap.
- Platforms most traders use: MT4, MT5, cTrader, and DXtrade.
- Free Trial to test fills, rules, and the dashboard before paying.
Cons
- Upfront evaluation fee; you must pass to get reimbursed with your first reward.
- Strict risk rules mean one bad day can end the attempt if you breach limits.
- Normal funded accounts have restrictions around major news and weekend holds.
- Availability limits apply; U.S. nationals and residents are excluded per FTMO FAQ.
- Payouts require at least 14 days from the first trade and follow a processing cycle.
- Psychological pressure can increase during evaluation; patience is essential.
How to Pass FTMO
Goal setting
Pick one account size you can manage emotionally. You have unlimited time, so the goal is consistency, not speed.
Risk plan
Set a daily stop that is well below the 5 percent rule. A common range is 0.5–1.0 percent risk per trade with a max 2–3 trades per day. On a $100,000 account that means risking $500–$1,000 per idea and stopping for the day if you reach $2,000–$3,000 down. This gives you room to recover without touching the $5,000 daily limit.
Four trading days
You need at least 4 trading days per step. Spread your activity. Avoid forcing trades to “tick days.” A quiet green day with +0.5 percent still counts.
Position sizing
Plan size off the account’s initial balance, not equity after partial losses. Example: on $100,000, risk $750 per idea with a 1.5R take-profit and 1R stop. Three winners across the step can meet the target if losses are contained.
Trade selection
Focus on one to two playbooks you know well. Avoid correlated pairs in the same direction. If EURUSD and GBPUSD are both triggered, take only the better one.
Timing and news
During evaluation you may trade news, but spreads and slippage can spike. If your edge is not news-driven, stand aside during the five minutes around red-folder events.
Daily routine
- Pre-market: mark levels, set alerts, write your “if… then…” triggers.
- During session: take only A-setups that match your plan. Size consistently.
- After session: journal fills, screenshots, and equity curve. Tag mistakes.
Equity discipline
If you hit your daily stop, stop. If you breach, the attempt ends. Protect the account first. Remember the overall 10 percent cap too.
Verification mindset
Nothing new here. Same risk and playbooks. The target is 5 percent, so you can pass with fewer trades if you keep losses small.
Funded stage prep
Choose Swing if you need to hold through the weekend or news. On day 1 set your Profit Split Day to align with your schedule so your day 14 request window is predictable.
Psychology
Treat the evaluation like a funded account. Win rate and average R matter more than speed. If you feel tilt, take the day off. You have time.
Here is the FTMO Maximum Loss Calculator; use it to track your drawdown and avoid exceeding limits.
Max Loss Calculator
Based on Normal risk rules: Max Daily Loss 5% and Max Loss 10% of the initial balance.
Tip: Use the initial balance. Example presets help below.
You set this below the 5% rule. Current setting: 2%
Current setting: 0.75% per idea
Numbers update as you change inputs. This tool is for planning only. Always follow the platform rules shown in your dashboard.
How Max Daily Loss Works (Breach Examples)
Normal risk example on a $100,000 account. Max Daily Loss = $5,000. Max Loss = $10,000.
The daily loss formula
Today’s loss = closed P&L today + current floating P&L on open trades.
You breach when Today’s loss ≤ −5% of the initial balance for your account size.
Tip: The limit is tied to the initial balance for that account level. After a scale-up, the limit recalculates from the new initial balance.
When it resets
The daily counter resets at platform midnight shown in your dashboard. Open trades still count toward the calculation after the reset, so plan size and exposure accordingly.
Practical tip: If you find resets confusing, flatten or reduce size before the day changes.
Example A — No open trades OK
Closed today: −$3,200. Floating: $0.
Today’s loss = −$3,200 which is within the −$5,000 limit. No breach.
Example B — Floating loss pushes you over BREACH
Closed today: −$1,000. Floating: −$4,200.
Today’s loss = −$5,200. The moment this number goes beyond −$5,000, it’s a breach even if price later recovers.
Example C — Early profit then big drawdown BREACH
Closed today: +$1,500. Floating: −$6,700.
Today’s loss = +$1,500 − $6,700 = −$5,200. Profit earlier in the day does not increase the daily limit.
Example D — Safe personal stop OK
You set a personal daily stop at −$3,000 to stay well inside the rule.
If closed today is −$2,200 and floating is −$600, then Today’s loss = −$2,800. You stop trading for the day before risk of breach.
Always double-check the live “Max Daily Loss” widget in your FTMO dashboard for the official numbers on your account. See Rules and Rewards FAQ.
Conclusion
FTMO is a solid choice if you want serious buying power with clear rules and no pressure to rush. The evaluation is straightforward: reach 10 percent in the Challenge and 5 percent in Verification, trade at least four days in each step, and manage risk within a 5 percent daily and 10 percent overall limit. There is no time limit to pass, which favors patient traders who value process over speed.
On the funded stage the default split is 80 percent, with a path to 90 percent through the Scaling Plan. Payouts can be requested after 14 days from the first trade, subject to review and the regular processing cycle. If your strategy holds through news or weekends, the Swing account makes that practical.
Like any prop program, the rules are strict. One undisciplined day can end the attempt, and availability exclusions apply in some regions. Start with the Free Trial to confirm your platform connection and fills, then choose an evaluation size that matches your temperament. Trade your plan, protect the daily stop, and let time work in your favor.
FAQ
Is FTMO legit and does it pay?
FTMO is a long-running prop program with public documentation on rewards and a large footprint in retail trading. Rewards are requested from the funded account and processed on a regular cadence after review. See Rewards FAQ and Payouts.
How long do I have to pass the FTMO Challenge and Verification?
There is no maximum time limit for either step. You must trade at least four days in each step. See Challenge rules and Verification rules.
What is the profit split and how does scaling work?
The default split is 80 percent to the trader. If you meet the Scaling Plan criteria, FTMO states the split can rise to 90 percent and the account balance can increase in steps, with +25 percent at scale-up events. See Scaling Plan.
When can I request a payout and how is it processed?
You can request a reward after a minimum of 14 calendar days from your first trade on the funded account, provided you are in profit and have no open or pending orders. Processing follows FTMO’s regular cycle. See Payouts.
What are the risk rules?
On Normal risk the Max Daily Loss is 5 percent and the Max Loss is 10 percent of the initial balance. These apply in evaluation and on the funded account. See Challenge rules.
Which platforms can I use?
FTMO supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and DXtrade. See Platforms FAQ.
Can I trade news or hold over the weekend?
During evaluation you can trade news and hold over weekends. On the funded stage, the classic account has restrictions around major releases and weekend holding, while the Swing account allows both with different leverage. See Swing account.
Does FTMO accept U.S. traders?
FTMO lists the United States among restricted jurisdictions. Review the latest availability notes for your residency and nationality. See Availability.
How much does the FTMO Challenge cost?
Fees depend on account size and promotions. FTMO shows the live price on the order screen and reimburses the fee with your first reward after you pass. Always confirm the current price before you buy. See About the FTMO Challenge.
Is there a Free Trial?
Yes. You can test the platform connection and basic rules with a Free Trial before paying any fee. See Free Trial.