Updated: August 27, 2025
FTMO has teamed up with OANDA to offer a U.S.-ready pathway that keeps the FTMO evaluation model but runs everything in a simulated environment. Below, we compare FTMO US to leading U.S. futures evaluators so you can pick the best fit for your strategy and rules.
At a glance: FTMO US vs U.S. futures prop evaluators
| Program | Asset class | Evaluation style | Payout timeline | Profit split | Platform(s) | U.S. availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO US (with OANDA) | Simulated FX + Gold + Oil + 3 US indices + BTCUSD | Two-step: Challenge → Verification → simulated Rewards Account | Earliest request after 14 days from first trading day, if in profit and flat | 80% baseline, up to 90% with scaling/premium criteria | MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | US residents and US entities only |
| Topstep | Futures | Trading Combine → Express Funded → Live Funded | Request after 5 winning days per payout; daily payouts in Live after 30 winning days | 100% of first $10k per trader, then 90/10 | Futures platforms via partnered brokers | Accepts U.S. traders |
| Apex Trader Funding | Futures | Evaluation → PA account; 8-day payout cycle | Payout every 8 trading days; 100% from 6th payout onward | 100% of profits to first $25k per account, then 90/10 | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic connectivity | Accepts U.S. traders |
| Earn2Trade | Futures | Gauntlet Mini / Trader Career Path | Weekly payouts once funded, with program-specific conditions | Flat 80/20 profit split | Futures platforms via partner brokers | Accepts U.S. traders |
Read this first: FTMO US is not a brokerage account. It is an educational, simulated program. Participation does not create a customer relationship with OANDA’s regulated brokerage, and brokerage protections do not apply.
What changes with FTMO returning to the U.S.
FTMO’s U.S. configuration brings a few important differences compared with offshore FX “prop firms” and U.S. futures evaluators.
1) Asset class and leverage
- FTMO US assets: 42 simulated FX pairs plus 3 U.S. indices, Gold, Oil, and BTCUSD. Max leverage is 1:33 on selected instruments. Symbol-by-symbol specs are shown in MT5.
- Futures evaluators: Topstep, Apex, and Earn2Trade focus on CME futures. Leverage is exchange-defined via futures margin, not retail-style account leverage.
2) Platforms and rules feel
- FTMO US: MT5 only, with rules that aim to reflect real-market conditions. News trading and holding over the weekend are allowed on the U.S. account type. No hedging plus FIFO alignment in parts of the config encourages disciplined execution.
- Futures evaluators: You will use exchange-connected platforms. Expect rules around trailing or static drawdowns, consistency, and minimum winning days before payouts.
3) Payout cadence and split
- FTMO US: Earliest reward request after 14 days from first trading day if the Rewards Account is in profit with no open or pending orders. Baseline split 80%, with a pathway up to 90%.
- Topstep: Request after 5 winning days per payout in Express or Live. After 30 winning days in Live, you can request daily payouts and access up to 100% of balance. Profit split is 100% of the first $10k per trader, then 90/10.
- Apex: Payouts every 8 trading days, with 100% of profits from the 6th payout onward. Policy includes 100% of the first $25k per account, then 90/10.
- Earn2Trade: Flat 80/20 split once funded, with weekly payout windows and program-specific conditions.
Side-by-side rule snapshots
| Category | FTMO US (OANDA) | Topstep | Apex Trader Funding | Earn2Trade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payout timing | Request after 14 days from first trading day if in profit and flat; team emails next steps in 1–2 business days | 5 winning days per payout; daily payouts unlocked in Live after 30 winning days | Every 8 trading days; 6th payout unlocks 100% payouts | Weekly payout cycles once funded |
| Split | 80% baseline, up to 90% | 100% of first $10k per trader, then 90/10 | 100% first $25k per account, then 90/10 | 80/20 flat |
| Platform | MT5 | Futures platforms with partner brokers | Rithmic/Tradovate, NinjaTrader | Futures platforms with partner brokers |
| Assets | Simulated FX, indices, Gold, Oil, BTCUSD | Futures | Futures | Futures |
| News & weekend | No restrictions on news trading or holding over weekend on U.S. account type | Exchange hours and risk team rules apply | Exchange hours and PA contract rules apply | Program rules apply |
| U.S. eligibility | U.S. residents and U.S. entities only | Accepts U.S. traders | Accepts U.S. traders | Accepts U.S. traders |
Data points FTMO shares publicly: “3M+ customers worldwide, $400M+ paid in rewards, 4.8 Trustpilot” across its global footprint. These are headline figures and not guarantees of personal performance.
Who should pick which?
Choose FTMO US if you are…
- Primarily an FX or gold index trader who prefers MT5.
- Comfortable with a 14-day earliest reward window and an 80% baseline split with potential to reach 90%.
- Looking for news-friendly rules and the ability to hold over weekends on the U.S. account type.
Choose a futures evaluator if you are…
- Focused on CME futures with exchange-style discipline and funding pathways.
- Attracted to payout mechanics like Topstep’s daily Live payouts unlocked after 30 winning days or Apex’s 8-day cycles with 100% from the 6th payout.
- Comfortable with futures margins, tick values, and session rules.
Practical scenarios
Scenario A: Swing FX trader
You hold EURUSD and XAUUSD swing positions through NFP and CPI. FTMO US allows news trading and weekend holding on the U.S. account type. You aim for a reward request after day 18, ensuring the account is in profit and flat. Baseline 80% split applies, and fee refund triggers on your first reward.
Scenario B: Active futures scalper
You trade NQ and CL intraday. A futures pathway may suit you better. With Topstep, you build 5 winning days for each payout, and after 30 winning days in Live you can request daily payouts with access up to 100% of balance. With Apex, you plan an 8-day cycle and target your sixth payout to unlock 100% payouts, subject to balance thresholds and safety-net rules.
Cost and cash-flow planning
- FTMO US: One-time Challenge fee. No recurring program fees. Fee refund on first reward once you pass both steps and meet the payout conditions.
- Topstep: Subscription during evaluation, then payout rules as above. Profit split policy gives 100% of the first $10k per trader, then 90/10.
- Apex: Subscription during evaluation. First $25k per account is 100%, then 90/10. Payouts every 8 trading days with maximums per window and safety-net balance rules.
- Earn2Trade: Subscription during evaluation. Flat 80/20 split when funded, with weekly payouts.
Risk management notes you should care about
- Build around loss limits and balance thresholds first. Many evaluation failures come from ignoring daily discipline.
- Batch exposure around major U.S. data. Even if news trading is allowed, slip and gaps can nuke consistency.
- Journal each trade’s thesis and risk. Consistency rules at futures firms reward stable behavior across days.
FAQs
Is FTMO US a brokerage account?
No. It is an educational, simulated program. You do not gain brokerage protections from OANDA’s regulated brokerage by joining FTMO US.
What is the earliest payout at FTMO US?
After 14 days from your first trading day on the Rewards Account, if the account is in profit and you have no open or pending orders at the time of request.
Can I trade news and hold over weekends on FTMO US?
Yes, on the U.S. account type there are no restrictions on news trading or holding over the weekend. Always manage risk carefully around macro events.
How do Topstep and Apex payouts compare?
Topstep: 5 winning days per payout, and daily payouts in Live after 30 winning days; 100% of first $10k then 90/10. Apex: every 8 trading days with 100% from the 6th payout; 100% of first $25k per account then 90/10.
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