In recent years, proprietary trading firms have surged in popularity, offering traders a chance to manage large amounts of capital without risking their own money. Among these firms, FTMO stands out as one of the most recognized and respected names in the industry. Founded in 2015 and based in Prague, Czech Republic, FTMO has redefined access to professional trading by creating a clear, challenging, yet rewarding pathway for traders around the world.
This detailed and SEO-optimized review for 2025 will give you a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know about FTMO β from the evaluation process and trading conditions to platform features, profit sharing, user feedback, FAQs, and more. Whether you’re new to prop trading or already considering joining FTMO, this 4,000-word guide is your complete resource.
Disclaimer: Trading involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always trade responsibly.
π Ready to trade with real capital and keep up to 90% of your profits?
Join FTMO today and take on the challenge to access up to $400,000 in funding.
π Click here to start your FTMO Challenge now
Quick Snapshot
Feature | Detail |
---|---|
Founded | 2015 |
Headquarters | Prague, Czech Republic |
Industry | Proprietary Trading |
Capital Allocation | Up to $400,000 per trader |
Profit Split | Up to 90% |
Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade |
Evaluation Stages | FTMO Challenge + Verification |
Refundable Fee | Yes, after successful evaluation |
1. What is FTMO?
FTMO is a proprietary trading firm that provides funded accounts to retail traders who prove they can trade profitably under certain risk constraints. Unlike traditional brokers or hedge funds, FTMO doesnβt accept client deposits for trading β instead, it funds traders with its own capital once they pass a structured two-step evaluation.
The mission of FTMO is simple: Find skilled traders. Fund them. Share the profits.
2. FTMO Evaluation Process
To access FTMO’s capital, traders must pass a two-phase evaluation:
Phase 1: The FTMO Challenge
This is the initial qualification step where traders must meet specific goals:
- Profit Target: 10% (5% for Swing accounts)
- Trading Period: 30 calendar days
- Maximum Daily Loss: 5%
- Maximum Overall Loss: 10%
- Minimum Trading Days: 4 days
Phase 2: Verification
After passing the Challenge, traders proceed to the Verification phase:
- Profit Target: 5%
- Trading Period: 60 calendar days
- Same risk limits as Challenge
- Minimum Trading Days: 4 days
Completion
Once both phases are successfully completed, the trader becomes a funded FTMO Trader.
3. Funded Accounts and Scaling Plan
π Click here to start your FTMO Challenge now
FTMO offers accounts from $10,000 to $200,000 (can scale to $400,000).
Account Size | Refundable Fee | Leverage | Profit Share |
$10,000 | β¬155 | 1:100 | 80% – 90% |
$25,000 | β¬250 | 1:100 | 80% – 90% |
$50,000 | β¬345 | 1:100 | 80% – 90% |
$100,000 | β¬540 | 1:100 | 80% – 90% |
$200,000 | β¬1,080 | 1:100 | 80% – 90% |
β All fees are fully refunded after the first payout.
Scaling Plan
Consistently profitable traders are eligible for the FTMO Scaling Plan, which increases account capital by 25% every 4 months (if conditions are met), up to a maximum of $2 million.
4. FTMO Trading Rules
FTMO enforces strict yet fair trading rules to promote risk management:
- No gambling-style trading
- No holding trades over the weekend (standard accounts)
- News trading allowed
- Use of EAs and indicators allowed
- Crypto trading supported (on some platforms)
Violating rules can lead to account termination, so strict adherence is vital.
5. Trading Platforms
FTMO supports the following platforms:
β MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
Classic, highly customizable, supports EAs and scripts.
β MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
Newer version with multi-asset capability and faster execution.
β cTrader
Modern design, ideal for manual traders.
β DXtrade
Professional-level tools and intuitive interface.
6. FTMO Account Types
FTMO offers two core types of trading styles:
Account Type | Key Features |
Normal | Higher profit target, news allowed |
Swing | Lower profit target (5%), weekend holding OK |
Swing accounts are great for position traders who hold trades for several days.
7. FTMO Payouts and Withdrawals
FTMO offers monthly payouts, with up to 90% of profits sent to traders. The first payout can be requested after 14 days, and subsequent payouts are monthly.
- Methods: Bank Transfer, Skrill, Wise, Crypto
- No withdrawal fees
- Profit targets & losses reset monthly
8. FTMO Support and Education
FTMO excels in trader support and resources:
β Trader Support:
- Live chat & email
- Response time: usually under 24 hours
β Education Center:
- Webinars
- Trading psychology articles
- FTMO Academy
- Risk management tutorials
β Performance Coach:
FTMO offers free mental coaching to help traders overcome emotional biases.
9. Pros and Cons of FTMO
Pros | Cons |
Real capital without risking personal funds | Strict rules β violations = account closure |
Transparent two-step evaluation process | No scalping-style news trading allowed (on some accounts) |
Up to 90% profit share | No weekend holding on standard accounts |
Fast payouts and refund of fees | Requires discipline and consistency |
Multiple trading platforms | Not for completely new traders without skill |
10. Real User Feedback (2025)
Based on reviews from Trustpilot, Reddit, and Forex forums:
- β Transparency: βFTMO delivers what they promise.β
- β Support: βCustomer service is responsive and professional.β
- β Challenge: βIt’s tough, but fair. If you’re disciplined, you can do it.β
Many traders report payouts exceeding $10,000 within their first few months.
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
β Is FTMO a scam?
No. FTMO is a well-established prop firm, regulated in the EU and used by thousands of traders worldwide.
β Can I use EAs or bots with FTMO?
Yes. Automated trading is allowed as long as the EA follows FTMO rules.
β What happens if I violate the rules?
Violations usually lead to account disqualification. Always monitor your max daily and overall drawdown.
β Are FTMO fees refundable?
Yes β 100% of your evaluation fee is refunded with your first payout.
β Can I hold trades over the weekend?
Only with a Swing Account. Standard accounts must close trades before Friday market close.
12. Final Verdict β Is FTMO Worth It in 2025?
If you’re a disciplined trader looking for access to significant capital without risking your own money, FTMO is a top choice in 2025. With a solid evaluation model, supportive tools, and fair payouts, it continues to dominate the proprietary trading space.
However, FTMO is not for gamblers or unprepared traders. It requires precision, risk management, and consistent execution β but the rewards are real and substantial.
π Want to start your FTMO journey? Sign up via this link and take the Challenge β your path to trading freedom begins here.