FTMO Review 2026
FTMO is the most established prop trading firm in the space founded 2015 in Prague, 4.5M+ customers, $650M+ in rewards paid, 4.8/5 TrustPilot. Two evaluation paths: 1-Step (single phase, 10% target, 3% DLL, EOD trailing max loss, 90% split, no minimum days, no fee refund, Standard only) and 2-Step (two phases 10%+5%, 5% DLL, STATIC max loss, up to 90% split, 100% fee refund, Standard AND Swing account types). Key: Swing (2-Step only) removes all news and overnight restrictions on the funded account. No news or overnight restrictions during evaluation on either product. Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView (August 2026). Max account $200,000 | Scale to $2M via Premium Programme.
Firm Overview
| Firm | FTMO | Founded 2015 | Prague, Czech Republic |
| TrustPilot | 4.8/5 Rated Excellent |
| Rewards Paid | $650M+ worldwide |
| Customers | 4.5M+ | 140+ countries | 300+ team members |
| Type | Simulated prop trading | Performance-based rewards |
| Max Account | $200,000 per account | Scaling to $2M via Premium Programme |
| Products | FTMO Challenge: 1-Step | FTMO Challenge: 2-Step |
| 1-Step From | €79 | 10% target | 3% DLL | 10% EOD trailing max loss | 90% split | Standard only |
| 2-Step From | €89 | 10%+5% | 5% DLL | 10% static max loss | Up to 90% | Standard + Swing |
| 1-Step Key Differentiator | No min days | EOD trailing max loss | No fee refund |
| 2-Step Key Differentiator | 100% fee refund | Swing account type | STATIC max loss |
| Swing (2-Step only) | No news restrictions | Overnight + weekend holding unrestricted |
| Standard (both products) | News restricted on FTMO Account | Must close positions daily |
| Evaluation News | No restrictions during evaluation (both products) |
| Evaluation Overnight | No restrictions during evaluation (both products) |
| Platforms | MT4 | MT5 | cTrader | TradingView (added August 2026) |
| Instruments | 400+ : Forex, Indices, Metals, Commodities, Energies, Crypto |
| Free Trial | Unlimited, no cost |
| Payment Methods | Mastercard, Visa, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Skrill, BTC, ETH, LTC, USDC |
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1-Step vs 2-Step Complete Comparison
| Feature | 1-Step Challenge | 2-Step Challenge |
| Evaluation phases | 1 phase | 2 phases |
| From price | €79 | €89 |
| Phase 1 profit target | 10% | 10% |
| Phase 2 profit target | — | 5% |
| Max daily loss | 3% | 5% |
| Max loss type | EOD Trailing (floor rises with profits) | Static (floor fixed forever at ISC−10%) |
| Max loss | 10% | 10% |
| Min trading days | None ✓ | 4 per phase |
| Trading period | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Best Day Rule | 50% (soft not a hard breach) | None ✓ |
| Account type | Standard only | Standard OR Swing ✓ |
| Fee refund on 1st reward | None | 100% ✓ |
| Profit split | 90% | Up to 90% |
| News during evaluation | No restrictions | No restrictions |
| Overnight during evaluation | No restrictions | No restrictions |
| Standard funded: news | Restricted on FTMO Account | Restricted on FTMO Account |
| Standard funded: overnight | Must close daily + no weekends | Must close daily + no weekends |
| Swing funded: news | Not available on 1-Step | Unrestricted ✓ |
| Swing funded: overnight | Not available on 1-Step | Unrestricted ✓ |
| Free Trial | Unlimited, no cost | Unlimited, no cost |
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Account Types Standard vs Swing
Account Types Standard vs Swing
| Rule | Standard Account | Swing Account |
| Available on | 1-Step and 2-Step | 2-Step ONLY |
| News on FTMO Account | Restricted (specific high-impact events) | No restrictions ✓ |
| Overnight holding | Must close before end of day | No restriction ✓ |
| Weekend holding | Not permitted | No restriction ✓ |
| Best for | Intraday traders | Scalpers | Day traders | Swing traders | Position traders |
The Swing account type is EXCLUSIVELY available on the 2-Step Challenge. The 1-Step only offers Standard. If you need to hold positions for multiple days, trade news events freely, or avoid mandatory daily closures on your FTMO Account, you MUST choose the 2-Step with the Swing account type.
Key Structural Difference: Trailing vs Static Max Loss
This is the most important structural difference between the two products. The 1-Step uses EOD trailing max loss: the floor rises with profits at each day’s close. A $100K account that closes at $104K sees its floor rise to $94K the 10% buffer follows growth. After each reward and new FTMO Account provided, the trailing fully resets. The 2-Step uses STATIC max loss: the floor is fixed at $90K for a $100K account (ISC − 10%) and NEVER moves regardless of profits. The $10,000 buffer stays the same from day one to account closure.
Example: trader earns $20,000 on 1-Step $100K. Trailing floor = $120,000 (new EOD high) − $10,000 = $110,000. On 2-Step $100K: static floor = $90,000 always. After $20,000 profit: floor still $90,000. Available buffer above floor: $20,000 (unchanged). The 2-Step trader retains their full $10,000 buffer permanently.
Evaluation Phase Rules Both Products
- News trading: NO restrictions during evaluation on either product
- Overnight/weekend: NO restrictions during evaluation
- Trading period: Unlimited no deadline on evaluation
- 1-Step: no minimum trading days required
- 2-Step: 4 minimum trading days required per phase (both Phase 1 and Phase 2)
- 1-Step: Best Day Rule 50% (soft not a hard breach, continue trading to dilute)
- 2-Step: no Best Day Rule
- Both: Unlimited Free Trial available at no cost before purchasing
Instruments & Platforms
FTMO offers 400+ instruments across Forex, Indices, Metals, Commodities, Energies, and Crypto on four platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView (added August 2026). Platform selection is made at account creation with modification options available before any trade is placed.
Scaling Plan & Premium Programme
The FTMO Account can reach $200,000 within the standard product. For beyond that, FTMO’s Premium Programme enables progressive scaling up to $2,000,000 for traders demonstrating consistent, compliant performance across multiple reward cycles. The Premium Programme also includes advanced tools, exclusive services, and access to Quantlane by FTMO.
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Pros & Cons
PROS
✓ FTMO’s 10-year track record founded 2015 in Prague, 4.5M+ customers, $650M+ in rewards paid
✓ 4.8/5 TrustPilot one of the highest-rated prop firms in any category
✓ Two evaluation paths: 1-Step (simpler, 90%) and 2-Step (Swing option, fee refund, static max loss)
✓ 2-Step: 100% fee refund on first reward withdrawal unique among major prop firms
✓ 2-Step + Swing: no news restrictions, no overnight/weekend restrictions on FTMO Account
✓ 2-Step: static maximum loss floor never moves, stays at 10% from initial capital permanently
✓ 1-Step: no minimum trading days can pass in a single day if profit target is reached
✓ 1-Step: no Best Day Rule hard breach just a soft guidance requiring continued trading
✓ Unlimited free trials practice as many times as needed at no cost
✓ Four platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView (added August 2026)
✓ 400+ instruments: Forex, Indices, Metals, Commodities, Energies, Crypto
✓ No restrictions on news or overnight positions during evaluation (both products)
✓ Premium Programme scaling to $2M via proven Scaling Plan
✓ Crypto payment accepted: BTC, ETH, LTC, USDC
✓ 24/7 support in 21 languages | Discord 100K+ community
✓ FTMO Academy: free structured trading education
✓ Unlimited trading period no deadline on either evaluation
CONS
✗ 1-Step: EOD trailing max loss floor rises with profits, creating increasing pressure over time
✗ 1-Step: max loss resets after each reward withdrawal new account = new trailing floor
✗ 1-Step: no fee refund on evaluation cost
✗ 1-Step: Standard account type only Swing account not available on 1-Step
✗ 2-Step: requires passing two separate phases (10% + 5% profit targets)
✗ 2-Step: 4 minimum trading days per phase (not compatible with extremely fast one-day strategies)
✗ Standard funded: news trading restricted on FTMO Account
✗ Standard funded: positions must close before end of day and not held over weekends
✗ Prices in EUR exact per-account-size pricing dynamically loaded at trader.ftmo.com/start-challenge
✗ Max single account: $200,000 (scaling to $2M requires Premium Programme)
✗ Best Day Rule on 1-Step (50%): requires continued trading if one day dominates profits
✗ Both products: evaluation fee is a recurring cost if evaluation is failed and restarted
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Verdict
FTMO remains the benchmark prop trading firm 10 years of operation, 4.5M+ customers, $650M+ paid, exceptional 4.8/5 TrustPilot. The two products are structurally well-differentiated. The 1-Step suits intraday traders wanting simplicity, speed, and no minimum days. The 2-Step suits traders who need the Swing account (unrestricted news and overnight), want their evaluation fee returned via 100% refund, or prefer the stability of a static max loss over time. The daily position closure requirement on Standard FTMO Accounts is the primary constraint to verify for non-intraday traders. TradingView was just added (August 2026), and the Premium Programme provides a clear path to $2M for top performers.
Recommended: 1-Step (€79) for Standard intraday traders wanting a single phase and 90% with no minimum days. 2-Step (€89) with Swing for traders holding overnight or wanting fee recovery. 2-Step with Standard for those preferring static max loss and fee refund. Unlimited Free Trial available. Exact per-size pricing at trader.ftmo.com.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two FTMO evaluation products and which is right for me?
FTMO offers two challenge paths. The 1-Step Challenge has a single evaluation phase requiring a 10% profit target, no minimum trading days, a 3% maximum daily loss, and a 10% EOD trailing maximum loss. The profit split is 90%. There is no fee refund and only the Standard account type is available. It suits traders who want simplicity, speed, and no minimum day requirement. The 2-Step Challenge has two phases (10% in Phase 1, 5% in Phase 2), a wider 5% maximum daily loss, a 10% static (non-trailing) maximum loss, 4 minimum trading days per phase, no Best Day Rule, and a 100% fee refund on the first reward withdrawal. Both Standard and Swing account types are available. The 2-Step suits traders who want the Swing account type, the fee refund, or the more stable static max loss structure.
What is the key difference between the static and trailing maximum loss?
The 2-Step uses a static maximum loss: the floor is fixed at the starting capital minus 10% from day one and never moves regardless of how much profit is generated. A $100K account always has a floor of $90,000, no matter how profitable the trader becomes. The 1-Step uses an EOD trailing maximum loss: the floor follows the highest end-of-day account balance upward. If the $100K account closes at $104,000, the floor rises to $94,000. The floor can only increase, never decrease. After each reward withdrawal and a new FTMO Account is provided, the trailing floor fully resets to 10% from the new starting capital. The static max loss on the 2-Step is more forgiving long-term because the buffer remains constant profitable traders face the same absolute buffer they started with, not a shrinking one.
What is the Swing account type and why is it only available on 2-Step?
The Swing account type removes all overnight and weekend holding restrictions on the FTMO Account, as well as all news trading restrictions. Standard accounts on the funded FTMO Account must close all positions before the end of the trading day and cannot hold over weekends, and are subject to news trading restrictions during certain high-impact events. Swing accounts have none of these restrictions positions can be held for days or weeks without any time-based closure requirement, and any news event can be traded freely. The Swing account type is only available through the 2-Step evaluation path. The 1-Step exclusively offers the Standard account type.
What is the Best Day Rule on the 1-Step Challenge?
The Best Day Rule on the 1-Step requires that the single most profitable trading day does not represent more than 50% of the total Positive Days’ Profit (the cumulative sum of all profitable day profits). This rule applies to both the evaluation phase and the FTMO Account phase. Importantly, exceeding the 50% threshold is not a hard breach it does not fail the evaluation or terminate the account. It simply means the trader needs to continue generating additional profit on other days until the best day represents 50% or less of the total. The 2-Step Challenge does not have a Best Day Rule.
How does the FTMO Free Trial work?
The FTMO Free Trial is a no-cost, simplified version of the FTMO Challenge experience. Traders can run as many free trials as they like. The Free Trial is designed for practice it mirrors the challenge environment closely enough to develop a feel for the rules, the platforms, and the account mechanics. Passing the Free Trial does not automatically advance to a paid challenge or an FTMO Account it is purely educational. To enter the actual evaluation, a challenge must be purchased separately.
What are the news trading and overnight rules on funded FTMO Accounts?
The rules depend on the account type. Standard FTMO Accounts have two restrictions that apply once the evaluation is passed and the funded FTMO Account is active. News trading is restricted around specific high-impact news releases on Standard accounts. Positions must also be closed before the end of the trading day on Standard accounts and cannot be held over weekends. These restrictions do not apply during the evaluation process both phases of the 2-Step and the 1-Step evaluation can be traded freely through news events and overnight or weekend. Swing FTMO Accounts (only available on 2-Step) have no news trading restrictions and no overnight or weekend position restrictions on the funded account, making them suitable for longer-term position traders and swing strategies.
What platforms does FTMO support?
FTMO supports four trading platforms as of August 2026: MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, and TradingView (newly added August 2026). MT4 and MT5 are the industry-standard platforms for retail forex and multi-asset trading with full Expert Advisor support and a wide range of custom indicators. cTrader offers an alternative professional-grade platform with clean execution and depth-of-market features. TradingView integration is new and allows traders to use FTMO’s challenge environment directly within TradingView’s charting and analysis interface. Platform selection can be made at account setup, with some modification options available provided no trade has been placed.
What is the scaling plan and Premium Programme?
The FTMO Account starts at the chosen account size and can scale up to $200,000 within the standard product. For traders who want to go beyond $200,000, FTMO’s Premium Programme allows scaling up to $2,000,000 through a proven progressive scaling plan. Scaling requires demonstrating consistent, compliant profitability over multiple reward cycles. The Premium Programme also includes exclusive tools, services, and access to Quantlane by FTMO an advanced analytics and performance environment for top-tier FTMO Traders. Entry into the Premium Programme is based on trading performance and consistency, not a separate purchase.
How are rewards processed and what is the fee refund policy?
Rewards on FTMO Accounts are performance-based payments derived from simula
