FTMO Review 2026
Europe's #1 Prop Firm — 10 Years of Consistent Payouts
PropFirmHQ Standout
Best for No Time Limit & Proven Payouts
* Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Risk Disclosure
Quick Facts
Max Allocation
$400,000
Profit Split
Up to 90%
Max Drawdown
10%
Daily Drawdown
5%
Eval Fee
$155 – $1,080
Payout Frequency
On-demand
Eval Model
2-Phase Evaluation
Time Limit
None (removed Q1 2025)
Supported Platforms
Scaling Plan: Scale from $10K to $400K across multiple accounts.
Evaluation Structure — Phase by Phase
Every requirement you need to meet to pass the FTMO challenge and reach a funded account.
Phase 1 — Challenge
Profit Target
10%
Max Daily Loss
5%
Max Overall Loss
10%
Min Trading Days
4 trading days
Time Limit
No limit
Demonstrate consistent profitability by reaching a 10% profit target on your account balance. Daily loss limit of 5% and overall drawdown of 10% apply from day one. No time limit — take as long as needed.
Phase 2 — Verification
Profit Target
5%
Max Daily Loss
5%
Max Overall Loss
10%
Min Trading Days
4 trading days
Time Limit
No limit
Verify your performance with a lower 5% profit target under identical risk rules. This phase confirms your Phase 1 results were not achieved via excessive risk-taking. Same drawdown limits apply.
Funded Account
Profit Target
No target
Max Daily Loss
5%
Max Overall Loss
10%
Min Trading Days
4 days before payout
Time Limit
Ongoing
Trade the firm's capital with a starting 80% profit split, scaling to 90% after demonstrated consistency. Request payouts on-demand after 4 trading days. Evaluation fee is refunded with your first payout.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Phase | Profit Target | Daily Loss Limit | Max Drawdown | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Phase 1 | 10% | 5% | 10% | No limit |
2Phase 2 | 5% | 5% | 10% | No limit |
3Funded Account | No target | 5% | 10% | Ongoing |
Pros & Cons — FTMO 2026
Advantages (6)
Unmatched 10-year track record with $150M+ total payouts verified
Full evaluation fee refunded upon reaching first payout milestone
No time limit on evaluation since Q1 2025 — eliminate deadline pressure
cTrader & DXtrade support alongside MetaTrader 4 and 5
Transparent public leaderboard — real trader performance data
Strict rule set protects long-term profitability of the firm
Disadvantages (4)
Daily drawdown resets at midnight CE(S)T — creates a timezone disadvantage for US traders
Scaling ceiling capped at $400K for individual accounts
No crypto trading pairs available on any account size
Minimum 4 trading days required before payout request
PropFirmHQ Full Review — FTMO 2026
FTMO is the benchmark against which every other prop firm is measured. Founded in Prague in 2015 by traders frustrated with the lack of structured capital access, the firm pioneered the two-phase evaluation model that now dominates the industry. In 2026, FTMO operates across 180+ countries, has processed payouts to over 46,000 funded traders, and maintains a 96/100 trust score — the highest of any prop firm reviewed by PropFirmHQ. The Q1 2025 removal of time limits across all account tiers fundamentally changed the evaluation dynamic: traders can now approach the challenge with a long-run statistical edge rather than deadline-driven risk-taking. The introduction of DXtrade as a fourth platform option in late 2024 further cemented FTMO's lead over firms locked into MetaTrader exclusivity.
Who It's For
Intermediate to advanced forex, indices, and commodities traders with a proven rule-based strategy. Ideal for traders who prioritise firm longevity and payout reliability over aggressive scaling speed.
Tradable Instruments
“FTMO's decision to remove time limits was the most trader-friendly rule change in the industry in the past two years. It fundamentally aligns the firm's incentives with the trader's: consistent, risk-managed performance wins for everyone.”
James Harrington
Lead Analyst, PropFirmHQ Editorial
Account Sizes & Evaluation Fees
| Account Size | One-Time Fee | Profit Split | Max Drawdown | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $155 | Up to 90% | 10% | None (removed Q1 2025) |
| $25,000 | $250 | Up to 90% | 10% | None (removed Q1 2025) |
| $50,000 | $345 | Up to 90% | 10% | None (removed Q1 2025) |
| $100,000 | $540 | Up to 90% | 10% | None (removed Q1 2025) |
| $200,000 | $1,080 | Up to 90% | 10% | None (removed Q1 2025) |
Evaluation fee is fully refunded upon reaching your first payout milestone.
PropFirmHQ Editorial Verdict
Final Recommendation
FTMO is the gold standard for serious prop traders in 2026. The combination of a decade-long payout track record, fee refund policy, no-time-limit evaluation, and multi-platform support makes it the top-rated firm for intermediate to advanced traders. If you have a proven, rule-based strategy and want maximum institutional credibility behind your funded account, FTMO is the correct choice.
Risk Warning — FTMO Evaluation
Proprietary trading involves significant financial risk. The FTMO evaluation fee ($155 – $1,080) is your maximum out-of-pocket exposure, but this capital is at risk of total loss if you fail to meet the evaluation criteria. Evaluation fees are refunded upon reaching your first payout milestone — but only if you achieve funding.
Funded accounts are subject to immediate termination if the 10% maximum drawdown or 5% daily loss limit is breached. A single adverse market event — including NFP, FOMC decisions, or unexpected geopolitical events — can trigger a breach that terminates an otherwise profitable funded account.
This review is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Past performance data, payout statistics, and trust scores cited on this page do not guarantee future results. FTMO is not regulated by the FCA, SEC, or any equivalent financial services authority — note: Czech Trade Inspection Authority (CTIA). There is no government-backed compensation scheme protecting evaluation fees or funded account profits.
PropFirmHQ is operated by ApexEdge Media Ltd, an independent editorial company. We receive affiliate commissions from FTMO if you purchase via our links. This does not affect our editorial ratings. Full details: Risk Disclosure · Terms of Service.
FTMO
Affiliate link · Fee refund on first payout ✓
Monthly Payouts (Community Data)
Community-aggregated · Not independently audited