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Rules checked /Source-complete

TRADETHEDAY REVIEW DESK / FTMO

FTMO is credible.
The programme choice is not simple.

The 2-Step route has the cleaner loss rule. The 1-Step route is faster, but its trailing drawdown and Best Day test change how you must trade.

Check FTMO challenge optionsCompare the rules

Commercial link. We may earn a commission. The verdict and rule analysis do not change.

THE CALL

FTMO is still a serious option. Read the loss formula first.

FTMO has the operating history and a much clearer public rulebook than most evaluation firms. That counts. But the brand name should not make the decision for you.

The important split is mechanical. FTMO 2-Step uses a static 10% maximum loss and no Best Day rule. FTMO 1-Step trades a second evaluation phase for a 3% daily limit, an end-of-day trailing floor and a 50% Best Day test.

Our preference is 2-Step for most traders. It takes longer, but the risk boundary is easier to calculate before a trade. The 1-Step route suits a smaller group: traders with tight daily risk, even profit distribution and no urge to force the pass.

PROGRAMME SELECTOR

One brand. Two different risk jobs.

Switch plans to see the rule set you would actually be trading.

TWO PHASES

FTMO Challenge: 2-Step

TTD DEFAULT PICK
Target
10% in Challenge, then 5% in Verification
Daily loss
5% maximum daily loss
Maximum loss
10% static maximum loss
Consistency
No Best Day or separate consistency rule
Minimum days
4 trading days in each evaluation phase
Time limit
Unlimited, subject to inactivity rules
LOSS FLOOR, IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Fixed at 10% below the initial account balance and does not trail profitable days.

Source: FTMO Trading Objectives, checked 6 August 2026.

Rule1-Step2-Step
EvaluationOne phaseTwo phases
Profit target10% in one evaluation phase10% in Challenge, then 5% in Verification
Daily loss3% maximum daily loss5% maximum daily loss
Maximum loss10% end-of-day trailing maximum loss10% static maximum loss
Consistency50% Best Day ruleNo Best Day or separate consistency rule
Minimum daysNo fixed minimum; the Best Day rule means at least two profitable days in practice4 trading days in each evaluation phase
Reward split90%80%, rising to 90% through the scaling plan
Fee after passingThe evaluation fee is not refunded after passing the 1-Step programme.The evaluation fee is refunded with the first reward after passing.
RULES THAT CATCH TRADERS OUT

The percentage is only half the rule.

The calculation and reset time decide whether a limit is manageable.

01

1-Step drawdown follows profitable days

Tracks the highest end-of-day balance, never moves down, and resets after a reward or a new FTMO Account.

WHY IT MATTERS

A strong day can tighten the cash distance to your loss floor. Recalculate it before the next session.

02

Best Day is a gate, not a breach

The largest profitable day must be 50% or less of total positive-day profit. It delays passing or reward eligibility rather than breaching the account.

WHY IT MATTERS

One outsized win can force you to keep trading before you can pass or request a reward.

03

Daily loss includes open P/L and fees

The daily limit is not a closed-trade number. Floating loss, commissions and swaps count toward it.

WHY IT MATTERS

A trade can be inside its stop and still breach the account once total equity is counted.

04

News rules change after evaluation

Evaluation trading is more permissive. Standard FTMO Accounts restrict selected macroeconomic releases, while Swing accounts follow different holding rules.

WHY IT MATTERS

Passing the challenge does not mean every evaluation-stage tactic remains eligible.

CHALLENGE ECONOMICS

Count the attempts, not just the checkout fee.

Fees move. Behavioural cost is more stable.

01

1-Step removes a phase

That saves time if your trading already fits the tighter daily and trailing limits. It gets expensive when speed encourages oversized risk.

02

2-Step refunds the fee

FTMO states that the 2-Step fee is returned with the first reward after passing. The 1-Step fee is not.

03

Resets are the hidden cost

A lower advertised fee means little if the rule set causes repeated failures. Price the plan against your last 30 trading days.

04

Scaling belongs to 2-Step

FTMO's current scaling plan applies to 2-Step accounts and can lift allocation over four-month review cycles when its conditions are met.

Fee and scaling terms: programme comparison and scaling plan. We do not hard-code a fee because checkout prices and currency vary.

PLATFORM AND MARKET ELIGIBILITY

Check the route before you buy.

PLATFORMS3 VERIFIED
  • MetaTrader 4
  • MetaTrader 5
  • cTrader

DXtrade was removed from new account selection on 24 March 2026.

MARKETSPLATFORM DEPENDENT
  • Forex
  • Indices
  • Commodities
  • Stocks
  • Crypto

These are simulated products. Instrument lists and conditions vary by platform.

COUNTRY ROUTECHECKED
United States

Use FTMO US by OANDA. Do not assume international terms apply without changes.

Australia

Use FTMO Australia. Local programme and onboarding terms apply.

Other regions

Check FTMO's restricted-country list and KYC eligibility before paying.

PAYOUT EVIDENCE

What FTMO says, and what we can prove.

RULE VERIFIED

Reward requests start after 14 days

Reward request available 14 calendar days after the first funded-account trade; FTMO says review and payment normally take a further 1 to 2 business days each.

Official payout rules
COMPANY CLAIM

FTMO reports $650M+ in rewards

FTMO reports more than $650 million in rewards paid and more than 4.5 million customers across 140+ countries.

FTMO's published figure
NOT AUDITED

No independent payout ledger reviewed

TradeTheDay has not reviewed an independently audited payout ledger. Treat the total as an FTMO-reported figure.

TradeTheDay disclosure
BEST FOR

Traders who already know their risk numbers.

  • You log intraday equity, not just closed P/L.
  • You want a public rulebook with clear calculation examples.
  • You prefer static drawdown and can accept a two-phase evaluation.
  • You can wait for a reward rather than forcing a payout day.
AVOID IF

Your edge depends on one large day.

  • You regularly use most of your daily loss limit on one idea.
  • You need DXtrade for new accounts.
  • You want the evaluation fee refunded on 1-Step.
  • You treat a simulated account as guaranteed income.
ALTERNATIVES

Change the rule set, not just the logo.

E

E8 Markets

A one-phase CFD alternative with configurable risk, but a funded-stage Best Day rule on E8 One.

T

Topstep

The cleaner choice if you trade futures and do not need forex or CFD-style market access.

F

FundingPips

More reward-cycle choices, with a rulebook that needs careful checking before each payout.

VISIBLE UPDATE HISTORY

Rule changes stay attached to a date.

We keep older facts visible so you can see why a review changed.

  1. RESEARCH CHECK

    Full programme and source audit completed

    1-Step and 2-Step rules, country routes, platforms and payout conditions rechecked against FTMO's current pages.

  2. PRICING

    20% off the 100K 1-Step Challenge

    FTMO cut the 100K 1-Step Challenge fee by 20%: EUR 499 down to EUR 399 in global markets, and $579 down to $463 in the USD market. FTMO has not published an end date.

    Read source
  3. PLATFORMS

    DXtrade removed from new account selection

    FTMO stopped offering DXtrade as a selectable platform for new FTMO Challenges and Free Trials. Existing accounts were handled under FTMO's transition notice.

    Read source
  4. PROGRAMME

    FTMO added a 1-Step Challenge

    The new route introduced a 3% daily loss limit, end-of-day trailing maximum loss and 50% Best Day rule alongside a 90% reward split.

    Read source
Open the FTMO update archive
FTMO FAQ

Short answers to expensive questions.

Is FTMO 1-Step or 2-Step better?

Choose 2-Step if you value a static 10% maximum loss and can accept two evaluation phases. Choose 1-Step if you want one phase and a 90% reward split, but can manage a 3% daily loss limit, an end-of-day trailing maximum loss and the 50% Best Day rule.

Does FTMO have a time limit?

FTMO lists unlimited trading time for both current evaluation routes. The 2-Step programme still requires at least four trading days in each phase. Inactivity rules also apply.

How does the FTMO 1-Step drawdown work?

The 10% maximum loss trails the highest end-of-day balance and never moves down. This is different from the 2-Step route, where the 10% maximum loss stays fixed against the initial balance.

What is the FTMO Best Day rule?

On 1-Step, the most profitable day must be 50% or less of total positive-day profit. Failing the ratio does not breach the account, but it delays passing the evaluation or becoming eligible for a reward.

When can an FTMO trader request a payout?

FTMO says a reward can be requested 14 calendar days after the first trade on the funded FTMO Account. Account review and payment processing normally add time after the request.

Can US traders use FTMO?

Yes. FTMO directs eligible US residents to FTMO US by OANDA. Product, platform and jurisdiction rules can differ, so US traders should use that route rather than assuming the international terms apply unchanged.

Which FTMO platforms are currently available?

FTMO currently lists MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and cTrader. DXtrade is no longer selectable for new FTMO Challenges or Free Trials.

Are FTMO payouts independently audited?

TradeTheDay has not reviewed an independently audited payout ledger. FTMO publishes its own aggregate reward total and its withdrawal procedure. We label the total as a company-reported figure.

SOURCE LEDGER

Every material claim has somewhere to go.

Official sources are checked manually. A source link does not turn a company claim into independent proof.

01FTMO Trading Objectivesprofit targets / drawdown calculations / minimum days02FTMO 1-Step vs 2-Step comparisonprogramme type / profit split / fee policy / company payout claim03FTMO reward withdrawal rulespayout conditions / payout timing / payment methods04FTMO consistency rulesconsistency rule05FTMO platform availabilityplatforms06FTMO instruments and strategiesmarkets / strategy eligibility07FTMO country eligibilitycountry restrictions / US route / Australian route08FTMO scaling planscaling conditions / scaled profit split09FTMO 1-Step announcement1-Step launch / Best Day rule10FTMO platform update: 24 March 2026DXtrade removal

Method: we record the published formula, reset point and eligibility condition. If a rule cannot be traced to a current source, it does not enter an indexable comparison.

Reviewed byTradeTheDay Editorial TeamUpdated

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