FTMO Review 2027Core Trading Conditions and Fees

FTMO review 2027: the benchmark other prop firms are measured against

FTMO was founded in Prague in 2015 and did more than any other company to define the modern funded trader programme. Its two-phase evaluation, with fixed loss limits and a refundable fee, became the template that hundreds of later firms copied. A decade on, it is still the name most traders mention first, and its long payout record is the main reason. This review looks at how the programme works for 2027, what changed recently and who it suits.

Company background

FTMO is a privately held Czech company with several hundred staff. It is not a broker and is not regulated as one, which is normal for the sector. Its position changed in 2025, when it agreed to buy the retail broker OANDA, a regulated firm with licences in several major jurisdictions. For a prop firm, owning an established broker is a significant signal of financial depth. It does not turn an FTMO account into a regulated investment product.

The 2-Step Challenge

The classic route has two stages. In the FTMO Challenge the trader must make 10% without losing more than 5% in a day or 10% overall. The Verification stage repeats the test with a 5% target. Both stages require at least four trading days and have no time limit. The maximum loss is static, measured from the starting balance, so the floor does not move as the account grows. Account sizes run from $10,000 to $200,000, with one-off fees from €89 to a little over €1,000. The fee is refunded with the first reward on this route.

The 1-Step Challenge

In February 2026 FTMO added a single-phase option. The target is 10%, with a tighter 3% daily loss limit. The overall loss limit works differently from the classic account: it trails the highest end-of-day balance instead of staying fixed. A best-day rule also applies, which limits how much of the profit can come from one session. In exchange, the reward share is 90% from the first payout. Published descriptions of the 1-Step loss limit have varied since launch, so read the current objectives on FTMO's site before buying.

Account styles

The standard account restricts trading around major news releases once funded and does not allow positions over the weekend. The Swing version removes those limits in exchange for lower leverage. An Aggressive variant doubles both the targets and the loss limits. Choosing the right style matters more than account size for most strategies.

Profit split and scaling

Funded traders on the 2-Step route receive 80% of profits. Under the scaling plan, a trader who is profitable over a four-month cycle and meets the conditions gets a 25% increase in balance and a 90% share. Balances can grow to $2 million across accounts. Rewards can be requested every 14 days.

Platforms and markets

FTMO supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and DXtrade. Traders get CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, shares and cryptocurrencies. Expert advisors are allowed if they follow the rules against prohibited practices such as latency arbitrage and copying between unrelated accounts.

What the account really is

As at nearly all retail prop firms, the funded FTMO Account is a demo account with simulated capital. The firm pays rewards from its own funds and may mirror selected traders in live markets. This is stated in its terms. The practical consequence is that your counterparty risk is FTMO itself, which is why its age and scale matter.

Costs to keep in mind

The headline fee is not the whole cost. Most traders need more than one attempt, and each new attempt is paid for. Published industry figures suggest that only a small minority of evaluation buyers ever receive a payout. Budget for that reality.

Pros and cons

• Track record: operating and paying since 2015.
• Static loss limit: on the 2-Step route the floor never moves.
• No time limit: both phases can be taken slowly.
• Platforms: four, including MetaTrader and cTrader.
• Price: more expensive than many newer rivals.
• Standard account limits: news and weekend restrictions when funded.

Who is FTMO for?

FTMO suits traders who put reliability ahead of the cheapest fee or the highest advertised split. It is a sensible first firm for anyone new to evaluations, because its rules are stable and well documented.

Verdict

FTMO remains the reference point for the sector in 2027. It is not the cheapest route to a funded account, but few firms can match its history. Treat the fee as money at risk and trade the evaluation as you would trade a real account.

FTMO review: compare the alternatives

This FTMO review is part of our Top 40 Prop Trading Firms in 2027 ranking. To compare, read the FundedNext review and the The5ers review.