FTMO Review 2025 : Is It Really a Trustworthy Prop Trading Firm ?
FTMO is renowned as one of the top prop firms for traders seeking to manage significant capital. Their famous challenge provides a unique opportunity to access funding under specific conditions. Learn how to join FTMO and optimize your earnings while adhering to their strict guidelines.
FTMO is a company classified as a prop firm, part of an increasingly popular trend. Prop firms are companies comparable to investment brokers that allow investors to trade with their capital.
Typically, traditional brokers act as intermediaries between financial asset markets and investors. The investor registers on the platform, which sells contracts allowing traders to open positions on financial assets (such as Forex, for example). The trader then trades with their own capital, and the risks are entirely assumed by them.
The platform is available via website and mobile (Android and iOS) in 18 languages including English, with customer support available through WhatsApp, LiveChat, email, and phone.
What is a prop firm ?
A prop firm operates differently from traditional trading brokers. It recruits traders through a challenge that they must pass. Then, the company provides them with capital that belongs to the firm.
The trader trades this capital across various markets and collects a portion of the profits they generate. Some prop firms, like Giimer or FTMO, offer trading across multiple markets, while others specialize in a single market, such as Breakout and cryptocurrencies.
The latter therefore offers a wider range of cryptos than all multi-market prop firms. Breakout has more than one hundred different assets, but it’s primarily the first company of its kind to provide direct access to liquidity from centralized exchanges.
FTMO is a company registered in the Czech Republic and launched in 2014 by two young day traders. Their team is young, dynamic, and the company operates from modern, spacious offices located in Prague. The platform positions itself as one of the best prop firms in the market due to its reliability and positive user feedback.
FTMO made headlines in 2022 when it was placed on the AMF blacklist. This list includes players in the financial markets and investment world that are not recommended according to the regulatory structure.
Many misunderstandings followed this blacklisting, as it was completely unexplained. The prop firm was finally removed a few weeks later.
How to become a trader on FTMO ?
The operation of all prop firms is similar : anyone can try their luck to become one of the company’s traders by passing a test or challenge. To take the test, the trader pays a fee that allows them to begin.
According to the terms established by the company, the test runs for a certain period. If the trader achieves good results, the prop firm selects them to join its trading program. Otherwise, they cannot access the allocated funds.
If selected and they become a trader, their account is credited with capital that they can trade while receiving a portion of the profits they generate.
In the case of FTMO, there are 3 tests to pass to become a trader on their platform :
FTMO Challenge
Verification
FTMO Trader
FTMO offers several trading platforms to its users. You can choose to trade on your preferred platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and DX Trade.
Quantlane Trader represents the ultimate step for the best FTMO traders. Through the Premium Program, top-performing traders can join Quantlane, a proprietary trading company that offers the opportunity to manage real capital.
This program is designed for experienced traders who want to evolve in an institutional trading environment.
This challenge is the first step to becoming an FTMO trader. Anyone can register at any time by paying the required fee.
The price of the FTMO challenge depends on the capital you wish to have available for trading. The minimum amount is $99 for $10,000 capital with normal risk. The platform provides up to $200,000 on an FTMO account!
The FTMO challenge now has no time limit, offering traders the ability to progress at their own pace. However, it remains mandatory to trade for at least a minimum of 4 days, opening and closing actual positions to validate each phase of the evaluation.
The guidelines provided by FTMO at the start are :
Maximum daily loss : 5% of initial capital
Maximum total loss : 10% of initial capital
Profit target : 10% of initial capital
The trader can choose the amount of capital made available, and the cost of participation in the challenge depends on the amount chosen (prices for “normal” risk selection) :
$10,000 Capital = $99
$25,000 Capital = $277
$50,000 Capital = $383
$100,000 Capital = $599
$200,000 Capital = $1197
The amount invested by the trader to take the challenge is fully refunded by FTMO if they become a trader.
Two types of accounts are offered for the challenge with different leverage effects. The “normal” account offers 1:100 leverage. The FTMO Swing account offers 1:30 leverage and allows traders to keep their positions open overnight and over the weekend.
Verification
Verification is the second phase of the challenge. As its name suggests, it’s the phase during which the trader confirms their aptitude and skills in trading.
This phase remains similar to the first in terms of expected results, without being more difficult. The only difference is that there is now no time limit to achieve the set objectives.
The free trial to familiarize yourself with the platform
In addition to the FTMO challenge, it’s possible to try the platform after your registration. Indeed, when you’ve completed your FTMO registration, you can choose the “Free trial” option to start a 14-day trial.
This trial will allow you to familiarize yourself with the platform and FTMO tools without being directly in the challenge phase. The option is comparable to a demo account with a traditional broker. You have access to the platform and can trade without risk.
If you’re not comfortable with FTMO and prefer to test the platform, you can start with this trial.
What can you trade on FTMO ?
FTMO offers access to a wide range of financial markets, allowing traders to diversify their strategies. The platform supports several types of assets, each with its own characteristics in terms of volatility, spreads, and trading conditions.
Forex : Major pairs (EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY), more exotic pairs. Ideal for traders specializing in the currency market.
Stock indices : Access to major global indices such as S&P 500 (US500), NASDAQ 100 (US100), DAX 40 (GER40) or FTSE 100 (UK100). These assets are prized for their liquidity and directional movements.
Stocks (CFDs) : Traders can speculate on major stocks via CFD contracts, without having to directly own the securities.
Commodities : Trading in oil (WTI, Brent), gold (XAU/USD), silver (XAG/USD) and other commodities prized by investors during periods of volatility.
Cryptocurrencies : FTMO allows trading popular cryptos like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and other altcoins depending on market conditions and available liquidity.
Note : Trading conditions vary according to the leverage chosen and the platform used (MT4, MT5 or cTrader). Each asset has its own spreads and opening hours, so it’s essential to check the conditions on the FTMO website before establishing a strategy.
The prop firm thus offers great flexibility to traders, allowing them to choose the markets most suited to their trading style and risk management.
How to register for the FTMO challenge ?
Before diving into the FTMO Challenge, make sure you’re well prepared to optimize your chances of success and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Follow our step-by-step guide for a smooth and efficient registration.
Click on “FTMO Challenge” to begin the registration process.
2. Fill in your personal information
Complete the form with your personal data.
Once registered, you’ll access your client area.
3. Choose your FTMO Challenge plan
Select the amount of trading capital desired ($10,000, $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, or $200,000).
Opt for normal or aggressive risk according to your trader profile.
Choose your trading platform (MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, or cTrader).
4. Launch the Challenge
In your client area, click on “Start FTMO Challenge” to configure your challenge.
Make the payment of the registration fees to validate your participation.
Once the challenge begins, respect the FTMO rules to reach the next stage.
5. Verification and activation of the trader account
After successfully completing the challenge, you must verify your identity.
Once validated, you’ll access your FTMO trader account and can begin managing real funds.
You must choose between numerous options :
Currencies : USD, EUR, CZK, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF
Risk version : Normal, aggressive
Account capital : $10,000, $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, and $250,000 (for aggressive risk, maximum $100,000)
Account type : Classic (1:100 leverage) or Swing (1:30 leverage). If you choose swing, you can trade overnight, on weekends, and during economic announcements
Platform : MT4, MT5, or cTrader
The price of the FTMO challenge will depend on the parameters chosen and ranges from $99 to$1199.
You then proceed to payment and your challenge begins. As a reminder, the first part of the challenge now has no time limit. If you succeed, you’ll then need to validate the verification phase, also with no time limit to achieve your objectives.
Successfully registering on FTMO
To maximize your chances of success on FTMO and avoid mistakes right from registration, it’s important to prepare each step well. Here’s what you need to know :
1. Choose the right capital and risk level
FTMO offers several account sizes : $10,000, $25,000, $50,000, $100,000 and $200,000. Before diving in, determine your risk level:
A normal risk for a balanced challenge.
An aggressive risk for higher leverage.
2. Select the right trading platform
FTMO supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and cTrader. Choose the one you’re most comfortable with to avoid errors due to inexperience.
3. Understand the essential challenge rules
To succeed, you must :
Not exceed a maximum daily loss of 5%.
Respect a maximum total loss of 10%.
Achieve a profit target of 10%.
Have at least 4 active trading days.
4. Respect trading restrictions
Certain strategies are prohibited, such as martingale or arbitrage. Additionally, it’s advisable to avoid trading during major economic announcements.
5. Test the platform for free (optional)
A free 14-day trial is available to discover the platform without financial commitment.
6. Finalize your registration
Once you’ve chosen your parameters, simply validate your registration and proceed with payment. If you pass the challenge, your registration fees will be fully refunded.
Tip : Practice on a demo account and apply strict risk management before attempting the FTMO challenge.
Once you’ve passed both phases of FTMO’s evaluation process, you get an FTMO Account. Although this is a demo account with virtual funds, you can receive real financial rewards based on the simulated profits you generate.
Your account capital will correspond to that of your initial challenge, so it’s wise to choose your starting amount carefully.
Profit sharing
Initial distribution : You receive 80% of the profits made, with FTMO keeping the remaining 20%.
Scaling Plan : If you meet the conditions of FTMO’s scaling plan, your capital can increase by 25%, and your share of profits can reach 90%
Scaling Plan Conditions
To benefit from the scaling plan, you must :
Have a trading cycle of at least 4 months.
Achieve a total net profit of at least 10%.
Have processed at least 2 profit withdrawals.
Maintain a positive account balance at the time of the scaling request.
Withdrawal Process
Withdrawal methods : Profits can be withdrawn via bank transfer, Skrill, or cryptocurrencies.
Processing time : Payments are generally processed within 1 to 2 business days after invoice confirmation.
Fees : FTMO does not charge any commission for withdrawals. However, minimum amounts apply: $20 for bank transfers and $50 for cryptocurrency payments.
Additionally, the amount invested for the initial challenge is fully refunded during your first profit sharing.
The platform offers an attractive reward structure for high-performing traders, with opportunities to increase allocated capital and profit share through their scaling plan.
Advantages and disadvantages of FTMO
FTMO has established itself as a global reference among prop firms, with more than 20,000 funded traders since 2014. Based in Prague and regulated by the Czech National Bank (CNB), it offers trading accounts up to $400,000 and profit sharing up to 90%.
FTMO distinguishes itself through its proprietary technology, high-performance mobile application, and advanced analytical tools. It also guarantees rigorous payment tracking, with more than 60 million paid to traders.
✅ Advantages of FTMO
Regulated and reliable company, recognized by the CNB
Guaranteed payments and bi-monthly payouts for funded traders
Scaling plan allowing capital increase up to $2M
Advanced analytical tools and high-performance mobile application
Multilingual customer support that’s responsive and available 24/5
Structured challenge with only 4 minimum trading days required for validation
❌ Disadvantages of FTMO
Challenge prices higher compared to other prop firms
Minimum duration of 14 days for the challenge to get paid, limiting ultra-fast scalpers
Strict daily limits, with a maximum drawdown of 5% per day
Trading prohibited during certain major economic announcements
FTMO remains a top-tier prop firm, but access requires strict discipline and mastered risk management. For serious traders, it offers a solid opportunity with advantageous conditions once funded.
The FTMO concept remains solid: it allows anyone to get into trading without risking their own capital. Traders can access significant funds and earn up to 90% of the profits generated, while limiting risks.
It’s a real opportunity for those looking to trade in a serious framework without having to invest huge sums upfront.
That said, not everything is perfect. Registration for the FTMO Challenge requires an initial investment that depends on the chosen capital, for example, $599 for a $100,000 account. Even if this amount can be refunded from the first profit sharing, the risk of never reaching this stage exists, especially given the rigorous selection.
Despite this, FTMO remains one of the best prop firms in the market, with fast payments and a professional framework that attracts many ambitious traders.
Client reviews for FTMO on the famous Trustpilot platform are excellent. The prop firm garners a score of 4.8/5 from 21,000 reviews, with 90%+ giving the maximum rating.
It’s rare to find a platform with any relation to investment with such a high rating. Reading the comments, they are all glowing.
You can read that payments are always made when needed, that the customer service is very responsive and excellent. Many comments assert that FTMO is the best prop firm in the market.
Here are some examples of positive FTMO reviews :
“Great follow-up, super clear platform, super quick response from FTMO teams.
If you want to start with a PropFirm, only one choice: FTMO”
Greg – Trustpilot
“I appreciate their leadership in the propfirm field. I also validated my FTMO challenge after 3 attempts. I also find the spread satisfactory. They are also prompt to help you.”
Oumasaore – Trustpilot
The negative FTMO reviews are mostly from users who haven’t passed the tests and are complaining about their non-acceptance. It’s difficult to know the exact reasons for their rejection and whether the fault lies with the platform.
Here are some examples of negative FTMO reviews :
“Why do I give 3 stars? Because I find the daily loss system misleading. Let me explain: one of my positions closed on a stop loss, granted, but it was in profit. Regarding the imputed drawdown value, they apparently calculate the maximum I could have gained and deduct it as a loss.
If your drawdown is, for example, too large, even if you’ve recorded a profit, you can lose your account. It’s very unhealthy.”
Léa is a member of the InvestX team, dedicated to guiding users through their learning journey. Passionate about cryptocurrencies, she closely follows market trends. On InvestX.fr, Léa writes articles to help readers decode the latest news and stay informed about the ever-evolving blockchain world.
Frequently Asked Questions - FTMO
What is FTMO ?
FTMO is a prop firm. It offers a unique trading service, as traders on this platform trade FTMO’s money, not their own personal capital. The company recruits traders through testing and, if approved, provides them with a trading amount, from which they receive a percentage if they make a profit.
How to become an FTMO trader ?
To become an FTMO trader, you must complete a two-step challenge. The first phase, with no time limit, requires you to achieve a 10% profit target while maintaining a maximum daily loss of 5% and a total loss of 10%. You must also trade for at least four separate days. The second phase, also with no time limit, aims to confirm your skills with a reduced profit target of 5%.
How profitable is FTMO ?
When a user completes the evaluation process and becomes an FTMO Trader, they receive 80% of the profits generated on their account. This commission can increase to 90% thanks to the Scaling Plan.
This plan also allows you to increase your account balance by 25% after meeting certain conditions, such as achieving a net profit of at least 10% over four consecutive monthly cycles.
How to withdraw your FTMO profits ?
As an FTMO trader, you receive between 80% and 90% of the profits generated. Withdrawals can be requested at any time, as long as 14 calendar days have passed since your first trade.
Funds are generally transferred within 1 to 2 business days after validation. You can withdraw your profits via bank transfer, Skrill, or cryptocurrency, with no additional fees from FTMO.
A minimum withdrawal amount is required depending on the method chosen: $20 for bank transfers and $50 for cryptocurrency withdrawals.
Is FTMO regulated ?
FTMO is not regulated by any governmental or non-governmental regulatory bodies. This is because FTMO does not operate as a broker or accept client deposits; instead, it provides simulated trading services and educational tools for traders.
Consequently, FTMO is not subject to the same regulatory oversight as traditional brokerage firms.
DISCLAIMER
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice. Trading cryptocurrencies involves risks, and it is important not to invest more than you can afford to lose.
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