FTMO Review 2026: Rules, Fees, Payouts and Who It Fits

FTMO at a glance

FTMO has operated since 2015 and offers simulated evaluation programs leading to an FTMO Account where eligible traders can receive real-money rewards from simulated performance. Review the live data on the [FTMO profile](/firms/ftmo) and compare it with alternatives in [Compare](/compare).

2-Step structure

FTMO’s official 2-Step page lists a 10% target in the Challenge, 5% in Verification, 5% maximum daily loss, 10% maximum loss, four minimum trading days and unlimited time. The fee is described as refundable with the first reward after successful progression.

This structure may suit traders who prefer a larger static loss allowance and accept two evaluation phases.

1-Step structure

The official 1-Step offer lists a 10% profit target, 3% maximum daily loss, a balance-based end-of-day trailing maximum loss and a 50% Best Day rule. The published reward ratio is 90%, and the one-time fee is non-refundable.

One step is faster on paper, but the tighter daily limit and Best Day rule can make it harder for concentrated strategies. Read [one-step versus two-step](/blog/one-step-vs-two-step-prop-firm-challenge) before choosing.

Rewards and withdrawal timing

FTMO states that a reward request becomes available on the 14th day or later after the first trade on the relevant FTMO Account. Open positions and pending orders must be closed. Its FAQ says reviews typically take one to two business days and lists bank transfer, eligible card transfers, Skrill and cryptocurrency options, with method-specific limits.

For 2-Step accounts, the standard reward is 80%, potentially increasing to 90% under scaling or premium conditions. The 1-Step product publishes 90%.

News and weekend trading

Permissions depend on account type and stage. FTMO says evaluation-stage news restrictions do not apply, while selected-news restrictions can apply to Standard FTMO Accounts. Swing accounts have different weekend and news permissions. Do not assume evaluation permissions carry into the reward stage.

Advantages

• long operating history;
• unlimited evaluation time;
• clearly published numeric objectives;
• free trial availability;
• several payout methods;
• one-step and two-step choice.

Trade-offs

• all stages are described as demo/simulated environments;
• 1-Step uses a Best Day rule and tighter daily loss;
• Standard versus Swing permissions differ;
• the most suitable model depends heavily on trading frequency.

Verdict

FTMO is a strong research candidate for disciplined CFD traders who understand daily-loss calculations and choose the correct account type. The 2-Step model is generally easier to model; the 1-Step model prioritizes speed but adds concentration constraints.

Sources: FTMO 2-Step objectives, FTMO reward FAQ, FTMO 1-Step offer.

Verified July 15, 2026. Prices and product availability can change by region.