FTMO Review 2026: Is FTMO Worth It for Traders?
FTMO / FTMO Challenge
FTMO is a well-known proprietary trading evaluation firm that allows traders to prove their skills through simulated trading challenges. Traders can choose 1-Step or 2-Step evaluations with account sizes up to $200,000 and become eligible for real-money rewards after meeting FTMO's trading objectives.
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Affiliate disclosure
This review is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. FTMO's trading programs use simulated capital, and trading results are not guaranteed. Rules, fees, available products, reward conditions and other terms may change, so readers should verify the latest information directly with FTMO before purchasing a Challenge.
Pros
- Established prop trading brand with a long operating history.
- Simulated account sizes available up to $200,000.
- Offers both 1-Step and 2-Step evaluation options.
- Clear profit-target and risk-management objectives.
- Unlimited time to complete the evaluation.
- Free Trial available for practice.
- Analytical tools and performance-tracking resources.
- 90% Reward Ratio available on the 1-Step model.
- 2-Step Challenge fee can be reimbursed with the first Reward under the applicable conditions.
- Multiple Reward withdrawal methods are available.
Cons
- Traders must follow strict drawdown and risk-management rules.
- Passing the evaluation requires consistent performance rather than simply achieving short-term profits.
- The 1-Step Challenge fee is non-refundable.
- Challenge fees vary depending on the selected account size and product.
- The simulated account environment does not mean trading income is guaranteed.
- Rules and program conditions can differ between 1-Step and 2-Step models.
- Not ideal for traders who do not already have a disciplined trading strategy.
Full review
FTMO has been operating since 2015 and focuses on identifying traders who can demonstrate consistent trading performance and risk management. Rather than requiring traders to deposit a large amount of personal trading capital, FTMO uses an evaluation model based on simulated trading. The company currently offers FTMO Challenge 1-Step and 2-Step programs, with simulated account sizes ranging from $10,000 to $200,000.
The 2-Step process consists of the FTMO Challenge followed by Verification. In the Challenge phase, traders generally need to reach a 10% profit target while respecting the maximum daily loss and maximum loss rules. Verification has a lower 5% profit target, while the maximum daily loss is 5% and maximum loss is 10%. The 2-Step process also requires at least four trading days in each phase, and there is no maximum time limit to complete the evaluation.
FTMO's newer 1-Step Challenge provides a shorter evaluation route without a Verification phase. It has a 10% profit target, a 3% maximum daily loss and a 10% maximum loss. The 1-Step model also offers a 90% reward ratio, although its initial fee is non-refundable.
One of FTMO's strongest advantages is its structured risk-management framework. Instead of simply rewarding traders for making profits, the evaluation emphasizes controlling drawdown and maintaining disciplined trading behavior. This can be useful for traders who already have a tested strategy and want to demonstrate that they can follow predefined risk limits.
FTMO also provides analytical and educational tools, including account analysis, trading calculators, Account MetriX and other applications designed to help traders evaluate their performance. The company also offers a Free Trial, allowing potential traders to practice with simulated capital before purchasing a Challenge.
Another important consideration is the Challenge fee. For the 2-Step Challenge, the fee covers both stages and can be reimbursed with the first Reward after successfully becoming an FTMO Trader. For the 1-Step Challenge, the fee is non-refundable. Current pricing depends on the selected account size and product, so traders should check the official FTMO website before purchasing.
For successful traders, FTMO states that Rewards can be requested from the 14th day after the first trade, provided the applicable requirements are met and positions are closed. The standard Reward Ratio is 90% for the 1-Step model and 80% for the 2-Step model, with the 2-Step ratio potentially increasing to 90% under applicable programs.
Overall, FTMO is best suited to traders who already understand their strategy, position sizing and risk management. It is not an easy shortcut to trading income. The simulated account structure may reduce the need to risk substantial personal trading capital, but traders still pay an evaluation fee and can fail if they violate the trading objectives.
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