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Pipster Research · Firm profile

FTMORules, sourced and dated.

Every rule we have verified for FTMO's 2 programmes, each linked to the page it came from on ftmo.com.

Covers FTMO's CFD products on ftmo.com. FTMO Futures and the US offering are separate products and are not covered. No instant funding programme was listed on ftmo.com on the verification date.

Programmes
2
Data points
35
Sources
15
Last verified
28 Sep 2026

FTMO at a glance

  • FTMO Challenge: 2-Step: target 10% then 5%; daily loss 5% of initial capital, from the midnight balance; max loss 10% static; split 80%, up to 90%.
  • FTMO Challenge: 1-Step: target 10%; daily loss 3% of initial capital, from the midnight balance; max loss 10% end-of-day trailing; split 90%.

Platforms

MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
“you can use some of the most popular retail trading platforms – MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader or TradingView.”

FTMO FAQ: Which platforms can I use for trading?Verified

2-STEP

FTMO Challenge: 2-Step

13 of 15 rules verified from FTMO's own pages.

Targets and loss limits

Profit target
10% then 5%

Phase 1 is the FTMO Challenge and phase 2 the Verification. There is no profit target on the FTMO Account.

“Phase 1: 10%, Phase 2: 5%”

FTMO Comparison TableVerified

Daily drawdown
5% of initial capital, from the midnight balance

The limit is the balance at 00:00 CE(S)T minus 5% of initial capital, and equity (including open losses) must stay above it. The same rule applies on the FTMO Account.

“the Maximum Daily Loss Amount, which is 5% of the Initial Simulated Capital.”

FTMO Trading ObjectivesVerified

Max drawdown
10% static

Equity may not fall below 90% of initial capital. The same rule applies on the FTMO Account.

“The Maximum Loss rule establishes a static limit (the Maximum Loss Limit) below which your account equity”

FTMO Trading ObjectivesVerified

Time

Time limit
Unlimited
“There is no maximum time limit to complete the FTMO Challenge: 2-Step, allowing you to progress at your own pace.”

FTMO FAQ: How long does it take to become an FTMO Trader?Verified

Min. trading days
4 per phase

A trading day is any day on which at least one position is opened. There is no minimum on the FTMO Account.

“The Minimum Trading Days rule requires the trader to achieve at least 4 Trading Days.”

FTMO Trading ObjectivesVerified

Inactivity limit
30 days without a trade

Termination for inactivity is at FTMO's discretion under the FTMO Challenge Terms (clause 13.2.3). The same clause covers holding a loss of 8% to 10% for more than 30 days.

“you do not open at least one simulated trade on the Trading Platform for a period of thirty (30) consecutive calendar days”

FTMO Challenge Terms and Conditions (last updated 4 August 2026)Verified

Trading restrictions

Consistency rule
None

The Best Day Rule applies only to the 1-Step product; the comparison table lists none for the 2-Step.

“Provided you maintain sustainable risk management practices, there are no additional consistency requirements for your trading.”

FTMO FAQ: Do you have any consistency rules?Verified

News trading
Challenge: allowed. Funded: no trades ±2 min of selected releases

No restriction during the Challenge or Verification. On a Standard FTMO Account, no trades may be opened or closed on affected instruments from 2 minutes before to 2 minutes after selected releases. Swing accounts are exempt.

“On the targeted instruments, it is not permitted to open or close any trades, including the execution of pending orders (such as Stop Loss or Take Profit), within a time window starting 2 minutes before and ending 2 minutes after the release of selected news announcements.”

FTMO FAQ: Can I trade news?Verified

Weekend holding
Challenge: allowed. Funded: close before the weekend

Applies to the Standard account type on the FTMO Account; Swing accounts may hold over the weekend.

“you are required to close your positions shortly before the markets close for the weekend or if the rollover (market break) lasts longer than 2 hours.”

FTMO FAQ: Do I have to close my positions overnight or before the weekend?Verified

Payouts

Profit split
80%, up to 90%

Rises to 90% through the Scaling Plan or Premium Programme.

“You receive 80% of the profit (increases to 90% if Scaling Plan or Premium Programme conditions are met).”

FTMO FAQ: How do I withdraw my reward?Verified

First payout
14 days after the first funded trade

Counted from the first trade on the FTMO Account. All positions and pending orders must be closed before requesting.

“You can request a Reward claim in the Account MetriX on the 14th or any following day after the first placed trade on the specific account.”

FTMO FAQ: How do I withdraw my reward?Verified

Payout frequency
Not yet verified
Payout cap
Not yet verified

Cost

Evaluation fee
€89 to €1,080

Prices are listed in EUR for USD accounts of $10,000 to $200,000 (Standard account type). The $100,000 size showed a promotional price of €439 on the verification date.

“One-time refundable fee from”

FTMO: Choose Your FTMO Challenge (pricing table)Verified

FTMO Challenge: 2-Step list prices by account size
SizePrice
10K€89
25K€250
50K€345
100K€540
200K€1,080
Fee refund
Refunded with the first Reward
“The entry fee may be refunded with the first Reward withdrawal.”

FTMO FAQ: Is the entry fee refunded?Verified

Also worth knowing

  • $400,000 maximum capital allocation
    “At any given time, the total capital allocation across all accounts is limited to $400,000 per trader or strategy (prior to any scaling).”

    FTMO FAQ: How many accounts can I have?Verified

  • Stop loss not mandatory
    “We do not require you to use a Stop-loss (although it’s generally advisable to always have certain safety measures in place).”

    FTMO FAQ: Which instruments can I trade and what strategies am I allowed to use?Verified

  • Swing account type available

    Chosen at purchase; it cannot be switched from Standard to Swing later.

    “The FTMO Swing account type is available exclusively within the FTMO Challenge: 2-Step.”

    FTMO FAQ: FTMO Swing account typeVerified

  • 2,000 server requests per day limit
    “an excessive number of more than 2,000 server requests per day on individual simulated trades or pending orders being opened, modified, or closed”

    FTMO Forbidden Trading PracticesVerified

1-STEP

FTMO Challenge: 1-Step

13 of 15 rules verified from FTMO's own pages.

Targets and loss limits

Profit target
10%
“The Profit Target for the FTMO Challenge is calculated as 10% of the Initial Simulated Capital.”

FTMO Trading ObjectivesVerified

Daily drawdown
3% of initial capital, from the midnight balance

The limit is the balance at 00:00 CE(S)T minus 3% of initial capital, and equity (including open losses) must stay above it. The same rule applies on the FTMO Account.

“the Maximum Daily Loss Amount, which is 3% of the Initial Simulated Capital.”

FTMO Trading ObjectivesVerified

Max drawdown
10% end-of-day trailing

The floor trails the highest balance recorded at 00:00 CE(S)T and never decreases. It resets to 90% of initial capital when a new FTMO Account is issued after a Reward.

“The Maximum Loss rule establishes an end-of-day trailing limit (the Maximum Loss Limit) below which your account equity”

FTMO Trading ObjectivesVerified

Time

Time limit
Unlimited
“There is no maximum time limit to complete the FTMO Challenge: 1-Step.”

FTMO FAQ: How long does it take to become an FTMO Trader?Verified

Min. trading days
None (Best Day Rule means at least 2)

There is no Minimum Trading Days objective, but the 50% Best Day Rule means profit must come from at least two days.

“Due to the Best Day Rule, it is possible to complete the FTMO Challenge: 1-Step in as few as 2 trading days, provided that exactly 50% of the total profit target is achieved on each of two separate trading days.”

FTMO FAQ: How long does it take to become an FTMO Trader?Verified

Inactivity limit
30 days without a trade

Termination for inactivity is at FTMO's discretion under the FTMO Challenge Terms (clause 13.2.3). The same clause covers holding a loss of 8% to 10% for more than 30 days.

“you do not open at least one simulated trade on the Trading Platform for a period of thirty (30) consecutive calendar days”

FTMO Challenge Terms and Conditions (last updated 4 August 2026)Verified

Trading restrictions

Consistency rule
Best Day Rule: 50%

Exceeding it is not a breach; you keep trading until the best day is 50% or less of positive days' profit. It applies to passing and to each Reward on the FTMO Account.

“the Best Day Rule requires that your Best Day does not represent more than 50% of your Positive Days’ Profit.”

FTMO Trading ObjectivesVerified

News trading
Challenge: allowed. Funded: no trades ±2 min of selected releases

No restriction during the Challenge or Verification. On a Standard FTMO Account, no trades may be opened or closed on affected instruments from 2 minutes before to 2 minutes after selected releases.

“On the targeted instruments, it is not permitted to open or close any trades, including the execution of pending orders (such as Stop Loss or Take Profit), within a time window starting 2 minutes before and ending 2 minutes after the release of selected news announcements.”

FTMO FAQ: Can I trade news?Verified

Weekend holding
Challenge: allowed. Funded: close before the weekend

The Swing account type, which removes this restriction, is not offered for the 1-Step.

“you are required to close your positions shortly before the markets close for the weekend or if the rollover (market break) lasts longer than 2 hours.”

FTMO FAQ: Do I have to close my positions overnight or before the weekend?Verified

Payouts

Profit split
90%

Rewards cannot be left on the account to grow the balance.

“FTMO Challenge: 1-Step: You receive 90% of the profit.”

FTMO FAQ: How do I withdraw my reward?Verified

First payout
14 days after the first funded trade

Counted from the first trade on the FTMO Account. All positions and pending orders must be closed before requesting.

“You can request a Reward claim in the Account MetriX on the 14th or any following day after the first placed trade on the specific account.”

FTMO FAQ: How do I withdraw my reward?Verified

Payout frequency
Not yet verified
Payout cap
Not yet verified

Cost

Evaluation fee
€79 to €999

Prices are listed in EUR for USD accounts of $10,000 to $200,000 (Standard account type). The $100,000 size showed a promotional price of €399 on the verification date.

“One-time fee (non-refundable)”

FTMO: Choose Your FTMO Challenge (pricing table)Verified

FTMO Challenge: 1-Step list prices by account size
SizePrice
10K€79
25K€199
50K€319
100K€499
200K€999
Fee refund
Not refunded
“The entry fee is not refunded.”

FTMO FAQ: Is the entry fee refunded?Verified

Also worth knowing

  • $400,000 maximum capital allocation
    “At any given time, the total capital allocation across all accounts is limited to $400,000 per trader or strategy (prior to any scaling).”

    FTMO FAQ: How many accounts can I have?Verified

  • Stop loss not mandatory
    “We do not require you to use a Stop-loss (although it’s generally advisable to always have certain safety measures in place).”

    FTMO FAQ: Which instruments can I trade and what strategies am I allowed to use?Verified

  • No splitting profit across days to meet the Best Day Rule
    “use trading strategies that artificially distribute profit across multiple days without proportionally distributing market risk”

    FTMO Forbidden Trading PracticesVerified

  • 2,000 server requests per day limit
    “an excessive number of more than 2,000 server requests per day on individual simulated trades or pending orders being opened, modified, or closed”

    FTMO Forbidden Trading PracticesVerified

Q&A

Questions this data answers

Answers are generated from the verified values above, programme by programme, with the source and date each rests on.

What is FTMO's daily drawdown limit?

FTMO Challenge: 2-Step: 5% of initial capital, from the midnight balance. FTMO Challenge: 1-Step: 3% of initial capital, from the midnight balance. Source: FTMO Trading Objectives, verified 28 September 2026.

What is FTMO's maximum drawdown?

FTMO Challenge: 2-Step: 10% static. FTMO Challenge: 1-Step: 10% end-of-day trailing. Source: FTMO Trading Objectives, verified 28 September 2026.

Does FTMO have a consistency rule?

FTMO Challenge: 2-Step: None. FTMO Challenge: 1-Step: Best Day Rule: 50%. Source: FTMO FAQ: Do you have any consistency rules? and FTMO Trading Objectives, verified 28 September 2026.

Does FTMO allow news trading?

FTMO Challenge: 2-Step: Challenge: allowed. Funded: no trades ±2 min of selected releases. FTMO Challenge: 1-Step: Challenge: allowed. Funded: no trades ±2 min of selected releases. Source: FTMO FAQ: Can I trade news?, verified 28 September 2026.

Does FTMO have a time limit?

FTMO Challenge: 2-Step: Unlimited. FTMO Challenge: 1-Step: Unlimited. Source: FTMO FAQ: How long does it take to become an FTMO Trader?, verified 28 September 2026.

What are FTMO's minimum trading days?

FTMO Challenge: 2-Step: 4 per phase. FTMO Challenge: 1-Step: None (Best Day Rule means at least 2). Source: FTMO Trading Objectives and FTMO FAQ: How long does it take to become an FTMO Trader?, verified 28 September 2026.

When does FTMO pay out?

FTMO Challenge: 2-Step: 14 days after the first funded trade. FTMO Challenge: 1-Step: 14 days after the first funded trade. Source: FTMO FAQ: How do I withdraw my reward?, verified 28 September 2026.

What profit split does FTMO offer?

FTMO Challenge: 2-Step: 80%, up to 90%. FTMO Challenge: 1-Step: 90%. Source: FTMO FAQ: How do I withdraw my reward?, verified 28 September 2026.

How much does a FTMO challenge cost?

FTMO Challenge: 2-Step: €89 to €1,080. FTMO Challenge: 1-Step: €79 to €999. Source: FTMO: Choose Your FTMO Challenge (pricing table), verified 28 September 2026.

SRC

Sources

Every page this profile draws on. We use FTMO's own website, help centre and terms only.

  1. 01
    FTMO Trading Objectives

    https://ftmo.com/en/trading-objectives/

  2. 02
    FTMO Comparison Table

    https://ftmo.com/en/comparison-table/

  3. 03
  4. 04
    FTMO FAQ: How long does it take to become an FTMO Trader?

    https://ftmo.com/en/faq/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-an-ftmo-trader/

  5. 05
    FTMO FAQ: Can I trade news?

    https://ftmo.com/en/faq/can-i-trade-news/

  6. 06
    FTMO FAQ: Do I have to close my positions overnight or before the weekend?

    https://ftmo.com/en/faq/do-i-have-to-close-my-positions-overnight-or-before-the-weekend/

  7. 07
    FTMO FAQ: Do you have any consistency rules?

    https://ftmo.com/en/faq/do-you-have-any-consistency-rules/

  8. 08
    FTMO FAQ: How do I withdraw my reward?

    https://ftmo.com/en/faq/how-do-i-withdraw-my-profits/

  9. 09
    FTMO FAQ: Is the entry fee refunded?

    https://ftmo.com/en/faq/is-the-entry-fee-refunded/

  10. 10
    FTMO FAQ: Which platforms can I use for trading?

    https://ftmo.com/en/faq/which-platforms-can-i-use-for-trading/

  11. 11
    FTMO FAQ: How many accounts can I have?

    https://ftmo.com/en/faq/how-many-accounts-can-i-have/

  12. 12
    FTMO FAQ: Which instruments can I trade and what strategies am I allowed to use?

    https://ftmo.com/en/faq/which-instruments-can-i-trade-and-what-strategies-am-i-allowed-to-use/

  13. 13
    FTMO FAQ: FTMO Swing account type

    https://ftmo.com/en/faq/ftmo-swing-account-type/

  14. 14
    FTMO Forbidden Trading Practices

    https://ftmo.com/en/forbidden-trading-practices/

  15. 15

Who publishes this

Pipster is a prop firm. We include our own programmes and hold them to the same method: public first-party pages only, checked on the date shown. We do not rank firms, and no firm pays to be included or to change its data. Read the methodology.

Cite this

Pipster Research, "FTMO rules, payouts and costs", verified 28 September 2026. https://www.pipster.io/research/firms/ftmo

Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 with attribution.

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