TradFlakes
Founded in 2015 in Prague, Czech Republic, FTMO pioneered the modern prop-firm evaluation model and remains the benchmark most competitors are measured against. Traders complete a structured evaluation (commonly a two-phase Challenge and Verification process, though 1-step options also exist) to prove risk discipline before accessing simulated funded capital. FTMO has processed tens of thousands of independently verified Trustpilot reviews β a review volume no direct competitor currently matches β and recently expanded its footprint through the acquisition of OANDA, with FTMO's founders now serving as co-CEOs of the combined company.
FTMO didn't just enter the prop trading space β it effectively created the modern version of it. Founded in 2015, it remains the benchmark every competitor gets measured against, and with over a decade of continuous operation and the highest independently-verified review volume in the industry, that reputation is earned rather than marketed. FTMO's biggest strength is its longevity and transparency. A decade of consistent operation under a publicly registered corporate entity (FTMO s.r.o.) is genuinely rare in an industry where firms routinely launch and disappear within a year, and that alone de-risks the "will they actually pay me" question that dominates most prop firm research. The firm also offers two genuinely distinct paths rather than superficial pricing tiers: the 1-Step suits traders who want speed and a higher 90% profit split but need to carefully manage a trailing drawdown, while the 2-Step suits traders who want the Swing account's freedom from news and weekend restrictions, along with a fully refundable fee. On top of this, FTMO's payout structure is more flexible than it first appears β the Day-14-then-on-demand model gives traders more control than a rigid biweekly cycle, and the option to roll profits back into the account (available on 2-Step) is a thoughtful touch for anyone trying to scale their balance organically rather than always cashing out. FTMO's recent acquisition of OANDA further signals the company is scaling into broader financial infrastructure rather than simply running a challenge business, a meaningfully different trajectory than most of its competitors. That said, a few things are worth approaching with caution. The trailing Max Loss on the 1-Step model is easy to misjudge β a strong early trading day can actually increase your breach risk later if you give back gains, which catches traders who assume "trailing" automatically means more forgiving. The 1-Step's fee is also non-refundable even after passing, unlike the 2-Step, which is a real cost difference worth weighing against the appeal of a faster, single-phase structure. FTMO's pricing tends to run higher than several newer competitors at equivalent account sizes, which is the most consistent criticism found across independent reviews. The rule structure itself also demands real study before trading, since the interaction between challenge model (1-Step or 2-Step) and account type (Standard or Swing) means the "same" rule can carry opposite values depending on what a trader selected at signup β a nuance that isn't always obvious to first-time traders. And the Best Day Rule on the 1-Step model can silently block funding even after a trader hits the profit target, exactly the kind of "technically passed but can't withdraw" scenario we walked through in our worked examples above. Taken together, FTMO earns its position as the industry's most trusted name through genuine longevity and transparency rather than marketing alone. It rewards traders who take the time to understand exactly which combination of model and account type fits their style β the flexibility on offer is real, but so is the complexity that comes with it. For traders who prioritize reliability and a decade-plus track record over the cheapest entry fee, FTMO remains a defensible top pick. As with any prop firm, terms, pricing, and rules are updated periodically β verify current details directly on FTMO's official site before purchasing, and treat this comparison as a starting reference rather than a final word.
FTMO is a prop trading firm founded in 2015 in Prague, where traders complete an evaluation process (the FTMO Challenge) to prove risk discipline, then trade simulated capital and earn a share of the profits as real-money Rewards. All trading capital is simulated β the only real financial risk is the upfront challenge fee.
The 1-Step is a single-phase evaluation with a 10% profit target, a 3% daily loss limit, and a 10% trailing max loss, offering a 90% profit split but a non-refundable fee. The 2-Step splits the evaluation into two phases (10% then 5% targets), uses a wider 5% daily loss and static 10% max loss, starts at an 80% split (scaling to 90%), and refunds the fee on your first
Only on the 2-Step model β 4 separate Trading Days are required per phase. The 1-Step has no minimum trading days requirement at all.
It applies only to the 1-Step model: your single most profitable day cannot represent more than 50% of your total "Positive Days' Profit." Exceeding it isn't a breach β you simply need to keep trading profitably until the ratio comes back under 50% before you can pass or claim a Reward.
You become eligible starting on Day 14 after your first trade on the funded FTMO Account, and can request a withdrawal any day after that β it's not a fixed biweekly cycle, just a 14-day minimum floor. Approval typically takes 1-2 business days, and payment is sent 1-2 business days after that.
Only on the 2-Step model β the fee is fully refunded with your first Reward withdrawal. The 1-Step fee is not refunded after passing.
FTMO has operated continuously since 2015 with a publicly registered corporate entity (FTMO s.r.o.). Independent review of critical/negative feedback found no clear evidence of systemic payout withholding β most negative reviews trace back to specific rule violations rather than the firm refusing to pay legitimate Rewards.
The challenge fee is forfeited, and you'd need to purchase a new challenge to try again. Neither the 1-Step nor 2-Step fee is refunded on a failed attempt β refunds only apply after successfully reaching a funded payout.
