What risk management and consistency rules must traders follow at FTMO?
💡 Answer
3 Percent Rule
FTMO does not enforce a fixed “3% per trade” rule. Risk is controlled primarily through the 5% Maximum Daily Loss, 10% Maximum Loss, and its monitoring/enforcement of forbidden or non-replicable risk behaviors (e.g., overleveraging/overexposure patterns).
Consistency Rules
- Minimum trading days: At least 4 trading days are required in both the FTMO Challenge and Verification.
- Verification purpose: The Verification stage is explicitly designed to confirm the trader can execute their approach consistently over time, not just hit a target in a single day.
Other Risk Rules
- Personal use only: you may not share access or allow third-party trading on your accounts.
- Max volume & server limits: maximum volume per order on Forex is 50 lots; platform/server limits apply (e.g., order/position caps and server-request protections).
- Market integrity: strategies that exploit pricing errors/latency, manipulate via coordinated or cross-account opposite positions, or use prohibited ‘gap trading’ patterns can lead to disqualification/termination.
- EA hyperactivity protection: automated trading that overloads servers (e.g., excessive daily server requests) is prohibited.
The full risk management rulebook including daily loss calculations and consistency requirements is on FTMO official website.
More FAQs about FTMO
- Are expert advisors (EAs), news trading, weekend trading, and copy trading allowed at FTMO, and which strategies are prohibited?
- What payment methods does FTMO accept, and what is its refund policy?
- How do payouts work at FTMO, including minimum payout, payout frequency, processing time, and payout methods?
- What is the maximum profit split offered by FTMO?
- What assets and markets can traders trade at FTMO?
- What leverage does FTMO offer for forex, indices, metals, and crypto trading?
- What trading platforms does FTMO support, and which broker does it use?
- What are the trading conditions at FTMO regarding spread quality, commissions, and slippage policy?
- What trading strategies are prohibited at FTMO, is martingale allowed, and are there any lot size limits?
- What type of drawdown does FTMO use for its trading accounts?
- What program types does FTMO offer to traders?
- What challenge structure does FTMO use for its evaluation process?
- What is the maximum funding offered by FTMO, and is a scaling plan available for traders?
- What is the current Trustpilot rating and number of reviews for FTMO?
- What program types are available at FTMO?
- What are the account limits at FTMO, including the maximum number of accounts, account merging rules, and lot size limits?
- Is KYC required at FTMO, and at which stage does identity verification take place?
- Are there any restricted countries at FTMO?
Guides Where FTMO Is Featured
- Prop Firms Offering Crypto Leverage of 1:3 or Higher
- Prop Firms Offering FX Leverage of 1:75 or Higher
- Prop Firms Offering Maximum Profit Split of 80% or Higher
- Prop Firms Offering Metals Leverage of 1:15 or Higher
- Prop Firms Offering More Than $400k in Funding
- Prop Firms Offering Profit Split Starting at 80% or Higher
- Prop Firms Offering Stocks Trading
- Prop Firms With At Least 7 Years in Operation
- Prop Firms with More Than 3000 Trustpilot Reviews
- Prop Firms With MT5 Platform
- Prop Firms With Trustpilot rating of 3.7 or higher
- Top Prop Firms That Accept Clients From Chad
These guides include FTMO alongside other prop firms, grouped by trading features, platforms, availability, and trader requirements.
FTMO vs Top One Trader vs FXIFY - Prop Firm Comparison (April 2026)
Side-by-side comparison of FTMO vs Top One Trader vs FXIFY. Quickly scan maximum funding, profit splits, risk rules, leverage, platforms, instruments, payout schedules, payment options, trading permissions and KYC restrictions to narrow down your prop trading firm shortlist. Data updated April 2026.
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FTMO
FTMO is a Prague-based prop trading evaluation company founded in 2015 that uses a two-step challenge (FTMO Challenge + Verification) with unlimited time, strict 5% max daily loss and 10% max loss limits, and Normal or Swing funded account types....
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Top One Trader
Top One Trader is a fast-growing prop firm offering simple 1-step and 2-step evaluations plus instant funding and Instant Prime accounts, with low-cost challenges, straightforward rules, EquityShield risk protection and profit splits that can reach 100% while scaling up to...
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FXIFY
FXIFY is a broker-backed prop firm (FXIFY Markets Ltd, licensed in Labuan, Malaysia) offering One Phase, Two Phase and Three Phase evaluations, an Instant Funding path, and a 7-day Lightning Challenge, with up to 90% performance splits, on-demand payouts on...
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| Overview | |||
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.4 |
| Trustpilot Reviews | 42,163 | 3,112 | 5,704 |
| Headquarters | Czech Republic | United States | Malaysia |
| Age (Years) | 11 | 3 | 4 |
| Max Funding | $400,000 | $5,000,000 | $4,000,000 |
| Profit Split Start | 80% | 60% | 80% |
| Profit Split Max | 90% | 100% | 90% |
| Platforms | MT4 MT5 cTrader DXtrade | MT5 cTrader Match-Trader TradeLocker | MT4 MT5 DXtrade |
| Assets | FX Indices Commodities Stocks Crypto | FX Metals Indices Commodities Crypto | FX Metals Indices Commodities Stocks Crypto |
| Leverage | |||
| FX Leverage | 100 | 50 | 50 |
| Metals Leverage | 30 | 10 | 50 |
| Crypto Leverage | 3.3 | 2 | 1 |
| Risk & Drawdown Rules | |||
| Max Daily Loss | Maximum Daily LossFTMO applies a 5% Maximum Daily Loss. It is calculated from the account’s balance at midnight CE(S)T (platform time) each day and includes the running total of the day’s closed trades + floating P/L, including commissions and swaps. If the daily limit is exceeded at any time, the account fails. | Maximum Daily LossDaily loss limits at Top One Trader are simple but strict: 1-Step and 2-Step accounts usually have a 4% daily loss cap, Instant Funding has a 3% daily loss limit and Instant Prime applies an even tighter 2.5% profile tied to the ESS metric.The daily limit is generally calculated on equity and includes both closed and floating losses; if equity falls beyond the allowed percentage in a single day, the account is considered in breach even if the loss is later recovered. | Maximum Daily LossFXIFY's daily drawdown limits are program-specific. FXIFY provides examples showing One Phase uses a 3% daily drawdown, while Two Phase uses a 4% daily drawdown. Daily drawdown is monitored alongside max drawdown thresholds, and traders should plan withdrawals and risk so that intraday equity does not breach the daily limit. |
| Max Total Loss | Maximum LossFTMO applies a 10% Maximum Loss (overall loss limit). This is a static cap measured against the account’s starting balance, and it is evaluated on equity (closed + floating results, including trading costs). Breaching it at any time results in account failure. | Maximum Overall LossOverall loss caps depend on the program: 1-Step FLASH uses a 7% trailing max drawdown, 2-Step PRO uses an 8% static max loss from the starting balance, Instant Funding runs with a 6% trailing drawdown and Instant Prime typically keeps a 5–6% trailing max loss.For trailing accounts, the max loss tracks the highest equity until a payout is taken, at which point the level locks at the initial balance; breaching the max loss at any time results in losing the account. | Maximum Overall LossFXIFY provides examples showing One Phase accounts use a 6% max drawdown and Two Phase accounts use a 10% max drawdown. For Three Phase, FXIFY describes a static drawdown option where max drawdown is set at 5% and remains static for the life of the account. |
| Drawdown Type | Drawdown ModelFTMO uses static loss limits: a daily loss limit that resets at midnight (platform time) and an overall loss limit based on the starting balance. Both limits include floating P/L and trading costs (commissions/swaps), so equity protection matters as much as closed P/L. | Drawdown ModelTop One Trader combines static and trailing drawdown models. 2-Step PRO accounts use a simple static 8% max loss from starting balance, while 1-Step FLASH, Instant Funding and Instant Prime rely on trailing max drawdown that follows peak equity and then locks at the starting balance when a payout is requested (Lock Upon Payout rule).The EquityShield risk engine helps enforce these limits by monitoring symbol-level and overall open risk and automatically closing trades if thresholds are exceeded. | Drawdown ModelFXIFY supports both trailing-style drawdown mechanics and an optional static drawdown mode (notably for 2-Phase and 3-Phase). FXIFY also explains that on 1- and 2-Phase accounts, when a withdrawal is requested, the max drawdown “locks” at the starting balance, meaning profit withdrawals reduce the buffer created by gains and can increase breach risk if no buffer remains. |
| Payouts | |||
| Payout Frequency | Payout FrequencyFTMO rewards are processed on request. Once you have access to the FTMO Account, you can request your reward after a minimum of 14 calendar days from your first day of trading on the FTMO Account (biweekly request cadence).Minimum profit thresholds apply to cover transaction costs (e.g., $20 minimum for bank transfer, $50 minimum for crypto withdrawals). | Payout Frequency1-Step and 2-Step challenge accounts pay out bi-weekly by default, with add-ons available for weekly or instant payouts after the first withdrawal. Instant Funding normally pays monthly, while Instant Prime offers bi-weekly payouts, again with minimum profit of 2% of the initial balance required to request a withdrawal.Profit splits typically start at 80–90% on challenge accounts, 60% on Instant Funding and 80% on Instant Prime, stepping up over successive payouts until they reach as high as 90–100% for long-term, consistent traders. | Payout FrequencyInstant Funding: FXIFY states Instant Funding accounts offer payouts every 14 days. Evaluation programs (1-Phase, 2-Phase, 3-Phase): FXIFY states the first payout is instant and on demand, processed right after the trader's first live trade in the funded account. |
| Days to First Payout | 14 | 30 | 0 |
| Payout Processing Time | Payout ProcessingReward requests go through a review step (typically 1–2 business days). After approval, payments are usually processed within an additional 1–2 business days, depending on the chosen payout method and banking/processor timelines. | Payout ProcessingPayouts are requested through the Top One Trader dashboard and are routed via Rise (Riseworks) to bank transfer or cryptocurrency. Approved withdrawals are often processed within about 24 hours, although exact timing can vary with the chosen method, weekends and additional compliance checks. | 0 |
| Payout Methods | Bank Transfer Cryptocurrency Skrill Neteller | Bank Transfer Crypto via Rise (Riseworks) | Crypto Bank Transfer |
| Payments | |||
| Payment Methods | Credit/Debit Card Bank Transfer Cryptocurrency Skrill | Credit Card Crypto | Credit/Debit Card Crypto |
| Trading Permissions | |||
| News Trading | Evaluation (FTMO Challenge + Verification): news trading is allowed freely during all releases.FTMO Account (Normal): for specified high-impact announcements and targeted instruments, you must not open or close trades (including SL/TP triggers) in the 2 minutes before to 2 minutes after the release.FTMO Account Swing: news trading restrictions do not apply. | News trading rules depend on the program. Evaluations are typically more flexible, but on funded and instant accounts it is prohibited to open, modify or close positions within 5 minutes before or after designated high-impact news on the affected instrument. Instant Prime provides more flexibility when combined with relevant add-ons, but bracket-style and pure spike-catching news strategies are still not allowed. | News trading rules are defined by FXIFY program terms and platform rules; traders should follow FXIFY's compliance guidance and avoid any prohibited behavior, especially around extreme volatility where drawdown breaches can occur quickly. |
| Weekend Trades | Evaluation (FTMO Challenge + Verification): holding trades over the weekend is allowed.FTMO Account (Normal): positions must be closed before the weekend market close (or if the market break/rollover is longer than 2 hours). Some cryptocurrencies may be tradable during specific weekend hours.FTMO Account Swing: no restrictions on holding positions over the weekend. | Overnight and weekend holding is allowed on 1-Step FLASH and 2-Step PRO accounts subject to normal swap charges. Instant Funding accounts require a weekend add-on to hold trades over the close; without it, positions should be closed before markets shut to avoid soft or hard breaches. | FXIFY advertises the ability to hold positions over the weekend on supported programs/instruments, subject to market hours, symbol availability, and account objectives. |
| Copy Trading | Trade copying tools can be used as long as your trading remains compliant with FTMO’s rules. FTMO’s services are for personal use only: you must not allow any third party to access or trade your accounts, and coordinated/manipulative trade patterns between connected accounts (e.g., opposite positions across accounts for manipulation) are forbidden. | Manual copy trading is allowed only between your own challenge accounts on supported platforms, and not on funded or instant funded accounts. Copying between different users, mirroring trades across large groups of accounts or hedging between accounts and firms is prohibited. Violations can lead to profit removal, account resets or termination. | Copy trading is allowed between your own FXIFY accounts and from FXIFY accounts to other accounts. To copy from an external account into a FXIFY account, FXIFY requires submission of the master account statement in HTML format beforehand, and copying from a third party is prohibited. |
| EA Allowed | EAs are allowed as long as the strategy is legitimate, replicable in real markets, and does not fall into forbidden practices. Note that automated trading that overloads servers (e.g., excessive server requests) is prohibited, and widely used third-party EAs may risk breaching maximum capital allocation constraints if multiple users run the same strategy. | Expert Advisors are allowed on 1-Step FLASH and 2-Step PRO evaluation accounts provided they are customised to the trader, fully disclosed and not commercial grid, martingale, latency or arbitrage systems. EAs are not permitted on funded and instant accounts, where trading is expected to be manual or semi-manual under the firm’s risk rules. | 1 |
| KYC & Restrictions | |||
| KYC Required | No | No | No |
| KYC Stage | FTMO requires identity verification before becoming an FTMO Trader and signing the FTMO Account Agreement. For individuals, this is KYC and typically requires a government-issued ID and proof of address. Businesses may require KYB documentation. Once the verification is complete, the FTMO Account Agreement is unlocked for signing in the Client Area. | Top One Trader applies standard KYC and AML checks. Traders must complete identity verification and, where required, provide proof of address or other documents before receiving funded accounts and before withdrawals are processed through Rise and other payment providers. | KYC is required as part of FXIFY's AML/KYC compliance process before traders can fully access withdrawals/performance fees. If a trader cannot pass KYC, FXIFY's policy explains this impacts their ability to proceed under the program's compliance requirements. |
| Restricted Countries | Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Barbados Belarus Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Central African Republic Cuba Democratic Republic of the Congo Eritrea Guam Guinea Guinea-Bissau Haiti Hong Kong Iran Iraq Kazakhstan Kosovo Libya Mali Morocco Myanmar Nicaragua North Korea Pakistan Palestine Panama Puerto Rico Russia Samoa Sierra Leone Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Tunisia Uganda Ukraine (Crimea Donetsk Luhansk) United Arab Emirates United States Minor Outlying Islands Venezuela Virgin Islands (US) Yemen Zimbabwe | Afghanistan Albania Algeria Armenia Azerbaijan Crimea (Region of Ukraine) Cuba Iran Iraq Kazakhstan Kuwait Lebanon Libya Macedonia Morocco Pakistan Russia Somalia Sudan Syria Turkey Ukraine Vietnam | United States Zimbabwe Iran Iraq North Korea Somalia Vietnam Burundi Central African Republic Ivory Coast Liberia Libya Sudan Cuba Syria Afghanistan Yemen Palestine Myanmar Nicaragua Congo Republic Crimea Democratic Republic of Congo Eritrea Guinea Guinea-Bissau Papua New Guinea South Sudan Vanuatu Venezuela Algeria Russia Kenya Ghana |
FTMO
Top One Trader
FXIFY