Are expert advisors (EAs), news trading, weekend trading, and copy trading allowed at FTMO, and which strategies are prohibited?
💡 Answer
Is the use of EA Allowed at FTMO?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.
Is News Trading allowed at FTMO?
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.
Can FTMO traders hold 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.
Is Copy Trading allowed at FTMO?
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.
What are some main Prohibited Strategies at FTMO?
FTMO prohibits (among other items): exploiting price-feed/display errors or quote delays; using slow/external data feeds; coordinated/manipulative cross-account trading (including opposite positions across connected accounts); using AI/ultra-high-speed tools or mass data entry to gain unfair advantage; ‘gap trading’ around major news or within 2 hours of market close; overleveraging/overexposure/one-sided bets/account rolling; hyperactive EAs that generate excessive server requests; and any third-party account access or account management.
More FAQs about FTMO
- 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 risk management and consistency rules must traders follow at FTMO?
- 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 Commodities Trading
- Prop Firms Offering Crypto Leverage of 1:2 or Higher
- Prop Firms Offering FX Leverage of 1:50 or Higher
- Prop Firms Offering Maximum Profit Split of 90% or Higher
- Prop Firms Offering Metals Leverage of 1:20 or Higher
- Prop Firms Offering More Than $100k in Funding
- Prop Firms Offering Profit Split Starting at 60% or Higher
- Prop Firms With At Least 10 Years in Operation
- Prop Firms with More Than 15000 Trustpilot Reviews
- Prop Firms With MT5 Platform
- Prop Firms With Trustpilot rating of 4.3 or higher
- Top Prop Firms That Accept Clients From Bangladesh
These guides include FTMO alongside other prop firms, grouped by trading features, platforms, availability, and trader requirements.
FTMO vs Funding Pips vs PipFarm - Prop Firm Comparison (March 2026)
Side-by-side comparison of FTMO vs Funding Pips vs PipFarm. 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 March 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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Funding Pips
Funding Pips is an aggressively marketed prop firm offering Instant Funding, One Step, and Two Step evaluations with profit splits up to 100%, but stricter post-funding risk rules and transparency issues mean it suits disciplined, experienced traders more than beginners.
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PipFarm
PipFarm is operated by ECI Ventures Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) and provides simulated trading challenges on the cTrader platform. Traders who pass a Trading Challenge may be enrolled in PipFarm’s Remote Trader Program and earn a reward (profit share) based on...
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| Overview | |||
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4 |
| Trustpilot Reviews | 40,041 | 48,916 | 351 |
| Headquarters | Czech Republic | United Arab Emirates | Singapore |
| Age (Years) | 11 | N/A | 3 |
| Max Funding | $400,000 | $300,000 | $300,000 |
| Profit Split Start | 80% | 80% | 70% |
| Profit Split Max | 90% | 100% | 99% |
| Platforms | MT4 MT5 cTrader DXtrade | MT5 cTrader Match-Trader | cTrader |
| Assets | FX Indices Commodities Stocks Crypto | FX Metals Indices Energy Crypto | Forex Metals Energy Indices Crypto |
| Leverage | |||
| FX Leverage | 100 | 100 | 30 |
| Metals Leverage | 30 | 30 | 20 |
| Crypto Leverage | 3.3 | 2 | 10 |
| 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 LossFunding Pips applies model-dependent daily loss limits between 3% and 5% of the account balance.How It Is Applied:Zero (Instant): 3% maximum daily loss with a 1% floating loss cap after funding.One Step: 3% maximum daily loss and 6% max overall loss.Two Step Standard: 5% maximum daily loss.Two Step Pro: 3% maximum daily loss with stricter consistency rules.Breaching the daily loss limit at any moment typically results in account termination. | Maximum Daily LossPipFarm’s Max Daily Loss rule is calculated as a percentage of the previous end-of-day (EOD) balance. By default, the daily loss limit is 3% of the previous EOD balance and is recalculated when the previous EOD balance changes. PipFarm states the EOD is calculated in the dashboard around 22:05 GMT (winter) or 21:05 GMT (US daylight savings). PipFarm also states traders may increase the daily loss limit to 4% after achieving Rank 4 in its Experience Programs. |
| 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 LossMaximum overall loss on Funding Pips accounts ranges from 5% to 10% depending on the model.How It Works:Zero: 5% trailing drawdown from the highest equity.One Step: 6% maximum loss relative to starting balance.Two Step Standard: 10% maximum loss.Two Step Pro: 6% maximum loss with tight risk requirements.If your equity falls below the allowed threshold, the account is considered breached even if the violation is brief. | Maximum Overall LossPipFarm offers different maximum-loss models depending on program selection. For Static Max Loss, PipFarm states the one-stage program uses a 6% Static Max Loss of starting balance, while the two-stage program uses a 9% Static Max Loss of starting balance. For the one-stage program, PipFarm also offers a Trailing Maximum Loss option which tracks a high watermark (balance-based) and is 9% of the high watermark balance (10% if Rank 2 or higher). |
| 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 ModelFunding Pips combines a trailing drawdown on its Zero model with static max loss rules on other accounts.Key Points:Zero accounts use a 5% trailing drawdown plus a 1% floating loss cap once funded.One Step, Two Step Standard, and Two Step Pro use fixed overall loss limits (6% or 10%) relative to starting balance.Drawdown calculations include both closed and open positions.Risk rules can become stricter after funding than during evaluation, so traders must adapt once funded.This structure creates tight but clearly defined loss thresholds, especially on the Zero and Pro models. | Drawdown ModelPipFarm’s public rules describe multiple drawdown frameworks, including: (1) a Static Max Loss (fixed percentage of starting balance), (2) a balance-based Trailing Max Loss (tracks the high watermark of account balance), and (3) an equity-based trailing max drawdown rule (high-watermark equity-based), as described in PipFarm’s Terms. |
| 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 FrequencyFunding Pips offers flexible payout cycles that vary by model and reward option.One Step and Two Step: Tuesday (60% split), bi-weekly (80%), on-demand (90%), or monthly (100%).FundingPips Pro: Weekly payouts with up to 80% split, increasing through scaling and Hot Seat.Zero (Instant): Bi-weekly payouts at 95% split, with 100% available at Hot Seat.Hot Seat: On-demand payouts with 100% profit split and up to $2M in funded capital.On-demand cycles typically require meeting specific consistency and minimum reward thresholds before requests are approved. | Payout FrequencyBy default, PipFarm schedules and processes payouts automatically on the first Friday of each month. Optional payout-frequency add-ons are available: Bi-weekly (1st and 3rd Friday of each month, +10%) and Weekly (every Friday, +25%). |
| Days to First Payout | 14 | 1 | 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 ProcessingFunding Pips processes most payout requests within 1 to 3 business days once approved. Instant Visa and Mastercard payouts are available and often arrive within about 30 minutes, while crypto withdrawals depend on network conditions and payment providers. During the payout process, trading on the affected account may be temporarily disabled until funds are sent. | Payout ProcessingPipFarm states payouts are processed automatically at 06:00 GMT on the eligible Friday and completed by 23:59 GMT the same day, provided requirements are met and there are no open positions. PipFarm’s Terms also describe a $1,000 compensation policy if a scheduled payout is missed due to internal company error (subject to conditions), and note payouts may be suspended or delayed for investigation or verification requirements. |
| Payout Methods | Bank Transfer Cryptocurrency Skrill Neteller | Bank Transfer Crypto Mastercard Riseworks Visa Direct | Rise Skrill USDT USDC |
| Payments | |||
| Payment Methods | Credit/Debit Card Bank Transfer Cryptocurrency Skrill | Credit/Debit Card Bank Transfer Skrill PayPal Google Pay Apple Pay Crypto Neteller Paysafe Card | PipFarm’s Terms state it accepts payment through various methods (including credit cards e-wallets and cryptocurrencies) though availability may vary by user and time. |
| 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 at Funding Pips depend on the model and reward cycle.One Step, Two Step, and Pro:Evaluation phase: news trading is allowed.Funded accounts: profits from trades opened less than 5 hours before and closed 5 minutes before or after high-impact news may not be counted toward rewards.On-demand reward cycles can remove some news restrictions, but conditions still apply.Zero Accounts:News trading is not allowed. | PipFarm’s marketing materials state it allows news trading and that it does not dictate how users should trade. PipFarm’s Terms also prohibit exploitative trading strategies (including “news straddling”). |
| 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. | Weekend holding rules vary by model.One Step, Two Step, and Pro:Holding trades over the weekend is allowed, subject to normal platform trading hours and gap risk.Zero Accounts:Holding trades over the weekend is not allowed; positions must be closed before market close. | N/A |
| 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. | Funding Pips allows controlled copy trading with important limitations.Permitted:You may copy trades between your own Funding Pips accounts under the same individual.Your Funding Pips account may act as a master to external slave accounts via partners such as PropFirmOne, as long as core rules are respected.Not Permitted:Using copy trading arrangements to circumvent risk limits, hedge opposite accounts, or engage in arbitrage-style strategies.All copied activity must comply with Funding Pips risk, consistency, and forbidden strategy rules. | PipFarm’s Terms list copy-trading/managed-account services (e.g., MQL5 or ZuluTrade) as prohibited trading practices, and also prohibit trading on behalf of others or having others trade on your behalf. |
| 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 (EAs) are allowed at Funding Pips only under strict conditions.Permitted:EAs that function primarily as trade or risk managers on your own accounts.Not Permitted:Third-party or commercial EAs whose logic you do not control.Algorithms designed for latency arbitrage, gap exploitation, or other abusive high-frequency behaviour.All automated trading must reflect your own strategy and respect the firm’s risk and consistency rules. | PipFarm’s Terms prohibit using a commercial trading robot purchased from a third party without any adjustment to strategy. |
| KYC & Restrictions | |||
| KYC Required | No | Yes | 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. | Funding Pips requires identity verification in line with its payout and compliance procedures. Full KYC is mandatory when using the Rise platform for payouts and may be requested before larger or repeated withdrawals via other methods. Traders should expect to submit standard ID and residency documents before accessing significant profit distributions. | PipFarm’s Terms state that to participate in the Remote Trader Program, the user must pass an ID verification process after passing a Trading Challenge for the first time. PipFarm states verification is completed via ComplyCube or Veriff and may require an identity document, a selfie, and (in some cases) proof of address, questionnaires, or a video call. |
| 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 | Iran United Arab Emirates Vietnam | Afghanistan Central African Republic Congo (Republic of the Congo) Crimea Democratic Republic of Congo Iran Libya North Korea Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Yemen |