Independent Guide — No Marketing Fluff
FTMO FAQ & Complete Guide
The two-step Challenge and Verification, daily and maximum loss limits, scaling plan, OANDA US access for American traders, automation rules.
FTMO: key facts
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView |
|---|---|
| Programs | 2-Step (Forex/CFD): up to $200K, target 10% Challenge / 5% Verification · 1-Step (Forex/CFD): up to $200K, target 10% · Futures Growth: $50K-$150K, target $3,000 / $6,000 / $9,000, split 90% payout ratio · Futures Pro: $50K-$150K, target $3,000 / $6,000 / $9,000, split 90% payout ratio |
| Daily loss limit | 2-Step: 5% of initial capital; 1-Step: 3%; Futures Pro: $1,000-$2,000; Futures Growth: none in evaluation (soft limit when funded) |
| Maximum loss | 2-Step: 10% static; 1-Step: 10% EOD trailing; Futures: EOD trailing $2,000-$5,000 (trailing, end-of-day) |
| Consistency rule | 1-Step: best day max 50% of positive days' profit; Futures Growth 40%, Pro 50% best-day rule; 2-Step: none stated |
| Minimum trading days | 2-Step: at least 4 trading days |
| Bots and EAs | Allowed. FAQ states algorithmic trading and EAs are permitted if trading stays realistic and replicable live. Third-party EAs risk breaching max capital allocation per strategy; limits of 200 orders at a time and 2,000 requests/day; hyperactive EAs may be forbidden. |
| PickMyTrade connection | cTrader |
Where PickMyTrade cannot automate FTMO
MT4/MT5 accounts cannot be automated by PickMyTrade; only cTrader accounts. Futures account platform connection not confirmed on pages read.
Checked against FTMO's own pages on October 1, 2026. Rules change, so confirm them before you pay for an evaluation.
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FTMO Basics
What is FTMO?
FTMO is a proprietary trading firm that provides funded accounts to traders who pass an evaluation. You pay an evaluation fee, reach a profit target without breaking the drawdown rules, and move to a funded account where you keep a share of the profits. The Key facts table above lists FTMO's current plans and payout terms.
Is FTMO legit?
Always verify independently before purchasing. Check the firm's official documentation. Read the funded trader agreement carefully before paying any evaluation fee. Prop firm rules, fees, and payout policies change frequently.
Are FTMO accounts real money or simulated?
Retail prop firm accounts, including those at FTMO, typically run on simulated infrastructure that mirrors real market data. Payouts are funded from the firm's evaluation revenue rather than from live market profits. The Key facts table above shows how FTMO's funded accounts are structured.
Is FTMO regulated?
Prop firms generally operate as technology or contractor companies rather than regulated broker-dealers or FCMs, so they are typically not registered with the SEC, CFTC, FINRA, or FCA. The relationship is governed by the trader agreement, not by securities regulation. Read {name}'s agreement for its exact legal terms before paying.
Account Types
What evaluation models does FTMO offer?
FTMO offers evaluation programs in which you reach a profit target while staying inside drawdown limits. Each model differs in account size, target, and drawdown type. The Key facts table above shows which models FTMO offers right now.
What is the difference between the evaluation and funded account at FTMO?
The evaluation is the test phase where you must hit a profit target without breaching drawdown rules. The funded account is the phase you graduate into after passing, where you can request payouts based on your trading performance. Rules, drawdown types, and payout mechanics often differ between the two phases.
Does FTMO offer instant funding?
Some prop firms sell instant funding alongside standard evaluations: you skip the profit-target phase, usually pay more, and often get stricter drawdown or payout terms. Whether FTMO offers it is covered in the Key facts table above.
Can I run multiple funded accounts at FTMO?
Running several funded accounts at once is common, often with a per-person cap. Firms usually restrict hedging between accounts and copying trades across them in ways that look like one position split up. The Key facts table above shows the account limit for FTMO.
Plans & Pricing
What account sizes does FTMO offer?
Prop firms sell evaluations in several account sizes, from small starter accounts to large ones, and the fee rises with size. Promotional discounts can change the price a lot. See the Key facts table above for FTMO's sizes and fees and the date they were checked.
Does FTMO charge monthly fees or one-time fees?
Evaluation pricing follows one of two models: a recurring monthly subscription until you pass, or a one-time fee per attempt. The model affects total cost if you need several attempts. The Key facts table above states which one FTMO uses.
Does FTMO offer discount codes?
Prop firms often run recurring promotions around holidays and product launches, usually through promo codes or newsletters. Codes change quickly, so a code from an aggregator may already be expired. Compare FTMO's discounted price with the standard fee in the Key facts table above.
Profit Targets
What are the profit targets on FTMO evaluations?
The profit target is the amount you must earn in an evaluation to pass, set as a percentage of the starting balance (commonly 6-10%). A bigger account means a bigger dollar target. FTMO's targets per plan are in the Key facts table above.
Do profit targets exist on funded accounts at FTMO?
Many prop firms drop the profit target once you are funded and focus on drawdown limits and payout eligibility, such as minimum profit and number of winning days. So the goal shifts from hitting a target to staying consistent. FTMO's funded-phase terms are summarised above.
Does FTMO evaluate on closing balance or floating equity?
Profit targets are usually measured on closed (realized) P&L, not floating equity, so you must close positions for gains to count toward the target. An open winning trade alone will not pass the evaluation. Confirm FTMO's measurement basis in the Key facts table above.
Drawdowns: Trailing & Daily
What type of drawdown does FTMO use?
A drawdown limit caps how much you can lose. The main types are trailing drawdown (the floor rises with your profits), static maximum drawdown (a fixed floor from the starting balance), and a daily loss limit. See the Key facts table above for FTMO's type and amounts.
Does the drawdown at FTMO apply to unrealized (floating) P&L?
Drawdown is measured either on equity (including open positions) or on balance (closed trades only). Intraday trailing drawdowns follow unrealized P&L tick by tick, while end-of-day drawdowns update only at session close. Which basis FTMO uses is shown in the Key facts table above.
What happens when I breach the drawdown at FTMO?
Breaching the drawdown limit normally liquidates open positions and closes the account. In an evaluation you must buy a new one or pay for a reset, if the firm offers resets. The Key facts table above notes FTMO's breach consequences.
What is a daily loss limit (DLL) at FTMO?
A daily loss limit (DLL) caps your loss within one trading day. Breaching it usually suspends trading until the next session instead of closing the account, though some firms treat it as a full breach. FTMO's DLL amounts are in the Key facts table above.
Consistency Rule
Does FTMO have a consistency rule?
Many prop firms enforce a consistency rule that limits how much of your total profit can come from a single trading day — typically expressed as a maximum percentage (e.g., 30–50%). This prevents traders from qualifying via one large lucky trade. Check whether FTMO enforces this rule and the exact threshold.
Does violating the consistency rule fail my account at FTMO?
Typically, violating the consistency rule blocks a payout request rather than failing the account. You would need to trade additional smaller-profit days to bring your best-day percentage back under the threshold before requesting a payout. Confirm FTMO's exact policy.
Does the consistency rule reset after a payout at FTMO?
The consistency clock usually resets after each approved payout, so the next payout cycle starts from zero and earlier big days no longer count against you. Whether this applies to FTMO is stated in the Key facts table above.
Trading Days, Hours & Holidays
Does FTMO require a minimum number of trading days?
Many prop firms require a minimum number of qualifying trading days before a payout. A qualifying day usually means you traded and made at least a set minimum profit that day. The exact count and threshold for FTMO are in the Key facts table above.
Can I trade news events at FTMO?
Some prop firms restrict trading around high-impact news such as NFP or FOMC, for example by blocking entries for a few minutes either side. Others allow it freely. The news-trading rule for FTMO is listed in the Key facts table above.
Can I hold positions overnight at FTMO?
Overnight rules differ by firm and account type. Futures-focused firms often require all positions flat before the daily close, while others allow swing trades held overnight or over weekends. Check the Key facts table above for FTMO's policy.
Instruments & Markets
What instruments can I trade at FTMO?
Prop firms offer different markets depending on focus: forex pairs, futures, indices, commodities, or a mix. Futures firms trade CME products like ES and NQ, while forex firms use MT4/MT5 symbols. FTMO's tradable instruments are in the Key facts table above.
What are the contract/lot size limits at FTMO?
Prop firms cap position size to manage risk, usually as a maximum number of contracts (futures) or lots (forex), scaled to account size. Exceeding it can trigger a rule breach. See the Key facts table above for FTMO's limits per account size.
Automation & EAs
Does FTMO allow automated trading / EAs?
Algorithmic trading and Expert Advisors (EAs) are allowed at many prop firms, but strategies like HFT, latency arbitrage, and tick scalping are commonly restricted. The permitted scope is set in the trader agreement. FTMO's automation stance is summarised in the Key facts table above.
Can I automate FTMO with TradingView via PickMyTrade?
PickMyTrade bridges TradingView alerts to your broker account connected to FTMO. When your TradingView strategy triggers, PickMyTrade receives the webhook and executes the trade on your broker within ~200ms — no coding required. Set up takes about 5 minutes. Try it free at app.pickmytrade.io.
Does FTMO allow copy trading?
Copy trading rules differ. Many firms allow copying your own trades across your own accounts but ban copying from external sources or signal providers, and some ban it altogether. Confirm FTMO's policy in the Key facts table above before setting up any copier.
How do I use PickMyTrade's trading time controls with FTMO?
PickMyTrade's Trading Time Settings let you define sessions that automatically close all open positions and cancel orders when the session ends — keeping you flat before broker cutoffs. You can define multiple trading sessions, apply settings per account, and combine with news-aware controls. Full guide: docs.pickmytrade.trade.
Platforms
What trading platforms does FTMO support?
FTMO supports one or more trading platforms depending on the asset class. Common platforms include Tradovate, Rithmic/NinjaTrader (futures), MetaTrader 4/5, cTrader, DXTrade, and TradeLocker (forex/CFD). Check their official site for the current list of supported platforms.
Can I use FTMO on Mac?
Mac compatibility depends on which platforms FTMO supports. Web-based platforms work on any OS. Native applications like NinjaTrader are Windows-only (Mac users typically use Parallels). Check whether FTMO's supported platforms offer Mac-native clients or web alternatives.
Can I trade FTMO on mobile?
Mobile availability depends on FTMO's supported platforms. Many platforms (Tradovate, MetaTrader) have iOS and Android apps. Mobile is generally suitable for monitoring and emergency exits but most traders use desktop for active trading.
PickMyTrade Webhook Setup
How do I connect TradingView to FTMO via PickMyTrade?
Setup takes about 5 minutes: (1) Create a PickMyTrade account at app.pickmytrade.io. (2) Connect your broker account (the one linked to your FTMO evaluation or funded account). (3) Configure your strategy settings — instrument, order size, direction. (4) Click "Generate Alert" to get the JSON payload and webhook URL. (5) Paste both into your TradingView alert. Done — your TradingView signals will now fire trades on your FTMO account within ~200ms.
How much does PMT cost on top of FTMO fees?
$50/month per broker connection. PickMyTrade supports unlimited accounts under the same broker login with a single subscription. If you have accounts under different broker logins, each login requires its own subscription. There is a 7-day free trial, no card required — start at pickmytrade.io.
What TradingView plan do I need for PickMyTrade?
TradingView's webhook feature requires a paid plan — Essential ($12.95/month) or higher. The free TradingView plan does not support webhooks. Once you have a paid TradingView plan, webhooks are unlimited.
Does PickMyTrade require coding?
No coding required. PickMyTrade auto-generates the alert JSON for you. You paste the generated JSON and webhook URL into TradingView — no programming knowledge needed. PickMyTrade also supports custom JSON for advanced users who want fine-grained control.
How fast does PickMyTrade execute trades on FTMO?
PickMyTrade processes webhooks and submits orders to your broker in approximately 200 milliseconds from when TradingView fires the alert. This is suitable for most strategy types. High-frequency or pure tick-scalping strategies should evaluate whether webhook latency is acceptable for their edge.
Payouts
What is the profit split at FTMO?
The profit split is the percentage of funded-account profit you keep. Splits typically range from 70% to 100% and can rise with scaling tiers or payout count. FTMO's split is shown in the Key facts table above.
How often can I request payouts at FTMO?
Payout frequency depends on the firm: some allow on-demand withdrawals once you are eligible, others pay weekly, biweekly, or monthly, usually after a minimum profit threshold. See the Key facts table above for FTMO's payout cadence and minimums.
How does FTMO pay out — bank transfer or other methods?
Prop firms pay out through bank wire, ACH, PayPal, or platforms such as Deel, Rise, or Tipalti, and availability depends on your country. Processing times range from hours to several business days. FTMO's supported methods are listed in the Key facts table above.
Is FTMO income taxable?
Yes — prop firm payouts are generally taxable income in most jurisdictions. In the US, payouts are typically self-employment income reported on Schedule C, subject to income tax and self-employment tax. Consult a licensed tax professional familiar with trading income for guidance specific to your situation.
Does FTMO scale funded accounts?
Scaling programs raise your funded balance after you show consistent profit, typically by hitting profit milestones within set drawdown rules. They can also change your profit split. The Key facts table above notes whether FTMO offers scaling.