Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | FTMO | FuturesElite |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 80% → 90% | 90% (100% on first $10K per account) |
| First Payout | 30 | - |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly (first after 30 days) | Bi-weekly / On-demand |
| Max Account Size | $200,000 | $250,000 |
In this independent head-to-head comparison of FTMO vs FuturesElite, we break down challenge rules, pricing, profit splits, and payout conditions to help you decide which prop firm is the better fit for your trading style.
FTMO: The Original Prop Firm, Proven Since 2015
FuturesElite: EOD Drawdown. 8 Platforms. First $10K at 100%. Up to 20 Accounts.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, FTMO scores 9.8/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: FTMO scores 9.8/10 vs FuturesElite at 8.2/10.
Minimum Fee: FTMO starts from $155; FuturesElite starts from $125/mo. FuturesElite is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: FTMO offers 80% → 90%; FuturesElite offers 90% (100% on first $10K per account). FuturesElite has the higher split.
Platforms: FTMO supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade; FuturesElite is on NinjaTrader 8, Tradovate, ProjectX, Quantower, ATAS, Volumetrica, DeepDom, DeepCharts.
Tradeable Markets: FTMO covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Stocks; FuturesElite offers Futures: ES, NQ, CL, GC, Bonds (CME, CBOT, COMEX, NYMEX).
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how FTMO and FuturesElite compare on pricing.
FTMO challenge fees start from $155. The firm has operated since 2015. They have funded over 3,500,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $500M+.
FuturesElite challenge fees start from $125/mo. The firm has operated since 2023. Total payouts to date: $3,000,000+.
On entry-level pricing, FuturesElite offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
FTMO profit split: 80% → 90%. FuturesElite profit split: 90% (100% on first $10K per account). FuturesElite delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: FTMO pays Bi-weekly (first after 30 days); FuturesElite pays Bi-weekly / On-demand. Faster payouts are better for cash flow management.
Here is our full independent review of FTMO:
FTMO is the firm that defined the modern prop trading industry. Founded in January 2015 in the Czech Republic, FTMO pioneered the two-phase evaluation model that dozens of firms have since copied, and remains the benchmark against which every funded trading program is measured. With $500M+ paid out to traders across 140+ countries and a 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating, its track record is unmatched in the space.
The firm operates on simulated capital — funded accounts use fictitious funds that mirror live market conditions, with profits paid as rewards. This structure is explicitly stated and legally compliant across most jurisdictions. For traders who want certainty above all else, FTMO remains the default choice.
FTMO suits professional and semi-professional traders who trade forex, metals, indices, or commodities on MetaTrader, cTrader, or DXtrade. The evaluation process is disciplined and methodical — it rewards consistent traders, not lucky ones.
It is less suitable for traders seeking instant funding, very short payout cycles, or crypto futures trading. FTMO’s monthly payout model and 30-day waiting period for the first reward are trade-offs you accept for the credibility and payout certainty that come with the most established name in the industry.
FTMO offers two evaluation formats, plus a free trial:
Challenge fees are refunded on your first profit reward. Account sizes from $10,000 to $200,000, with scaling up to $400,000 through FTMO’s Scaling Plan.
2-Step Program:
1-Step Program:
News trading is restricted on Standard 2-Step FTMO Accounts but allowed during the evaluation phases. Swing accounts have no such restrictions.
FTMO supports the widest platform range in the prop firm industry:
Tradable assets cover forex pairs, metals (gold, silver), indices, commodities, and crypto (CFDs). This is one of the broadest instrument sets in funded trading.
FTMO earns a 9.1 BestProp score — the highest we award. It is not the cheapest, fastest, or most flexible prop firm. But it is the most proven, with a decade of operation, $500M+ paid, and a transparent legal structure that has been tested across multiple regulatory environments.
If you are a serious trader looking for a funded account you can build a long-term career on, FTMO is where you start. The 30-day first payout and monthly cycle are the only real trade-offs, and they are worth it for the certainty you get in return.
Here is our full independent review of FuturesElite:
FuturesElite is operated by Quantum SRL (registration number 03095010595), headquartered in Latina, Italy. CEO Christian Habibi founded the firm in 2023 with a focus exclusively on futures trading across CME, CBOT, COMEX, and NYMEX markets. With a 4.7/5 Trustpilot rating and $3M+ in total payouts, the firm is establishing a track record in the futures prop space, though it remains younger and smaller than the longest-standing futures prop firms.
FuturesElite differentiates itself through an unusually wide platform selection – six trading platforms plus two order-routing back-ends – and the ability to run up to 20 simultaneous funded accounts. All accounts are simulated trading environments.
FuturesElite offers four account types: Evaluation, Elite (funded), Prime, and Instant. The primary path is a 1-Step Evaluation leading to Elite funded status.
1-Step Evaluation (monthly subscription): A single evaluation phase with a dollar-based profit target and End-of-Day (EOD) drawdown calculation. Fees are monthly – the evaluation runs until the target is hit, with no time limit. Specific per-size pricing:
Elite Funded Account: After passing the evaluation, traders are upgraded within seconds (Instant Upgrades). No daily loss limit once funded. 30% consistency rule applies to payouts. First $10,000 in profits per account is paid at 100% split; thereafter 90%. Payout cap of $2,000 per cycle on $50K accounts.
Instant Account: Skip the evaluation, trade funded immediately. Zero activation fee. Terms align with Elite funded account rules.
Prime Account: Higher-capital option available via bundles (e.g., 10 x $150K accounts = $1.5M total capital; 10th account provided free). Contact support for individual Prime account terms.
FuturesElite calculates drawdown at end-of-day (market close) rather than in real time. This means intraday wicks, volatility spikes, and brief unrealized drawdowns during open positions do not trigger account breaches. Only the closing balance is evaluated against the drawdown threshold. This is a meaningful advantage for futures traders who hold through volatile intraday moves – instruments like NQ and CL regularly see $1,000+ point intraday swings that would close accounts under real-time drawdown rules.
FuturesElite supports one of the widest platform selections in the futures prop space:
Instruments: ES (S&P 500 futures), NQ (Nasdaq-100), CL (Crude Oil), GC (Gold), Treasury Bonds, and other listed CME/CBOT/COMEX/NYMEX products.
Up to 20 simultaneous accounts permitted, with trade copier support between them. Bundle pricing is available: 5 x $50K Elite accounts for $250K total capital, and 10 x $150K Prime accounts for $1.5M total capital (10th account free). This allows serious futures traders to scale capital significantly beyond the per-account maximum.
FuturesElite earns a 7.0 BestProp score. The EOD drawdown calculation is a genuine edge for futures traders, the platform selection (NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, ATAS, ProjectX and more) is the broadest in the prop space, the first $10K at 100% split is a real bonus, and 20 simultaneous accounts with copier support enables meaningful capital scaling. The 4.7/5 Trustpilot rating is strong for a 2023 firm.
The main constraints: $3M+ total payouts is modest relative to older firms, the monthly subscription model means ongoing costs if the evaluation takes time, the $2,000 payout cap per cycle on $50K accounts is restrictive for consistent traders, and the 30% consistency rule adds a behavioral filter on withdrawals. FuturesElite is best suited to experienced futures traders who want platform flexibility and the EOD drawdown protection, and who plan to scale via multiple accounts.
Overall, our independent scoring gives FTMO the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If FuturesElite better matches your specific trading style, instruments, or preferred platform, it may still be the right choice for you.
Use our comparison table above and review the challenge fees at both firms before making your final decision. Both offer risk-free evaluation programs — the challenge fee is the only money at risk.
Based on our independent scoring, FTMO scores higher overall (9.8/10). The best choice depends on your trading style, preferred instruments, and account size.
FuturesElite offers a lower entry-level challenge fee. However, always compare the full account sizes you plan to trade before deciding purely on price.
FuturesElite offers the higher profit split. FTMO: 80% → 90%. FuturesElite: 90% (100% on first $10K per account).
EA policies: FTMO — check the review. FuturesElite — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: FTMO — check the review. FuturesElite — check the review.
Read the full FTMO review → · Read the full FuturesElite review →
Based on our scoring methodology, FTMO edges ahead in this comparison. However, the best choice depends on your trading style, preferred platform and account size. Read the full breakdown above for a detailed verdict.
FTMO offers 80% → 90% profit split, while FuturesElite offers 90% (100% on first $10K per account) profit split. Check each firm's current terms as these can change.
Check our offers page for the latest verified deals on both firms.
FTMO processes first payouts in 30 day(s), while FuturesElite takes approximately - day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither FTMO nor FuturesElite are regulated in the traditional financial sense — prop firms operate as private companies providing traders access to simulated or real capital. Always read the terms and conditions carefully before participating in any prop challenge.
