Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | FTMO | Earn2Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 80% → 90% | 50% (payouts under $1,500), 80% (payouts over $1,500) |
| First Payout | 30 | 14 |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly (first after 30 days) | Weekly |
| Max Account Size | $200,000 | $200,000 |
In this independent head-to-head comparison of FTMO vs Earn2Trade, 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
Earn2Trade: Futures prop trading with a subscription career path and one-time Gauntlet Mini evaluation.
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 Earn2Trade at 8.8/10.
Minimum Fee: FTMO starts from $155; Earn2Trade starts from $68. Earn2Trade is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: FTMO offers 80% → 90%; Earn2Trade offers 50% (payouts under $1,500), 80% (payouts over $1,500). Earn2Trade has the higher split.
Platforms: FTMO supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade; Earn2Trade is on Tradovate, NinjaTrader, Rithmic, TradingView, Finamark.
Tradeable Markets: FTMO covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Stocks; Earn2Trade offers Futures (CME, COMEX, NYMEX, CBOT).
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how FTMO and Earn2Trade 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+.
Earn2Trade challenge fees start from $68. The firm has operated since 2016.
On entry-level pricing, Earn2Trade offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
FTMO profit split: 80% → 90%. Earn2Trade profit split: 50% (payouts under $1,500), 80% (payouts over $1,500). Earn2Trade delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: FTMO pays Bi-weekly (first after 30 days); Earn2Trade pays Weekly. 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 Earn2Trade:
Earn2Trade was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Sheridan, Wyoming, USA. It is a futures-only prop firm offering two distinct evaluation models: the Trader Career Path® (TCP), a monthly subscription program, and the Gauntlet Mini™, a one-time fee evaluation. Both programs provide access to real futures markets via established platforms including Tradovate, NinjaTrader, Rithmic, TradingView, and Finamark.
TCP is a subscription-based evaluation at $150/month for a $25,000 virtual account. After passing (hitting the $1,750 profit target while staying within drawdown limits), traders receive a funded LiveSim® account with no additional subscription fee. The funded account then scales through four capital tiers: $25K → $50K → $100K → $200K by repeatedly meeting profit targets at each stage. No monthly fee is charged at any funded tier — only the evaluation subscription applies.
The Gauntlet Mini is a one-time fee evaluation program starting at $50,000 virtual accounts and available up to $200,000. Fees start from $68. Unlike TCP, passing the Gauntlet Mini grants a funded account matched to the evaluation size rather than a scaled entry point. Full fee details are available at earn2trade.com/the-gauntlet-mini.
TCP uses an end-of-day (EOD) drawdown calculation during evaluation — losses are measured at day close rather than intraday. Daily loss limits apply: $550/day on the $25K account, scaling proportionally through the tiers. A 30% consistency rule applies during evaluation only — at least 30% of trading days must be profitable. This requirement is dropped once funded.
Payouts are made weekly. The profit split is 50% for withdrawals under $1,500 and 80% for withdrawals over $1,500 — an unusual tiered structure that rewards larger payouts. An activation fee is deducted from the first funded withdrawal (no upfront charge). News trading is unrestricted across all programs.
Overall, our independent scoring gives FTMO the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If Earn2Trade 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.
Earn2Trade offers a lower entry-level challenge fee. However, always compare the full account sizes you plan to trade before deciding purely on price.
Earn2Trade offers the higher profit split. FTMO: 80% → 90%. Earn2Trade: 50% (payouts under $1,500), 80% (payouts over $1,500).
EA policies: FTMO — check the review. Earn2Trade — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: FTMO — check the review. Earn2Trade — check the review.
Read the full FTMO review → · Read the full Earn2Trade 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 Earn2Trade offers 50% (payouts under $1,500), 80% (payouts over $1,500) 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 Earn2Trade takes approximately 14 day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither FTMO nor Earn2Trade 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.
