Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | FTMO | BrightFunded |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 80% → 90% | 80% → 100% |
| First Payout | 30 | 30 |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly (first after 30 days) | Bi-weekly (weekly add-on available) |
| Max Account Size | $200,000 | $200,000 |
In this independent head-to-head comparison of FTMO vs BrightFunded, 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
BrightFunded: Static Rules. Fast Payouts. Zero Fees.
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 BrightFunded at 8.9/10.
Minimum Fee: FTMO starts from $155; BrightFunded starts from €55. BrightFunded is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: FTMO offers 80% → 90%; BrightFunded offers 80% → 100%. BrightFunded has the higher split.
Platforms: FTMO supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade; BrightFunded is on cTrader, MT5, DXtrade.
Tradeable Markets: FTMO covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Stocks; BrightFunded offers Forex, Crypto, Indices, Commodities (150+ assets).
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how FTMO and BrightFunded 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+.
BrightFunded challenge fees start from €55. The firm has operated since 2023. They have funded over 27,500+ traders. Total payouts to date: $7M+.
On entry-level pricing, BrightFunded offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
FTMO profit split: 80% → 90%. BrightFunded profit split: 80% → 100%. BrightFunded delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: FTMO pays Bi-weekly (first after 30 days); BrightFunded pays Bi-weekly (weekly add-on available). 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 BrightFunded:
BrightFunded launched in September 2023 with offices in Dubai, Amsterdam, and Warsaw, and has paid out $7M+ to 27,500+ active traders. The firm focuses on a single, well-built evaluation path — a two-phase challenge with static drawdown rules, no consistency requirements, and one of the faster payout processes in the industry (4–8 hours typical, 24-hour maximum guarantee).
Unlike firms that offer 1-step, instant funding, and multiple program types, BrightFunded deliberately keeps its structure simple: one evaluation model, six account sizes, and a clean set of rules. This makes it easy to understand what you’re buying and what’s expected.
BrightFunded suits forex, indices, and multi-asset traders who want predictable, static drawdown rules and no consistency requirements. The static 5%/10% drawdown — which never trails regardless of account growth — means you always know exactly where your limits are. The no-consistency-rule policy means you can make 80% of your profit target in a single trade if your strategy calls for it.
The 30-day wait for the first funded payout and bi-weekly default payout cycle make BrightFunded less suited to traders who need frequent cash flow. If you can absorb that waiting period, the 4–8 hour actual processing time and zero-fee withdrawals are genuinely strong.
BrightFunded offers one evaluation format in six account sizes:
Fees are charged in EUR and are refundable as an optional add-on at checkout (not automatic — you pay extra to guarantee fee refund on your first payout):
BrightFunded’s checkout includes optional upgrades that customise your challenge:
BrightFunded also runs a Trade2Earn loyalty program that awards token rewards for trading activity — an unusual feature in the prop firm space worth monitoring as it develops.
BrightFunded earns a 7.9 BestProp score. The static drawdown rules, zero-fee withdrawals, no-consistency-rule policy, and 4–8 hour payout processing are all genuinely strong features. The 100% profit split after the third scaling event is one of the more generous long-term rewards structures available.
The trade-offs are the 30-day first payout wait, fees charged in EUR (not USD), and the optional rather than automatic fee refund. For traders with a multi-month time horizon who want clean, predictable rules and fast payouts once they’re funded, BrightFunded delivers well above its price point.
Overall, our independent scoring gives FTMO the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If BrightFunded 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.
BrightFunded offers a lower entry-level challenge fee. However, always compare the full account sizes you plan to trade before deciding purely on price.
BrightFunded offers the higher profit split. FTMO: 80% → 90%. BrightFunded: 80% → 100%.
EA policies: FTMO — check the review. BrightFunded — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: FTMO — check the review. BrightFunded — check the review.
Read the full FTMO review → · Read the full BrightFunded 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 BrightFunded offers 80% → 100% profit split. Check each firm's current terms as these can change.
Yes! FTMO has code BESTPROP. BrightFunded has code GQn1yORPRWm5qawN7M7FeA. Use these at checkout to save on your challenge fee.
FTMO processes first payouts in 30 day(s), while BrightFunded takes approximately 30 day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither FTMO nor BrightFunded 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.
