Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | FTMO | FundedNext |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 80% → 90% | 80% → 95% |
| First Payout | 30 | — |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly (first after 30 days) | Bi-weekly ($100 minimum) |
| Max Account Size | $200,000 | $200,000 |
In this independent head-to-head comparison of FTMO vs FundedNext, 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
FundedNext: $306.9M Paid Out. 71K Trustpilot Reviews. $4M Scaling.
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 FundedNext at 9.7/10.
Minimum Fee: FTMO starts from $155; FundedNext starts from $32. FundedNext is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: FTMO offers 80% → 90%; FundedNext offers 80% → 95%. FundedNext has the higher split.
Platforms: FTMO supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade; FundedNext is on MT4, MT5, cTrader, MatchTrader, Tradovate, NinjaTrader.
Tradeable Markets: FTMO covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Stocks; FundedNext offers Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, CME Futures.
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how FTMO and FundedNext 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+.
FundedNext challenge fees start from $32. The firm has operated since 2022. They have funded over 200,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $306,900,000+.
On entry-level pricing, FundedNext offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
FTMO profit split: 80% → 90%. FundedNext profit split: 80% → 95%. FundedNext delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: FTMO pays Bi-weekly (first after 30 days); FundedNext pays Bi-weekly ($100 minimum). 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 FundedNext:
FundedNext was founded in 2022 and is headquartered in Ajman, UAE, led by CEO Abdullah Jayed. In under three years the firm has distributed $306.9M+ in rewards to funded traders — one of the highest verified payout totals in the entire prop firm industry. The 71,000+ Trustpilot reviews at 4.5/5 give it the largest independent review base of any firm we have rated, providing a level of external validation that few competitors can match. With 200,000+ funded accounts, a 6,000+ person global team, and 50+ offices worldwide, FundedNext operates at a scale that places it alongside FTMO in the top tier of the industry.
FundedNext suits a broad range of traders. Four program formats — Express, Evaluation (2-step), Stellar 1-Step, and Stellar 2-Step — cover different risk tolerances and evaluation styles. Account sizes from $6,000 to $200,000 (scaling to $4,000,000) give beginners a low-cost entry point and professionals a credible ceiling. EAs and hedging are both permitted, which matters for systematic traders. The platform also covers CME futures via Tradovate and NinjaTrader alongside its CFD offering.
Key restriction: weekend holding is not permitted — all positions must be closed before the weekend. News trading is also restricted. Traders who use weekend gaps or news momentum as part of their strategy should account for this before joining.
Four evaluation formats:
15% profit share during evaluation: Like WeMasterTrade, FundedNext pays traders 15% of profits earned during the challenge phase itself — before passing. The challenge fee is effectively refundable through evaluation earnings for traders who perform well.
Balance-based drawdown: FundedNext uses balance-based (not trailing/equity-based) drawdown. The drawdown buffer only resets when you close trades in profit — floating profits do not compress your cushion. This is meaningfully more favorable than equity-based trailing drawdown used by many competitors.
| Account | Fee | Target | Daily DD | Max DD | Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6,000 | $32 | 10% | 5% | 10% | 80–95% |
| $15,000 | $70 | 10% | 5% | 10% | 80–95% |
| $25,000 | $119 | 10% | 5% | 10% | 80–95% |
| $50,000 | $199 | 10% | 5% | 10% | 80–95% |
| $100,000 | $349 | 10% | 5% | 10% | 80–95% |
| $200,000 | $549 | 10% | 5% | 10% | 80–95% |
Six platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, MatchTrader, Tradovate (Futures), NinjaTrader (Futures). Instruments: forex, indices, commodities, crypto, CME futures. EAs and hedging permitted. No weekend holding. News trading restricted.
Support: 24/7 live chat in 44 languages. 25+ global meetups annually. 600-second average response time.
FundedNext earns a 9.0 BestProp score — the second-highest in our database behind FTMO. $306.9M in verified payouts, 71,000+ Trustpilot reviews, 200,000+ funded accounts, and a 6,000-person global team are institutional-grade numbers. The balance-based drawdown (not trailing) is a meaningful structural advantage for traders managing open positions. The 15% evaluation-phase profit share, $4M scaling ceiling, and futures coverage via Tradovate and NinjaTrader round out a comprehensive offering.
The trade-offs are real but limited in scope: no weekend holding, news trading restricted, and the 95% split requires a paid upgrade from the 80% base. For traders whose strategies work within those rules, FundedNext is one of the two or three most credible prop firms operating globally in 2026.
Overall, our independent scoring gives FTMO the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If FundedNext 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.
FundedNext offers a lower entry-level challenge fee. However, always compare the full account sizes you plan to trade before deciding purely on price.
FundedNext offers the higher profit split. FTMO: 80% → 90%. FundedNext: 80% → 95%.
EA policies: FTMO — check the review. FundedNext — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: FTMO — check the review. FundedNext — check the review.
Read the full FTMO review → · Read the full FundedNext 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 FundedNext offers 80% → 95% profit split. Check each firm's current terms as these can change.
Yes! FTMO has code BESTPROP. Use these at checkout to save on your challenge fee.
FTMO processes first payouts in 30 day(s), while FundedNext takes approximately a variable timeframe. Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither FTMO nor FundedNext 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.
