Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | FTMO | DNA Funded |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 80% → 90% | 80% (up to 90%) |
| First Payout | 30 | 14 |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly (first after 30 days) | From day 14 (day 7 with add-on) |
| Max Account Size | $200,000 | $200,000 |
In this independent head-to-head comparison of FTMO vs DNA Funded, 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
DNA Funded: 10-Day Rapid Challenge. 24-Hour Entry from $25. $600K 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 DNA Funded at 7.9/10.
Minimum Fee: FTMO starts from $155; DNA Funded starts from $25. DNA Funded is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: FTMO offers 80% → 90%; DNA Funded offers 80% (up to 90%). DNA Funded has the higher split.
Platforms: FTMO supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade; DNA Funded is on TradeLocker.
Tradeable Markets: FTMO covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Stocks; DNA Funded offers Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto.
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how FTMO and DNA Funded 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+.
DNA Funded challenge fees start from $25.
On entry-level pricing, DNA Funded offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
FTMO profit split: 80% → 90%. DNA Funded profit split: 80% (up to 90%). DNA Funded delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: FTMO pays Bi-weekly (first after 30 days); DNA Funded pays From day 14 (day 7 with add-on). 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 DNA Funded:
DNA Funded is led by CEO Martin Doepke and registered in Saint Lucia. The firm offers five distinct challenge types including a genuinely unusual 10-day Rapid Challenge and a 24-hour micro-challenge entry point from just $25. Maximum scaling reaches $600,000. Trading is conducted exclusively on TradeLocker.
One important cost factor to understand before joining: DNA Funded charges a flat $5 commission per non-crypto trade and a 0.1% fee on crypto trades. This is separate from the challenge fee and applies on funded accounts. For high-frequency traders executing many positions per day, this commission structure adds meaningful ongoing cost that should be factored into profitability calculations before choosing this platform.
DNA Funded suits traders who want a wide range of challenge formats – from a $25 24-hour entry challenge all the way to a $200K two-phase evaluation. The Rapid Challenge is the most distinctive offering: a strict 10-calendar-day window with a 5% profit target, designed for traders who want fast confirmation of their edge without an open-ended evaluation period.
USA and Canadian traders are excluded. Grid and martingale strategies are prohibited. News trading is allowed but restricted to a 5-minute window before and after major releases.
Single platform: TradeLocker. Instruments: forex, indices, commodities, stocks, cryptocurrencies (all CFDs). Restricted countries: USA, Canada, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Sudan, Cuba, Crimea region.
DNA Funded earns a 6.7 BestProp score. The 10-day Rapid Challenge and $25 24-hour entry challenge are genuinely unique formats not available at most competitors. The programme variety (5 types) is solid and the 5% Rapid target is accessible.
The per-trade $5 commission is the most significant negative in the platform – it adds cost that compounds quickly for active traders and is not present at most competing firms. The Trustpilot score of 3.8/5 from 72 reviews is a small sample but moderate. The 5% cap on the first 3 payouts, $50 bank transfer fee, and single-platform limitation (TradeLocker only) further constrain the value proposition. DNA Funded is worth considering specifically for the Rapid Challenge format – for general prop trading the commission structure warrants careful analysis before committing.
Overall, our independent scoring gives FTMO the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If DNA Funded 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.
DNA Funded offers a lower entry-level challenge fee. However, always compare the full account sizes you plan to trade before deciding purely on price.
DNA Funded offers the higher profit split. FTMO: 80% → 90%. DNA Funded: 80% (up to 90%).
EA policies: FTMO — check the review. DNA Funded — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: FTMO — check the review. DNA Funded — check the review.
Read the full FTMO review → · Read the full DNA Funded 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 DNA Funded offers 80% (up to 90%) 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 DNA Funded takes approximately 14 day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither FTMO nor DNA Funded 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.
