Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | FTMO | For Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 80% → 90% | 80% → 90% |
| First Payout | 30 | — |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly (first after 30 days) | On-demand (48h guarantee) |
| Max Account Size | $200,000 | $100,000 |
In this independent head-to-head comparison of FTMO vs For Traders, 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
For Traders: Our Challenge. Your Rules.
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 For Traders at 9.1/10.
Minimum Fee: FTMO starts from $155; For Traders starts from $50. For Traders is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: FTMO offers 80% → 90%; For Traders offers 80% → 90%. For Traders has the higher split.
Platforms: FTMO supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade; For Traders is on TradeLocker, cTrader, MT5.
Tradeable Markets: FTMO covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Stocks; For Traders offers Forex, Indices, Metals, Crypto, Futures.
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how FTMO and For Traders 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+.
For Traders challenge fees start from $50. The firm has operated since 2023. They have funded over 150,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $10M+.
On entry-level pricing, For Traders offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
FTMO profit split: 80% → 90%. For Traders profit split: 80% → 90%. For Traders delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: FTMO pays Bi-weekly (first after 30 days); For Traders pays On-demand (48h guarantee). 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 For Traders:
For Traders launched in 2023 with a simple positioning statement: Our Challenge. Your Rules. The Prague and Dubai-based firm lets traders configure their challenge parameters — target, variant, and capital — before buying, rather than fitting their strategy to a fixed rulebook. With 150,000+ customers, $10M+ paid out, and a 48-hour payout guarantee (backed by a 100% profit split penalty if they miss it), For Traders has built a credible track record in a short time.
The firm covers forex, indices, metals, crypto, and futures — one of the broadest instrument sets in the funded trading space outside of FTMO — and supports TradeLocker, cTrader, and MT5 across web, mobile, and desktop.
For Traders suits multi-market traders who want to fund a forex, futures, or crypto account under a single brand. If you trade different asset classes with different strategies, For Traders lets you run separate programs per market rather than forcing everything into one account type.
The firm is also a strong fit for traders who prioritise payout reliability — the 48-hour guarantee with a financial penalty for delays is one of the few hard contractual commitments in the prop firm space.
For Traders offers five distinct funding programs:
Account sizes run from $5,000 up to $100,000 per market standard, with Premium Program access up to $300,000 for top-performing traders. Fees start at $50 for a $5,000 account, scaling to $399 for a $100,000 1-Step Forex account.
For Traders supports three platforms across all devices:
Tradable assets: 100+ forex pairs, 50+ crypto coins (24/7 including weekends), major indices (US30, NAS100, DAX40), gold, silver, oil, and futures contracts. MT4 is not supported.
For Traders’ payout infrastructure is one of its strongest selling points:
The card and crypto withdrawal options being free and instant are a genuine differentiator — most prop firms charge fees on all withdrawal methods.
For Traders earns an 8.2 BestProp score. The multi-market coverage, configurable challenge format, and 48-hour payout guarantee make it one of the more complete prop firm offerings launched in the last three years. The trailing drawdown on the 1-Step Forex program is more forgiving than static drawdown, which suits swing traders and position traders well.
The caution is the news trading restriction and the 40% margin rule — both require attention if you run macro-driven or high-leverage strategies. For traders who can work within those guardrails, For Traders delivers genuine value across forex, futures, and crypto from a single platform.
Overall, our independent scoring gives FTMO the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If For Traders 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.
For Traders offers a lower entry-level challenge fee. However, always compare the full account sizes you plan to trade before deciding purely on price.
For Traders offers the higher profit split. FTMO: 80% → 90%. For Traders: 80% → 90%.
EA policies: FTMO — check the review. For Traders — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: FTMO — check the review. For Traders — check the review.
Read the full FTMO review → · Read the full For Traders 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 For Traders offers 80% → 90% profit split. Check each firm's current terms as these can change.
Yes! FTMO has code BESTPROP. For Traders has code BESTPROP10. Use these at checkout to save on your challenge fee.
FTMO processes first payouts in 30 day(s), while For Traders takes approximately a variable timeframe. Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither FTMO nor For Traders 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.
