Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | FTMO | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 80% → 90% | 80% |
| First Payout | 30 | 14 |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly (first after 30 days) | Bi-weekly (CFDs), Weekly (Futures) |
| Max Account Size | $200,000 | $200,000 |
In this independent head-to-head comparison of FTMO vs The Trading Pit, 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
The Trading Pit: Multi-program prop trading across CFDs, Futures, and Stocks from Liechtenstein.
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 The Trading Pit at 8.6/10.
Minimum Fee: FTMO starts from $155; The Trading Pit starts from $49. The Trading Pit is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: FTMO offers 80% → 90%; The Trading Pit offers 80%. FTMO has the higher split.
Platforms: FTMO supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade; The Trading Pit is on MT4, MT5, cTrader (CFDs); ATAS, Quantower, Tradovate (Futures).
Tradeable Markets: FTMO covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Stocks; The Trading Pit offers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities, US Stocks.
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how FTMO and The Trading Pit 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+.
The Trading Pit challenge fees start from $49. The firm has operated since 2021. They have funded over 10,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $16,000,000+.
On entry-level pricing, The Trading Pit offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
FTMO profit split: 80% → 90%. The Trading Pit profit split: 80%. FTMO delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: FTMO pays Bi-weekly (first after 30 days); The Trading Pit pays Bi-weekly (CFDs), Weekly (Futures). 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 The Trading Pit:
The Trading Pit was founded in 2021 and is registered in Liechtenstein (FL-0002.693.417-1), making it one of the few prop firms headquartered in an EU-adjacent jurisdiction. Under CEO Daniela Egli, the firm has scaled to over 10,000 active monthly accounts, recorded 450,000+ monthly trades, and paid out more than $16 million to funded traders.
The Trading Pit offers four tracks: CFD 1-Phase, CFD 2-Phase, Futures, and Stocks. CFD programs use MT4, MT5, and cTrader and cover forex, metals, indices, crypto, and US equities. The Futures program runs on Tradovate with access to CME, EUREX, CBOT, COMEX, and NYMEX markets. The Stocks program provides direct access to equity markets with $25K and $50K account sizes.
CFD programs use a static balance-based drawdown (calculated from initial balance). The Futures program uses a trailing drawdown model. Notably, Futures accounts feature a daily pause mechanism rather than a hard daily cut — when the daily drawdown limit is hit, the account is suspended for the remainder of that trading day rather than being terminated.
News trading is prohibited on CFD and Stocks programs with a 2-minute blackout window around major economic releases. The Futures program allows news trading. Expert Advisors are permitted but scalping under 1 minute, arbitrage, and signal copying across accounts are all prohibited. Overnight holding is allowed; cross-account hedging is not. Martingale strategies are banned.
CFD commissions are $5 per lot for forex, metals, and energies; 20% for crypto; 0% for US equities; and 20% for EU/UK equities.
CFD payouts are bi-weekly; Futures payouts are weekly. Payment methods include credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, crypto, and BinancePay. Payouts are made via bank wire, crypto, Binance, or Perfect Money. Maximum account allocation is $400,000 across all accounts.
Overall, our independent scoring gives FTMO the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If The Trading Pit 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.
The Trading Pit offers a lower entry-level challenge fee. However, always compare the full account sizes you plan to trade before deciding purely on price.
FTMO offers the higher profit split. FTMO: 80% → 90%. The Trading Pit: 80%.
EA policies: FTMO — check the review. The Trading Pit — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: FTMO — check the review. The Trading Pit — check the review.
Read the full FTMO review → · Read the full The Trading Pit 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 The Trading Pit offers 80% 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 The Trading Pit takes approximately 14 day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither FTMO nor The Trading Pit 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.
