How FTMO works

FTMO started in 2015 with one idea: give talented traders the tools to prove themselves, without risking their own capital. What began in Prague became, after a 2017–2018 rebrand, the FTMO you know today. The mission hasn’t changed.

FTMO runs on a simple model: prove your skills in a simulated trading environment, and get paid based on how you perform, without risking your own capital. Today that model covers two markets. On the CFD side, traders go through FTMO Challenge: 1-Step or FTMO Challenge: 2-Step to reach an FTMO Account, or trade from day one with FTMO Instant Account. FTMO has since extended its product offering to futures with FTMO Futures.

Here’s how each product works, starting with the CFD side.

CFD: From FTMO Challenge to FTMO Account

Phase 1: FTMO Challenge

FTMO Challenge comes in two formats: FTMO Challenge: 1-Step and FTMO Challenge: 2-Step. Both are simulated evaluations on a demo account with simulated real market conditions and simulated capital, built to test whether a trader can hit clear, pre-set Trading Objectives.

2-Step traders move on to Verification once they clear the FTMO Challenge; 1-Step traders finish the evaluation in one phase. Either way, passing means eligibility to access an FTMO Account and monetary rewards based on performance on FTMO Account.

The rules and Trading Objectives exist to help us identify traders who can perform under real pressure. They are built around professional risk management practices and apply equally to every client, so passing them shows you can trade with real discipline.

Not meeting the objectives simply means the trader doesn’t proceed. But even a failed attempt has value: FTMO Challenge is as much about education as evaluation. Clients get access to analytical tools, all aimed at building the habits of a professional trader.

Phase 2: Verification

Verification is the second phase of FTMO Challenge: 2-Step. 1-Step traders skip it entirely. The Trading Objectives are identical to the FTMO Challenge, apart from a lower Profit Target.

Its purpose: confirm the FTMO Challenge result wasn’t a fluke and that you can repeat it. Pass Verification and get eligible for an FTMO Account.

Phase 3: FTMO Account

On an FTMO Account, the trader is still on a simulated account with simulated capital, never a real live or margin account. But as long as trading stays profitable and within the rules, the trader becomes eligible for financial rewards based on their FTMO Account performance. From this point on, traders who got here through the FTMO Challenge are called FTMO Traders.

Consistent performers can scale their FTMO Account through the Scaling Plan, and top FTMO Traders may qualify for the Premium Programme, which offers enhanced conditions. Combined across all FTMO Accounts, a trader can hold up to $400,000 in simulated capital, which the Premium Programme can increase, and up to $2,000,000 through the Scaling Plan.

CFD: FTMO Instant Account

FTMO Instant Account activates as soon as your purchase is complete, on the same infrastructure and with the same reward reliability as the rest of the FTMO Account line. Trading from day one doesn’t come with relaxed conditions; the Trading Objectives are stricter than on the FTMO Challenge, built for disciplined traders who already know how to manage risk. A trader can hold only one Instant Account at a time, it is not eligible for the Scaling Plan or the Premium Programme, and Trading Psychology Coaching unlocks after their first trade.

FTMO Futures

FTMO Futures brings a similar model to futures markets, with account sizes from $50K to $150K.

Traders start with an Evaluation phase: hit a Profit Target while respecting the Consistency Rule, Maximum Drawdown, and, if applicable, the Daily Loss Limit. The Consistency Rule applies only during this phase, capping how much of the total profit a single best day can count toward the total profit. Pass it, and the trader moves to a Sim-Funded Account, where the Profit Target and Consistency Rule fall away, the Maximum Drawdown and Daily Loss Limit still apply, and profits start counting toward real payouts.

Two plans are available:

• Growth, built for easier qualification, payouts every four qualifying days, no Daily Loss Limit during the Evaluation phase, and a Soft Daily Loss Limit once trading on a Sim-Funded Account; and
• Pro, with a Hard Daily Loss Limit from the Evaluation phase onward, 100% profit withdrawal requests with the 90/10 Payout Ratio applied, and higher payout caps. Traders can run up to three Sim-Funded Accounts at once, and the strongest performers may be considered for a Live Funded Account.

The Evaluation phase has no time limit, and it runs on a monthly subscription. If an attempt doesn’t work out, an Evaluation reset is available at a reduced fee. Across three Sim-Funded Accounts, a trader can work with up to $450,000 in simulated capital.

Trading infrastructure of FTMO

CFD

All simulated CFD trading runs on FTMO’s own infrastructure, across MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and TradingView. Prices are based on information from liquidity providers, but no live orders are ever placed. Every FTMO client trades on a demo account under the same transparent conditions, regardless of strategy or results. Symbol offerings, commissions, spreads and swaps are always listed on the platforms or FTMO websites.

FTMO Futures

FTMO Futures provides the following trading platforms: NinjaTrader, Tradovate and TradingView. Prices and market conditions mirror the real futures market, but all trading stays fully simulated, on the same rules for every trader.

Pick Your Path

Whichever product you choose, the foundation is the same: clear rules, fair conditions, and the same standards for every trader. FTMO gives you the environment, the tools, and the structure. What you do inside it is up to you.

Every attempt gives you data, and every trader starts somewhere. Pick the path that fits how you trade, stay disciplined, and keep improving. We’ll be here for your next step.