FTMO vs Funded Trading Plus 2026: Rules, Flexibility, Offers & Which Is Better?
Funded Trading Plus holds the slightly higher GradTraders proposition score at 8.7/10, while FTMO remains the 8.5/10 established benchmark with direct GradTraders challenge evidence. The practical winner depends on whether the trader values FTMO’s clearer benchmark structure or Funded Trading Plus’s wider mix of Instant, 1-Step and 2-Step routes.
Benchmark structure vs route flexibility
FTMO carries direct GradTraders challenge evidence. Funded Trading Plus is assessed research-first from its current programme documentation, rules and terms.
- FTMO: 1-Step and 2-Step evaluations with a strong benchmark identity.
- Funded Trading Plus: Instant Funding, 1-Step Express and 2-Step Classic.
- Main check: drawdown mechanics, reward timing, platform and country route before price.
Disclosure & Risk Notice: This article is educational and informational content, not financial advice, investment advice, tax advice or a personal recommendation. Both firms describe the relevant programmes as simulated trading environments rather than trader-owned brokerage accounts. Evaluation fees can be lost when rules are breached, and performance rewards are never guaranteed.
Commercial disclosure: GradTraders has commercial relationships with both firms. FTMO has an active GradTraders partner route but no fixed GradTraders coupon currently listed. The standard Funded Trading Plus code is GRADTRADERS10 for 10% off eligible purchases; it excludes Instant Funding and Resets, and a larger temporary offer may sometimes be better. These relationships do not determine the 8.5/10 and 8.7/10 ratings or the verdict.
FTMO vs Funded Trading Plus: Quick Verdict
Funded Trading Plus wins the numerical comparison narrowly at 8.7/10. Its current range gives traders three clearly different routes: Instant Funding, 1-Step Express and 2-Step Classic. That breadth is useful when a trader already understands which drawdown and reward structure fits the strategy.
FTMO remains the stronger established benchmark at 8.5/10 and the stronger direct-evidence choice on GradTraders. Its current CFD proposition now includes both 1-Step and 2-Step evaluations, so it is no longer accurate to describe FTMO as only a traditional two-phase route.
The decision rule is simple: choose Funded Trading Plus when programme flexibility is the priority; choose FTMO when benchmark familiarity, first-hand GradTraders evidence and FTMO’s current rule set better fit the trading process.
FTMO vs Funded Trading Plus At A Glance
| Category | FTMO | Funded Trading Plus | GradTraders View |
|---|---|---|---|
| GradTraders rating | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | FTP leads narrowly on proposition score; FTMO remains the benchmark. |
| Editorial role | Best Established Benchmark | Best Flexible Partner Route | Different strengths, not interchangeable products. |
| Current main routes | 1-Step and 2-Step CFD evaluations; separate US and futures propositions | Instant Funding, 1-Step Express and 2-Step Classic | FTP offers the broader evaluation/no-evaluation mix. |
| Representative 1-Step | 10% target; 3% daily loss; 10% end-of-day trailing max loss; 50% Best Day rule | 10% target; 4% daily drawdown; 6% relative max drawdown | Different risk mechanics matter more than the shared one-step label. |
| Representative 2-Step | 10% then 5%; 5% daily loss; 10% static max loss; 4 minimum trading days per phase | 7% then 7%; 4% daily drawdown; 8% static max drawdown | FTP has lower targets; FTMO has the larger static loss allowance. |
| Reward timing | CFD Reward claim generally from day 14 after first trade on the FTMO Account | Route-specific: day 1 on 1-Step Express/Instant; day 10 on 2-Step Classic, subject to rules | FTP offers faster eligibility on some current routes. |
| Platforms | Global CFD menu includes MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView | MT5 and MatchTrader; MT5 unavailable in the US | FTMO has the broader global platform menu. |
| Simulated-account distinction | CFD accounts are demo accounts with fictitious capital; rewards are based on simulated results | Programs use simulated accounts and simulated funds; approved withdrawals are paid in real-world funds | Neither route should be confused with depositing personal capital into a normal broker account. |
International Eligibility: Which FTMO Or Funded Trading Plus Programme Can You Actually Access?
Country of residence can change the programme, platform, contractual route, KYC requirements and reward-processing options available to the trader. This is a prop-firm eligibility comparison, not a broker client-money or compensation-scheme comparison.
FTMO: the global CFD service accepts clients in many countries but publishes a current restricted-jurisdiction list. US residents are directed to a separate FTMO US structure operated through an FTMO and OANDA partnership, while Australia also uses a separate affiliated route. The global platform menu and US platform menu are not identical.
Funded Trading Plus: its current prohibited-country list does not include the United Kingdom, most of the European Union or the United States, but sanctions and country restrictions still apply. It currently lists MT5 and MatchTrader, with MT5 specifically unavailable in the United States.
| Location | FTMO | Funded Trading Plus | Main Eligibility / Platform Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Global CFD route available subject to FTMO eligibility and KYC. | UK is not on the current prohibited-country list; programme and platform selection remains subject to checkout/KYC. | Both can be researched directly; compare programme rules before paying. |
| Europe / European Union | Generally served through the global route except restricted jurisdictions and sanctions. | Many EU countries are available, subject to the current prohibited-country list and KYC. | Check the live country list because restrictions can change independently at each firm. |
| United States | US residents use the separate FTMO US structure; current US pages offer 1-Step and 2-Step routes with US-specific terms and platforms. | US is not on the current prohibited list, but MT5 is unavailable; verify the eligible MatchTrader/programme route at checkout. | Both require US-specific checking; do not apply global platform assumptions. |
| Other Countries | Restricted-jurisdiction, sanctions and local-route rules apply; Australia uses a separate affiliated route. | The published prohibited-country list and sanctions policy apply. | Verify residency eligibility, programme, platform and reward method before purchase. |
GradTraders international rule: compare the programme you can actually access, not just the brand name. The headline scores remain useful, but residency can change the available platform, account structure and contractual route.
Programme Structure: FTMO 1-Step And 2-Step vs FTP’s Three-Route Menu
The biggest 2026 update is that both brands now need programme-level comparison rather than old brand-level shorthand.
FTMO route map
- FTMO Challenge: 1-Step: one evaluation phase, 10% profit target, 3% maximum daily loss, 10% end-of-day trailing maximum loss and a 50% Best Day rule.
- FTMO Challenge: 2-Step: 10% then 5% targets, 5% maximum daily loss, 10% static maximum loss and four minimum trading days in each evaluation phase.
- FTMO Account: simulated capital; reward ratio is 90% for 1-Step and 80% for standard 2-Step, with 2-Step able to reach 90% through qualifying programmes.
- Separate propositions: FTMO US and FTMO Futures have their own terms and should not be treated as identical to the global CFD route.
Funded Trading Plus route map
- 1-Step Express: 10% target, 4% daily drawdown and 6% relative maximum drawdown.
- 2-Step Classic: 7% target in each phase, 4% daily drawdown and 8% static maximum drawdown.
- Instant Funding: no evaluation profit target; 6% daily drawdown and 6% trailing maximum drawdown.
- Current programme set: older Prestige, Premium, Advanced and related programmes are legacy products rather than current purchases.
Drawdown And Trading Rules
FTMO’s 1-Step and 2-Step products now solve different risk preferences. The 1-Step route uses a tighter 3% daily limit and an end-of-day trailing 10% maximum-loss model, while the 2-Step route uses a 5% daily limit and static 10% maximum loss. That makes the 2-Step structure easier to compare with traditional fixed-loss evaluations even though it requires a second phase.
Funded Trading Plus spreads its risk designs across three routes. 1-Step Express uses relative drawdown, 2-Step Classic uses static drawdown and Instant Funding uses trailing drawdown. The current 1-Step Express and 2-Step Classic pages allow overnight and weekend holding, while Instant Funding requires positions to be closed before the weekend.
That variety is useful only when the trader understands the calculation. A lower target is not automatically easier if the drawdown mechanism conflicts with the strategy’s normal equity curve.
Platforms And Market Access
FTMO has the broader global CFD platform menu. Its current global platform documentation lists MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and TradingView for the 1-Step, 2-Step and FTMO Account routes.
Funded Trading Plus currently lists MetaTrader 5 and MatchTrader for its evaluations and FT+ Trader accounts. MT5 is specifically unavailable in the United States, so platform choice becomes part of the eligibility check for US traders.
FTMO’s US proposition is also separate from the global platform menu: current FTMO US pages list MetaTrader 5 and TradingView. Traders should therefore check the exact regional checkout rather than assuming a platform shown on the global site applies everywhere.
Rewards, Withdrawals And Scaling
FTMO CFD traders can generally request a Reward from the 14th day or later after the first trade on the FTMO Account, once the account is in profit and the applicable conditions are met. Current FTMO documentation states a 90% reward ratio for 1-Step and 80% for standard 2-Step, with 2-Step able to increase to 90% through qualifying scaling or premium conditions.
Funded Trading Plus is more route-specific. Current 1-Step Express and Instant Funding documentation allows the first withdrawal request from day one once programme conditions are satisfied, followed by seven-day cycles, while 2-Step Classic uses a first request from day 10 and ten-day cycles. The standard published split on those three current routes is 80% before optional or scaling changes.
For traders who value faster reward eligibility, Funded Trading Plus has the stronger headline on some routes. For traders who value one familiar reward process and FTMO’s established benchmark framework, FTMO may still be easier to plan around.
Which Firm Suits Which Trader?
| Trader Priority | Better Fit | Decision Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Established benchmark and direct GradTraders evidence | FTMO | FTMO remains the clearest benchmark and carries first-hand GradTraders challenge evidence. |
| Widest current route choice | Funded Trading Plus | Instant, 1-Step and 2-Step routes create more programme-level choice. |
| Traditional two-phase benchmark | FTMO 2-Step | The 10% / 5% structure remains a clear established comparison point. |
| Lower two-step profit targets | FTP 2-Step Classic | The current Classic route uses 7% targets in both phases with 8% static max drawdown. |
| No evaluation phase | FTP Instant Funding | Instant Funding starts in the simulated-live stage but uses its own 6% trailing and daily drawdown rules. |
| Broad global CFD platform choice | FTMO | The current global menu includes MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView. |
| United States | Compare US Routes | FTMO uses a separate US structure; FTP removes MT5 in the US. Check the exact local programme and platform. |
| Direct account ownership | Broker Account | A broker route may be cleaner when deposited-capital ownership and direct withdrawals matter more than programme access. |
Partner Offers: Apply Price After Programme Fit
Commercial value matters only after the live rules fit the strategy. FTMO has an active GradTraders partner route without a fixed GradTraders coupon currently listed. Funded Trading Plus has the standard GRADTRADERS10 code for 10% off eligible purchases, while a larger temporary checkout offer may sometimes be better.
FTMO partner route
Use the GradTraders tracked FTMO route after choosing the correct 1-Step or 2-Step structure. Treat it as the current partner route, not as a coupon promise.
Funded Trading Plus partner route
Use GRADTRADERS10 on eligible purchases if it is the best valid offer at checkout. The standard code excludes Instant Funding and Resets and remains subject to live terms.
FTMO vs Funded Trading Plus vs A Broker Account
FTMO and Funded Trading Plus should not be treated as equivalent to a trader-owned brokerage account. FTMO states that its CFD accounts use fictitious capital in a simulated environment. Funded Trading Plus states that its current programmes use simulated accounts and virtual funds, with eligible approved withdrawals paid in real-world funds.
A prop-firm route may suit a disciplined trader who accepts external programme rules and wants access to a larger simulated account without depositing the nominal account size. A broker account may suit traders who want ownership of deposited capital, direct withdrawal control and fewer third-party performance conditions.
Related GradTraders Research
FTMO Review
Read the full 8.5/10 FTMO review, including GradTraders’ direct challenge evidence and current programme analysis.
Read FTMO ReviewFunded Trading Plus Review
Read the full Funded Trading Plus review, current programme structure and flexible-partner assessment.
Read FTP ReviewProp Firm Comparison Table
Compare both firms with The5ers, E8 Markets, Topstep and the wider GradTraders prop-firm research bank.
Compare Prop FirmsFinal Verdict: Is FTMO Or Funded Trading Plus Better?
Funded Trading Plus wins the headline GradTraders proposition score narrowly, 8.7/10 to 8.5/10. Its current Instant, 1-Step Express and 2-Step Classic range gives traders more ways to select a structure around their preferred drawdown and reward mechanics.
FTMO remains the stronger established benchmark and the stronger direct-evidence route. Its current 1-Step and 2-Step products now provide more choice than older comparisons suggested, while its global platform menu is broader.
The final decision rule is to compare the exact programme before the brand or offer. Choose Funded Trading Plus when its route flexibility and rule set genuinely fit the strategy; choose FTMO when its benchmark structure, platform access and direct GradTraders evidence carry more weight.
FTMO vs Funded Trading Plus FAQ
Is FTMO better than Funded Trading Plus?
Funded Trading Plus has the slightly higher GradTraders proposition score at 8.7/10, while FTMO remains the stronger established benchmark at 8.5/10 and carries direct GradTraders challenge evidence. The better fit still depends on the exact programme, drawdown model, platform and payout rules.
Which firm offers more programme choice?
Funded Trading Plus currently offers three distinct purchasable routes: Instant Funding, 1-Step Express and 2-Step Classic. FTMO currently offers 1-Step and 2-Step evaluations, with materially different trading objectives between them.
How do FTMO and Funded Trading Plus drawdown rules differ?
The answer depends on the selected programme. FTMO 1-Step uses a 3% maximum daily loss and 10% end-of-day trailing maximum loss, while FTMO 2-Step uses a 5% maximum daily loss and 10% static maximum loss. Funded Trading Plus currently offers relative trailing and static drawdown structures across its Instant, 1-Step Express and 2-Step Classic routes.
Which firm is better for traders who want a two-step evaluation?
FTMO 2-Step is the clearer benchmark route with 10% and 5% profit targets, 5% maximum daily loss and 10% static maximum loss. Funded Trading Plus 2-Step Classic uses 7% targets in both phases, 4% daily drawdown and 8% static maximum drawdown. The better fit depends on which rule set matches the strategy.
Which firm offers faster reward access?
Funded Trading Plus can offer earlier reward eligibility on some current routes: 1-Step Express and Instant Funding can become eligible from day one subject to the programme rules, while 2-Step Classic uses a 10-day cycle. FTMO CFD Rewards can generally be requested from the 14th day or later after the first trade on the FTMO Account, subject to the applicable conditions.
What platforms can I use with FTMO or Funded Trading Plus?
FTMO's current global CFD platform menu includes MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and TradingView. Funded Trading Plus currently lists MetaTrader 5 and MatchTrader, with MT5 unavailable in the United States. Platform availability should be checked for the exact country and programme before purchase.
Can US traders use FTMO or Funded Trading Plus?
FTMO directs US residents to its separate FTMO US structure operated through an FTMO and OANDA partnership, with US-specific products and conditions. Funded Trading Plus does not currently list the United States among its prohibited countries, but MT5 is unavailable there, so US traders should confirm the eligible platform and programme at checkout.
What is the Funded Trading Plus GradTraders discount code?
The standard GradTraders code is GRADTRADERS10 for 10% off eligible Funded Trading Plus purchases. Larger temporary offers can sometimes be better, so use the best valid offer shown at checkout. The standard code excludes Instant Funding and Resets, subject to current terms.
Does FTMO have a GradTraders discount code?
FTMO has an active GradTraders partner route, but no fixed GradTraders coupon code is currently listed.
Is a broker account better than FTMO or Funded Trading Plus?
A broker account may be the cleaner route for traders who want ownership of deposited capital, direct withdrawals and fewer third-party programme conditions. A prop-firm route may suit a disciplined trader who accepts simulated-account rules and can afford to lose the evaluation fee.
Source note: This comparison preserves the current GradTraders ratings, partner routes and direct FTMO challenge evidence, then refreshes programme, drawdown, reward, platform and international-eligibility facts from current official firm documentation. Terms can change, so verify the exact programme and country route before purchasing.
Official FTMO research: Trading Objectives · 1-Step vs 2-Step · Platforms · Rewards · Eligibility · FTMO US.
Official Funded Trading Plus research: Current Programmes · 1-Step Express · 2-Step Classic · Instant Funding · Platforms · Prohibited Countries · Terms.