If you’re serious about trading with prop firms, this is what you need to know.

Over the past five years, I’ve worked with multiple prop firms, made tens of thousands of dollars in payouts, and scaled my accounts. Out of all the firms I’ve tried, FTMO stands out as the most reliable and established player in the CFD space.

Yes, I’ve also worked with Funded Next, and I still am, but if I had to bet on one prop firm surviving the long game, it would be FTMO. Let me walk you through why.

Prop Firms Are Here to Stay, Ignore the Noise

I’ve heard it all:
“Prop firms aren’t real trading.”
“You’re not trading your own money.”

You know what? I don’t care if it’s simulated capital or real capital. If I can withdraw it into my bank account, that’s real enough for me.

The only thing that matters in this game is getting money out of the markets and into your hands. FTMO allows that, consistently.

FTMO Is the Most Established Firm (Here’s the Proof)

People love to compare websites, traffic, followers… but none of that matters if a firm disappears overnight. FTMO is a staple of the industry. They’ve been around since 2014. They’re still reporting profits every year, and it’s all publicly declared in the Czech Republic.

Here’s what they’ve reported in net profit:

• €41 million in 2020

• €92 million in 2021

• €82 million in 2022

• €105 million in 2023

That’s not hype, that’s regulated transparency. You can’t fake that.

Why Their Payouts Hold More Weight

Yes, I’ve received certificates from both FTMO and Funded Next. But if I show you an FTMO certificate, it just carries more authority. The name means something in this space.

If I had to compare FTMO to anything, I’d say they’re like a crocodile, they see everything, stay quiet, and strike only when it’s worth it. That’s the kind of prop firm I want backing my trades.

My Experience with Payouts and Support

I’ve had multiple payouts with FTMO. Sometimes they’re small. You won’t always see me on the leaderboard. But I’ve never had any issues.

• Their support team is amazing. Every interaction has been helpful.

• Payouts are fast, once, I got the payout in my UAE bank account just two hours after approval.

• Refunds are instant. Credentials are issued immediately.

• Even during payment processor glitches, they fixed things fast.

The only thing I don’t love? They change your trading account every time you get funded. It’s a small annoyance, but not a dealbreaker.

About Denied Payouts: Let’s Be Real

I know people who’ve had payouts denied. But here’s the thing: it’s never without warning.

What FTMO doesn’t tolerate is reckless risk. If you’re risking your full daily drawdown on a single trade, yeah, they’ll flag you. And honestly? They should.

They’ll usually send a warning first. If you keep doing it, then yeah, you’ll get banned. But I’ve never seen someone get denied without a reason. If someone tells you otherwise, you’re only hearing their side.

Why I Don’t Mind the Higher Price

Yes, FTMO is more expensive. But let’s be honest:

• Would you rather save $50… or actually get paid?

• Would you rather chase low spreads and high leverage… or sleep at night knowing your payout is coming?

To me, it’s a price worth paying. When I requested a $30K payout, I wasn’t worried. When a friend requested $40K? Same ease. That peace of mind is priceless.

Conditions, Drawdown, and the 10% Challenge

FTMO has a higher profit target (10%) than most firms (8%). But the profit-to-drawdown ratio is still competitive. That metric, total target / total drawdown, is something I came up with to compare firms, and FTMO sits at 1.5 versus the 1.3 standard.

Does that make the challenge harder? Slightly. But if you can hit 8%, you can hit 10%.

Again, they’re not reactive. They wait, test, and adjust only when the data supports it. That’s why they’re still here while so many others went under.

My Advice: Go With Swing Accounts

All of my FTMO accounts are swing accounts. Why?

• No news restrictions

• I don’t care about lower leverage because I’m not a high-risk trader

• Better flexibility for my trading style

You do the challenge with a normal account, then request to switch to swing. Super easy. Highly recommended.

What I Don’t Like (And Why It Doesn’t Matter)

Just to keep it honest:

• They rotate your accounts after each payout

• Their pricing is on the higher side

• You need 10% to pass instead of 8%

But none of those things change the fact that they pay, they’re stable, and they’ve built something that lasts.

Final Thoughts

FTMO isn’t perfect, no firm is. But if you want to build a long-term career in prop trading, this is the firm to grow with. I’m max allocated with them, and I’ll keep pushing toward prime status.

Inside Funded Trading Blueprint, it’s the first firm I recommend. It’s where I started. It’s where I still am. And it’s where I’ve seen dozens of my students get funded and paid.

If you’re serious about getting funded, there’s no better place to start.

Watch the complete video below, and decide if FTMO is right for you.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a financial adviser. The content on my website and social media are for educational and entertainment purposes ONLY. I’m simply documenting my trading journey so that you have the potential to take ideas and inspiration from the videos that may help you within your own journey. But remember, trading/investing of any kind involves risk. Your trading/investments are solely your responsibility.

 

FAQ – My Experience with FTMO as a Prop Trader

1. Is FTMO really the most reliable prop firm?

Yes, in my experience, FTMO is the most established and reliable prop firm in the CFD space. They’ve been operating since 2014, have public financial reports, and continue to pay out consistently, even when many other firms are going under.

2. Why does the FTMO certificate carry more weight than others?

Because of FTMO’s reputation and longevity. When you show an FTMO certificate, it means something. It shows you passed one of the industry’s most respected challenges with strict rules and a solid framework. It’s not just about getting funded, it’s about staying funded.

3. Are FTMO payouts fast and safe?

Yes. I’ve had multiple payouts, and they’ve all been smooth. One time, I got paid just one hour after the payout was approved. Normally, it takes about a day. They also issue new account credentials immediately after your payout request.

4. Do they ever deny payouts?

It can happen, but only if you’re breaking the rules, especially when risking your full daily drawdown. FTMO typically sends a warning first, and only bans traders who ignore that warning. They don’t ban profitable traders, they take issue with reckless risk.

5. Why is FTMO more expensive than other firms?

Because you’re paying for peace of mind. You know your payout is coming. You know the firm isn’t disappearing next month. For me, the higher price is worth the stability and trust that FTMO offers.

6. What’s the difference between a swing account and a normal one?

All my funded accounts are swing accounts. They come with:

• No news restrictions

• Lower leverage, which is fine if you’re not overleveraging

• Flexibility to hold trades longer

You can start with a normal account for the challenge and then request to switch to a swing account after getting funded, super easy.

7. Is the 10% profit target harder than 8% in other firms?

Slightly, yes. But the profit-to-drawdown ratio at FTMO is still competitive (1.5 vs. the usual 1.3). If you can hit 8%, you can hit 10%. And again, you’re trading with a firm that actually pays out.

8. Why does FTMO change my account after every payout?

Honestly, I don’t know, and I’ve asked. It’s a minor inconvenience but doesn’t affect payout speed or performance. If anyone from FTMO wants to explain, feel free to drop a comment under the video!

9. Do you recommend FTMO for new traders?

If you’re consistent and ready to follow rules, yes. If you’re still overtrading or risking too much, fix that first. Inside Funded Trading Blueprint, we teach you how to pass challenges and stay funded long-term, FTMO is the first firm we recommend.