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FTMOvsFundedNext

FTMO is the safer, more expensive choice with a longer payout record and a strict-but-clean rulebook. FundedNext is the faster, cheaper alternative with more program variants and no time pressure. If you have a proven high-win-rate edge and want the strongest funded-trader credential in the industry, pick FTMO. If you want flexibility, want to save 20-30% on evaluation fees, or prefer a one-step program, pick FundedNext.

FTMO

Since 2015

The industry benchmark. Longest documented payout history.

Key facts
Evaluation format
2-step (Challenge + Verification)
Phase 1 profit target
10% in 30 days
Phase 2 profit target
5% in 60 days
Max drawdown
10% absolute (not trailing)
Daily loss
5%
Profit split
80% (up to 90% at higher tiers)
Cost range
$165 to $1,155 by tier
Pros
  • Longest documented payout track record in retail prop firms (2015 onward).
  • 100% fee refund on first payout as funded trader.
  • Absolute (not trailing) max drawdown makes challenge math clean.
  • Weekend and news holding allowed on standard program.
Cons
  • Phase 1 has a strict 30-day time limit — no extension.
  • 10% Phase 1 target is aggressive for slower systematic edges.
  • Higher fee than most competitors at each account tier.
Best for

Traders who want the safest brand, the cleanest rulebook, and are confident enough in their edge to clear a strict 30-day Phase 1.

FundedNext

Since 2022

Similar structure to FTMO. Lower targets. No time limits.

Key facts
Evaluation format
1-step (Express) or 2-step (Stellar)
Stellar Phase 1 target
8% (no time limit)
Stellar Phase 2 target
5% (no time limit)
Express target
8% single phase
Max drawdown
8-10% absolute
Daily loss
5%
Profit split
80% (up to 90% via 15% add-on)
Pros
  • No time limit on either Stellar phase — patient traders can wait for setups.
  • Lower Phase 1 target (8% vs 10%) makes clearing easier at the same risk.
  • One-step Express program cuts the challenge in half for confident traders.
  • Frequent promo discounts drop effective evaluation cost 20-30%.
Cons
  • Shorter payout history than FTMO (founded 2022 vs 2015).
  • Payout process reportedly slower than FTMO in some regions.
  • Multiple program variants can confuse first-time buyers.
Best for

Traders who want the FTMO-style two-step model without the 30-day pressure, or who want a one-step alternative.

Evaluation cost

FTMO runs $165 for a $10,000 account up to $1,155 for $200,000. FundedNext Stellar comes in $99 to $999 for equivalent tiers, and Express is priced slightly higher because it compresses the evaluation. FundedNext also runs 20-30% promo discounts regularly, which FTMO does not. Over the first purchase, FundedNext is typically 20-40% cheaper at the same account size. Both refund the evaluation fee on your first successful funded-account payout.

Rule structure

FTMO uses a two-step evaluation with a 10% Phase 1 target (30-day cap) and a 5% Phase 2 target (60-day cap), both under 5% daily loss and 10% absolute max drawdown. FundedNext Stellar mirrors the structure with an 8% Phase 1 target and no time limit, and 8% max drawdown. FundedNext Express is a single-phase 8% target. In both firms, the max drawdown is absolute (not trailing), which means the ceiling is a fixed number of dollars below your starting balance, not a moving band that follows equity up.

Payout history and trust

FTMO has paid out cumulatively hundreds of millions of dollars to funded traders since 2015. Trustpilot, TradingView reviews, third-party trackers, and long-form trader interviews all confirm consistent monthly payouts across the decade-long window. FundedNext started in 2022 and has a shorter but generally positive payout record; sector coverage and Trustpilot reviews are net-positive but not yet at the same historical depth. If you weigh payout risk highly, FTMO is the safer pick until FundedNext accumulates a longer track record.

Which one for which trader

Day traders with a high win rate and short holding times will clear FTMO Phase 1 within the 30-day window without issue and gain the industry-standard credential. Swing traders, systematic traders with longer setup gaps, and anyone who prefers to sit on their hands during choppy conditions should pick FundedNext Stellar for the no-time-limit structure. Traders confident enough to skip the two-step model entirely can save time with FundedNext Express. Beginners who care most about a proven, well-documented rulebook should default to FTMO.

Frequently asked questions

Is FTMO more expensive than FundedNext?

Yes. At each account tier, FTMO runs 20-40% more expensive than FundedNext Stellar. Both firms refund the evaluation fee on the first funded-account payout, so effective cost equalizes once you pass and become profitable.

Does FundedNext have a longer payout history than FTMO?

No. FTMO has paid out since 2015 with hundreds of millions of dollars documented. FundedNext started paying out in 2022 and has a shorter track record. Both are considered legitimate; FTMO is simply more time-tested.

Which is easier to pass, FTMO or FundedNext?

FundedNext Stellar is slightly easier on paper because Phase 1 has an 8% target vs FTMO's 10%, and there is no time limit on either phase. FTMO's stricter 30-day Phase 1 rewards fast, high-conviction traders and punishes slow starts. Your edge and holding time matter more than the rulebook difference.

Can I hold trades over the weekend with either firm?

Yes with both. FTMO allows weekend and news holding on its standard program. FundedNext also allows it on all programs. Some FTMO plans historically required a Swing add-on for this, but the standard program now permits it directly.

What is the profit split at FTMO vs FundedNext?

Both firms default to 80/20 in favor of the trader. FTMO offers up to 90% at higher account tiers or via Aggressive add-on. FundedNext offers up to 90% via a 15% profit-split add-on at purchase. Effective take-home is similar between the two.

Further reading

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