FTMO vs BlueBerry Funded: Find Out Which Prop Firm Is Better in 2025?

Introduction

TraderNotion’s community frequently debates the strengths and weaknesses of long‑standing prop firm FTMO against up‑and‑coming rivals.  BlueBerry Funded is one such challenger.  Founded in Australia in 2024, BlueBerry markets multiple challenge structures and instant funding programs that promise accessible entry and rapid payouts.  FTMO, headquartered in Europe, remains a benchmark for two‑stage evaluations and has a proven record of delivering consistent payouts.  This article explores the rules, account structures, payout mechanics and trader feedback for both firms to help traders decide which better suits their goals.

FTMO Overview

FTMO built its reputation on a clear two‑stage evaluation for forex and CFD traders.  Participants begin with the Challenge phase, where they must achieve a 10% profit without breaching a 5% daily loss or 10% maximum loss relative to the starting balance.  A minimum of four trading days is required, but there is no time limit to hit the target.  Once the Challenge is completed, traders move to the Verification, which halves the profit objective to 5% and repeats the same drawdown limits.  FTMO’s evaluation is non‑linear: traders can take as long as they need, scaling in and out of positions on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 or cTrader, and can hold positions overnight and over the weekend.  News trading is permitted during the evaluation, although the funded account stage imposes a two‑minute no‑trade window around major macroeconomic announcements.

After passing the Verification and signing a contract, the trader receives a funded FTMO account with an 80/20 profit split.  There is no profit target at this stage; the only restrictions are the 5% daily drawdown and 10% total drawdown.  The first payout is available after 14 days of trading, and subsequent withdrawals can be requested every 14 days.  FTMO processes payouts within one or two business days and supports transfers via bank, Skrill and cryptocurrency.  A scaling plan offers a 25% balance increase and a move to a 90/10 split each time the trader earns at least 10% net profit over a four‑month cycle and completes two withdrawals.  Accounts can be scaled from starting sizes as low as $10k to an initial balance of $200k, eventually growing to $2 million.

FTMO’s risk policies are strict but straightforward.  The daily loss is calculated based on the higher of the opening balance or equity at midnight CET, so traders cannot “lock in” a new buffer by closing trades in profit mid‑session.  Hedging within one account and the use of expert advisors are allowed, though arbitrage across multiple accounts or prop firms is forbidden.  FTMO also prohibits opening or closing trades around high‑impact news once traders are funded, a rule enforced with automatic trade invalidation.

Visit FTMO

Blueberry Funded Overview

BlueBerry Funded is a relatively new prop firm that offers a broad menu of challenge types and instant funding options.  Rather than a single evaluation structure, BlueBerry allows traders to choose between multiple step‑based challenges, rapid evaluations and direct‑funded accounts.  All accounts are denominated in U.S. dollars, and traders can trade on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradeLocker and DXTrade.  Leverage varies by instrument and challenge, with forex pairs typically offered at 1:30 or 1:50, indices and metals at 1:10, and cryptocurrencies at 1:2.  BlueBerry supports major, minor and exotic currency pairs, global indices, energy and metal contracts, and a modest selection of digital assets.

The firm’s main challenge categories include:

• Prime 2‑Step Challenge – This evaluation requires traders to hit an 8% target in Phase 1 and a 6% target in Phase 2.  A 4% daily drawdown and a 10% maximum drawdown apply throughout.  Traders must place at least five trading days per phase, and there is no time limit.  Profit splits begin at 80/20, and payouts are available every 14 days.  Leverage on forex is 1:30, with lower ratios on indices and commodities.  News trading and martingale strategies are permitted, which is unusual among prop firms.
• Step 1 Challenge – A single‑phase challenge with a 10% profit target, 6% maximum loss, 4% daily drawdown and 80/20 split.  The drawdown is static – it does not move upward as the account grows.  Traders must complete at least three trading days and have unlimited time to pass.  Payouts are every 14 days once funded.  This program appeals to traders who prefer one straightforward hurdle rather than two stages.
• Step 2 Challenge – A two‑phase variant that requires a 10% target in Phase 1 and a 5% target in Phase 2.  Drawdown limits are 5% daily and 10% overall, and the split is 80%.  Minimum trading days are three per phase.  Leverage is slightly higher than the Prime program at 1:50 on forex, giving scalpers more room to manoeuvre.  Payouts follow the usual 14‑day cycle.
• Rapid Challenge – A quick, high‑pressure evaluation demanding just a 5% profit.  The overall drawdown is 4%, and the daily loss limit is 3%, but the time limit is only seven days.  Traders can request funding without any minimum trading day requirement, although at least three days are needed for the first withdrawal.  The drawdown is trailing, meaning it moves up with each new equity high.  This program suits traders who want immediate feedback on whether their strategy works under pressure.
• Guardian X Challenge – Designed for quick growth with a small target, this model requires a 3% profit and enforces a 3% daily drawdown and a 5% trailing drawdown.  Traders must hold each trade for at least two minutes and achieve profitable trading on three days with at least 0.5% per day.  Once the trailing drawdown “locks” at 6% (after the account has grown), it becomes static.  This challenge can lead to a funded account with an 80% split, and the account can be scaled through subsequent targets.

BlueBerry also offers Instant Elite and Instant Lite programs, which provide immediate access to a funded account in exchange for a higher one‑time fee.  These accounts come with a trailing drawdown (usually around 5–6%) and a 3% daily limit.  Traders must demonstrate consistency by maintaining a certain percentage of profitable days before they can withdraw.  Profit splits start at 80% and can increase for traders who maintain a strong equity curve.  An Instant Starter account is marketed as a “proof of concept” for only $19; it provides $5k of buying power, an 80% split and a single withdrawal capped at 5% of the starting balance.  The idea is to use profits from this micro‑account to fund larger challenges.

The hallmark of BlueBerry’s funded accounts is the Guardian Shield risk management system.  On funded accounts, if open trades incur an unrealised loss exceeding 2% of the starting balance, all trades are automatically closed and the account enters a 50% profit split penalty stage.  A second violation reduces the split further or closes the account entirely.  This rule is intended to protect the firm’s capital but forces funded traders to maintain tight control of intraday drawdown even after passing the evaluation.  BlueBerry allows hedging, martingale strategies and high‑frequency trading, but prohibits arbitrage and tick‑scalping schemes.  The firm also offers a scaling path that allows traders to merge multiple funded accounts and scale past $400k; the scaling path includes weekly payouts with 24‑hour processing and incremental capital increases after each successful payout.

Visit Blueberry Funded

Evaluation Model & Trading Rules Comparison

Number of stages and targets:  FTMO simplifies the journey with two clearly defined stages: a 10% target followed by a 5% target.  The rules do not change between stages, and traders can trade at their own pace.  BlueBerry, by contrast, offers a menu of options.  The Prime 2‑Step and Step 2 challenges mirror a more traditional structure with 8%/6% or 10%/5% targets, but the firm also provides single‑step challenges with a 10% target, rapid evaluations with a 5% target and lightning‑fast Guardian X programs at just 3%.  For traders who prefer a less strenuous target, BlueBerry’s lower hurdles in some programs may be appealing; however, those same programs often impose stricter daily drawdowns or shorter timeframes.

Drawdown rules:  FTMO enforces a straightforward 5% daily and 10% total loss rule throughout the evaluation and funded stages.  This means that a $100k FTMO account cannot lose more than $5k in a single day or $10k overall.  The daily loss resets each midnight at the higher of the account balance or equity, ensuring intraday profits do not reduce future risk allowance.  BlueBerry employs varied drawdown structures.  Prime and Step challenges use static drawdown (either 4% or 5% daily, with 8–10% total).  Rapid and Guardian X challenges use trailing drawdowns, which move upward with new highs and never decline.  Instant accounts typically have a trailing max drawdown around 6% and a daily limit around 3%.  The Guardian Shield risk management on funded accounts imposes an additional 2% live drawdown that triggers automatic closure of positions.  These varied rules give traders flexibility to choose a drawdown style that matches their strategy but require careful attention to program specifics.

Time limits and minimum trading days:  FTMO imposes no time limit to hit the evaluation targets.  Traders must only log four trading days per phase, which can be spread over many weeks.  BlueBerry’s programs differ widely: Prime, Step 1 and Step 2 challenges have unlimited time, but Rapid and Guardian X have short windows—seven days for Rapid and unlimited time with a “lock” mechanism for Guardian X.  Minimum trading days range from zero (Rapid) to five (Prime, Step 2) or three (Step 1, Guardian X).  Instant accounts typically require at least a few profitable days before withdrawals are permitted.

News and weekend trading:  FTMO allows news trading during evaluations and restricts it to a four‑minute window around high‑impact announcements in funded accounts.  Weekend and overnight holds are allowed for all accounts.  BlueBerry permits news trading and weekend holding in almost all challenges, and even allows martingale strategies; however, funded accounts must comply with the Guardian Shield’s 2% intraday drawdown rule, making overnight holds riskier.  Guardian X requires positions be held at least two minutes, preventing ultra‑short scalps.  None of BlueBerry’s programs prohibit trading around news.

Strategy restrictions and hedging:  FTMO disallows arbitrage, latency exploitation and copy‑trading between accounts but otherwise permits hedging and EAs.  BlueBerry is more permissive: hedging, martingale and high‑frequency trading are allowed, and the firm sells add‑ons for copy‑trading and risk management tools.  Nonetheless, BlueBerry forbids arbitrage across brokers and imposes a penalty when the Guardian Shield is breached.  Traders need to monitor their lot sizes because BlueBerry uses standard leverage on forex and significantly lower leverage on indices, metals and crypto; this prevents over‑sizing on volatile instruments.

Payouts, Profit Split & Scaling

FTMO’s payout policy is consistent: the first withdrawal is available 14 days after a funded account is assigned, and subsequent withdrawals can be requested every two weeks.  The standard split is 80%, increasing to 90% after successful scaling cycles.  There is no minimum withdrawal amount; however, the trader must have at least one closed trading day between withdrawals.  FTMO refunds the evaluation fee once both phases are passed and does not charge recurring subscription fees.  Its scaling plan, reviewed every four months, allows the account to grow by 25% and upgrades the split when traders achieve at least 10% net profit and two payouts.

BlueBerry’s payout structure is more variable.  On most challenge accounts, traders can request payouts every 14 days once they have met the minimum trading day requirement and their account is above the starting balance.  Instant accounts often allow withdrawals on demand once the account has achieved a set minimum return (for example, 3% in the Instant Elite program).  Profit splits start at 80/20 and may increase through loyalty programmes or additional fees.  In the Guardian Shield system, breaching the 2% intraday drawdown reduces the split to 50% on the next payout, and multiple violations can result in account closure.  BlueBerry’s scaling path enables traders to merge multiple funded accounts and grow to $400k or more.  Payout requests are typically processed within 1–2 business days, and the firm prides itself on fast processing through bank transfers or cryptocurrencies.  Account fees are charged up front for evaluation and may be discounted during promotions; there are no monthly subscription fees after the challenge unless the trader chooses a recurring Rapid or Synthetic subscription.

Platforms, Markets & Trading Flexibility

FTMO offers a choice of MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and cTrader.  Its instrument list includes major and minor forex pairs, a wide range of equity indices, precious metals, oil, and a handful of cryptocurrencies.  The firm’s high leverage (typically 1:100 on forex) and ability to hold positions overnight or over the weekend make it popular with intraday scalpers and long‑term swing traders alike.  EAs and copy‑trading tools are allowed, but arbitrage and multi‑account hedging are banned.

BlueBerry uses four different platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradeLocker and DXTrade.  TradeLocker is notable for its integration with TradingView, allowing traders to place orders directly from charts, while DXTrade focuses on more advanced analytics.  The firm offers hundreds of forex pairs, major indices, metals, energy products and cryptocurrencies.  Leverage is lower than FTMO on indices and commodities, typically 1:10, and just 1:2 on crypto, but comparable on forex.  BlueBerry’s flexibility extends to strategies: it allows martingale, hedging, high‑frequency trading and EAs.  Traders can hold positions over the weekend in most programs, although the 2% Guardian Shield rule makes this riskier.  A small Instant Starter account even lets traders dip a toe into funded trading for under twenty dollars.

Reputation, Trust & User Feedback

FTMO enjoys one of the longest track records in the retail prop‑trading industry.  Its model has remained largely unchanged since 2015, earning praise for transparency, clear rules and prompt payouts.  The firm is regulated in the Czech Republic, holds regular audits and publishes real payout figures.  Trustpilot reviews often mention responsive support, although some traders complain about the strict daily loss rule and the difficulty of hitting a 10% target in volatile markets.  FTMO remains widely considered a stable, legitimate option for serious traders.

BlueBerry Funded is newer and thus has a shorter track record.  Early feedback highlights the variety of challenges and the ability to use high‑risk strategies like martingale and hedging.  Traders also appreciate the weekly or bi‑weekly payouts and the 24‑hour processing guarantee on instant programs.  However, concerns have been raised about the Guardian Shield – particularly that an unexpected spike can close all open trades and reduce profit splits.  Some users also note that leverage on indices and crypto is conservative, which can limit potential gains.  Because BlueBerry has a smaller user base, long‑term reliability and scaling beyond $400k are still largely untested.  Nonetheless, the firm’s pricing and quick entry levels (as low as $19 for a 5k account) attract many aspiring traders.

Which Firm Is Better for Different Trader Types?

• New traders may find FTMO’s clear two‑stage path easier to follow.  The absence of subscription renewals and the opportunity to take unlimited time reduces pressure.  BlueBerry’s Step 1 challenge is manageable but requires 10% profit and has a lower maximum loss, making it riskier; the Guardian Shield on funded accounts might catch novice traders off guard.
• Experienced day traders who thrive under pressure might prefer BlueBerry’s Rapid or Guardian X challenges.  These programs demand lower profit targets, have high leverage on forex and allow aggressive strategies like martingale.  Intraday futures or forex traders who can manage trailing drawdowns and tight daily limits may appreciate the fast feedback.  FTMO’s evaluation, with its higher targets and strict daily loss, may feel restrictive for very short‑term systems.
• Swing traders are better served by FTMO or BlueBerry’s rarer Diamond Hands and Instant Elite programs.  FTMO permits holding positions through weekends and across sessions without special add‑ons, while BlueBerry restricts overnight holding in most programs and levies a penalty if the 2% Guardian Shield is breached.
• Scalpers and high‑frequency traders have more freedom at BlueBerry.  Hedging, martingale and tick‑based strategies are allowed, and news trading is unrestricted.  FTMO allows EAs and hedging but forbids high‑frequency arbitrage and restricts news trading once funded.
• Traders seeking fast payouts and instant funding will appreciate BlueBerry’s Instant programs and weekly withdrawal options.  These accounts provide immediate buying power and quick access to profits after small targets are met.  FTMO’s two‑week payout cycle is slower, though its scaling plan can lead to higher profit splits over time.
• Long‑term capital builders may lean toward FTMO because of its 90/10 scaling path and the potential to grow accounts to $2 million.  BlueBerry offers growth through account merging, but the cap at $400k and the Guardian Shield rules may impede long‑term compounding.

Final Verdict

FTMO has earned its status as a flagship prop firm through a straightforward evaluation, consistent payouts and a well‑defined scaling plan.  Traders who value stability, clear risk parameters and the flexibility to hold positions overnight will likely find FTMO a better fit.  BlueBerry Funded brings something different to the table: a buffet of evaluation models, permissive strategy rules, cheap entry points and the lure of fast funding and rapid withdrawals.  Its programs cater to aggressive day traders and those who want to experiment with martingale or hedging strategies.  Yet the complexity of its drawdown structures, subscription renewals and the Guardian Shield risk system can be challenging to navigate.

In the end, the decision comes down to your trading style and goals.  Choose FTMO if you want a long‑term, transparent prop experience with established credibility and a robust scaling pathway.  Choose Blueberry Funded if you prefer high‑octane trading with lower profit targets, quick evaluations and an array of account options that cater to multiple risk profiles.  Whichever route you take, ensure you understand the rules thoroughly and approach prop trading as a professional endeavour rather than a shortcut to guaranteed profits.

‍