FTMO vs FundedNext: The $40 Difference Most Traders Miss

TLDR: At the $100K tier, FundedNext's Stellar 2-Step costs roughly $549 versus FTMO's ~$590 (€540) — a gap of about $40. But the real difference isn't the entry fee. FundedNext gives you a lower Phase 1 profit target (8% vs 10%) and a higher max profit split (95% vs 90%). FTMO gives you a decade-long track record, a 4.8 Trustpilot rating, and arguably the most recognized brand in prop trading. If you want the easiest path to funding, pick FundedNext. If you want the safest bet with your career capital, pick FTMO.

---

Quick Comparison: FTMO vs FundedNext (2026)

Feature	FTMO	FundedNext (Stellar 2-Step)
Account Sizes	$10K – $200K	$6K – $200K
$100K Challenge Price	~$590 (€540)	$549.99
Phase 1 Profit Target	10%	8%
Phase 2 Profit Target	5%	5%
Daily Drawdown	5%	5%
Max Drawdown	10% (initial balance)	10% (initial balance)
Min Trading Days	4 per phase	5 per phase
Time Limit	None	None
Profit Split	80% (up to 90% via Scaling)	Up to 95%
Payout Frequency	Biweekly (every 14 days)	Biweekly (every 14 days)
Platforms	MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade	MT4, MT5, cTrader
Trustpilot Rating	4.8/5 (~40,000+ reviews)	4.6/5 (~42,000+ reviews)
News Trading	Restricted on Standard; allowed on Swing	Allowed
Weekend Holding	Swing accounts only	Allowed (CFD accounts)
EA/Bot Policy	Allowed (with volume limits)	Allowed on MT4/MT5 (not cTrader)

---

Pricing Breakdown

FTMO prices in euros, which means your actual USD cost shifts with the exchange rate. At current rates, here's how the two firms stack up across every account size:

Account Size	FTMO (approx. USD)	FundedNext Stellar 2-Step	Difference
$10K	~$170 (€155)	N/A ($6K at $59.99)	—
$25K	~$275 (€250)	$199.99	~$75
$50K	~$380 (€345)	$299.99	~$80
$100K	~$590 (€540)	$549.99	~$40
$200K	~$1,180 (€1,080)	$1,099.99	~$80

At the $25K and $50K tiers, FundedNext saves you $75–$80 — a meaningful gap when you're bootstrapping your prop career. At the flagship $100K level, the $40 difference is less dramatic but still tips toward FundedNext.

The cost-per-dollar-funded tells the real story. FTMO's $100K challenge costs roughly $0.0059 per funded dollar, while FundedNext comes in at $0.0055. Neither is expensive relative to what you're getting access to, but FundedNext consistently undercuts at every tier.

Discount codes matter here. FundedNext frequently runs 20% promos (the code START26 was active in early 2026), which would drop the $100K price to around $440. FTMO runs less frequent promotions — they offered 20% off all challenges in January 2026, but these deals tend to be seasonal. Always check both firms' websites before purchasing.

Both firms refund the challenge fee with your first payout once funded. So if you pass, the entry cost is effectively zero.

For the latest pricing on each firm, check our detailed breakdowns: FTMO | FundedNext.

---

Rules That Actually Matter

On paper, FTMO and FundedNext's Stellar 2-Step share identical drawdown limits: 5% daily and 10% maximum. But the way you experience those rules as a trader is different.

The Phase 1 Target Gap

FTMO requires you to hit 10% profit in Phase 1. FundedNext asks for 8%. That 2-percentage-point difference is larger than it sounds. On a $100K account, you need to generate $10,000 in profit for FTMO versus $8,000 for FundedNext — while staying within the same $5,000 daily loss limit and $10,000 max drawdown. The risk-to-reward math is simply more forgiving at 8%.

If you're a conservative swing trader averaging 2–3% monthly returns, reaching 8% takes roughly 3–4 months of consistent trading. Reaching 10% takes 4–5 months. No time limits on either firm, but your psychological capital depletes the longer the challenge runs.

Drawdown Calculation

Both firms use initial-balance-based max drawdown. Your $100K account's stop-out level stays fixed at $90,000 regardless of how high your equity climbs. If you grow the account to $108,000 and then give back $18,000, you're still terminated — even though you only lost $8,000 of your "own" profits. Understanding this is critical for both firms.

The daily drawdown on both resets each day based on the higher of your previous day's closing balance or equity. If you end Monday at $103,000, Tuesday's daily loss limit is $5,150 (5% of $103,000). This is where traders get caught — the daily limit floats upward with your equity but the max drawdown stays anchored to the starting balance.

For a deeper explanation of how these calculations work across major prop firms, read our guide on prop firm risk management rules.

News Trading and Holding Restrictions

This is where the two firms diverge sharply. FundedNext allows news trading and weekend holding on all CFD challenge accounts with no restrictions. FTMO splits its offering: the Standard account restricts trading around high-impact news events and prohibits weekend holding, while the Swing account removes both restrictions.

If your strategy depends on trading NFP, CPI, or FOMC releases, FundedNext removes an entire layer of complexity. With FTMO, you'll need to specifically select the Swing account type — and the rules around what constitutes "restricted" news trading on Standard accounts can trip up traders who aren't paying close attention.

EA and Bot Policies

Both firms allow Expert Advisors on MetaTrader platforms. FTMO caps server requests at 2,000 per day per trade to prevent hyperactive bots. FundedNext allows EAs on MT4 and MT5 but notably blocks them on cTrader, and caps EA allocation at $300,000 per strategy. If you're running automated systems, both firms accommodate you — but read the fine print on whichever platform you prefer.

---

Payout Experience

Profit split is where FundedNext pulls ahead on paper. FundedNext offers up to 95% on funded Stellar accounts from the start. FTMO starts at 80% and scales to 90% once you meet their Scaling Plan criteria — which requires profitable trading over at least 4 months and a total profit of at least 10% of your initial balance.

That 5–15% split difference compounds fast. On a $10,000 monthly profit, you'd keep $9,500 with FundedNext versus $8,000–$9,000 with FTMO. Over 12 months, that's a potential difference of $6,000–$18,000 in your pocket.

Both firms process payouts on a biweekly (14-day) cycle. FTMO typically completes withdrawals within 1–2 business days after request. FundedNext claims 24-hour processing on most payouts, with some traders reporting 1–3 business days in practice.

Payout methods on both firms include bank wire and crypto. FTMO also supports Skrill and other e-wallets. Neither firm charges withdrawal fees, though your bank or payment processor might.

The first payout on FundedNext is available 21 days after receiving your funded account (including the challenge fee refund). FTMO's first payout comes 14 days into your funded account cycle.

---

Platform and Execution

FTMO offers four platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and DXtrade. FundedNext offers three: MT4, MT5, and cTrader.

The DXtrade option on FTMO is particularly relevant for US-based traders, who are restricted from using MetaTrader and cTrader due to regulatory requirements. If you're trading from the US, FTMO's platform flexibility is a genuine advantage — FundedNext doesn't offer an equivalent workaround [UNVERIFIED — US availability on FundedNext may have changed].

For execution quality, both firms route orders through simulated environments that mirror live market conditions. Neither firm is a broker — they're providing funded simulated accounts. Spreads and commissions vary by platform and instrument, with cTrader generally offering the tightest raw spreads on both firms.

MT5 adoption has surged at FTMO specifically, growing from roughly 10% of their user base to approaching parity with MT4 over the past few years. If you're choosing between MT4 and MT5, both firms support either, but MT5's multi-asset capabilities and faster backtesting engine make it the stronger choice for 2026.

---

Choose FTMO If...

You prioritize brand reputation and longevity. FTMO has been operating since 2015, has paid out hundreds of millions to traders, and carries a 4.8-star Trustpilot rating across 40,000+ reviews. If you want the prop firm least likely to disappear or change terms overnight, FTMO's track record is unmatched.

You're a US-based trader. FTMO's DXtrade platform option gives US traders access that many competitors — including FundedNext — may not match. If MetaTrader isn't available to you, FTMO solves that problem.

You trade with EAs on cTrader. FundedNext blocks Expert Advisors on cTrader. FTMO allows automated trading across all four of its platforms, making it the better fit if cTrader is your preferred algo execution environment.

You want the free trial before committing. FTMO offers a free 14-day trial challenge that mirrors real conditions. It's the best way to test your strategy against their rules without spending a dollar. FundedNext doesn't offer an equivalent free trial.

---

Choose FundedNext If...

You're a swing trader who holds through news and weekends. FundedNext places zero restrictions on news trading or weekend holding across all CFD challenge accounts. No need to pick a special account type or worry about accidentally violating a news-window rule.

You want the highest profit split from day one. FundedNext's 95% split on Stellar accounts beats FTMO's starting 80% by a wide margin. If you're confident you'll be profitable and want to keep as much of your gains as possible, the math favors FundedNext.

You're on a tighter budget. FundedNext is cheaper at every comparable account size, and their frequent 20% discount codes push the value even further. The $6,000 entry-level account at $59.99 also gives smaller traders a way in that FTMO doesn't match (FTMO's smallest is $10K at ~$170).

You prefer a lower Phase 1 target. The 8% Phase 1 target versus FTMO's 10% reduces the statistical difficulty of passing. For risk-adjusted traders who compound slowly, that 2% gap could be the difference between passing and blowing the account in month four.

---

The Verdict

Both FTMO and FundedNext are legitimate, well-established prop firms with tens of thousands of funded traders. You won't go wrong with either. But they serve different trader profiles.

FundedNext is the better value proposition in 2026. Lower prices, lower Phase 1 targets, higher profit splits, and fewer trading restrictions make it the smarter pick for most traders — especially swing traders, budget-conscious beginners, and anyone who wants to maximize their take-home percentage.

FTMO is the safer institutional choice. A decade of operations, the highest Trustpilot rating in the industry, four platform options, and a free trial challenge make it the pick for traders who value stability and reputation over marginal cost savings. If you're building a long-term funded trading career and want the name that carries the most weight, FTMO is still the gold standard.

The $40 price difference at the $100K tier isn't what should drive your decision. The profit split difference (up to 15%), the Phase 1 target gap (2%), and the news trading restrictions — those are the factors that will actually affect your bottom line over 12 months of funded trading.

For a complete breakdown of how prop firm evaluations work before you buy either challenge, read our guide: How Prop Firm Evaluations Actually Work.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Is FTMO or FundedNext cheaper for a $100K account?

FundedNext's Stellar 2-Step challenge costs $549.99 for a $100K account. FTMO charges €540, which converts to roughly $590 USD depending on exchange rates. FundedNext is approximately $40 cheaper before any discount codes. With FundedNext's periodic 20% promos, the gap can widen to over $100.

Which prop firm has a higher profit split — FTMO or FundedNext?

FundedNext offers up to 95% profit split on Stellar funded accounts. FTMO starts at 80% and increases to 90% through their Scaling Plan, which requires at least 4 months of profitable trading and 10% total account growth. FundedNext's split advantage is significant, especially in your first year of funded trading.

Can I trade news events on FTMO and FundedNext?

FundedNext allows unrestricted news trading on all CFD challenge and funded accounts. FTMO restricts news trading on Standard accounts — you'll need to select the Swing account type to trade freely around high-impact events like NFP, CPI, and central bank announcements.

What's the pass rate for FTMO vs FundedNext?

Neither firm publishes official pass rates. Industry estimates suggest roughly 5–15% of traders pass two-phase evaluations across all prop firms. FundedNext's lower Phase 1 target of 8% (versus FTMO's 10%) theoretically increases the pass probability, though exact comparative data isn't publicly available.

Do FTMO and FundedNext refund the challenge fee?

Yes, both firms refund the full challenge fee with your first profit split payout after reaching the funded stage. This makes the challenge cost effectively zero for traders who pass and remain profitable. FundedNext has also offered 110–120% fee refunds during promotional periods, meaning you'd actually profit from the fee itself.

---

Related Articles

• FTMO Review 2026 — Full breakdown of pricing, rules, and payout structure.
• How Prop Firm Evaluations Actually Work — What happens behind the scenes during your challenge.
• FundedNext Review 2026 — Detailed look at all Stellar models, Lite accounts, and payout data.