FTMO vs FXIFY: Which Prop Trading Firm Is Better in 2026?

In a crowded prop‑trading landscape, FTMO and FXIFY have emerged as two very different pathways to capital.  FTMO has matured into one of the most recognisable proprietary trading brands, while FXIFY (including its futures division) positions itself as a nimble newcomer offering simplified, subscription‑based models.  Both firms promise disciplined risk management and generous profit splits, but their rules and structures diverge sharply.  We analysed both firms’ official disclosures to understand how they work, who they serve, and what a trader can realistically expect in 2026.  This head‑to‑head comparison highlights the operational differences that matter most, allowing traders to decide which route aligns better with their strategy and risk appetite.

FTMO Overview

FTMO is headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic and has been operating since 2014.  It offers simulated accounts ranging from $10,000 to $200,000 and charges a one‑time evaluation fee that is refunded when the trader passes the two‑step challenge.  FTMO supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and cTrader, and the program lets traders access a broad range of foreign exchange pairs, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies.  FTMO operates under a two‑phase evaluation model followed by a funded FTMO account.  This structure includes defined profit targets and drawdown rules but allows unlimited time to meet those targets, making it attractive for traders who value flexibility.

Years in operation and headquarters

• Country/headquarters: Czech Republic (Prague) – registered as FTMO Evaluation s.r.o.
• Years in operation: Since 2014; widely regarded as one of the earliest modern retail prop firms.

Account sizes and pricing

• Account sizes typically start at $10k and scale to $200k.  Fees vary by size; for example, a $100k challenge costs around $550 and is refunded when the evaluation is successfully completed.

Supported platforms and instruments

• Platforms: MT4, MT5 and cTrader.
• Instruments: Over 60 forex pairs, global indices, metals, energies, some cryptocurrencies and selected stocks.  Trading is executed on simulated accounts with leverage generally set at 1:100 for forex.

High‑level funding model

FTMO’s funding model is a two‑step evaluation followed by a funded FTMO account:

1. FTMO Challenge (Step 1) – Traders must achieve a 10% profit target without breaching risk limits.  There is no time limit, but they must trade on at least four separate days.
2. Verification (Step 2) – The profit target is reduced to 5%.  All objectives must be met, and traders must again complete at least four trading days.
3. FTMO Account (Step 3) – Once both phases are passed and a contract is signed, traders receive an FTMO funded account.  There is no profit target on this account; only risk rules apply.  Profit splits begin at 80%, and high‑performing traders can scale to 90% via the scaling plan.

Want to learn more you can read our full review here [Full FTMO Review]

Visit FTMO Here

FXIFY Overview

FXIFY is a newer prop firm founded in 2023 and registered in Dublin, Ireland.  It operates several evaluation models for both futures and forex/CFD traders.  Our research focused on the FXIFY Futures program, as it provides the most detailed and transparent rules.  FXIFY offers Standard, Expert and Direct‑to‑Sim‑Live plans with simulated balances of $50k, $100k and $150k for Standard/Expert or $15k–$80k for direct‑to‑live.  Subscription fees are paid monthly rather than a one‑time evaluation fee, and traders may reset their evaluation if they violate the maximum loss rule.  Trading is conducted on licensed futures platforms via the CME and related exchanges, and accounts are denominated in U.S. dollars.

Country/headquarters and years in operation

• Country/headquarters: Ireland (Dublin); registered as FXIFY Futures Limited.
• Years in operation: Launched in late 2023 as part of the broader FXIFY brand.

Account sizes and pricing

• Standard plan: simulated balances of $50k, $100k or $150k; monthly subscription ($89–$225).  This plan offers a 6% profit target and a 4% maximum loss limit.
• Expert plan: same balances but with a 7% profit target (6.67 % for $150k), and the maximum loss limit ranges from 4% to 5%.  Subscription fees are higher than the Standard plan.
• Direct‑to‑Sim‑Live plan: one‑time fee and accounts from $15k to $80k; there is no evaluation phase.  Traders go straight to a simulated live account with a 4% trailing drawdown.

Supported platforms and instruments

• FXIFY Futures uses professional futures trading platforms (such as Rithmic or TradeStation) and focuses on U.S. futures markets.  Instruments include E‑mini and Micro E‑mini indices (e.g., S&P 500, Nasdaq), commodities (gold, crude oil), Treasuries and FX futures.
• FXIFY’s broader brand also offers forex/CFD challenges with MT5 and a crypto‑focused program, but detailed rule sets for those products were not available during our research.

High‑level funding model

FXIFY Futures runs one‑step evaluations for the Standard and Expert plans, while the Direct‑to‑Sim‑Live program skips the evaluation entirely.  Key aspects include:

• Profit target: 6% (Standard) or 6–7% (Expert) of the starting balance.
• Maximum loss limit (trailing drawdown): 4% (Standard); 4%–5% (Expert).  The drawdown is calculated from the highest end‑of‑day balance and locks at new equity highs.  If equity hits the limit, the evaluation ends.
• Daily loss limit: 2% (Standard), 3% (Expert) or 2.5% for direct‑to‑live accounts.  Exceeding this limit results in a pause for the rest of the day; trading resumes the next day.
• Trade duration: All positions must be closed by 4:59 PM ET; overnight holdings are not allowed during the evaluation or funded phases.
• Reset option: Standard and Expert evaluations can be reset if traders hit the maximum loss limit; direct‑to‑live accounts cannot be reset.

Visit FXIFY Here

Evaluation Model & Trading Rules Comparison

Evaluation structure

FTMO runs a two‑step evaluation.  In the Challenge phase, traders must generate a 10% return without breaching drawdown limits; if successful, they move to Verification, where the profit target drops to 5%.  Each phase requires trading on at least four separate days, but there is no overall time limit, allowing traders to progress at their own pace.  After passing both phases and signing the contract, traders receive a funded FTMO account with no profit target – only risk rules remain.

FXIFY Futures uses a single‑phase evaluation.  Traders choose between Standard or Expert plans.  The Standard plan requires a 6% profit target and enforces a trailing drawdown of 4% of the highest end‑of‑day balance.  The Expert plan raises the profit target to around 7% and allows a drawdown between 4%–5%.  There is no minimum number of trading days, but traders must close all positions by 4:59 PM ET each day, which means no overnight or weekend holding.  FXIFY also offers a Direct‑to‑Sim‑Live option with no evaluation; traders begin trading immediately with a 4% trailing drawdown.

Profit targets and drawdowns

• FTMO: Profit targets are 10% in the Challenge and 5% in Verification.  The daily loss limit is 5% of the initial balance, and the overall drawdown (maximum loss) is 10 %.  These limits stay constant during the funded account.
• FXIFY: Standard evaluations require a 6% profit target with a 4% trailing drawdown, while Expert evaluations demand 6–7% profit with a 4%–5% trailing drawdown.  Daily loss limits are 2%–3% depending on the plan.

Minimum trading days and time limits

• FTMO: Minimum of four separate trading days per phase; unlimited time to achieve profit targets.
• FXIFY: No specified minimum trading days.  However, the program enforces a daily session rule – all trades must be closed by 4:59 PM ET, eliminating overnight exposure.

Consistency and additional rules

FTMO emphasises risk discipline but does not impose a specific “best‑day” or consistency percentage in the evaluation phases.  Traders in the funded account must observe a 2‑minute news embargo surrounding major macroeconomic releases when using the regular (non‑swing) account.  FTMO prohibits high‑frequency trading or latency arbitrage, and traders must avoid exploiting platform or pricing errors.

FXIFY Futures enforces both a daily loss limit and a maximum loss limit.  When the daily limit is reached, the account is paused until the next session; if the account equity hits the trailing drawdown, the evaluation fails and traders must reset.  The Expert plan also introduces a 40% consistency rule (not detailed in the available documentation) that applies to the funded account; Standard accounts carry a 30% consistency requirement.  News‑time trading rules were not explicitly detailed in the available FXIFY documentation, but the requirement to close trades by 4:59 PM ET implies that overnight or weekend trading is not permitted.

Payouts, Profit Split and Scaling

FTMO

FTMO’s funded account offers an 80% profit split by default.  Payouts are bi‑weekly, and the firm processes withdrawals in an average of eight hours.  Traders who consistently meet the scaling plan criteria receive a 90% profit split and a 25% increase in account size.  The scaling plan requires maintaining the account for at least four months, achieving a 10 % total net profit, making at least two withdrawals, and ending the period in profit. Under this plan, traders can scale up to a combined initial balance of $2 million.

FXIFY

FXIFY Futures pays traders from their simulated profits. According to the evaluation parameters, the Standard plan delivers an 80% profit split, while the Expert plan starts at 90%. A profit‑split add‑on is available at checkout, allowing traders to increase their split by an additional 10% (thus reaching up to 90% for Standard or 100 % for Expert).  Payouts can be requested every 14 days, starting 14 days after the first trade, and they are processed via wire transfer or cryptocurrency.  The help centre also notes a minimum withdrawal (around $100 for Standard and Expert, or 3% of balance for direct‑to‑live accounts) and that withdrawals cannot exceed the account’s “buffer zone” – traders must leave a cushion of equity above the trailing drawdown to keep the account active (exact amounts depend on plan size).  FXIFY does not charge payout fees, but bank or crypto networks may levy their own charges.

Scaling at FXIFY is more limited than at FTMO.  There is no published plan to increase the account balance beyond the initial size.  Instead, traders who perform well can purchase larger evaluations and benefit from higher splits.  FXIFY’s direct‑to‑sim‑live program offers a 90% split by default and provides a 100 % split add‑on, but since there is no evaluation, there is also no refund of fees.

Platforms, Markets and Trading Flexibility

FTMO supports MT4, MT5 and cTrader.  These platforms allow algorithmic trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), discretionary strategies, hedging and long/short positions on the same instrument.  FTMO accepts a wide range of assets including forex, major and minor indices, precious metals, energy commodities, cryptocurrencies and selected stocks.  Traders may hold positions overnight and through weekends, although using a Swing account is recommended to bypass the news embargo and higher swap fees.  The firm prohibits high‑frequency arbitrage or latency exploitation and requires all positions to be closed within proper risk parameters.

FXIFY Futures restricts trading to U.S. futures contracts.  The program lists maximum position limits for each account size: 3, 7 or 12 mini contracts for Standard accounts and 5, 10 or 15 for Expert accounts.  These caps enforce position sizing discipline.  Because FXIFY Futures operates on an intraday model, positions must be closed by 4:59 PM ET.  Overnight holding, hedging across multiple accounts or firms and cross‑platform hedging are prohibited.  Algorithmic and discretionary strategies are allowed, but traders must adhere to the daily and maximum loss limits.  FXIFY’s other products (forex/CFD and crypto challenges) reportedly support MT5 and allow weekend trading, but official details were not accessible during our research.

Reputation, Trust and User Feedback

FTMO has built a strong reputation over nearly a decade.  Recent user feedback from major review platforms emphasises fast payouts (often within hours), clear rules and responsive support.  Traders appreciate the unlimited trading period and the scaling plan.  Some criticisms relate to strict adherence to the 5% daily drawdown – accounts are immediately breached if exceeded – and the two‑phase structure, which some see as harder to pass compared with newer one‑phase models.

FXIFY is much newer, so reviews are more limited.  Early feedback highlights the simple 6%–7% profit target, large profit splits (80%–90%) and the option to trade futures with realistic intraday rules.  Traders also value the ability to reset failed evaluations by paying a small fee.  However, some users have noted the daily session cutoff and trailing drawdown as aggressive – hitting the drawdown by leaving a position open at 4:59 PM ET can end the evaluation.  Because FXIFY is young, long‑term reliability is still being assessed, and there have been occasional complaints about platform stability and customer support response times.  Nevertheless, the firm’s transparent help‑center articles outline its rules and payout procedures clearly, which is a positive sign.

Which Firm Is Better for Different Trader Types?

• New traders:  FTMO’s two‑step evaluation may feel daunting, but the unlimited time and ability to trade multiple asset classes give beginners breathing room.  Those who prefer a smaller profit target might favour FXIFY’s Standard plan, which only requires 6 % profit and allows resets.
• Experienced traders:  Experienced intraday traders who already have risk discipline might appreciate FXIFY’s one‑step evaluation and generous splits.  However, FTMO’s scaling plan and high account sizes (up to $200k per account, scaling to $2 million) offer more growth for long‑term professionals.
• Scalpers:  FTMO accommodates scalping on MT4/MT5 as long as trades respect the 2‑minute news embargo once funded.  FXIFY’s daily loss limits and no‑overnight rule suit scalpers too, but the trailing drawdown can quickly cut off a session if a large intraday loss occurs.
• Swing traders:  FTMO’s Swing account variant is clearly better for swing and position traders because it allows overnight and weekend holding.  FXIFY requires all positions to be closed by 4:59 PM ET, effectively excluding swing strategies.
• News traders:  FTMO allows news trading freely during the Challenge and Verification phases; only the funded account (non‑swing) restricts trading for 2 minutes around major announcements.  FXIFY’s futures program has no explicit news embargo but does not permit overnight holdings, which indirectly limits news trading across sessions.
• Traders seeking fast payouts vs long‑term scaling:  FXIFY offers the possibility of requesting a withdrawal every 14 days with 80% or 90% profit splits, appealing to traders who want quick capital.  FTMO pays out bi‑weekly as well, but its scaling plan unlocks higher splits and larger balances over a longer timeframe, benefiting traders with patience and consistent performance.

Final Verdict

FTMO and FXIFY represent two distinct approaches to prop trading.  FTMO offers a tried‑and‑tested two‑step evaluation with generous time allowances, broad instrument coverage and an established scaling plan that can grow an account to millions.  Risk parameters are clear: 5% daily loss and 10% overall drawdown, with profit splits starting at 80% and rising to 90% for high performers.  FTMO’s longevity and reputation for fair payouts make it a solid choice for traders seeking stability and long‑term career prospects.

FXIFY, on the other hand, is geared towards traders who prefer one‑step evaluations, lower profit targets and rapid payout cycles.  The Standard and Expert plans require a 6%–7% profit target with a trailing drawdown of 4%–5%, and traders can request payouts every 14 days with splits of 80%–90%.  FXIFY’s intraday‑only rules and subscription‑based model may suit disciplined day traders who want to test their skills quickly.  However, the firm’s newness means traders should approach with due diligence and monitor how its policies and reliability evolve.