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

Introduction

Experienced traders know that choosing the right prop firm shapes everything from risk management to payout timelines. Our team often receives questions about FTMO and Rebels Funding because they represent two very different philosophies. FTMO has become a benchmark of professionalism with a well‑defined two‑step challenge and scalable long‑term funding. Rebels Funding, based in Europe, offers a range of multi‑phase training programs that prioritise low profit targets, high leverage and no time limits. We analysed each firm’s latest rules to help traders understand their options.

FTMO Overview

FTMO is a Czech prop firm that has dominated the industry since the mid‑2010s. Its core offer is the two‑step evaluation which must be passed to receive a funded account. Traders can choose account sizes from $10k to $200k and work on MetaTrader 5 or cTrader with simulated capital. The evaluation is split into two phases: a 10% profit target for the Challenge and a 5% target for the Verification. There is no deadline for either phase, but traders must record at least four trading days in each phase to progress. FTMO applies a 5% maximum daily loss and a 10% maximum overall loss based on the initial balance. If either is breached, the account is terminated. News trading is permitted during evaluation; however, once funded, traders must avoid opening or closing trades within two minutes of high‑impact announcements (unless they opt for a special swing account).

Once both phases are successfully completed, the trader signs an FTMO account agreement. The funded account keeps the same drawdown limits but has no profit target. FTMO pays traders 80% of profits by default, increasing to 90% for those who qualify for the scaling plan. Payouts are processed every two weeks, with the first withdrawal available fourteen days after the funded account is created. Consistent profitability over a four‑month period allows for a 25% increase in account size and a higher profit split. Traders can scale up to $2 million in simulated capital by repeatedly hitting the scaling criteria. FTMO permits holding positions overnight and over weekends, but positions must be closed or reduced ahead of major news if the trader has chosen a swing account. Platforms support expert advisors and discretionary strategies, though high‑frequency arbitrage or copy trading across prop firms is prohibited.

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Rebels Funding Overview

Rebels Funding markets itself as a no‑pressure prop firm that provides traders with the freedom to progress at their own pace. The company offers five distinct training programs – Copper, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond – each designed to suit different levels of experience. All programs are executed on the firm’s proprietary platform (RF‑Trader) integrated with TradingView charts and direct liquidity feeds. Traders can choose accounts from $2 500 to $80 000 (larger for advanced programs) and may trade forex, indices, metals, energies, stocks and crypto. Rebels Funding emphasises high leverage: major currency pairs are leveraged up to 1:200 in training accounts, while funded accounts use half of that leverage. Traders retain up to 90% of profits and the company refunds entry fees when the trader meets program targets. There are no time limits in any phase, but each phase requires a minimum number of trades and adherence to strict risk rules. The firm returns a portion of the fee if a trader does not complete a program and offers discounts on subsequent attempts.

Copper Programme (4 phases)

The Copper programme is Rebels Funding’s longest evaluation, designed as a four‑phase training sequence. Each phase demands a 5% profit target with no time limit. Traders must place at least four trades per phase. The maximum overall drawdown is 10% of the initial balance, while the daily drawdown is 5%. Violation of either rule results in the account switching to read‑only mode, and trades are closed. To manage risk, Rebels Funding urges traders to keep risk per trade below 1.5%, avoid martingale or grid strategies, and exercise caution around major news events. In return, successful traders receive 200% of their entry fee with the first payout and can scale accounts to larger sizes. Funding capital is simulated, but profits are real; once funded, traders keep up to 90% of gains, with Rebels covering any losses.

Bronze Programme (3 phases)

The Bronze programme reduces the evaluation to three phases, each requiring a 5% profit and a minimum of five trades. All phases allow unlimited time, but once a trader hits the profit target the account is closed, so trades must be spaced accordingly. Drawdown rules mirror those of Copper: 10% maximum total drawdown and 5% daily drawdown. Leverage remains high (majors 1:200, crosses 1:150, exotics 1:100, metals and indices 1:25, energies 1:5, stocks and crypto 1:2.5). Successful completion awards a 150% refund of the program fee. The firm also emphasises risk control: traders should avoid news trading and refrain from using aggressive strategies.

Silver Programme (2 phases)

Silver is designed for advanced traders seeking a shorter evaluation. It features two phases with an 8% profit target in phase one and a 5% target in phase two. Each phase has a minimum of six trades and no deadline. The daily drawdown remains 5% and the overall drawdown stays at 10%. Leverage is capped at 1:100, lower than in Copper or Bronze to reflect the higher profit target. Traders can earn up to 90% of profits once funded, and Rebels Funding refunds the entire entry fee with the first payout. Notably, this program still includes the firm’s signature no‑deadline policy, offering flexibility for traders who need more time to meet targets.

Gold Programme (1 phase)

Gold condenses the evaluation into a single phase. Traders must hit a 10% profit target while respecting a 4% daily drawdown and a 6% overall drawdown. They need to record at least eight trades within the phase, but there is still no time limit. Leverage is lowered further to 1:50. After meeting the 10% goal, the trader receives a 100% fee refund, transitions to a funded account and earns up to 90% of profits. Once funded, the account can double if the trader continues to meet targets, creating a path for long‑term capital growth. As with other programs, risk management guidelines encourage using stop‑loss orders and avoiding trading around major news releases.

Diamond Programme (Half‑Instant Levels)

The Diamond programme is Rebels Funding’s fastest route to funding. It operates as a half‑instant model with one training phase followed by a multi‑level funded account. Traders start at an entry level (Level 0) with account sizes from $1 000 to $20 000. They must achieve a 10% profit with at least five trades and respect a 6% overall drawdown (there is no daily drawdown). Once the first 10% target is hit, Rebels refunds the fee and the trader receives a funded account. The program then scales the account automatically by 60% each time the trader reaches another 10% target, up to Level 10 where the account size can exceed $500 000. Leverage is limited to 1:50. This program suits traders who want immediate funding and are comfortable with a trailing overall drawdown rather than a daily stop.

Evaluation Model & Trading Rules Comparison

Structure and objectives – FTMO uses a classic two‑step evaluation with higher profit targets (10% and 5%) and a consistent drawdown framework (5% daily, 10% total). This model demands faster capital growth but fewer phases. Rebels Funding offers multiple training sequences with lower targets. Copper and Bronze require successive 5% profits, Silver uses 8% and 5%, Gold demands a single 10%, and Diamond uses a 10% target for each level. All Rebels programs allow unlimited time and require a minimum number of trades, which encourages deliberate, methodical trading rather than speed. FTMO only requires four trading days per phase and has no trade minimum beyond that, giving flexible entry points for traders who can reach targets quickly.

Drawdown policies – FTMO’s drawdown limits are straightforward: a static 10% maximum loss and a daily loss of 5%. These thresholds reset at midnight CET. Rebels Funding applies similar overall and daily limits in its Copper, Bronze and Silver programs (10% overall, 5% daily). The Gold programme tightens risk to 6% overall and 4% daily, while the Diamond programme drops the daily drawdown entirely, leaving only a 6% total loss limit. Traders seeking more breathing room intraday may prefer Rebels Funding, especially the Diamond program. FTMO traders must monitor daily losses closely or risk account termination.

Time limits and trade minimums – FTMO imposes no time limit but requires at least four trading days in each phase. Rebels Funding also offers unlimited time but sets a minimum trade count: four trades in each Copper phase, five in Bronze, six in Silver, eight in Gold and five in each Diamond level. This prevents traders from hitting the profit target with a single large trade and quitting, fostering consistency. The trade minimum combined with low profit targets in Copper and Bronze makes these programs feel like a training regimen rather than a quick pass/fail test.

Risk management and strategy restrictions – FTMO requires that each account uses responsible risk management: stop‑loss orders are recommended but not mandated, and traders must avoid practices like arbitrage latency trading or copy trading across prop firms. News trading is restricted for funded accounts, and trades must be closed around major announcements. In Rebels Funding, risk management is more prescriptive. The firm asks traders to risk no more than 1.5% per trade, to avoid grid and martingale strategies, and to abstain from trading during major news events. The Copper and Bronze programs caution against high‑frequency trading and cross‑pair hedging. Diamond traders enjoy more flexibility since there is no daily loss limit, but they must still manage the 6% overall drawdown.

Payouts, Profit Split and Scaling

FTMO – Once funded, traders receive 80% of profits, with the potential to reach 90% through the scaling plan. The first payout is available fourteen days after funding, and subsequent payouts occur every two weeks. FTMO returns the challenge fee after the trader passes verification. Under the scaling plan, a funded account can increase by 25% in size every four‑month cycle if the trader generates at least 10% net profit, processes two payouts and finishes with a positive balance. Accounts can eventually grow to a ceiling of $2 million. Payouts are usually processed within a day of request and are sent via bank wire, cryptocurrency or payment providers.

Rebels Funding – Profit splits across all programs reach up to 90%, with the exact percentage tied to performance and consistency. Copper graduates receive 200% of their fee at the first payout, while Bronze refunds 150% and Silver and Gold return 100%. The Diamond programme refunds the fee after the first 10% target and then scales the account automatically by 60% with each new level. Rebels Funding offers payouts every two weeks for most programs, but Diamond accounts pay commissions once the target is met at each level. Unlike FTMO, the firm places a cap on funded account size per program; however, by climbing levels or progressing through multiple programs, traders can manage larger capital. Refunds and discounts on retakes make Rebels Funding appealing to traders who need several attempts to succeed.

Platforms, Markets and Trading Flexibility

FTMO traders use MetaTrader 5 or cTrader, both of which support automated strategies and discretionary trading. The broker environment simulates real market conditions with tight spreads and normal slippage. Traders may choose between normal accounts and swing accounts; the latter relaxes news restrictions at the cost of a higher scaling threshold. FTMO offers margin for forex majors around 1:100 during evaluation and reduces it slightly after funding.

Rebels Funding uses its proprietary RF‑Trader platform built on top of TradingView charts. The platform offers direct market access with variable spreads and supports EAs upon approval. Leverage is generous in evaluation accounts (up to 1:200 on majors) but is halved once a trader goes live. In the Diamond and Gold programmes, leverage is capped at 1:50. A wide range of markets is available, including major and minor currency pairs, indices, metals, energies, stocks and cryptocurrencies. Because Rebels Funding does not impose time limits, traders can take positions overnight and through weekends. The firm encourages the use of stop‑loss and take‑profit orders to manage risk.

Reputation, Trust and User Feedback

FTMO has built a strong reputation for integrity and reliability. The firm has delivered timely payouts for years and offers transparent rules. Many traders appreciate the clear two‑step evaluation and robust support. Critics point out that the 10% profit target in the first phase is demanding and that the daily drawdown of 5% can cause premature failures in volatile markets. Nevertheless, FTMO is considered a benchmark for serious prop traders due to its scale and consistent operations.

Rebels Funding is newer and markets itself aggressively as a no‑pressure alternative. User reviews praise the generous leverage and the ability to progress without deadlines. Traders like the multiple programs that cater to different risk tolerances and the high fee refunds. However, some users note that the high leverage encourages riskier behaviour and that the minimum trade requirements can lead to forced positions. There are also occasional complaints about platform stability and the need to close trades manually to record profits correctly. Overall, the company is seen as trustworthy but still maturing, with strong incentives for disciplined traders.

Which Firm Is Better for Different Trader Types?

• Beginners and cautious traders may find Copper and Bronze attractive because of the low 5% profit targets and flexible time limits. The strict daily drawdown rules and high leverage teach risk control, but the long, multi‑phase structure demands patience. FTMO’s higher initial profit target is tougher for novices but offers a shorter path to funding if they succeed.
• Intermediate traders who want a balanced challenge might prefer Silver or Gold. The profit targets (8% and 5%, or 10%) are moderate, and the drawdown limits are tighter than those in Copper and Bronze. FTMO’s two‑step evaluation also suits this group; the unlimited time and four‑day minimums provide flexibility while encouraging consistent performance.
• Aggressive or high‑leverage traders may gravitate toward Diamond. The absence of a daily loss limit and the automatic scaling after each 10% target make this program ideal for confident, consistent traders who can handle a 6% overall drawdown. FTMO’s Hyper Growth or similar one‑step programs (not covered here but available) could also appeal to this category due to higher leverage and quicker scaling.
• Professionals seeking long‑term growth will appreciate FTMO’s scaling plan to $2 million and its 90% profit share. Rebels Funding also offers growth, particularly in the Diamond programme, but the maximum funding per program is lower than FTMO’s top tiers. However, Rebels Funding compensates with multiple program options and high fee refunds.
• News or event‑driven traders should consider that FTMO restricts order execution around macroeconomic announcements for funded accounts, whereas Rebels Funding discourages but does not strictly prohibit news trading except for emphasising caution. The Diamond and Gold programmes provide more freedom, but participants must still avoid strategies like martingale or extreme high frequency.

Final Verdict

FTMO and Rebels Funding represent two contrasting approaches to prop trading. FTMO has built a reputation on professionalism, strict but consistent rules, and a straightforward two‑step evaluation that leads to large funding potential. The daily drawdown and high profit target require robust risk management, but the reward is access to substantial capital and a clear scaling path.

Rebels Funding focuses on accessibility and trader development. Its multi‑phase programs with low profit targets and no time limits are appealing to traders who value flexibility and gradual progression. High leverage and generous fee refunds make the programs attractive, but strict risk guidelines and minimum trade requirements demand patience and discipline. The Diamond programme, with its half‑instant structure, offers a unique blend of immediate funding and incremental scaling, though the account size ceiling is lower than FTMO’s.

Your choice depends on your trading style. If you prefer clear objectives, consistent rules and the opportunity to manage millions of dollars, FTMO remains one of the best options. If you want to train under flexible conditions, get multiple attempts with fee refunds and enjoy high leverage, Rebels Funding could be the better fit. Always examine your risk tolerance and trading strategy before committing to either platform.

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