FTMO vs. The Trading Pit – One-Step Evaluation Deep Dive
When choosing a proprietary trading firm, it’s essential to compare trading objectives, rules, flexibility, profit splits, leverage, and overall trader experience. Both FTMO and The Trading Pit (PIT) are industry-recognized prop firms, but they differ in evaluation structure, trading conditions, and payout rules.
1. Overview of One-Step Programs
| Feature | FTMO One-Step Evaluation | The Trading Pit One-Step Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| Account Sizes | $10k – $200k | $10k – $100k (Classic), up to $200k (Prime) |
| Evaluation Structure | One-step evaluation | One-step evaluation (Classic & Prime) |
| Goal | Identify profitable traders | Identify disciplined, profitable traders |
| Type | Fixed 30-day challenge | Flexible, unlimited trading period |
| Payout Eligibility | Complete evaluation, meet profit target | Complete evaluation, meet profit target |
| Funding Partner Brokers | FTMO internal accounts | FXFlat & GBE Brokers |
2. Trading Objectives & Rules
FTMO One-Step Evaluation
- Profit Target: 10%
- Maximum Daily Loss: 5%
- Maximum Overall Loss: 10%
- Minimum Trading Days: 10 calendar days
- Maximum Trading Period: 30 days
- Profit Split: 80%
- Leverage: Up to 1:100
- Scalping: Allowed
- News Trading: Allowed, but be careful with high-impact news
- Consistency Rule: Not explicitly stated
Observation: FTMO’s one-step program is more structured with a defined 30-day window and a 10-day minimum trading requirement. The high leverage allows aggressive position sizing but requires careful risk management to avoid breaching loss limits.
The Trading Pit One-Step Evaluation (Classic & Prime)
- Profit Target: 10%
- Maximum Daily Loss: 4%
- Maximum Trailing Loss / Overall Loss: 7%
- Minimum Trading Days: 5 calendar days
- Maximum Trading Period: Unlimited
- Profit Split:
- $10k & $20k accounts: 50%–70%
- $50k & $100k accounts: 60%–80%
- Leverage: Up to 1:30
- Scalping: Allowed
- News Trading: Restricted – cannot open/close trades during high-impact news ±2 minutes
- Consistency Rule: Best trading day should not exceed 40% of profit target
Observation: The Trading Pit emphasizes flexibility. Unlimited trading period and a lower minimum trading days requirement allow traders to pace their evaluation. The consistency rule promotes steady performance, ideal for traders who prefer a more methodical approach over aggressive short-term trades.
3. Evaluation Phase Comparison
| Criteria | FTMO | The Trading Pit (Classic/Prime) |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 10% | 10% |
| Max Daily Loss | 5% | 4% |
| Max Overall Loss | 10% | 7% |
| Min Trading Days | 10 | 5 |
| Max Trading Period | 30 days | Unlimited |
| Profit Split | 80% | 50–80%, depending on account size |
| Leverage | 1:100 | 1:30 |
| News Trading | Allowed | Restricted ±2 minutes |
| Consistency Rule | Not specified | Best day ≤40% of profit target |
| Account Scaling | Available after funded period | Extensive scaling: $500k – $5,000,000 |
Key Takeaways:
- FTMO is better for traders who can maintain high trading frequency within a short, structured evaluation period, leveraging higher leverage to reach 10% profit target quickly.
- The Trading Pit is more suitable for traders who prefer patience and flexible time, with stricter consistency rules and lower daily/overall loss limits but the advantage of unlimited trading period and a detailed scaling plan.
4. Funding & Payout Comparison
| Feature | FTMO | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| First Payout | After 14 days | After 14 days |
| Subsequent Payouts | Bi-weekly | Bi-weekly |
| Minimum Withdrawal | $100 | $100 |
| Profit Split | 80% | 50%–80% depending on account size |
| Scaling Plan | Available after consistent funded trading | Extensive scaling plan from $500k – $5,000,000 |
Observation: Both firms provide reliable payouts, with FTMO maintaining a simpler fixed 80% split and The Trading Pit offering variable profit splits tied to account size, plus a more detailed scaling plan for top traders.
5. Brokers & Trading Platforms
| Feature | FTMO | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Brokers | FTMO internal accounts | FXFlat & GBE Brokers |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade | MT4, MT5 |
| Tradable Instruments | Forex, Commodities, Indices, Stocks, Crypto | Forex, Commodities, Indices, Stocks, Crypto |
| Leverage | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:30 |
| Market Spread Info | Fixed for demo | Live spreads available via demo accounts |
| Trading Tools | FTMO Account Dashboard, FTMO Analytics, Education | Trading Dashboard, LiveSquawk, StereoTrader, Economic Calendar, CME Heatmap, Infographics, Blog, Podcasts, Webinars |
Observation: FTMO allows higher leverage and more platform options including DXtrade and cTrader, which may appeal to advanced algorithmic or high-leverage traders. The Trading Pit emphasizes education and monitoring tools to support decision-making and trading discipline.
6. Social Presence & Support
| Feature | FTMO | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.8 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Community Size | Large, global presence | Smaller, but growing |
| Social Media | Facebook 250k, Instagram 451k, YouTube 406k | Instagram 14k, Twitter 5k, Discord 15k |
| Customer Support | Live Chat, Email, Phone, Discord | Live Chat, Email, Phone, Discord, Telegram |
| Supported Languages | 11 languages | English only |
Observation: FTMO has a larger community and multilingual support, which is beneficial for global traders. The Trading Pit offers focused support and strong Discord community engagement.
7. Achievability & Suitability
FTMO One-Step
- Achievable for traders who can trade consistently and aggressively within 10–30 days.
- Higher leverage is attractive but increases risk.
- Structured timeframe can create pressure but maintains discipline.
The Trading Pit One-Step
- Achievable due to realistic profit targets and lower loss limits.
- Unlimited trading period reduces pressure and allows careful planning.
- Best suited for traders who prefer methodical, low-leverage trading and value scaling potential.
8. Pros & Cons
FTMO
Pros:
- High leverage (up to 1:100)
- 80% profit split
- Short evaluation period with structured rules
- Multilingual support and large social presence
Cons:
- Short maximum trading period may be stressful
- 10-day minimum trading requirement can be restrictive
- Requires consistent aggressive trading to reach profit target
The Trading Pit
Pros:
- Flexible unlimited trading period
- Lower minimum trading days (5)
- Realistic daily/overall loss limits (4% / 7%)
- Extensive scaling plan for high-performing traders
- Multiple one-step and two-step evaluations
Cons:
- Lower leverage (1:30) limits larger position sizes
- Profit split is account size-dependent, not fixed 80%
- Limited language support and smaller social presence
9. Conclusion
| Factor | Recommended Firm |
|---|---|
| For fast, high-leverage trading | FTMO |
| For flexibility, patience, and scaling | The Trading Pit |
| For education and trading tools | The Trading Pit |
| For global support & community | FTMO |
| For structured challenge with strict rules | FTMO |
| For methodical, risk-conscious trading | The Trading Pit |
