This is a head-to-head comparison of the classic two-step evaluation model offered by two of the most prominent prop firms: FTMO’s Evaluation Program and FundingPips’ Two-step Evaluation.
At-a-Glance Comparison Table
| Feature | FTMO Evaluation Program | FundingPips Two-step Evaluation | The Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 Profit Target | 10% | 8% | Advantage: FundingPips (Easier) |
| Phase 2 Profit Target | 5% | 5% | Tie |
| Total Profit Required | 15% | 13% | Advantage: FundingPips (Lower overall target) |
| Max Daily Loss | 5% | 5% (Scaleable up to 7%) | Tie / Slight Edge FundingPips (Due to scalability) |
| Max Loss | 10% | 10% (Scaleable up to 14%) | Tie / Slight Edge FundingPips (Due to scalability) |
| Drawdown Type | Balance-Based | Equity-Based | Major Advantage: FTMO (Easier to manage) |
| Minimum Trading Days | 4 Calendar Days (Per Phase) | 3 Calendar Days (Per Phase) | Advantage: FundingPips (Slightly more flexible) |
| Maximum Trading Period | Unlimited | Unlimited | Tie |
| Profit Split | 80% up to 90% | 60% up to 100% + Monthly Salary | Varies (FTMO better start, FundingPips higher ceiling) |
| Leverage | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:100 | Tie |
| First Payout | 14 Calendar Days after first trade | First Tuesday after profit | Advantage: FundingPips (Potentially faster) |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly | Weekly, Bi-weekly, or Monthly | Advantage: FundingPips (More flexible) |
| Pricing (e.g., $100k) | €540 (~$585) | $444 | Major Advantage: FundingPips (More affordable) |
| Best For | Traders who value a proven track record, balance-based drawdown, and a stable, high profit split. | Traders on a budget seeking faster payouts, higher long-term earnings, and more flexible rules. |
Detailed Analysis: Which Two-Step Program Wins?
1. The Path to Becoming Funded: Profit Targets & Risk
- Profit Targets: FundingPips has a clear advantage here. The total profit required to pass both phases is 13% (8% + 5%) compared to FTMO’s 15% (10% + 5%). This makes the journey to a funded account objectively easier with FundingPips.
- Drawdown Type: This is a critical differentiator. FTMO uses a Balance-Based Drawdown, which is calculated from your initial account balance. This is considered much more trader-friendly, as your drawdown “cushion” does not shrink when you have open profitable trades. FundingPips uses an Equity-Based Drawdown, which is based on your current balance + floating P/L. This is stricter, as a string of losing trades can quickly eat into your drawdown limit.
Winner for Easier Profit Targets: FundingPips
Winner for Safer Drawdown Model: FTMO
2. Trading Pace & Time Constraints
- Minimum Trading Days: Both firms enforce minimum trading days to prevent “lucky” one-day passes and encourage consistency. FundingPips requires 3 days per phase, while FTMO requires 4 days per phase. FundingPips offers slightly more flexibility.
- Payout Speed & Frequency: FundingPips allows for the first payout on the first Tuesday you are in profit. FTMO has a fixed 14-calendar-day waiting period from your first trade. Furthermore, FundingPips offers weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly payout cycles, while FTMO is strictly bi-weekly.
Winner for Payout Speed & Flexibility: FundingPips
3. Earning Potential & Long-Term Value
- Profit Split: FTMO offers a strong and simple 80% profit split from the start, scaling to 90% after your first account increase. FundingPips starts lower at 60% (if you withdraw weekly) but can be scaled up to 80% (bi-weekly) and ultimately to 100% upon reaching their “Hot Seat” status, which also comes with a monthly salary.
- Scaling Plan: Both have scaling plans. FTMO increases your account by 25% every 4 months if you are profitable. FundingPips’ scaling is more aggressive and multi-faceted, increasing your account size, your drawdown limits, and your profit split simultaneously.
- Affordability: FundingPips is significantly more affordable. The challenge fee for a $100,000 account is $444 compared to FTMO’s $585 (approx.). This is a major factor for traders on a budget or those who may need multiple attempts.
Winner for Long-Term Earning Ceiling: FundingPips
Winner for Affordability: FundingPips
Winner for Simplicity & High Starting Split: FTMO
4. Reputation & Additional Support
- Trust & Track Record: FTMO is the industry pioneer with an impeccable reputation and a slightly higher Trustpilot score (4.8 vs. 4.4). They have been in the business since 2015, which provides a level of security and proven payout history that is unmatched.
- Educational Resources: FTMO provides extensive educational content, including a detailed academy, blog, and access to trading psychologists. FundingPips focuses more on its community and dashboard, with less formal educational content.
Winner for Proven Track Record & Educational Support: FTMO
Final Conclusion: Which Two-Step Program Should You Choose?
Your choice depends on your profile, priorities, and what you value most in a prop firm.
You Should Choose FTMO If…
- Reputation and Security are Your #1 Priority: You want to trade with the most established and trusted name in the industry.
- You Prefer a Balance-Based Drawdown: This is a non-negotiable advantage for your trading style, as it provides a larger, static safety net.
- You Want a Simple, High Profit Split from Day One: You are happy with an excellent 80%-90% split without managing complex payout cycles.
- You Value Educational Resources: You would benefit from their academy, psychological support, and extensive learning materials.
- The higher challenge cost is not a primary concern.
FTMO is the “Blue-Chip Standard.” It’s the safe, reliable, and professional choice for traders who value long-term stability and a trader-friendly drawdown model.
You Should Choose FundingPips If…
- Your Budget is a Primary Concern: You want the most affordable path to a large funded account.
- You are a Long-Term Optimizer: You are motivated by the ultimate goal of a 100% profit split and a monthly salary and are willing to work through their scaling plan to get there.
- You Want Faster and More Flexible Payouts: The ability to get paid weekly and receive your first payout faster is important to you.
- You Want an Easier Profit Target to Pass: The lower total profit requirement (13% vs. 15%) is a significant factor in your decision.
- You are comfortable with an Equity-Based Drawdown.
FundingPips is the “High-Value Disruptor.” It’s built for traders who are cost-conscious, focused on maximizing long-term earnings, and appreciate greater flexibility in their payout schedule.
Bottom Line: You are choosing between the industry’s gold standard for reliability (FTMO) and a modern, high-value challenger that offers better affordability and a higher earning potential ceiling (FundingPips). There is no wrong choice, only the best fit for your trading career strategy.
- FTMO: The “Professional Standard.” FTMO’s approach is centered on professionalism, education, and long-term, stable growth. They aim to identify serious traders and provide them with a structured, reliable environment, extensive resources, and a clear path to scaling. They are the established, institutional-grade choice.
- FundingPips: The “Community-Focused Innovator.” FundingPips focuses on accessibility, community engagement, and high-reward incentives. They offer more flexible and diverse funding routes, with a strong emphasis on scaling that directly benefits the trader through higher splits and even a salary. They are the dynamic, high-ceiling challenger.
Head-to-Head: Key Differentiators
| Feature | FTMO | FundingPips | Winner For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Variety | One program: Two-step Evaluation. | Four programs: Two-step, Two-step “Pro”, One-step, Zero (Instant). | FundingPips (More choices for different traders) |
| Two-Step Profit Target | 15% (10% + 5%) | 13% (8% + 5%) | FundingPips (Easier to pass) |
| Drawdown Type (Two-Step) | Balance-Based | Equity-Based | FTMO (Much easier to manage) |
| Profit Split Potential | Up to 90% | Up to 100% + Monthly Salary (via Hot Seat). | FundingPips (Higher ceiling) |
| Payout Flexibility | First payout after 14 days. Then Bi-weekly. | First payout on first Tuesday. Then Weekly, Bi-weekly, or Monthly. | FundingPips (Faster and more flexible) |
| Scaling Plan | Account balance increase (25% every 4 months). Profit split up to 90%. | Account balance increase + Daily/Max Drawdown increase + Profit Split increase to 100% + Monthly Salary. | FundingPips (More comprehensive and rewarding) |
| Pricing | Premium Priced (e.g., $100k account ~$585) | Budget-Friendly (e.g., $100k account for $444) | FundingPips (More affordable) |
| Educational Resources | Extensive: FTMO Academy, Blog, Trading Psychologists. | Minimal: Focus is on dashboard and community. | FTMO (Superior learning support) |
| Trust & Track Record | Industry Pioneer since 2015. Trustpilot 4.8/5. | Rapidly Growing since 2022. Trustpilot 4.4/5. | FTMO (Proven longevity and reputation) |
| Unique Offerings | Premium Programme, Swing Accounts for weekend holding. | “Hot Seat” status, “Zero Program” instant funding. | Tie (Different, but both valuable) |
Which Firm Is Right For You? A Trader’s Guide
You Should Choose FTMO If…
- You Value Security and Reputation Above All: You want to trade with the most trusted and established firm in the industry.
- Balance-Based Drawdown is a Must-Have: Your risk management strategy relies on the safety net of a static, balance-based drawdown.
- You Are a Learner: You will benefit greatly from their extensive educational content, including access to trading psychologists.
- You Prefer a Straightforward, High-Value Partnership: You are happy with an excellent 80-90% profit split without complex conditions.
- You trade stocks and need a wider range of instruments.
You Should Choose FundingPips If…
- Budget is Your Primary Concern: You want the most affordable evaluation fees and the lowest financial barrier to entry.
- You are a Long-Term Grinder with High Ambitions: The potential to earn a 100% profit split and a monthly salary is your primary motivation.
- You Want Maximum Flexibility: You value faster first payouts, weekly withdrawal options, and a variety of account types (including instant funding).
- You Thrive in a Vibrant Community: You appreciate a firm that is very active and engaged with its community on Discord and social media.
- You want an easier profit target to pass in the two-step evaluation.
Final Verdict
Both FTMO and FundingPips are exceptional, but they serve different master.
- FTMO is the “Ivy League University.” It’s prestigious, has a proven track record, provides immense resources, and sets a high standard. Getting in is an achievement, and the path is structured and professional. You choose FTMO for the reputation, the security, and the top-tier educational support.
- FundingPips is the “High-Growth Tech Startup.” It’s agile, innovative, and rewards performance with unprecedented upside (100% split, salary). It’s more accessible (cheaper, easier targets) and offers multiple, flexible paths to funding. You choose FundingPips for the value, the high earning potential, and the dynamic, community-driven environment.
Recommendation:
If you are a new trader or highly cost-conscious, FundingPips is the better starting point due to its lower prices and easier profit targets. If you are a serious trader who values the safest trading conditions (balance-based drawdown) and wants the security of the industry’s most proven firm, FTMO is worth the premium.
