- Over 4k Trustpilot reviews at 4.9/5 with exceptional 24/7 customer support.
- Trading Psychologist available, scaling plan, and CEO's public visibility.
- Free trial, infinite evaluation retries, and bi-weekly payments at 80%-90% profit.
- Flexible trading: no cap on duration, minimum 4 days, 1:100 leverage, and diverse tools.
Funded Academy
- Real accounts with up to $1,000,000 in genuine capital.
- Bi-weekly payouts with profit shares of 70% to 90%.
- 1:100 leverage for Standard challenge accounts.
- Permitted overnight positions and news trading.
- Exclusive benefits for Extended challenge accounts.
Cons ❌
FTMO
- Educational videos suit beginners more
- Maximum of 2 accounts at $200,000 each
Funded Academy
- Lot size restrictions
- 1:10 leverage on Extended challenge accounts
- Monthly payouts on Extended challenge accounts
Rules 📋
FTMO
Maximum Daily Loss, Maximum Loss, Minimum Trading Days, No News Trading, Profit Target, Third Party Copy Trading Risk, Third Party EA Risk
Funded Academy
Lot Size Limit, Maximum Daily Loss, Maximum Loss, No Weekend Holding, Profit Target, Stop Loss Required, Third Party Copy Trading Risk, Third Party EA Risk
FTMO and Funded Academy are prop firms that provide traders with the opportunity to trade with significant capital amounts after successfully passing an evaluation process. They have become increasingly popular in the trading community for offering a path to trading larger funds than a trader might have access to personally.
Prop Firm Comparison: FTMO vs. Funded Academy
FTMO: A Proven Track Record of Support and Growth
FTMO, established in September 2015, has built a strong reputation with over 4,000 Trustpilot reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5. The company's robust support system, which includes 24/7 customer service and the unique offering of a trading psychologist, demonstrates a deep commitment to their traders' success and well-being. FTMO also promotes continued growth for traders through a scaling plan and maintains transparency with CEO visibility.
The flexible trading conditions are favorable, allowing traders to operate with 1:100 leverage across various instruments, including bonds, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. FTMO further shows its commitment to trader development by offering a free trial and allowing infinite evaluation retries, mitigating the pressure of a one-off performance assessment.
Funded Academy: The Newcomer with High Capital Opportunities
Although newer to the scene, incorporated in July 2021, Funded Academy has already distinguished itself by offering real accounts with up to $1,000,000 in genuine capital. This is a significant draw for traders aiming to trade with large funds. Their profit-sharing model is competitive, providing bi-weekly payouts with a maximum of a 90% profit share. Moreover, their extended challenge accounts offer exclusive benefits, emphasizing their drive to cater to various trader needs and preferences.
Notably, Funded Academy's account leverage is also set at 1:100 for Standard challenges, and they permit overnight positions and news trading, which appeals to many trading strategies that require such conditions.
Trading Conditions and Platform Features
FTMO offers a wide range of account sizes and currencies, boasting one of the most diverse offerings in the industry. From crypto to commodities, their tradable instruments give traders the freedom to delve into different markets.
On the other hand, Funded Academy might have lot size restrictions and reduced leverage on Extended challenge accounts, potentially limiting certain trading styles. However, they hold their own with the provision of a variety of tradable instruments and focus solely on USD-denominated accounts.
Deposit and Withdrawal Options
Both firms offer modern withdrawal and deposit methods, including crypto, which is a testament to their understanding of the current financial landscape. FTMO provides more diverse options for withdrawals, including bank wire transfers, which can be seen as more accessible and reliable for a larger group of traders.
Risk Management and Trading Rules
Understanding a prop firm's rules is imperative for a trader. FTMO enforces several limitations such as maximum daily loss and profit targets, as well as restrictions on news trading. These rules are in place to safeguard both the trader and the firm from erratic market behavior and significant losses.
Funded Academy also has a set of stringent rules including lot size limits and stop loss requirements, which could be perceived as a double-edged sword - providing a structure for risk management yet also potentially constraining trading strategies.
Conclusion: Which Prop Firm Fits Your Trading Style?
Every retail trader considering a partnership with a prop firm must evaluate their trading style, risk tolerance, and what they need in terms of support. FTMO's longstanding presence, diverse range of instruments, account sizes, and currencies, as well as higher profit payment frequency and potential profit share, might appeal to a wider audience. On the other hand, Funded Academy offers a significant capital opportunity, particularly for traders who can adhere to their structured trading conditions and are comfortable with the monthly payout system.
In the end, the decision is deeply personal, determined by compatibility between the trader's needs and the prop firm's offerings. Both FTMO and Funded Academy present viable pathways for traders looking to scale their careers with external capital.
