FTMO vs FundedNext Side-by-side breakdown — fees, rules, payouts, and our verdict

The Two Most Popular Prop Firms — Compared Honestly

FTMO and FundedNext together account for more funded traders than any other two firms in the industry. Choosing between them isn’t obvious — they’re genuinely close on most metrics, and the right answer depends almost entirely on your strategy.

FTMO has been paying traders since 2015. That eight-year track record is the longest documented payout history of any prop firm we cover, and it carries real weight in an industry where firms disappear without warning. FundedNext launched in 2022 and moved fast — 90% profit split from day one, weekend holding permitted, and a faster evaluation calendar. Two very different propositions.

The Core Difference: Rules vs. Flexibility

FTMO’s static drawdown is the most forgiving drawdown model available at scale. Your loss floor never moves up as you profit — if you bank $5,000 on Monday and lose $4,000 on Tuesday, you’re still only down $4,000 against your original balance. FundedNext uses a relative drawdown on most accounts, which means unrealised profits can shrink your actual buffer.

The weekend holding difference is decisive for swing traders. FundedNext allows it; FTMO requires positions closed by Friday 11pm. If you hold trades over the weekend, FTMO is not the right firm regardless of how the rest of the comparison goes.

Fee Comparison

Both firms refund the challenge fee on first payout, so the entry cost is effectively zero if you pass and withdraw. FTMO’s $540 for a $100K account feels higher upfront than FundedNext’s $299, but the refund makes both come to the same place eventually. The question is cash flow during the evaluation.

Who Should Choose FTMO

Day traders and algorithmic traders who close positions by end of session, don’t need weekend holding, and want the most established payout track record in the industry. Also anyone who needs cTrader — FTMO supports it, FundedNext does not.

Who Should Choose FundedNext

Swing traders who hold multi-day positions, traders who want weekend exposure, and anyone prioritising the highest upfront profit split. FundedNext’s 90% from day one beats FTMO’s scaling model for traders who are confident in their consistency.

Our Verdict

If you close positions daily and want the safest firm with the longest track record, FTMO. If you swing trade or hold over weekends, FundedNext. Neither is universally better — the strategy match matters more than the marginal differences in fee and split.