Exact FTMO Challenge Prices 2026: What Traders Pay

The FTMO Challenge prices vary significantly based on the chosen account size and evaluation type (1-Step or 2-Step), with fees ranging from approximately €79 to €1,080, or $99 to $1,249 for USD-denominated accounts. These one-time fees are fully refundable upon achieving your first profit split after successfully passing the evaluation.

• FTMO 1-Step Challenge (EUR): €79 for $10,000 up to €999 for $200,000.
• FTMO 2-Step Challenge (EUR): €89 for $10,000 up to €1,080 for $200,000.
• FTMO OANDA (USD): $99 for $10,000 up to $1,249 for $200,000.
• All challenge fees are 100% refundable with your first payout.

Understanding FTMO Challenge Prices for 2026

FTMO Challenge prices for 2026 are structured to reflect the capital provided and the complexity of the evaluation, offering different tiers for traders to access various account sizes. The pricing model, which includes both Euro and US Dollar options depending on the evaluation type and platform, is a one-time fee that is fully refundable once a trader passes the evaluation and receives their first profit split.

FTMO provides two primary evaluation types: the 1-Step Challenge and the 2-Step Challenge, each with distinct rules and pricing. Additionally, their partnership with OANDA offers specific pricing in USD for certain regions. Understanding these distinctions is key to selecting the right challenge for your trading style and capital goals. The fees are directly tied to the initial capital you aim to manage, ranging from $10,000 up to $200,000. This tiered approach allows traders to choose an account size that aligns with their experience and risk tolerance, making the FTMO Challenge prices accessible across a broad spectrum of traders.

FTMO 2-Step Challenge Pricing (EUR)

The FTMO 2-Step Challenge is the original and most recognized evaluation path, featuring two distinct phases traders must pass to become an FTMO Funded Trader. The fees for the 2-Step Challenge are denominated in Euros and are as follows for the current 2026 period:

• $10,000 Account: €89
• $25,000 Account: €250
• $50,000 Account: €345
• $100,000 Account: €439
• $200,000 Account: €1,080

These prices reflect a one-time payment. Successful traders who meet the profit targets and adhere to all trading objectives in both phases will have this fee returned with their first profit withdrawal from their Funded Account. The 2-Step Challenge requires traders to achieve a profit target of 10% in Phase 1 and 5% in Phase 2, while respecting a 5% daily loss limit and a 10% maximum drawdown. More detailed rules can always be found on FTMO's official general rules page.

FTMO 1-Step Challenge Pricing (EUR)

Introduced to offer a faster path to funding, the FTMO 1-Step Challenge streamlines the evaluation process into a single phase, appealing to traders who prefer a more direct approach. The fees for the 1-Step Challenge are also denominated in Euros for the 2026 period:

• $10,000 Account: €79
• $25,000 Account: €199
• $50,000 Account: €319
• $100,000 Account: €499
• $200,000 Account: €999

While the 1-Step Challenge has a single phase, it often presents a higher profit target (e.g., 10%) compared to the individual phases of the 2-Step model, alongside specific daily and maximum drawdown limits. The slightly lower FTMO Challenge prices for the 1-Step option might attract traders confident in meeting a single, more demanding target. The refund policy remains consistent: the fee is returned with the first profit split once funded.

FTMO OANDA Challenge Pricing (USD)

Through its partnership with OANDA, FTMO offers specific challenge options with pricing denominated in US Dollars, primarily catering to traders who prefer or require USD transactions. These prices, likely for a 1-Step equivalent challenge given the structure of competitor snippets, are as follows for 2026:

• $10,000 Account: $99
• $25,000 Account: $289
• $50,000 Account: $399
• $100,000 Account: $619
• $200,000 Account: $1,249

The availability and specific rules for the FTMO OANDA Challenge can vary by region. Traders should always verify the details on the respective FTMO OANDA platforms. The principle of a refundable fee upon successful completion and first profit withdrawal generally applies here as well, making these FTMO Challenge prices an investment towards a funded trading career.

Beyond the Initial Fee: The True Cost of an FTMO Challenge

While the initial FTMO Challenge prices are clearly stated and refundable, the true cost of pursuing an FTMO Funded Account extends beyond this upfront payment. Traders must consider several other factors that can impact their overall investment in time, effort, and potential additional expenses.

The Cost of Multiple Attempts and Resets

One of the most significant hidden costs can be the need for multiple attempts or challenge resets. Not every trader passes the FTMO Challenge on their first try. Each failed attempt, especially if a full account reset is required, means paying the challenge fee again. While the fee is refundable upon success, repeated payments before reaching that success can add up, delaying the point at which the initial investment is recouped.

For instance, if a trader attempts a $100,000 2-Step Challenge (€439) three times before passing, their total outlay before the refund would be €1,317. This temporary capital tie-up, even if eventually refunded, represents a real cost in terms of liquidity and opportunity. Optimizing one's trading strategy and discipline is paramount to minimizing these additional attempts.

Opportunity Cost of Time and Focus

Passing an FTMO Challenge demands significant time, focus, and emotional discipline. This commitment represents an opportunity cost, as the time spent on the challenge could otherwise be allocated to other income-generating activities or personal development. For traders relying on manual strategies, the hours spent monitoring charts, executing trades, and managing risk are considerable.

The mental toll of navigating strict drawdown rules and profit targets can also be substantial. Reducing the number of attempts and the time spent per attempt directly translates into lower opportunity costs. This is where robust trading tools and strategies become invaluable, as they can help streamline the process.

Platform and Tooling Expenses

While FTMO provides access to popular trading platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, traders often invest in additional tools and resources to enhance their performance. This could include premium indicators, advanced charting software, or Virtual Private Servers (VPS) for automated trading. These supplementary expenses, though not directly part of the FTMO Challenge prices, contribute to the overall investment in a prop firm trading career.

For traders utilizing Expert Advisors (EAs), the cost of developing or purchasing reliable software is another consideration. However, this investment can often pay for itself by increasing the efficiency and consistency of challenge attempts. The JPTC EA Hub, for example, offers pre-configured, backtested strategies designed to respect prop-firm rules, potentially reducing the need for costly trial-and-error.

1-Step vs. 2-Step FTMO Challenge Prices: Which Offers Better Value?

Recent live trades — JPTC Algo

Auto-posted to Instagram. Real account, no demo.

@jptradingcapital on Instagram →

Deciding between the FTMO 1-Step and 2-Step Challenges involves more than just comparing their initial FTMO Challenge prices; it's about evaluating which structure aligns best with a trader's psychology, strategy, and risk tolerance. Both options offer a path to becoming a funded trader, but their distinct rulesets create different value propositions.

Evaluating the 2-Step Challenge Value

The 2-Step Challenge, with its two distinct phases, often provides a more gradual progression for traders. The profit targets per phase are typically lower (e.g., 10% then 5%), which can feel less intimidating. This structure allows traders to build confidence and refine their approach without the pressure of a single, larger target. The slightly higher initial FTMO Challenge prices for the 2-Step option (e.g., €89 for $10k vs. €79 for $10k in the 1-Step) are offset by this staged approach, which some traders find more manageable.

For those who prefer a systematic, step-by-step evaluation, the 2-Step Challenge can offer better long-term value by fostering disciplined habits and reducing the psychological burden of a high-stakes, single-phase target. It may lead to fewer failed attempts for traders who benefit from breaking down a larger goal into smaller, achievable milestones. Our research suggests that traders who are new to prop firm evaluations or prefer a more conservative approach often find the 2-Step Challenge a more suitable entry point.

Evaluating the 1-Step Challenge Value

The 1-Step Challenge appeals to experienced traders who are confident in their ability to meet a single, often more aggressive, profit target within a shorter timeframe. The lower initial FTMO Challenge prices (e.g., €79 for $10k vs. €89 for $10k in the 2-Step) can make it seem like a more attractive option upfront. However, the consolidated profit target and potentially tighter risk parameters in a single phase demand a very robust and consistent strategy.

For traders with high-conviction setups or those utilizing automated systems that can rapidly achieve targets, the 1-Step Challenge can represent excellent value by accelerating the path to a funded account. The efficiency of a single phase means less time spent in evaluation and quicker access to profit splits. However, the higher intensity of this challenge means that a single significant error or period of poor market conditions could lead to a reset, making the lower initial fee potentially misleading if multiple attempts are needed.

Making the Choice

The best value depends on your individual trading profile. If consistency, risk management, and a structured learning curve are priorities, the 2-Step Challenge, despite its slightly higher initial fee, might offer better overall value by increasing your likelihood of passing. If speed, aggressive targets, and a proven, high-performance strategy are your strengths, the 1-Step Challenge could be the more cost-effective choice.

Optimizing FTMO Challenge Costs with Automated Trading Tools

One of the most effective ways to mitigate the true costs associated with FTMO Challenge prices, beyond the initial refundable fee, is through the strategic use of automated trading tools. Expert Advisors (EAs) can significantly improve consistency, adherence to rules, and overall efficiency, thereby reducing the number of attempts and the time taken to pass evaluations.

Consistency and Rule Adherence

Prop firms like FTMO enforce strict rules regarding daily drawdown, maximum loss, and consistency. Manual trading, even by experienced individuals, is susceptible to human error, emotional decisions, and fatigue, which can lead to breaches of these critical rules. An EA, once properly configured and tested, executes trades based on predefined logic without emotion, ensuring consistent application of the strategy and strict adherence to prop firm limits.

For example, an EA can be programmed to automatically cease trading once a daily drawdown limit is approached, preventing costly overtrading. This robotic precision dramatically increases the chances of staying within FTMO's parameters, making challenge passing more predictable and reducing the likelihood of expensive resets. Our team at JPTradingCapital has developed the JPTC EA Hub specifically with these challenges in mind, offering automated solutions that respect prop-firm rules across various platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.

Efficiency and Time Savings

Automated trading allows for continuous market monitoring and execution across multiple pairs or strategies, 24 hours a day, without direct human intervention. This efficiency is a game-changer for passing challenges quickly. Instead of spending hours in front of screens, traders can deploy their EAs and focus on strategy optimization or other ventures. This significantly lowers the opportunity cost of time discussed earlier.

By automating the trading process, traders can often achieve profit targets faster and with fewer manual errors. This speed translates directly into fewer days spent in the evaluation phase and quicker access to a funded account, meaning the refundable FTMO Challenge prices are returned sooner. For an example of what a 2-year live algo track record looks like, see JPTradingCapital's public MyFxBook.

Reducing Emotional Impact and Decision Fatigue

The pressure of passing a prop firm challenge can lead to stress, overtrading, or hesitant decision-making. EAs eliminate the emotional component of trading entirely. They execute trades objectively, based purely on algorithmic rules, which can be a huge advantage in high-stakes environments like the FTMO Challenge.

This reduction in emotional impact not only improves performance but also makes the trading experience more sustainable. Traders can approach the challenge with a clearer mind, knowing that their core strategy is being executed flawlessly by their automated system. Explore how our Expert Advisors can help you navigate these challenges more effectively.

Choosing the Right EA for FTMO Challenges

When selecting an EA for FTMO Challenges, it's crucial to choose one that is explicitly designed with prop firm rules in mind. Generic EAs might perform well in standard retail accounts but often fail to adhere to specific drawdown and consistency requirements. The JPTC EA Hub provides automated EAs pre-configured with backtested strategies that respect these crucial prop-firm rules, working across platforms like FTMO, FundedNext, FXify, and others.

Traders should look for EAs with proven track records, robust risk management features, and adaptability to different market conditions. Our verified results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in helping traders successfully pass evaluations. By leveraging such tools, traders can turn the initial FTMO Challenge prices into a highly efficient investment towards a successful funded trading career.

FTMO Challenge Refund Policy: Getting Your Fee Back

A key aspect that makes the FTMO Challenge prices a smart investment is the company's comprehensive refund policy. Understanding how and when you get your challenge fee back is essential for all prospective traders.

The FTMO Challenge fee is 100% refundable upon the successful completion of the evaluation process and the subsequent payout of your first profit split from your Funded Account. This means that once you have passed all phases of the challenge (1-Step or 2-Step), become an FTMO Funded Trader, and made your first withdrawal of profits, the initial fee you paid for the challenge will be added to your payout. This policy effectively makes the challenge free for successful traders, transforming the initial fee from a cost into a refundable deposit.

It is important to note that the refund is tied to the first profit split. If a trader passes the challenge but fails to generate profits in their Funded Account, or breaches the rules of the Funded Account before their first profit split, the fee will not be refunded. This incentivizes sustained profitable trading, not just passing the evaluation. Our strategies for passing often emphasize consistency, which is key to reaching that first profit split and securing your refund.

This refund mechanism aligns FTMO's interests with those of the traders: both parties benefit from the trader's long-term success. It underscores the value proposition of FTMO Challenge prices, positioning them as an initial commitment rather than a permanent expense for those who prove their trading prowess.

Frequently Asked Questions About FTMO Challenge Prices