FTMO vs Funding Pips: Which Prop Firm Wins in 2026?
Side-by-side breakdown of rules, fees, payouts and who should pick which.
Quick Verdict
Funding Pips wins on value — lower entry fee ($30 vs $89) with equal or larger max account size. FTMO may still win on payout reliability and trader reputation if those matter more to you.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | FTMO | Funding Pips |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 | 2022 |
| HQ | Prague, Czech Republic | Dubai, UAE |
| Market | Forex/CFD | Forex/CFD |
| Minimum fee | $89 | $30 |
| Account size range | $10,000 – $200,000 | $5,000 – $200,000 |
| Profit split | 80% | 80% (up to 90%) |
| Payouts | Monthly (on-demand after first) | Bi-weekly (every 14 days from first payout) |
| Challenge model | 2-step (Challenge + Verification) | 2-step (Phase 1 + Phase 2) |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade | MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader |
FTMO Pros
- Longest-running major prop firm — proven track record since 2015
- Strong reputation and reliable payouts (TrustPilot 4.8)
- Generous 80% profit split, scalable to 90%
- Allows EAs, scalping and news trading on most accounts
Funding Pips Pros
- Industry-cheapest entry fee ($30 for $5k) — undercuts almost everyone
- Allows news trading, EAs, scalping, and weekend holds
- High demand among Reddit /r/algotrading users in 2026
- cTrader support including Smart Trader Tools
Who Should Pick Which?
Pick FTMO if: Serious traders who value reputation and payout reliability over cheap fees.
Pick Funding Pips if: Cost-sensitive traders running EAs who want the cheapest possible 2-step entry.
Test Both Against Your Strategy — Before You Pay
Run your backtest through JPTradingCapital's Prop Firm Checker — we evaluate your trades against FTMO's and Funding Pips's exact rulesets and tell you which one your strategy would actually pass.
Full FTMO and Funding Pips Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FTMO or Funding Pips?
Funding Pips is cheaper to start, with a minimum challenge fee of $30. FTMO starts at $89 and Funding Pips starts at $30. Cheaper entry doesn't always mean better value — check the profit split, account ceiling, and payout reliability before deciding.
Which has the better profit split, FTMO or Funding Pips?
FTMO offers 80% and Funding Pips offers 80% (up to 90%). Note: most prop firms scale the split with consecutive payouts, so the headline number is just the starting point.
Can I run the same EA on both FTMO and Funding Pips?
Yes — both firms support MT5 and cTrader, so any EA compiled for those platforms will run on both. You'd still need to verify each firm's news-trading and scalping rules to make sure your strategy is allowed.
Which is more reputable, FTMO or Funding Pips?
FTMO (founded 2015) has the longer track record. Funding Pips was founded in 2022 and is still building its payout reputation. For larger account sizes the older firm is usually the safer pick.
Which is better for swing traders, FTMO or Funding Pips?
Swing traders need to check two things: (1) whether the firm allows weekend holds, and (2) whether the daily drawdown is static or trailing. Trailing DD is brutal for swing positions because intraday peak equity becomes the new floor. See the Pros/Cons section above for each firm's specifics.
Can I use both FTMO and Funding Pips simultaneously?
Yes — most prop firms allow you to hold multiple accounts at different firms (their rules apply only to their own accounts). Some traders deliberately diversify across 2-3 firms to reduce single-firm risk and stack payouts.