Funding Pips and FTMO are two of the most talked-about prop firms in 2026 — but they sit at opposite ends of the spectrum. FTMO is the established industry king with a decade of payout history. Funding Pips is the fast-growing challenger known for weekly payouts and trader-friendly one-phase evaluations.
Which one should you spend your challenge fee on? This head-to-head breaks down every factor that matters — fees, drawdown rules, profit splits, payout speed, difficulty, and long-term potential — so you can choose the right firm for your trading style.
New to prop firm challenges? Read our complete guide on how to pass the FTMO challenge first. And if you want the fastest path to funding regardless of firm, see how we pass Funding Pips challenges with a 95% success rate.
🏆 Short on time? Here's the verdict:
Choose FTMO if you want the most proven track record, more drawdown room (10%), and a consistent, predictable two-phase structure. Choose Funding Pips if you want a cheaper one-phase evaluation, no time limit, and weekly payouts after funding. Neither is "better" — they reward different trading styles.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Funding Pips | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation Structure | 1-step (or 2-step) | 2-step (Phase 1 + Phase 2) |
| Profit Target | 8% (1-step) | 10% + 5% |
| Daily Loss Limit | 4% (model dependent) | 5% |
| Max Total Drawdown | 6% (model dependent) | 10% static (20% aggressive) |
| Time Limit | None (1-step) | 30 days per phase (extendable) |
| Min Trading Days | 5 minimum (typical) | 4 per phase |
| Profit Split | Up to 100% (1-step) | 80% → 90% with consistency |
| Challenge Fee ($50K) | ~$198 | ~$350 |
| Payout Speed | Weekly requests | ~14 days (on-demand after first) |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 | MT4, MT5, cTrader |
| News Trading | Allowed (check model) | Allowed |
| Fee Refund | Yes (first payout, model dependent) | Yes (first payout) |
Data as of August 2026. Fees and rules change frequently — always confirm on the firm's official site before buying.
Challenge Structure: One Phase vs Two Phases
Funding Pips: Simple One-Phase
The headline Funding Pips evaluation is a single 8% profit target with no time limit on many models. You hit 8% while respecting the drawdown rules and you're funded. No Phase 2, no second fee, no restart if you finish Phase 1 and then stumble.
- 8% target on $100K = $8,000 of net profit
- Unlimited time on the one-step model — wait for the right setups
- 5 minimum trading days to prove consistency
FTMO: The Classic Two-Phase Gauntlet
FTMO's structure has stayed the same for years because it works: Phase 1 is 10%, Phase 2 is 5%, and each phase has a 30-day window (extendable for a fee) with a minimum of 4 trading days. You must pass two separate evaluations before you get funded.
- Phase 1: 10% target, 30 days, min 4 trading days
- Phase 2: 5% target, 30 days, min 4 trading days
- Total required: 15% of clean, rule-respecting profit
Difficulty verdict: Funding Pips' one-phase structure is objectively simpler — one target, one shot, no deadline. FTMO requires you to be consistent twice in a row. For most traders, Funding Pips is easier to pass, but its tighter drawdowns punish sloppy risk management harder.
Drawdown Rules: The Real Decider
Profit targets get all the attention, but drawdown limits are what actually fail traders. Industry data consistently shows daily drawdown breaches cause the majority of failed challenges — not missing the profit target.
Funding Pips: Tight and Forgiving of Nothing
Most Funding Pips models run a 4% daily loss cap and a 6% total drawdown (some plans differ — check the model). On a $100K account that's $4,000 per day and $6,000 total. At 0.5% risk per trade, you get 12 losing trades of room before hitting the floor. It's workable, but there's no room for a bad week.
FTMO: The Bigger Safety Net
FTMO gives you 5% daily and 10% static maximum drawdown (20% on aggressive accounts). On $100K that's $5,000 per day and $10,000 total — nearly twice the recovery room of Funding Pips' tightest model. Swing traders and higher-volatility styles get meaningful breathing space.
Drawdown verdict: FTMO wins. More recovery room = more survivable losing streaks = higher pass probability for most traders.
Pricing: Fee Comparison (2026)
| Account Size | Funding Pips (Typical) | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| $10K | ~$98 | ~$155 |
| $50K | ~$198 | ~$350 |
| $100K | ~$450 | ~$540 |
Funding Pips is consistently 30-45% cheaper at the same account size, and they run frequent discounts. The $50K tier at $198 is a standout value — three attempts at $594 still cost less than two FTMO attempts at $700. Both firms refund the fee with your first payout, so the real question is which structure you can pass more reliably.
Profit Splits: Who Lets You Keep More?
Funding Pips
- Up to 100% profit split on one-step models (with a fee on profits in some structures)
- Standard two-step models run ~80%
- High performers can keep nearly everything they earn
FTMO
- Starts at 80/20
- Scales to 90/10 after consistent payouts
- Long-term scaling program up to $2M+ accounts
Split verdict: Funding Pips offers the higher ceiling (100%), but FTMO's 90% is easier to reach and comes attached to the most battle-tested scaling program in the industry. If you're a consistent earner either way, the difference is small.
Payout Speed: Weekly vs Bi-Weekly
This is Funding Pips' signature advantage. The firm is known for weekly payout requests, while FTMO processes payouts on roughly a 14-day cycle (with an on-demand option after your first payout).
At an 80% split with $2,000/month profit, FTMO pays $1,600 every ~14 days. Funding Pips pays ~$400 weekly — the same total, but four times more often. For traders who live off funded profits, that cadence is the difference between a salary and a lump-sum surprise.
Payout verdict: Funding Pips wins for cash flow. FTMO wins on multi-year payout history — they've paid out hundreds of millions without meaningful drama.
Trading Conditions Compared
Funding Pips
- MT4 and MT5 platforms
- All trading styles allowed
- EAs supported
- News trading allowed on most models (check specifics)
- Fast-growing firm with strong support reputation
FTMO
- MT4, MT5, and cTrader
- All trading styles allowed (swing accounts available)
- EAs permitted
- No news restrictions, no consistency rule on most accounts
- Established since 2015 — rebranded to FTMO Global in 2025
- Best-in-class educational resources (FTMO Academy)
Conditions verdict: FTMO edges ahead on platform choice (cTrader) and education; Funding Pips matches on everything else with faster payout cadence.
Which Is Easier to Pass in 2026?
Based on both structure and the failure data we see across 500+ challenges, here's the honest answer:
- Structure: Funding Pips' one-phase, no-time-limit model is easier. One target, no Phase 2 restart risk.
- Drawdowns: FTMO's 10% buffer is more forgiving. The 4% daily / 6% total on Funding Pips is genuinely tight.
- Deadline pressure: Funding Pips' unlimited time removes the #1 psychological killer — the 30-day clock.
Overall: For a disciplined trader who respects risk, Funding Pips is easier to pass. For a trader who needs recovery room and structure, FTMO's predictability wins. Want the fastest guaranteed path? ElitePropX passes both challenges — $220 flat, free test first, 95% success rate.
The Verdict: Which Should You Pick?
Choose Funding Pips if:
- You want a single-phase evaluation with no time limit
- Lower challenge fees matter to you
- You want weekly payouts for steady cash flow
- You're disciplined enough to trade inside tight 4%/6% drawdowns
Choose FTMO if:
- Track record and multi-year payout history are non-negotiable
- You need 10% drawdown room for swing or volatile styles
- You want cTrader or the FTMO Academy ecosystem
- You're pursuing the long-term scaling program
Many funded traders run both — pass Funding Pips for fast cash flow while grinding FTMO's two-phase structure for the scaling plan. That's a legitimate diversification strategy, and we support multi-challenge tracking at ElitePropX for exactly that reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Funding Pips legit?
A: Yes. Funding Pips has built a strong reputation since launching, with verifiable payout reports and fast-growing community trust. It's not a scam — but as with any prop firm, read the specific model's rules before paying.
Q: Does FTMO refund the challenge fee?
A: Yes — FTMO refunds your challenge fee with your first payout, provided you pass and follow the rules during the evaluation.
Q: Can I trade news with Funding Pips?
A: News trading is allowed on most Funding Pips models, but check your specific plan — some models have restrictions on major economic releases.
Q: Which firm pays faster?
A: Funding Pips is known for weekly payout requests, while FTMO typically processes payouts around 14 days after request (on-demand available after the first payout).
Q: Can ElitePropX pass both challenges?
A: Yes. ElitePropX passes FTMO, Funding Pips, and 20+ other prop firm challenges with a 95% success rate — $220 flat for any account size, with a free test challenge first. Message @voraspas on Telegram to start.
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