FTMO vs FundedNext (2026): Rules, Payouts, Prices
FTMO and FundedNext CFD challenges compared on rules, payout timing, refunds and the rules that bite after you are funded. Checked October 2026.
By Iliya K. · Last reviewed 2026-10-06
As an affiliate we may earn from qualifying signups. Scores and rankings are computed independently and are never sold. Who pays us and how much.
FTMO and FundedNext both sell forex and CFD challenges with a 2-Step and a 1-Step path, and the rules look similar on the surface. The differences that matter are the payout waiting time, the 1-Step max loss, the refund timing, and how each firm treats news and open risk after you are funded. FTMO fits if you want on-demand payouts after the first request and a challenge with no time limit. FundedNext fits if you want published prices from $32.99 (FTMO shows prices only at checkout), a wider choice of plans (including Lite and Instant), and weekly payouts on the 1-Step.
Everything below was checked on each firm's own pages on 4 and 5 October 2026. FTMO pays us a commission when you sign up through our link; FundedNext does not, and the FundedNext link on this page is plain. That did not affect what we wrote. Who pays us and how much.
Update, 15 October 2026: FundedNext's payout schedule page now says Stellar Lite accounts bought or reset on or after 12 October 2026 use a 10-day trading cycle (first payout after 10 business days, then every 10 business days); earlier Lite accounts keep the 21-day first payout and every 14 days after. The Stellar 2-Step default (Standard) option is still a first payout at 21 days and then every 14, and Stellar 1-Step is still every 5 business days. The page also says 2-Step and Lite traders can choose one of three payout options at checkout: Standard (80% reward share), 3 Day (60%) or On-Demand (90%). Where a table below says 21 days, then every 14, for Lite, that is the earlier schedule. Check the payout schedule page for the plan you are buying.
Side by side (CFD challenges)
| FTMO | FundedNext (Stellar) | |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge paths | 1-Step and 2-Step; accounts up to $200,000 | 2-Step, 1-Step, Lite and Instant |
| Prices | Shown at checkout only | $59.99 for the 2-Step $6K, $65.99 for the 1-Step $6K, $32.99 for Lite $5K, $59.99 for Instant $2K (smallest sizes, 4 Oct 2026; some were promotions) |
| 2-Step targets | 10%, then 5% | 8%, then 5% |
| 2-Step daily loss / max loss | 5% / 10% static | 5% / 10% static |
| 2-Step minimum days | 4 | 5 per phase |
| 1-Step target, daily, max loss | 10%, 3%, 10% trailing at end of day | 10%, 3%, 6% static |
| 1-Step minimum days | Not stated on the pages we read | 2 |
| Consistency rule | 1-Step: best day at most 50% of positive days' profit. 2-Step: none listed | Not confirmed for FundedNext's Stellar plans |
| Time limit | FTMO says no time limit on the Challenge | Not confirmed |
| Profit split | 1-Step 90%; 2-Step 80%, rising to 90% with scaling or the Premium Programme | 80% base, 90% after scale-up, 95% only with a paid add-on |
| First payout | First request on day 14 or later; then on demand | First payout at 21 days, then every 14 (2-Step, Lite); every 5 business days (1-Step) |
| Payout speed | Approval 1 to 2 business days, funds 1 to 2 business days after invoice approval | FundedNext says payouts are issued within 24 hours |
| Fee refund | 2-Step: may be refunded with first withdrawal. 1-Step: not refundable | 2-Step with 1st payout; 1-Step and Lite with 3rd; Instant none |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader (US: not confirmed) | MT4, MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader (US traders: Match-Trader only, no EAs) |
Prices change, and the checkout page wins. FTMO's static pages do not list challenge fees, so we have not quoted any.
What decides the choice
Payout timing
FTMO's first request can be made on day 14 and later requests are on demand, with 1 to 2 business days for approval and 1 to 2 more for the funds. FundedNext's first payout comes at 21 days on the 2-Step (and on Lite accounts bought before 12 October 2026), then every 14 days; newer Lite accounts get a first payout after 10 business days, then every 10; its 1-Step pays every 5 business days. FundedNext also lists an On-Demand payout option at checkout for 2-Step and Lite, with its own conditions (2% account growth and 40% consistency). FundedNext says payouts are issued within 24 hours. Neither firm's speed claim is audited by us.
Max loss on the 1-Step
FTMO's 1-Step has a 10% max loss that trails your balance at the end of each day. FundedNext's 1-Step max loss is 6% and static. A trailing limit rises with your profit; a static one stays fixed, but 6% leaves less room than 10%. Read each rule for your own risk per trade.
Rules that bite after you are funded
Both firms have rules that can reduce a payout after the profit is made. At FTMO, funded Standard accounts are restricted within 2 minutes of selected news releases and must close before the weekend; Swing accounts have neither limit. The 1-Step also has the Best Day rule, though exceeding it is not a breach. At FundedNext, on funded accounts only 40% of profit made within 5 minutes of high-impact news counts, and open risk is capped at 3%, enforced after the fact: profit from trades that breach the cap is removed from your payout. We cover that in the FundedNext review.
Price and choice
FundedNext's Lite plan starts at $32.99 for a $5K account, and Instant has no profit target or daily loss limit (it has a 6% trailing max loss and no fee refund). FTMO has fewer paths, and you pay at checkout. If you want a cheap first try, FundedNext publishes its prices, starting at $32.99, while FTMO shows prices only at checkout (FTMO also offers a Free Trial). If you want the most patient clock, FTMO says it has no time limit.
Payout evidence
FTMO shows "$650M+" paid in rewards on its challenge page, and "$500M+" elsewhere on the same page. FundedNext said on 1 September 2026 that cumulative payouts across CFDs and futures had passed $350 million; its live counter showed $352.3 million. A tracker attributed $225.9 million to FundedNext on-chain, which is a minimum because bank and card payouts do not show on-chain. All of these are self-reported or partial, and we did not re-run independent checks for FTMO. For how we weigh this kind of evidence, see how to check a payout claim.
Countries
FTMO publishes its own eligibility list; see its "who can join" page. FundedNext's own pages disagree: the footer lists five countries and its help center lists 20. FundedNext terminates accounts that use a VPN to get around restrictions. Check both lists for your country before paying.
Who each suits
FTMO suits you if you want a patient clock, on-demand payouts after the first request, and a fee that may come back on the 2-Step. FundedNext suits you if you want published starting prices from $32.99, weekly payouts on the 1-Step, or a plan with no profit target. Skip either if your strategy depends on news spikes or heavy open risk. New to prop trading? Start with best prop firm for beginners, or use the 5-question quiz. Read the FTMO review too.
FAQ
Is FTMO or FundedNext better? Neither is better for everyone. FTMO has the more patient clock and on-demand payouts; FundedNext publishes prices from $32.99 and has more plan types.
Which has the lower fee? FundedNext publishes its prices, starting at $32.99 for Lite 5K. FTMO shows its prices only at checkout, so compare there.
Which pays faster? FundedNext's 1-Step pays every 5 business days and says payouts issue within 24 hours; FTMO quotes 1 to 2 business days for approval plus 1 to 2 for funds, on demand after day 14.
Do both have a consistency rule? FTMO's 1-Step has a Best Day rule. We could not confirm a consistency rule for FundedNext's Stellar plans.
Sources
All checked 4 to 5 October 2026. FTMO: Challenge, Trading Objectives, Trading Rules, fee refunds, withdrawals, news trading, weekend holding, who can join. FundedNext: 2-Step, 1-Step, Lite, Instant, trading objectives, payout timing, withdrawals, CFDs overview, news, risk limits, restricted countries, US client guide; Finance Magnates, 1 Sep 2026. PropVitals: methodology.
Not financial advice. Prop challenges are paid evaluations on simulated accounts and most buyers do not pass.
Get an email when a firm changes its payout rules
One email when a firm we track changes its payout policy, pauses payouts or shows warning signs, and when we publish a new firm review. No fixed schedule: we send only when something changes. Unsubscribe in one click.
We never sell or share your address.
Related guides
FundedNext and The5ers compared on plan types, rules, scaling, payout timing and restricted countries, checked October 2026.
MyFundedFutures vs Apex, checked against both firms’ own rules in October 2026: fees, drawdown, payout caps, splits, and who each one suits.
One polished expensive product versus three programs at three price points. Daily-loss rules, scaling, on-chain payout evidence, and our affiliate position spelled out.