Is FTMO Worth It? The Expected-Cost Math Before You Buy
Each faint trail is one simulated future for this strategy. The bold line is the median — half of runs finished above it, half below. The shaded band spans the lucky 10th to unlucky 90th percentile, so an outcome inside the band was reasonable to expect; outside, less so.
- Whether FTMO is worth it depends almost entirely on your personal pass rate
- At the industry average of about 14%, expected failed fees before passing are about $3,600
- You then need roughly 4.5% profit on a $100K account just to earn those fees back
- At a 40% pass rate, the same cost falls to about $900
- Raise your pass rate with smaller risk per trade before you buy, not after
"Is FTMO worth it?" has no single answer. FTMO itself is one of the most trusted prop firms. The real question is whether the fee is worth it for you. That depends on one number: how often you pass. TradeOnMath earns a commission from FTMO through our links.
The setup
- Challenge: FTMO $100K, standard risk, about €540 (roughly $590)
- The fee is refunded with your first reward once you pass
- Each failed attempt costs the full fee (we ignore discounts and free retakes to stay conservative)
- Profit split once funded: 80%
Expected cost by pass rate
| Pass rate | Expected attempts | Failed attempts | Fees lost | Profit needed to recover (80% split) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7% | 14.3 | 13.3 | $7,839 | $9,798 (9.8%) |
| 14% | 7.1 | 6.1 | $3,624 | $4,530 (4.5%) |
| 25% | 4.0 | 3.0 | $1,770 | $2,212 (2.2%) |
| 40% | 2.5 | 1.5 | $885 | $1,106 (1.1%) |
| 60% | 1.7 | 0.7 | $393 | $492 (0.5%) |
What the table says
An average challenger spends around $3,600 on failed attempts and then needs a 4.5% gain on the funded account just to break even on fees. That is before any real income. A trader passing 40% of the time spends a quarter of that.
This is why FTMO can be excellent value for one trader and a slow loss for another. The firm is the same. The pass rate is different.
How to know your pass rate before paying
- Log at least 100 trades of your strategy, in a demo or backtest, under FTMO's rules (10% max drawdown, 5% daily loss)
- Enter your win rate, reward:risk and risk per trade into the pass probability calculator
- Lower your risk per trade until the simulated bust rate is under 10%
- Only buy when you can show the edge, not just believe in it
Other FTMO numbers people search for
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| FTMO challenge price | From about €155 ($10K) to €1,080 ($200K) on standard risk |
| FTMO payout percentage | 80% by default, 90% on the Scaling Plan |
| FTMO payout frequency | Minimum 14-day cycle, processed in 1–2 business days |
| FTMO evaluation | Two phases: 10% target, then 5%. 10% max drawdown, 5% daily loss |
FAQ
Is FTMO a scam?
No. FTMO has operated since 2015, has paid traders for years, and acquired Oanda in December 2025. Whether it is good value is a separate question that depends on your pass rate.
Does FTMO refund the fee?
Yes, with your first reward after passing. Failed attempts are not refunded.
What is a realistic pass rate?
About 14% across the industry. Traders with a tested strategy and 0.5–1% risk per trade can simulate far higher rates.
Is FTMO better than FundedNext?
FTMO wins on track record and EAs; FundedNext on payout speed and challenge profit share. See our FTMO and FundedNext reviews for the full details.