If you're looking at prop firms in 2026, you've probably heard of FTMO. They're the biggest name in the industry, and for good reason. Founded in 2015, FTMO has built a massive trader base, strong brand recognition, and a reputation that most newer firms can't touch.

SFX Funded is newer. Founded in 2023, we don't have the same decade of history or the 4.5 million customer base FTMO can point to. What we do have is a different approach to how prop firms should treat traders.

This comparison is honest about both. FTMO has earned its place in the industry. But being the biggest doesn't always mean being the best for every trader. Here's the full breakdown.

FTMO Overview

FTMO was founded in 2015 and has grown to over 4.5 million customers. They offer up to $200,000 in initial funding with a profit split of up to 90%. Their two-step evaluation requires 10% profit in Phase 1 and 5% in Phase 2, with a 5% daily drawdown and 10% maximum drawdown. They require a minimum of 4 trading days per phase. There's also a consistency rule that restricts your best trading day to 30% of total profit.

FTMO is trusted for a reason. They've been around long enough to prove they pay. Their support infrastructure is mature. Their reputation is solid. If you want the safest bet in prop trading, FTMO is still the industry standard.

SFX Funded Overview

SFX Funded launched in 2023 with a different philosophy. No time limits. No minimum trading days. Profit splits starting at 85% and scaling to 100%. The two-step evaluation targets 8% in Phase 1 and 5% in Phase 2, with a 4% daily loss limit and 8% maximum drawdown. We fund up to $3.2 million in account scaling. Instant funding is available without any evaluation.

Your best trading day can be any size. The evaluation focuses on hitting your profit targets within the drawdown limits. No artificial caps on individual trades. The question is whether you can stay inside the drawdown while pursuing those targets, not whether your trades are evenly distributed.

SFX Funded also offers something FTMO doesn't: you keep 20% of any profits generated during the challenge phase itself. At most firms, challenge profits go to the firm. At SFX, they're yours.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Evaluation Rules

FTMO's challenge requires 10% profit target in Phase 1 and 5% in Phase 2. You need at least 4 trading days in each phase. Maximum daily loss is 5%, and maximum total drawdown is 10%. Their consistency rule limits your best day to 30% of total profits.

SFX Funded's two-step evaluation requires 8% in Phase 1 and 5% in Phase 2. No minimum trading days. Maximum daily loss is 4%, and maximum total drawdown is 8%. No consistency rule.

FTMO's higher Phase 1 target (10% vs 8%) and tighter consistency rule make their evaluation harder for traders who have strong individual trading days. SFX's lower drawdown limits (4%/8% vs 5%/10%) mean less room for error on any single day.

Profit Split

FTMO offers up to 90% profit split, scaling with performance. Their standard split starts lower and increases as you trade more volume.

SFX Funded starts at 85% and scales to 100% at the top tier . The split structure is consistent across all program types. Instant funding, rapid challenge, and two-step evaluation all offer the same 85-100% range.

Both are competitive. SFX edges ahead with the path to 100%, but FTMO's 90% cap is still excellent by industry standards.

Payout Speed

FTMO processes payouts within a few days. Their system is mature and reliable.

SFX Funded processes payouts in under 8 hours on average. We back this with a written guarantee: if your payout takes longer than 48 hours, we add $1,000 to your withdrawal. This is not a marketing claim. It's policy.

Account Sizes and Scaling

FTMO funds up to $200,000 per account. Scaling beyond that requires additional challenges or account management agreements.

SFX Funded scales from $5,000 up to $3.2 million without requiring re-evaluation. The scaling is performance-based and automatic. Trade well on a $50,000 account and it grows to $75,000, then $100,000, without starting over.

Where FTMO Wins

Trust and track record. FTMO has been paying traders since 2015. That's ten years of consistent operation. They've built institutional credibility that no firm founded in 2023 can match. If minimizing risk of the firm itself failing is your top priority, FTMO is the safer choice.

Larger customer base. With 4.5 million customers, FTMO has a massive community, extensive third-party tools integration, and proven infrastructure. You won't be the first to hit an edge case.

Higher drawdown limits. FTMO's 5% daily and 10% maximum drawdown give traders more breathing room than SFX's 4% and 8%. For traders who occasionally have bad days, this matters.

Global recognition. FTMO is a household name in prop trading. If you tell another trader you're funded with FTMO, they know exactly what that means. The brand recognition is unmatched.

Where SFX Funded Wins

Higher profit split. Starting at 85% and scaling to 100% beats FTMO's ceiling of 90%. Over a year of consistent trading, that difference adds up significantly.

No time limits. FTMO has time limits on both phases. SFX has none. You take as long as you need. This matters more than most traders realize.

Larger scaling potential. $3.2 million maximum versus $200,000. If you're a growth-oriented trader, the ceiling is much higher at SFX.

No hidden rules. FTMO caps your best day at 30% of total profit. SFX has no such restriction. Your trading style is yours.

Faster payouts. Under 8 hours average, with a $1,000 guarantee if it takes more than 48 hours. FTMO is reliable but not this fast.

No minimum trading days. Pass the challenge and request a payout immediately. No waiting period.

Instant funding available. Skip the evaluation entirely with SFX's instant program. FTMO doesn't offer this.

Keep 20% of challenge profits. If you trade profitably during the evaluation, you keep 20% of those profits. FTMO keeps all challenge profits.

The Honest Take

FTMO is the established player for good reason. If you want the safest, most recognized prop firm with a proven track record, FTMO is the right choice. Their higher drawdown limits give you more room, and their brand recognition carries weight.

SFX Funded offers better terms for traders who want more flexibility, higher earnings potential, and faster access to their money. No time limits, no consistency rules, better profit splits, and scaling to $3.2 million. The trade-off is a shorter track record and tighter daily drawdown limits.

Both firms pay. Both are legitimate. The right choice depends on what you value more: established trust or better trading terms.

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