Head-to-head · Independent comparison
FTMO vs Upcomers
How FTMO and Upcomers stack up on profit split, pricing, payouts and the rules that bind a funded account — advertised claims separated from what we could verify.
The established benchmark: long track record, transparent objectives, documented scaling plan; $200K per-account ceiling before scaling.
Broad product line and a genuinely high split on Thunderbolt funded; trailing drawdown and heavy 'up to' framing are the trade-offs.
On our five-dimension scorecard, Upcomers rates marginally higher overall — but the dimension-by-dimension breakdown below matters more than the average.
Advertised maximums
The numbers, head-to-head
Headline figures from the structured plan data for each firm. “Up to” splits and max funding are ceilings reached via tiers or scaling — not the figure every trader gets.
Profit split — headline maximum (%)
Higher is betterEntry price — lowest advertised ($)
Lower is betterMax funding — headline ($)
Higher is betterOur editorial scorecard (0–5)
Who wins each dimension
| Dimension | FTMO | Upcomers | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing & value | 3.0 | 4.0 | Upcomers |
| Profit split | 4.0 | 5.0 | Upcomers |
| Payout speed | 4.0 | 5.0 | Upcomers |
| Rules flexibility | 4.0 | 3.0 | FTMO |
| Transparency | 5.0 | 4.0 | FTMO |
Scores are The Prop Examiner’s editorial assessment, not user reviews. See our methodology.
Advertised vs verified
At a glance
FTMO
Upcomers
What actually binds you
Key trading rules compared
FTMO
| Phase / model | Rule | Published value |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Step | Profit target | 10% |
| 2-Step | Profit target | 10% (phase 1) + 5% (phase 2) |
| 1-Step | Daily loss limit | 3% |
| 2-Step | Daily loss limit | 5% |
| All | Max loss | 10% (1-Step uses end-of-day trailing) |
| 2-Step | Minimum trading days | 4 days |
Upcomers
| Phase / model | Rule | Published value |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge | Profit target | 5% net profit |
| Challenge | Daily loss limit | 6% max within a single day |
| Challenge | Overall loss limit (Dynamic Risk Shield) | 10% below highest equity (trailing) |
| Challenge | Minimum trading days | None |
| Challenge | Consistency / Best Day Rule | Does not apply |
| Funded | Daily loss limit | 3% max daily loss |
| Funded | Overall loss limit (Dynamic Risk Shield) | 6% below peak equity (trailing) |
| Funded | Max risk per trade | 3% of initial balance (hard breach) |
| Funded | Consistency (Best Day Rule) | No single day > 20% of total withdrawal (soft) |
| Funded | Profit split | 99% to trader |
| Funded | Withdrawal requirement | Reach 1% profit on initial balance first |
Rules vary by product. For a plan-by-plan comparison, use the account comparison tool.
Balanced view
Pros & cons
FTMO
Strengths
- Long operating history and one of the most widely reviewed prop firms.
- Clear, published trading objectives and a documented scaling plan.
- 2-Step fee is refunded with the first reward.
- Both 1-Step (90% split) and 2-Step models available.
Cons & open risks
- Account sizes top out at $200K per account (scaling needed beyond that).
- 1-Step fee is not refunded after passing.
- Live checkout pricing and promos were not exposed without the purchase flow.
- As with all prop challenges, most buyers do not reach a payout.
Upcomers
Strengths
- Documented, public rules and a help center you can read before buying.
- Wide range of account sizes and products (challenge + instant funding).
- High advertised profit split (up to 99%, verified at 99% on Thunderbolt funded).
- No minimum trading days on the Thunderbolt challenge.
- States it does not act as a broker or accept deposits for investment.
Cons & open risks
- Headline figures (up to $1.5M, up to 99%) are maximums, not typical outcomes.
- Profit split and rules vary by product — 99% is verified only on Thunderbolt funded.
- Trailing drawdown (“Dynamic Risk Shield”) is stricter than a static limit.
- Promotional pricing changes frequently and is not permanent.
- Self-reported metrics (e.g. 99% payout approval) are not independently audited.
- As with all prop challenges, most buyers do not reach a payout.
Our take
Which should you choose?
Upcomers rates marginally higher on our scorecard, but "better" depends on what you trade and the rules you can live within. Read each verdict, then verify the figures for your exact product before buying.
FTMO is the established benchmark in this space: a long track record, transparent objectives, and a documented scaling plan. The main limitations are a $200K per-account ceiling before scaling and a 1-Step fee that is not refunded. We could not confirm live pricing without entering checkout, so price-shop on the day you buy.
Upcomers documents its rules publicly and offers an unusually broad product line with a genuinely high split on its Thunderbolt funded product. The trade-offs are a trailing “Dynamic Risk Shield” drawdown that is less forgiving than a static limit, heavy reliance on “up to” headline figures, and promo pricing that shifts. It is a reasonable option to compare if you read the rules for your exact product, treat the headline numbers as ceilings, and start with the smallest suitable plan.
Affiliate disclosure: The Prop Examiner is an independent project and may earn a commission if you sign up through some of our links. We are not affiliated with any firm reviewed. Trading challenges are simulated/educational products; no profits or payouts are guaranteed.
Common questions
FTMO vs Upcomers FAQ
- Is FTMO or Upcomers better?
- Our independent ratings: FTMO 4.4/5, Upcomers 4.4/5. Upcomers edges it on our scorecard, but the right pick depends on your market, budget and the rules you can trade within.
- Which is cheaper to start, FTMO or Upcomers?
- Lowest advertised entry price: FTMO from $155, Upcomers from $39. Upcomers has the lower starting price, but compare like-for-like account sizes — cheapest is not always best value.
- Which has the higher profit split, FTMO or Upcomers?
- Headline ("up to") maximums: FTMO 90%, Upcomers 99%. Upcomers advertises the higher ceiling — but top splits are usually gated behind tiers or scaling, not what every trader gets.
- Does FTMO or Upcomers pay out faster?
- FTMO: 2-Step rewards processed bi-weekly; ~8h avg processing stated. Upcomers: On-demand after 1% profit; “12h” advertised, <1h avg claimed. Payout speed and eligibility depend on the product and on meeting each firm's rules; no payout is guaranteed.
Cited & dated
Sources
Figures trace to each firm’s own pages, accessed on the dates shown. Re-verify before relying on any number — pricing and promos change.
- 1.FTMO — how it works· accessed 2026-06-17
- 2.FTMO — trading objectives· accessed 2026-06-17
- 3.FTMO — reward, growth & scaling plan· accessed 2026-06-17
- 4.FTMO — why is there a fee (refund terms)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 5.Upcomers — homepage (headline claims)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 6.Upcomers — how we operate· accessed 2026-06-17
- 7.Upcomers — Thunderbolt complete rules· accessed 2026-06-17
- 8.Upcomers — instruments & platforms· accessed 2026-06-17
- 9.Upcomers — affiliate program terms· accessed 2026-06-17
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