- Two independent choices: evaluation format (1-Step or 2-Step) and account type (Normal or Swing).
- Normal: leverage up to 1:100; news, overnight and weekend restrictions apply on the funded account.
- Swing: leverage up to 1:30; no news, overnight or weekend restrictions at any stage.
- 1-Step: single phase, 90% split, 3% daily loss, Best Day rule. 2-Step: two phases, 80→90% split, 5% daily loss, Scaling Plan eligible.
Picking an FTMO account is really two separate decisions — the evaluation format and the account type — plus an account size from $10,000 to $200,000. This guide walks through each choice using FTMO’s official FAQ pages. For the core evaluation rules, see FTMO rules explained.
Normal vs Swing
| Item | Normal | Swing |
|---|---|---|
| Leverage | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:30 |
| News trading | Restricted on funded account (2-minute window around selected releases) | Unrestricted |
| Holding overnight | Restricted on funded account | Unrestricted |
| Holding over the weekend | Restricted on funded account | Unrestricted |
| Price | Same | Same |
The restrictions only bite on the funded account
News and holding restrictions do not apply during the evaluation (Challenge or Verification) — a Normal account can trade straight through NFP while you are still in the evaluation. They kick in once you are trading the funded FTMO Account.
The leverage gap is a margin gap
FTMO’s own example: one lot of EURUSD requires roughly EUR 1,000 margin on a Normal account but about EUR 3,333 on Swing. Same position, three times the margin. FTMO’s reasoning is that multi-day holds face unpredictable moves, so base leverage is reduced.
How to decide
- Intraday trading, flat by end of day → Normal.
- Multi-day holds, weekend positions, trading through news releases → Swing.
If you are unsure, check your own trade history: what share of your positions are held overnight? If the answer is “almost none”, Swing costs you leverage for nothing.
1-Step vs 2-Step
| Item | 2-Step | 1-Step |
|---|---|---|
| Phases | 2 (Challenge → Verification) | 1 |
| Profit target | +10%, then +5% | +10% |
| Max loss | 10% | 10% |
| Max daily loss | 5% | 3% |
| Minimum trading days | 4 per phase | None |
| Best Day rule | No | Yes (best day ≤ 50% of profit from positive days) |
| Profit split | 80% → up to 90% | 90% |
| Scaling Plan | Eligible | Not eligible |
| Reward rollover | Yes | No |
1-Step looks attractive — one phase, 90% from day one — but the 3% daily loss limit and the Best Day rule punish volatile equity curves. It suits traders with small, steady daily swings.
2-Step takes longer but gives you a 5% daily buffer and access to the Scaling Plan, which grows the account 25% every 4 months up to $2,000,000. For a long-term funded career, 2-Step is the main road.
Account sizes
FTMO offers five sizes: $10,000, $25,000, $50,000, $100,000 and $200,000. Fees depend on size and format and are revised from time to time, so confirm current pricing on the official site. The fee is refunded with your first payout if you pass.
Starting at $10,000–$25,000 to prove you can pass repeatably, then sizing up, is the lower-risk path.
Quick pairing guide
| Trading style | Suggested combination |
|---|---|
| Intraday, stability-focused | 2-Step × Normal |
| Swing trading with overnight holds | 2-Step × Swing |
| Small, steady daily P&L | 1-Step × Normal |
| Want to trade news on the funded account | Swing, whichever format |
Bottom line
Two axes settle almost every case: hold overnight or through news → Swing, otherwise Normal; want the Scaling Plan and a bigger daily buffer → 2-Step, want one phase and 90% now → 1-Step. Specifications change occasionally, so verify on the official site before purchase.
Prefer no evaluation at all? The5%ers offers instant funding — see The5%ers official (coupon code HZZS4 for a discount).