FTMO 1-Step vs 2-Step vs Swing: every rule compared
The 2-Step is the industry reference; the 1-Step adds the two rules it never had. All three FTMO routes on one grid.
KEY FACTS
- Which one for a systematic strategy 2-Step Normal for intraday systems on MT4/MT5 with a news filter: static floor, 5% daily, no consistency, refundable fee.
- Swing for anything that holds overnight or trades releases, if 1:30 is enough leverage for the position sizes.
- 1-Step only for strategies with even days and small give-back: the EOD trailing floor and the 50% Best Day rule are exactly the two rules the 2-Step never had, and the fee is not refunded.
- Payout timing and the scaling plan on FTMO payouts and scaling ; the full card at FTMO rules ; comparisons with FundingPips , The5ers and FundedNext .
Source: Puravida Edge, from the article below; rules data verified 29 September 2026.
Three ways into an FTMO account
The 2-Step Challenge is the reference rulebook of the industry; the Swing variant relaxes news and weekends at the cost of leverage, and the 1-Step Challenge, new in 2026, swaps the static floor for a trailing one and adds the first consistency rule FTMO has had. The table lines them up.
| Rule | 2-Step Challenge | 2-Step Swing | 1-Step Challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phases | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Targets | 10% then 5% | 10% then 5% | 10% |
| Maximum loss | 10% static | 10% static | 10% end-of-day trailing, resetting to 90% of capital on each reward |
| Daily loss | 5% | 5% | 3% on the higher of equity or balance |
| Minimum days | 4 per phase | 4 per phase | none |
| Consistency | none (MetriX review once funded) | none | 50% Best Day rule |
| News | 2-minute lockout on Tier-1 releases on funded Normal accounts | allowed at every stage | per help center |
| Overnight and weekend | no weekend holding on Normal | allowed | per help center |
| Leverage | 1:100 forex | 1:30 forex | per help center |
| Split | 80% rising to 90% via scaling | same | 90% from the first payout |
| Fee | refunded with the first payout | refunded | not refunded |
| Size cap | up to $200K, $400K exposure cap | $100K | per help center |
Which one for a systematic strategy
2-Step Normal for intraday systems on MT4/MT5 with a news filter: static floor, 5% daily, no consistency, refundable fee. Swing for anything that holds overnight or trades releases, if 1:30 is enough leverage for the position sizes. 1-Step only for strategies with even days and small give-back: the EOD trailing floor and the 50% Best Day rule are exactly the two rules the 2-Step never had, and the fee is not refunded.
Payout timing and the scaling plan on FTMO payouts and scaling; the full card at FTMO rules; comparisons with FundingPips, The5ers and FundedNext.
Rules change. Get the alert.
When FTMO changes a rule on this page, you get one email with what changed and what it means for the preset. Plus the Playbook with every portfolio and the drawdown each one is sized for.
By email, from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. Unsubscribe anytime.
FAQ
Does FTMO have a consistency rule?
Not on the 2-Step Challenge, which uses a MetriX review once funded. The 1-Step Challenge carries a 50% Best Day rule.
What is the difference between FTMO Normal and Swing?
Swing allows news trading and weekend holding at every stage, with forex leverage capped at 1:30 and account size at $100K; Normal has a 2-minute news lockout on funded accounts and no weekend holding, at 1:100.
Is the FTMO 1-Step drawdown static?
No. The 1-Step uses a 10% end-of-day trailing maximum loss that resets to 90% of capital on each reward; the 2-Step uses a 10% static maximum loss.
Source: the firm’s help center and program pages, cross-checked with the FTMO rules card, September 2026. Rules change quarterly; the help center is binding.