Funded Trading Plus Review For The Active Trader
Picking a prop firm gets messy fast once you compare payout rules, drawdown logic, and how much freedom a trader actually has after funding. This funded trading plus review answers the big questions early - Funded Trading Plus is a legitimate prop firm with real programs and regular withdrawals, but its trailing risk model can feel tighter than City Traders Imperium for traders who want easier risk management over time.
Introduction
There are plenty of firms chasing attention, so choosing the right route to funded trading can feel heavier than it should. Funded Trading Plus, usually shortened to FTP, has become one of the names people check first.
Even though it launched in 2021, growth came quickly and the brand built strong visibility with newer traders. The harder question is how it compares with City Traders Imperium, or CTI, which has been around longer and has a different operating style.
The sections below compare funding paths, drawdown mechanics, payouts, and the overall trader experience. That makes it easier to judge which setup gives you a steadier shot at staying funded.
Key Findings
- Funded Trading Plus gives traders several routes to funding, including a one-step path and direct access through its instant model.
- City Traders Imperium also covers both challenge-based funding and instant access, so the account menu is broad on each side.
- CTI uses fixed absolute drawdown on Instant Funding, which keeps the risk buffer easy to track. FTP relies on a trailing drawdown that climbs with balance growth.
- CTI allows weekend holds. FTP closes positions before the market break on Friday at 21:30 GMT.
- Both firms let profit split improve over time, though CTI reaches 100% with a lighter threshold and without locking away gains from each scale step.
- With FTP, a withdrawal affects the maximum trailing drawdown. On a CTI account, it does not.
CTI Challenge vs FTP Advanced Trader Program
The snapshot below highlights the main contrast between the two firms.
| Feature | Funded Trading Plus | City Traders Imperium |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2021 | 2018 |
| Programs | One-phase, two-phase, and instant funding options | Instant Funding and a challenge path |
| Profit Split | Starts at 80% and can move higher | Can reach 100% and includes a salary model |
| Max Capital | Up to $5.25M on the Premium route | Up to $4M |
| Payouts | Weekly withdrawals from day one | Weekly or monthly withdrawals with salary support |
| Drawdown | Mainly uses a relative trailing model | Leans on a fixed absolute model |
| Support | Highlights an award for trust in the UK for 2026 relevance | Focuses on Discord access and direct mentorship |
Account Types and Core Rules
Both firms cover one-step access, two-step evaluation, and direct funding. The gap shows up in the details around drawdown, payout handling, and refunds.
That detail matters because a prop firm can look similar on the surface while behaving very differently once real money and leverage are involved.
Experienced One-Phase FTP vs CTI 1-Step Challenge
These accounts aim at traders who want a shorter evaluation path and quicker access to funded capital.
| Criteria | FTP Experienced Trader | CTI 1-Step Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 10% | 8% |
| Drawdown | 4% daily and 6% trailing | 5% trailing |
| Evaluation | One-phase check | One-phase check |
| Payouts | Withdrawals from day one, and the withdrawal reduces available drawdown | Pays after 7 winning days, and the withdrawal does not shrink the drawdown buffer |
| Weekend Trading | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Refund | Fee returned after 10% live profit | Fee returned after 10% live profit |
CTI stands out here because the withdrawal process leaves the risk buffer intact, which is easier to manage in active market conditions. That is useful if you trade the foreign exchange market around event risk or hold a commodity position beyond one session.
FTP moves faster on payout access, and that part is attractive. Still, the trailing structure means a trader has to watch risk more tightly after growth or after taking money out.
Two-Phase Evaluations Across Both Firms
These programs are built to check consistency across two stages and suit traders who can follow a tighter rule set.
| Program | Phase 1 Target | Phase 2 Target | Drawdown Type | Daily Drawdown | Refund Policy | Weekend Holding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTP Advanced | 10% | 5% | 10% trailing drawdown | 4% to 5% | Fee returned after 10% live profit | No |
| FTP Premium | 8% | 5% | 8% trailing drawdown | 4% to 5% | Fee returned after 10% live profit | No |
| FTP Prestige | 10% | 10% | Static 10% max drawdown | 4% to 5% | Fee returned after 10% live profit | No |
| CTI 2-Step Challenge | 10% | 5% | Static 10% drawdown | 5% | Fee returned after 10% live profit | Yes |
The practical gap is simple. CTI keeps the fixed drawdown approach consistent and gives the trader more room around withdrawals and weekend exposure. FTP has one static option in Prestige, though much of the lineup still leans on trailing limits.
No Evaluation FTP Master vs CTI Instant Funding
If you already trust your process and want live access right away, these accounts skip the challenge stage and charge a one-time fee.
| Criteria | FTP Master | CTI Instant Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Drawdown | 6% relative drawdown | 6% static drawdown |
| Evaluation | None | None |
| Profit Target | None | None, and profit can be withdrawn once the account is in gain |
| Payouts | Can be eligible the same day | Keeps the fixed loss buffer in place |
| Weekend Trading | Blocked | Allowed |
| Refund | Tied to a profit threshold | Uses a live capital structure with 50% profit share first, then 80% |
FTP Master gives instant access, though the trailing limit keeps pressure on open equity and on withdrawals. CTI Instant Funding starts on live capital with a simpler ceiling on loss, which I find easier to monitor during fast sessions in Bitcoin or Ethereum.
CTI vs FTP Side by Side
Both firms cover multiple styles of proprietary trading, yet they diverge sharply in how they handle risk, payouts, and flexibility.
| Feature | CTI | FTP |
|---|---|---|
| Account Sizes | Starts from $2.5K | Starts from $25K |
| Drawdown Model | Static 10% or 6% | Relative trailing drawdown and a daily cap |
| First Payout | Weekly or monthly depending on progress | Weekly from day one |
| Salary | Up to $500 per month per account | No salary |
| Scaling Ceiling | $4M | $5.25M on Premium |
| Weekend Trading | Allowed across all accounts | Closes trades on Fridays |
| Overnight Holding | Allowed | Allowed except into the weekend |
#1 Pricing Tiers
One of CTI’s strongest edges is entry cost. Smaller accounts let a new customer test process and risk management without starting at FTP’s higher minimum size.
FTP begins at $25K, which may suit someone already comfortable with a larger evaluation fee. CTI has lower starting points, so the barrier is softer for a trader still refining execution.
#2 Drawdown Model
CTI uses a static drawdown that stays fixed. If the account grows, the stop level does not chase price higher. If you withdraw money, the buffer still holds. That makes planning easier and gives clearer information around account survival.
FTP uses trailing drawdown on much of its range. As equity rises, the loss limit rises too, and a withdrawal can compress the margin for error. In practice that can force a trader to leave profits inside the account longer than planned.
Can I trust Funded Trading Plus? From a platform legitimacy angle, yes, the firm appears real and operational. The key issue is less about trust and more about whether the risk framework fits your style.
#3 Withdrawals and Salary
Does Funded Trading Plus pay out and how often? Yes, FTP does pay out, and one of its biggest selling points is fast access with same-day eligibility on some funded accounts and weekly withdrawals from day one.
CTI is slower on pure payout speed, offering weekly or monthly withdrawals instead. It adds something FTP does not have, though, which is a monthly salary of up to $500 per account if the trader meets the stated profit and risk rules.
That salary can smooth the emotional side of trading and add a steadier income layer. From a customer point of view, it changes the feel of the program quite a bit.
#4 Scaling Potential
FTP has the bigger headline ceiling at $5.25M through its Premium route. The catch is that scaling still happens under trailing drawdown pressure, so the path can feel narrower than the headline suggests.
CTI scales to $4M with simpler conditions. A 10% profit is enough to begin the process, and the payout structure creates less friction on the way up. For many accounts, that route may be more realistic.
#5 Weekend and Overnight Holding
CTI lets traders keep positions open overnight and through the weekend across the full account range. That matters for swing trading, and it matters if your asset exposure includes a commodity move linked to petroleum or a macro gap in the foreign exchange market.
FTP closes trades every Friday at 21:30 GMT. That reduces strategic freedom and can interrupt a setup that still has room to develop.
If your method relies on holding beyond a day session, CTI gives more breathing space.
Trader Experience and Trust
Funding rules matter, though long-term use usually depends on support quality and how the firm treats its customer base after signup. That is where the trust question becomes more practical.
Is Funded Trading Plus a legitimate prop firm? Based on its funded programs, public presence, and payout structure, it appears to be a legitimate prop firm rather than a fake storefront. Still, every trader should verify the latest terms, KYC flow, and AML restrictions before paying money.
Trustpilot feedback also matters here. Public reviews do not prove everything, but they do offer useful feedback about payout speed, customer service, and how the broker side of execution feels in real use.
CTI Community Support and Long-Term Growth
City Traders Imperium leans harder into mentorship. It may not be the flashiest brand, but it performs well where many traders actually care, especially support and retention.
Funded traders get 24/7 help through Discord, where analysts and peers stay active. The CTI Academy also adds structured education around execution and psychology, which helps a trader beyond the evaluation phase.
That setup is built to keep accounts active for longer. In my view, that makes CTI feel more stable for someone who wants ongoing support instead of only a fast challenge flow.
Pros and Cons Summarized
| Firm | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| CTI | Fixed drawdown and salary support | Lower scaling cap than FTP |
| FTP | Same-day payout eligibility and instant access through Master | Trailing drawdown tightens after growth and after withdrawals |
| FTP | Higher top-end scaling ceiling | No weekend trading and a tougher path to refund plus scaling |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Expert Advisors and Trade News Events
- Both firms allow Expert Advisors.
- Both allow trading around news events with conditions.
- CTI allows EAs on the 2-Step Challenge and Instant Funding if ownership is proven.
- On the CTI 1-Step Challenge, the ownership rule is lighter.
- FTP allows EAs and news trading, though some strategies are restricted.
- High-frequency arbitrage is off limits at both firms.
Can I Hold Trades Over the Weekend
- CTI allows overnight and weekend holding on all programs.
- FTP applies a Friday auto-close rule to most accounts, including Master and challenge products.
- Strategy adjustments may be needed on FTP if your holding period runs through the market break.
Can I Manage Multiple Funded Accounts
- CTI allows multiple funded accounts if risk stays controlled and the trader stays transparent.
- FTP is less direct in its public wording, so approval may depend on internal review.
- It is worth confirming the policy with customer service before scaling this way.
Are There Any Country Restrictions
- FTP blocks OFAC-sanctioned jurisdictions.
- FTP also restricts some regions, including the United States on MT5.
- CTI accepts traders from more than 60 countries, including U.S. clients.
- AML limits still exclude places such as Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria.
What Trading Platforms Do They Support
- Both firms use MT5 as a core trading platform.
- CTI also offers Match-Trader.
- FTP supports Match-Trader, C-Trader, DX-Trader, and MT5.
Final Verdict
Funded Trading Plus and City Traders Imperium both offer real access to funded trading, and both have enough structure to be taken seriously. FTP is attractive if fast withdrawals are your top priority and you want a wider platform mix for assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or a cryptocurrency CFD.
CTI looks stronger if you value stable drawdown rules, weekend flexibility, and a support system that helps with long-term risk management. The fixed loss model is easier to work with, and that alone can make a major difference once a trader starts protecting real gains.
So, can Funded Trading Plus be trusted, does it pay out, and is it legitimate? The short answer is yes. Still, for many people, CTI offers the friendlier structure after the evaluation stage is over.
