FTMO is one of the most established names in prop trading, operating for over a decade with a large Trustpilot following. Sure Leverage Funding (SLF) is a newer, more flexible firm built around low-cost entry points and a wide variety of challenge formats. Here's how they actually compare, rule by rule, so you can decide which one fits your trading style and budget.
Note: prop firm rules and pricing change frequently. The figures below reflect publicly available information at the time of writing — always confirm current terms directly on each firm's website before purchasing a challenge.
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FTMO has been operating for more than 10 years and has paid out over $500 million in trader rewards since 2015, giving it one of the longest track records in the industry. It holds a Trustpilot rating around 4.8/5 from thousands of reviews.
Sure Leverage Funding is a newer entrant, operating for roughly 1.5 years, with a Trustpilot rating around 4.5/5. It's a smaller, younger company — which means a shorter track record, but also a more aggressive, trader-friendly pricing structure aimed at standing out in a crowded market.
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FTMO primarily offers two evaluation paths: a classic 2-Step Challenge (10% profit target in Phase 1, 5% in Phase 2) and a newer 1-Step Challenge launched in 2026 with a single 10% profit target but tighter drawdown rules and a "Best Day Rule." Both have no time limit but require a minimum number of trading days.
Sure Leverage Funding offers considerably more variety: a 1-Step Challenge, a 2-Step Challenge, an EA Challenge (for automated strategies), an Instant Funding program (no evaluation at all), a low-cost Free Challenge ($1–$5 entry), and a Buy Now, Pay Later Challenge (start for $10, pay the rest after passing). https://sureleveragefunding.com
Takeaway: If you want more ways to test the waters with minimal upfront cost, SLF has a wider range of entry points. If you want a firm with a long operating history and a single, well-documented evaluation model, FTMO's structure is simpler and more battle-tested.
FTMO (2-Step): 10% max drawdown (static), 5% max daily loss, measured against the higher of equity or balance.
FTMO (1-Step): 10% max drawdown (trailing, end-of-day), tighter 3% daily loss on some reviewed configurations — check the exact figures for your account size, as the 1-Step's risk parameters are stricter than the 2-Step.
Sure Leverage Funding (1-Step): 8% max drawdown (trailing on balance/equity high), 4% max daily loss.
Sure Leverage Funding (2-Step): 10% max drawdown (fixed, doesn't trail), 5% max daily loss.
Takeaway: SLF's 1-Step Challenge has a smaller drawdown allowance (8% vs FTMO's 10%) but also a smaller daily loss cap (4% vs FTMO's 5%), so overall risk tolerance is roughly comparable, just structured slightly differently. SLF's 2-Step Challenge, with its fixed (non-trailing) 10% drawdown, may suit traders who don't want their safety margin to shrink as they become profitable — FTMO's trailing drawdown on the 1-Step tightens as your account grows.
FTMO starts traders at an 80% profit split on the 2-Step (90% on some 1-Step configurations), with scaling plans that can push the split toward 90–95% over time based on consistent performance.
Sure Leverage Funding offers competitive splits on its standard challenges, with the Free Challenge specifically set at a reduced 50% split (a trade-off for its near-zero entry cost).
Takeaway: For a full-price challenge, the splits are broadly comparable across both firms. SLF's Free Challenge is a different animal — the lower split is the cost of an entry fee that's often under $5.
FTMO processes payouts on a biweekly cycle (with on-demand requests after the first 14-day period), and most sources report average processing times of well under 24 hours once a request is submitted and reviewed.
Sure Leverage Funding advertises a 24-hour payout guarantee on eligible programs, with an extra 10% profit-split bonus if that window is missed (excluding weekends, holidays, or compliance checks). Several programs also support instant payout requests once profit targets are met, rather than waiting for a fixed cycle.
Takeaway: Both firms report fast payouts. SLF's compensation mechanism for delayed payouts (the 10% bonus) is a notable trust-building feature that FTMO doesn't explicitly offer.
FTMO supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, and DXtrade — one of the broadest platform selections in the industry.
Sure Leverage Funding supports MT5, Match Trader, and Trade Locker.
Takeaway: FTMO has the edge for traders who specifically want cTrader or DXtrade. SLF's platform lineup covers the fundamentals well but is narrower.
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FTMO challenge fees run from roughly $155 up to over $1,000 depending on account size, refunded on your first payout after passing.
Sure Leverage Funding has notably lower entry pricing, including promotional discounts, a $1–$5 Free Challenge, and a $10 Buy Now, Pay Later option — making it significantly more accessible for traders who want to test a firm before committing larger sums. https://sureleveragefunding.com
Takeaway: SLF is the clear choice for traders on a tighter budget or those who want to try the model risk-free before scaling up. FTMO's pricing reflects its established brand and longer track record.
Choose FTMO if: you value a long, verifiable track record, want access to cTrader or DXtrade, and are comfortable paying a higher upfront fee for a firm with over a decade of operating history and a very large user base.
Choose Sure Leverage Funding if: you want lower-cost entry points to test prop trading with minimal risk, prefer having multiple challenge formats to choose from (including instant funding and EA-friendly options), and want a payout system with a built-in compensation guarantee for delays. [AFFILIATE LINK: "Start with Sure Leverage Funding's Free Challenge"]
Many experienced prop traders actually run challenges with more than one firm simultaneously to diversify their funded-account income and avoid being dependent on a single company's rules or payout schedule. If you're new to prop trading, starting with a low-cost option like SLF's Free Challenge or Buy Now, Pay Later Challenge is a reasonable way to learn the mechanics before committing to a higher-priced evaluation elsewhere. https://sureleveragefunding.com — place as a closing CTA button/banner here.
Is Sure Leverage Funding cheaper than FTMO?
Yes, in most cases. SLF's entry-level and promotional challenges (Free Challenge, Buy Now Pay Later) cost a fraction of FTMO's standard challenge fees, though FTMO's fee is refunded on your first payout after passing.
Which firm has a longer track record?
FTMO, by a significant margin — it has operated for more than 10 years compared to SLF's roughly 1.5 years.
Does either firm offer instant funding without an evaluation?
Yes — Sure Leverage Funding offers a dedicated Instant Funding program up to $200,000. FTMO's core offering is evaluation-based, though check their current site for any instant-funding options they may add.
Which firm has stricter drawdown rules?
It depends on the specific program. SLF's 1-Step Challenge has a smaller max drawdown (8%) than FTMO's 2-Step (10%), but also a smaller daily loss cap (4% vs 5%). Compare the exact figures for the account size and challenge type you're considering.