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FTMO vs Pipstone Capital: Head-to-Head Comparison (2026)

FTMO

8.3 A+
Czech Republic CFD
VS

Pipstone Capital

United Arab Emirates CFD
Key Differences
Payouts Bi-Weekly vs On-Demand Split 90% vs 100% Price $79 vs $49

Verdict: Who Wins?

FTMO 4 wins
4 - 3
Pipstone Capital 3 wins
Overall Rating 8.3 vs 0.0 Decisive
TrustPilot 4.8 vs 2.1 Decisive
Starting Price $49 vs $79 Decisive
Profit Split Up to 100% vs Up to 90% Decisive
Safety Grade A+ vs Decisive
Trust Score 84/100 vs 27.7/100 Decisive
Challenge Variety 14 vs 10 options Narrow

Best For:

Budget-conscious traders Pipstone Capital
Maximum profit potential Pipstone Capital
Trust & reputation FTMO
Fast payouts Pipstone Capital

Visual Comparison

FTMO Pipstone Capital

Head-to-Head Comparison

FTMO Metric Pipstone Capital
8.3/10 PFM Score -
4.8/5 (42,594) TrustPilot 2.1/5 (342)
A+ Safety Grade -
84 A Trust Score 27.7 F
Up to 90% Profit Split Up to 100%
Maximum Daily Loss Amount, which is 5% of the Initial Simulated Capital (2-Step) or 3% (1-Step) Daily Drawdown 3% (Instant), 4% (1-Step), 5% (2-Step)
Bi-weekly (every 14 days) Payout Frequency Varies by model (Bi-weekly 1-Step, Weekly 2-Step, On Demand Instant)
$79 Starting Price $49
Proprietary Technology White-Label
cTrader, MT5, MT4 Platforms cTrader, MT5
No Direct Path to Funded No
Czech Republic Country United Arab Emirates
Jan 2015 Established Jan 2025
10 options Challenge Options 14 options

Price Comparison by Account Size

Cheapest challenge price at each account size (where both firms offer the same size)

Account Size FTMO Pipstone Capital Savings
$10K $79 $121 Save $42
$25K $199 $142 Save $57
$50K $319 $314 Save $5
$100K $439 $375 Save $64

FTMO vs Pipstone Capital: Detailed Analysis

FTMO and Pipstone Capital are both CFD firms. FTMO has been in business longer, established in 2015, while Pipstone Capital was founded in 2025.

Pricing

In terms of pricing, Pipstone Capital is more affordable with challenges starting at $49, which is $30 less than FTMO's starting price of $79. FTMO offers 10 challenge options, while Pipstone Capital offers 14.

Account Sizes

On account sizing, FTMO offers account sizes from $10 to $200 across 5 funding tiers, while Pipstone Capital offers account sizes from $5 to $100 across 5 funding tiers. Picking the right tier matters because both the entry cost and the maximum capital you can scale to are tied to the account size you start with.

Trading Platforms

For trading platforms, FTMO supports cTrader, MT5 and MT4, while Pipstone Capital runs on cTrader and MT5. If you already trade on a specific platform, this can be the deciding factor between the two.

Profit Split & Payouts

FTMO offers Up to 90% profit split, while Pipstone Capital offers Up to 100%. FTMO pays out Bi-weekly (every 14 days), and Pipstone Capital pays out Varies by model (Bi-weekly 1-Step, Weekly 2-Step, On Demand Instant).

Risk & Drawdown Rules

Risk rules are a key difference for funded traders: FTMO lists its daily drawdown as "Maximum Daily Loss Amount, which is 5% of the Initial Simulated Capital (2-Step) or 3% (1-Step)", while Pipstone Capital lists "3% (Instant), 4% (1-Step), 5% (2-Step)". Always confirm the drawdown type before buying, since a trailing rule behaves very differently from a static end-of-day one.

Payout Methods

Pipstone Capital supports withdrawals via Crypto.

Trust & Safety

For trust and reputation, FTMO has a 4.8/5 TrustPilot rating with 42,594 reviews, while Pipstone Capital has 2.1/5 with 342 reviews.

Who Should Choose Which

So who should pick which? FTMO is the stronger choice for trust & reputation, while Pipstone Capital is the better fit for budget-conscious traders, maximum profit potential and fast payouts.

This is a close matchup with FTMO winning 4 and Pipstone Capital winning 3 of the categories we compared. The right choice depends on what matters most to you as a trader.

Pros & Cons

FTMO
Pros
Up to 90% of your simulated profits as a reward, accounts up to $200,000 FTMO Account, established 2015 with 3.5M+ customers worldwide, MT4 MT5 cTrader supported, 100% refund of initial fee on first reward (2-Step), Prague-based with $500M+ paid in rewards
Cons
All accounts we provide to our clients are demo accounts with fictitious funds and any trading is in a simulated environment only; prices charged in EUR; 2-Step Verification phase required before reaching FTMO Account
Pipstone Capital
Pros
No consistency rules, refund of evaluation fee on first payout, up to 100% profit split, unlimited trading days, zero activation fee, MT5 and cTrader platforms, news trading allowed
Cons
60-second minimum trade duration rule (payout deductions if breached), TrustScore 2.1 with frequent payout-delay and BOGO-second-account complaints, trailing drawdown on Instant $25K+ accounts

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, FTMO or Pipstone Capital?

Both firms are competitive. FTMO wins in 4 categories while Pipstone Capital wins in 3. The best choice depends on what you prioritize: pricing, profit split, trust ratings, or payout speed.

Which is cheaper, FTMO or Pipstone Capital?

Pipstone Capital has the lower starting price at $49. FTMO offers 10 challenge options starting from $79, while Pipstone Capital offers 14 options starting from $49.

Which has better reviews, FTMO or Pipstone Capital?

FTMO has a higher TrustPilot rating of 4.8/5. FTMO has 42,594 reviews while Pipstone Capital has 342.

Which offers a higher profit split, FTMO or Pipstone Capital?

Pipstone Capital offers a higher maximum profit split. FTMO offers Up to 90% while Pipstone Capital offers Up to 100%.

How fast do FTMO and Pipstone Capital pay out?

FTMO has Bi-weekly (every 14 days) payouts while Pipstone Capital offers Varies by model (Bi-weekly 1-Step, Weekly 2-Step, On Demand Instant) payouts. Payout speed can be an important factor when choosing a prop firm.

Are FTMO and Pipstone Capital legit?

Both firms have been independently verified by PropFirmMap. FTMO holds a A+ safety grade and a 4.8/5 TrustPilot rating. Pipstone Capital holds a unrated safety grade and a 2.1/5 TrustPilot rating. Safety grades are based on payout history, community trust signals, and regulatory transparency.

Which is better for beginners, FTMO or Pipstone Capital?

Pipstone Capital may be more accessible for beginners due to its lower entry price. When starting out, consider challenge cost, drawdown rules, and profit split. Use the comparison table above to find which firm fits your experience level and risk tolerance.

Not sold on either? Explore alternatives

See the closest-matched prop firms ranked head-to-head against each contender, with live 2026 prices and safety grades.