Introduction
Proprietary trading firms have emerged as gateways for skilled traders to access significant capital under structured risk frameworks. Two leading firms in this domain are Audacity Capital and FTMO. Both offer multi-stage evaluation processes that culminate in funded accounts, but they differ in program design, cost structure, risk parameters, profit splits, and additional services. This article presents a detailed, objective comparison of Audacity Capital and FTMO to assist traders in understanding the nuances of each offering.
Company Profiles
Audacity Capital
Founded by veteran traders in London, Audacity Capital operates as both a proprietary trading firm and an educational hub. It focuses on identifying talent through a tiered evaluation system and supporting traders with mentorship and community resources. The firm serves a global clientele and periodically updates its program terms and trading conditions to reflect evolving market practices.
FTMO
Headquartered in Prague, FTMO positions itself as a performance-driven prop firm that emphasizes disciplined risk management and trader education. Its flagship evaluation program consists of two consecutive phases, after which successful participants receive access to FTMO’s capital allocation. FTMO also provides advanced analytics, coaching, and scaling pathways for high-performing traders.
Evaluation Processes
Audacity Capital
Audacity Capital offers two primary routes to funding:
- Standard Evaluation
- Phase One (Challenge): Traders must achieve a profit equal to 10% of their challenge capital.
- Phase Two (Verification): Upon completing the Challenge, traders target an additional 5% gain.
- Timeframe: No strict deadline for either phase.
- Minimum Trading Activity: Four trading days per phase.
- Daily Drawdown Limit: 7.5% of initial capital in Phase One; 5% in Phase Two.
- Total Drawdown Limit: 15% in Phase One; 10% in Phase Two.
- Direct Funding Path
- Single Stage: No separate verification; traders pursue a 10% profit target.
- Minimum Trading Days: Five days, with at least three profitable.
- Daily Drawdown Limit: 5%.
- Overall Drawdown Limit: 10%.
- Maximum Leverage: 1:30 on forex pairs.
Upon meeting profit and risk requirements, traders receive a funded account and may withdraw profits according to the payout schedule.
FTMO
FTMO’s structure comprises three steps:
- FTMO Challenge
- Profit Target: 10% of starting balance.
- Maximum Daily Loss: 5% of initial capital.
- Maximum Overall Loss: 10% of initial capital.
- Timeframe: Unlimited.
- Minimum Trading Days: Four.
- Verification
- Profit Target: 5% of starting balance.
- Risk Limits: Identical daily and overall drawdowns as the Challenge.
- FTMO Account
- Funded Account: Traders gain access to the full allocation upon passing both stages.
FTMO also offers an optional premium tier that provides regular coaching, detailed performance analytics, and accelerated scaling for successful traders.
Account Sizes and Entry Fees
Audacity Capital
- Challenge Entry Fees
- Prices begin around a few hundred currency units for a ten‑thousand‑unit account.
- Fees scale with account size, with mid‑range accounts in the low‑thousands.
- Direct Funding Fees
- Higher than Challenge fees to reflect immediate capital access.
- Non‑refundable unless profit and evaluation criteria are met, in which case partial reimbursement may apply.
FTMO
- Challenge Fees
- Entry for a ten‑thousand‑unit Challenge starts in the mid‑three‑hundred range.
- Fees increase proportionally with account size, topping out in the mid‑four‑digit range for higher allocations.
- Refund Policy
- Fees are reimbursed after a successful first withdrawal from the funded account.
Neither firm charges recurring monthly fees; costs are confined to the initial evaluation stage.
Profit Sharing
Audacity Capital
- Tiered Splits
- Initial funded accounts often start with a 70% trader share, 30% firm share.
- Consistent performance and longevity can increase the trader’s share up to 90%.
FTMO
- Fixed Split
- Traders retain up to 90% of profits generated in the funded account.
- Profit share is consistent across account sizes and does not change with tenure.
Both profit‑split models are paid out on regular schedules, subject to meeting minimum trading-day requirements.
Trading Conditions
Instrument Access
- Audacity Capital
- Focuses on major and minor forex pairs, select indices, and precious metals via Contracts for Difference (CFDs).
- FTMO
- Offers a broader range including forex, indices, commodities (metals, energies), and cryptocurrency CFDs.
Leverage
- Audacity Capital
- Up to 1:100 on major currency pairs during evaluation; restricted to 1:30 in direct funding.
- FTMO
- Leverage up to 1:100 on forex pairs; lower leverage on non‑forex instruments in line with standard brokerage leverage norms.
Platforms
- Audacity Capital
- MetaTrader 5 and a proprietary web‑based DXtrade platform.
- FTMO
- MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, mirroring retail brokerage environments.
Spreads and Commissions
- Audacity Capital
- Charges a fixed commission per standard lot on forex and metals; spreads are competitive and predefined.
- FTMO
- No separate commissions; trading costs are embedded in realistic spread and swap conditions that reflect typical broker pricing.
Risk Management Rules
Both firms enforce strict rules to protect capital:
- Daily Drawdown: A maximum allowable loss per day, after which trading must stop until the next trading day.
- Overall Drawdown: A cumulative loss cap that, if breached, terminates the account.
- Minimum Trading Days: Ensures traders cannot reach profit targets in unrealistic timeframes.
- Position Sizing: Some account sizes may impose limits on position size relative to capital.
Violations of any rule lead to immediate disqualification from the evaluation or termination of the funded account.
Payment and Withdrawal Procedures
Audacity Capital
- Fee Payment: Accepts credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and select e‑payment services.
- First Withdrawal: Available after the first month of trading or meeting profit thresholds; subsequent withdrawals can occur bi‑weekly.
- Withdrawal Methods: Bank transfer, cryptocurrency, and e‑payment options.
FTMO
- Fee Payment: Credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and some cryptocurrencies.
- Withdrawal Frequency: Standard on‑demand withdrawals after satisfying minimum trading‑day rules; expedited options may be available with additional conditions.
- Withdrawal Methods: Bank transfers and cryptocurrency payments.
Both firms require identity verification before processing withdrawal requests to comply with standard anti‑money‑laundering protocols.
Additional Services
Audacity Capital
- Education & Mentorship: Access to webinars, strategy guides, and a trader community forum.
- Scaling Opportunities: Funded accounts can be scaled up to larger allocations for consistent performers, with incremental profit targets.
FTMO
- Premium Programme: Offers scheduled coaching sessions, real‑time analytics dashboards, and personalized performance reviews.
- Growth Plan: A formal scaling framework enabling traders to increase capital allocation following consecutive profit milestones.
Neither firm provides tax or regulatory advice; traders are responsible for understanding their own legal and fiscal obligations.
Comparative Summary
| Feature | Audacity Capital | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation Phases | Two-phase Challenge or Direct Funding | Two-phase Challenge + Verification |
| Profit Target | 10% + 5% phases or 10% single stage | 10% + 5% |
| Fee Structure | Phase-based fees; partial refunds | One-time fee; full refund on first withdrawal |
| Profit Split | 70–90% tiered | Flat 90% |
| Leverage | Up to 1:100 (evaluation), 1:30 funded | Up to 1:100 (forex) |
| Instruments | Forex, indices, metals | Forex, indices, commodities, crypto |
| Platforms | MT5, DXtrade | MT4, MT5, cTrader |
| Withdrawal Timing | Monthly then bi‑weekly | On‑demand after minimum days |
| Additional Services | Education, community, scaling | Coaching, analytics, growth plan |
Choosing Between Audacity Capital and FTMO
When selecting a proprietary trading firm, consider the following factors:
- Evaluation Preference: If you prefer a single-stage challenge with immediate funding, Audacity Capital’s direct funding path may suit you. If you favor a two-step evaluation with a transparent, unified fee, FTMO’s Challenge and Verification structure could be preferable.
- Cost Tolerance: Compare entry fees relative to allocated capital. FTMO’s all‑in fee may feel more predictable, while Audacity Capital’s refund policies can offset costs upon success.
- Profit Objectives: Both firms offer high profit splits, but Audacity Capital incentivizes sustained performance through tiered increases, whereas FTMO maintains a consistent split.
- Trading Style: Review available instruments and leverage levels. FTMO offers a broader asset range, while Audacity Capital provides tighter leverage controls on funded accounts.
- Support and Education: If mentorship and community interaction are important, Audacity Capital’s educational resources may provide added value. FTMO’s premium analytics and coaching cater to data‑driven traders seeking structured feedback.
Conclusion
Audacity Capital and FTMO both present robust pathways for traders to access institutional-level capital. Audacity Capital distinguishes itself with dual program routes, tiered profit incentives, and a strong educational focus. FTMO stands out with its streamlined two-phase evaluation, comprehensive platform support, and flat high-profit split. Traders should align their choice with personal risk tolerance, evaluation preferences, fee structures, and desired support services. By carefully evaluating these factors, traders can select the firm that best complements their trading approach and long‑term objectives.
