Entry price
The cost to start is where forTraders Perps takes a clear lead, with prices roughly 30% lower than its competitor. FTM Perps offers two tiers (Infinity and Infinity Plus) which change the drawdown depth and the price.
- $5,000 account: forTraders Perps costs $46, while FTM Perps costs $68 (3% drawdown) or $78 (5% drawdown).
- $10,000 account: forTraders Perps costs $93, while FTM Perps costs $138 (3% drawdown) or $158 (5% drawdown).
- $20,000/$25,000 account: forTraders Perps costs $235 (for $25k), while FTM Perps costs $258 (for $20k).
What you pay while trading
Operating costs differ fundamentally in how they are charged. FTM Perps uses a "pay once" model per trade, whereas forTraders Perps applies a constant "rent" on open positions.
- Commissions: FTM Perps charges 0.025% of the position value only when opening; closing is free. forTraders Perps does not specify an entry commission but applies a recurring fee.
- Overnight costs: FTM Perps is swap-free, meaning holding a position costs $0 extra. forTraders Perps charges a fixed daily fee divided into hourly payments: 0.03% for crypto, 0.005% for forex, and 0.015% for other markets.
- Execution: Both use "Perps" terminals. forTraders Perps sources prices from Hyperliquid or Binance, while FTM Perps uses its own FTM Terminal.
What mistakes cost you
A mistake in risk management results in a hard breach, meaning the "cost" is the full price of the challenge.
- Drawdown limits: Both firms use static drawdown, which is safer than trailing drawdown. In FTM Perps, the floor is set at 3% or 5% below the start balance. In forTraders Perps, it is fixed at 5%.
- Inactivity: This is a hidden risk. forTraders Perps will close your account if you don't trade for 7 days. FTM Perps is much more lenient, allowing up to 30 days of inactivity.
- Strategy restrictions: forTraders Perps forbids Martingale and high-impact news trading on funded accounts (5-minute window). Breaking these can cost you your profits. FTM Perps allows Martingale and news trading without restrictions.
What it costs to get paid
Getting your money out is where FTM Perps recovers its higher entry price by offering a friction-less experience.
- Withdrawal fees: FTM Perps has $0 payout fees. forTraders Perps charges $25 for crypto withdrawals (under $400) and $50 for Rise payments.
- Profit Split: Both start at 80%. However, FTM Perps scales up to 90% after the sixth payout.
- Thresholds: FTM Perps allows you to withdraw once you are 1% above the initial balance with a minimum of $50. forTraders Perps requires a 1% gain for the first payout and a 2% growth for subsequent ones, with a $100 minimum.
- Speed Guarantee: FTM Perps doubles your payout (up to $1,000) if not processed in 24 business hours. forTraders Perps gives you a 100% profit split if they exceed 48 hours.
Where each one hides its cost
FTM Perps hides its cost in the upfront ticket. You pay a premium at checkout to enjoy a environment without swaps, without payout fees, and with more flexible trading rules.
forTraders Perps hides its cost in friction and time. The low entry price is attractive, but the hourly fees for holding positions and the $25-$50 fees to withdraw your money mean that a successful trader will eventually pay much more than the initial discount they received.
Cheapest for whom
- For the high-frequency scalper: forTraders Perps is cheaper if you open and close trades within minutes, as you avoid the hourly fees and benefit from the lower entry price.
- For the swing trader: FTM Perps is the only viable option. Holding trades for days or weeks at forTraders Perps will quickly become more expensive than the challenge price itself due to the hourly fees.
- For the aggressive trader: FTM Perps is cheaper because it allows Martingale and news trading, preventing account losses due to strict style rules.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper to buy a $10,000 account, FTM Perps or forTraders Perps?
forTraders Perps is cheaper, costing $93 for a $10,000 account. In comparison, FTM Perps charges $138 for its standard Infinity plan or $158 for the Infinity Plus version with higher drawdown.
Who has higher costs for holding positions overnight, FTM Perps or forTraders Perps?
forTraders Perps is more expensive for holding positions because it charges an hourly fee (e.g., 0.03% daily for crypto). FTM Perps is swap-free, meaning there is no extra cost to keep a trade open overnight.
Which firm charges more fees when you withdraw profits, FTM Perps or forTraders Perps?
forTraders Perps charges higher fees, between $25 and $50 per payout depending on the method and amount. FTM Perps does not charge any payout fees and has a lower minimum withdrawal of $50 compared to the $100 required by forTraders Perps.
Is Martingale allowed in FTM Perps and forTraders Perps?
Martingale is allowed in FTM Perps, providing more flexibility for recovery strategies. In contrast, forTraders Perps strictly prohibits Martingale, classifying it as gambling, which could lead to account termination.
