Entry price
The initial investment depends heavily on the model you choose, but Hola Prime has a lower barrier to entry for small accounts and instant funding.
- $100,000 2-Step Challenge: FTMO costs 540 EUR (approx. $585). Hola Prime offers its Prime version for $569 and its Pro version for $681.
- $50,000 2-Step Challenge: FTMO is priced at 345 EUR (approx. $375). Hola Prime charges $319 for Prime and $384 for Pro.
- Instant Funding ($100,000): FTMO requires a massive 2,999 EUR (approx. $3,250), while Hola Prime Direct costs significantly less at $1,049.
- Refunds: FTMO returns your fee with the first payout (2-step only). Hola Prime delays this refund until the fourth successful payout for Pro and Prime accounts.
- Small accounts: Hola Prime offers micro-accounts ($2,000) starting at $9, a cost level FTMO does not compete with.
What you pay while trading
Operating the account has daily costs that affect your bottom line, especially if you use specific tools or strategies.
- Commissions: FTMO charges $5 per lot on Forex. Hola Prime is cheaper at $3 per lot.
- Expert Advisors (EAs): FTMO allows them for free. Hola Prime adds a +10% surcharge to your initial fee if you want to use EAs (MT5 only).
- Swap-Free: FTMO does not offer a standard swap-free option (only via the Swing account which has no swaps but lower leverage). Hola Prime offers it as an add-on for an extra +10% of the base fee.
- Platforms: FTMO provides MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView at no extra cost. Hola Prime charges a $20 fixed surcharge for using cTrader.
What mistakes cost you
The "cost" of a mistake is measured by how much room the firm gives you before you lose your investment.
- Drawdown Limit: Both firms offer a 10% maximum drawdown on 2-step accounts. However, FTMO's drawdown is static, while Hola Prime's Direct account uses an end-of-day trailing drawdown, which is "more expensive" as it follows your profits up and limits your breathing room.
- Daily Loss: FTMO allows a 5% daily loss (2-step). Hola Prime matches this at 5% for Pro/Prime but tightens it to 3% for its Direct account.
- Inactivity: Both firms will terminate your account after 30 days of inactivity, costing you 100% of your initial fee.
- Hard Breaches: At Hola Prime, a hard breach on a Direct account is terminal. At FTMO, failing the 2-step verification means you must pay the entry fee again to restart.
What it costs to get paid
This is where FTMO recovers ground and Hola Prime becomes more expensive.
- Profit Split: FTMO gives you 90% of the profits by default. Hola Prime starts at 80%. To get 95% at Hola Prime, you must pay a 20% surcharge at checkout.
- Payout Fees: FTMO withdrawals are free. Hola Prime charges a 2.5% fee on every payout, with a minimum of $25 for bank wires.
- Consistency hurdles: FTMO has no consistency rules for 2-step accounts. Hola Prime requires at least 3 profitable days per biweekly cycle and imposes a 40% maximum profit-per-day rule for on-demand payouts.
Where each one hides its cost
- FTMO: The hidden cost is in the currency and commissions. Because they charge in EUR, US-based traders pay a premium on the exchange rate. Also, their $5 commission is 66% higher than Hola Prime's, which adds up significantly for scalpers.
- Hola Prime: The cost is hidden in the "Add-ons" and payout taxes. By the time you add EAs (+10%), cTrader ($20), and pay the 2.5% withdrawal fee, the "cheaper" account often ends up costing more than FTMO.
Cheapest for whom
- High-volume Scalpers: Hola Prime is cheaper because the $2 difference in commissions per lot saved will eventually outweigh the higher entry fee or payout taxes.
- Professional/Long-term Traders: FTMO is cheaper. The 90% split and the absence of withdrawal fees mean that as soon as you become profitable, you keep thousands of dollars more in your pocket compared to Hola Prime.
- Beginners with low capital: Hola Prime is the only option, offering accounts for as little as $9.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper for a $100,000 2-step challenge, FTMO or Hola Prime?
Hola Prime is cheaper upfront, with its Prime 2-step challenge costing $569, whereas FTMO costs 540 EUR (approximately $585). However, FTMO includes EA usage for free, while Hola Prime would charge an extra 10% if you plan to use automated trading, bringing its total price above FTMO.
Does FTMO or Hola Prime charge fees for withdrawing profits?
FTMO does not charge any fees for withdrawals. In contrast, Hola Prime charges a 2.5% fee on every payout, with a minimum cost of $25 for bank transfers or $5 for crypto. This makes FTMO significantly more cost-efficient for traders who plan to make regular withdrawals.
Which firm allows EAs with fewer financial restrictions, FTMO or Hola Prime?
FTMO is more flexible and cheaper for EA users, as it allows them on all accounts without extra charges. Hola Prime requires you to buy a specific "EA Trading" add-on for an additional +10% of the account price, and it only permits them on the MT5 platform, excluding them entirely from "Direct" accounts.
Who offers a better profit split by default, FTMO or Hola Prime?
FTMO offers a superior default profit split of 90% for its traders. Hola Prime starts with a base split of 80%. While Hola Prime allows you to increase this to 95%, it requires a 20% upfront surcharge on the challenge price, making FTMO the better deal for standard users.
