What you are signing up for
A prop firm evaluation is a two-part test where you trade with virtual funds to prove you can follow risk rules. If you pass, the firm allows you to trade their capital and keep a large portion of the profits.
FTMO is an industry veteran based in the Czech Republic, offering a very stable environment. Hyperticks is a newer firm from the UAE that uses a style more common in futures trading, even though they offer Forex.
The entry cost for a $100,000 account varies significantly:
- FTMO: Approximately €540 for their 2-Step challenge.
- Hyperticks: $698 for their "2-Step Fast" or a much cheaper $238 for their "Beginner Max" plan.
FTMO offers a "Free Trial," which is a shortened version of the test that costs nothing. This is the best way for a beginner to practice without risking money. Hyperticks does not offer a free trial.
How hard each one is
The difficulty is defined by the "profit target," which is the amount of money you must earn to pass, and the "drawdown," which is the maximum loss allowed before your account is closed.
FTMO requires a 10% profit in the first phase and 5% in the second. Their drawdown is "static," meaning your loss limit is fixed based on your starting balance. This is much easier for beginners to understand.
Hyperticks has targets between 6% and 7% for their standard evaluations. However, many of their plans use a "trailing drawdown." This means the maximum loss limit moves up as your account balance increases. If you make $1,000 in profit, your allowed loss floor also rises by $1,000. This is a common trap for beginners who aren't used to protecting their gains.
How long it takes
In the past, these tests had time limits. Now, both firms mostly allow you to take as much time as you need.
- FTMO: No maximum time limit. You must trade for at least 4 days to pass.
- Hyperticks: Most plans have no time limit, but the "Beginner Max" evaluation must be completed within 30 days. You need between 3 and 5 profitable days to qualify.
Where beginners fail
Most beginners fail because of the "daily loss limit" and "consistency rules."
- Daily Loss: Both firms close your account if you lose too much in a single day (usually 3% to 5%). FTMO calculates this based on "equity," which includes the value of your open trades, not just closed ones.
- Consistency: This rule ensures you didn't get lucky on a single trade. In FTMO's 1-Step, no single day can account for more than 50% of your total profit. Hyperticks has stricter rules: in the "Beginner Max" plan, one day cannot exceed 35% of your total profit.
- Execution: Hyperticks requires trades to be held for at least 2 minutes. If you close a trade too fast (scalping), it is a violation. FTMO is more flexible with trading styles.
What happens if you make it
If you pass, you become a "funded trader."
- Profit Split: This is the percentage of earnings you keep. FTMO gives you 90%. Hyperticks gives between 70% and 90% depending on the plan you bought.
- Refund: Both firms refund your initial registration fee with your first or second successful payout.
- Platforms: FTMO uses standard platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5. Hyperticks uses more specialized tools like Volumetrica or ATAS, which are powerful but have a steeper learning curve for a first-timer.
If it is your first time
FTMO is the better choice for a first attempt. The availability of a Free Trial allows you to fail without cost while learning the interface. Their "static" drawdown is much more forgiving than the "trailing" drawdown found in many Hyperticks plans. While Hyperticks offers cheaper entry prices for some accounts, the rules regarding consistency and minimum hold times are more likely to trip up someone who has never taken a challenge before.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper for a $100,000 evaluation, FTMO or Hyperticks?
Hyperticks is significantly cheaper if you choose the "Beginner Max" plan, which costs $238. In comparison, the FTMO 2-Step evaluation for the same size costs approximately €540 (around $580). However, the cheaper Hyperticks plan comes with more restrictive rules, such as a 30-day time limit and a trailing drawdown, while FTMO offers more flexible conditions for its higher price.
Does FTMO or Hyperticks offer a free trial for beginners?
FTMO provides a completely free trial that allows you to experience their trading conditions and dashboard without any financial commitment. Hyperticks does not offer a free trial option; to see their platform and test their rules, you must purchase one of their evaluation plans, starting from $78 for their smallest account sizes.
Which firm has easier loss rules for a first-timer, FTMO or Hyperticks?
FTMO has easier loss rules because it uses a static maximum drawdown of 10%, meaning your "account floor" never moves. Many Hyperticks plans, such as the Beginner Max or Hyper Lite, use a trailing drawdown where the loss limit follows your profit upward. For a beginner, the FTMO model is safer because it doesn't "trap" your profits as the loss limit rises.
What are the consistency rules for FTMO compared to Hyperticks?
FTMO only applies a consistency rule to its 1-Step accounts, requiring that no single day accounts for more than 50% of your total profit. Hyperticks has stricter and more varied rules: their Beginner Max plan requires that no single day exceeds 35% of the profit during the evaluation and 40% once funded. This makes Hyperticks more difficult for traders who rely on a few large winning trades.
