The short answer
FTMO Futures is the choice for algorithmic traders and those seeking a simple, end-of-day drawdown structure. Funded Futures Family (FFF) is designed for manual traders who want instant funding (S2F) or the ability to hold positions overnight.
Where they actually differ
- Styles (EAs & Duration): FTMO allows EAs and algorithmic trading. FFF strictly prohibits bots/EAs and mandates that at least 50% of profits must come from trades held longer than 20 seconds (no micro-scalping).
- Price & Access: FTMO only offers evaluation accounts. FFF provides "Straight To Funded" (S2F) plans that bypass the evaluation phase for a higher upfront fee.
- Risk (Drawdown type): FTMO uses an EOD trailing drawdown that locks at the initial balance. FFF offers a complex variety of drawdowns depending on the plan: EOD, Intraday, and End-of-Position (EoP) in their Professional Stage.
- Risk (Overnight): FFF allows holding positions overnight (closing daily at 4:15 PM EST). FTMO requires all positions to be closed before the market session ends.
- Payouts (Caps & Minimums): FTMO has a very low minimum withdrawal of $20 and allows on-demand payouts, but strictly caps the maximum amount per payout ($2,500 to $8,000 depending on plan). FFF has higher minimums ($250-$500) and specific payout windows (every 3 to 7 days).
- Platforms: Both offer NinjaTrader, Tradovate, and TradingView, but FFF adds WealthCharts to their roster.
Where they are basically the same
- Price: Evaluation fees for standard 50K accounts are competitive in both firms (around $119-$125).
- Risk Rules: Both prohibit weekend holding and enforce a 2% CME price limit rule.
- Payouts: Both offer a 90% profit split on simulated funded accounts.
- Platforms: Both rely primarily on the Tradovate/NinjaTrader ecosystem.
- Styles: Both allow news trading.
Pick this one if
FTMO Futures
- You use EAs or automated trading strategies.
- You want to withdraw small amounts frequently (min $20).
- You prefer a simple EOD drawdown that stops trailing at the starting balance.
Funded Futures Family
- You want to skip the evaluation and go "Straight To Funded".
- You need to hold positions past the daily market close (overnight).
- You are a manual trader who targets large payouts without the strict dollar caps found in FTMO.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is better for automated trading, FTMO Futures or FFF?
FTMO Futures is the only choice for automation as they explicitly allow EAs and algorithmic trading. Funded Futures Family prohibits all bots and algorithmic strategies, and further restricts fast manual trading with their 20-second minimum trade duration rule.
Does FTMO Futures or Funded Futures Family offer a cheaper path to a 50K account?
For a standard evaluation, they are nearly identical: FTMO Growth 50K costs $119, while FFF Velocity 50K is $125. However, FFF offers a "Straight To Funded" (S2F) 50K account for $469, which is more expensive but allows you to skip the evaluation phase entirely, a feature FTMO does not provide.
Who has the more restrictive withdrawal policy, FTMO Futures or FFF?
It depends on your goal. FTMO is more restrictive on the maximum amount (capping a 50K Pro account at $5,000 per payout), but has a very accessible $20 minimum. FFF has higher minimums ($250-$500) and requires a specific "buffer" to be maintained in the account, but their Professional Stage eventually allows uncapped withdrawals.
Can I hold positions overnight on FTMO Futures or Funded Futures Family?
You can only hold overnight on Funded Futures Family, provided you close before 4:15 PM EST and reopen at 6:00 PM EST. FTMO Futures strictly prohibits holding any positions or resting orders after the market close. Neither firm allows holding positions over the weekend.



















