FTMO Alternative: City Traders Imperium (CTI) Vs FTMO

CTI: a Better FTMO Alternative

The best FTMO alternative is a prop firm that offers better trading conditions but also at more competitive prices. City Traders Imperium (CTI) and FTMO are among the biggest names in forex proprietary trading companies. Undoubtedly, many want to become prop traders and have looked at these two firms: but how do their funding programs compare?

From the outside, prop firms may seem alike in their offerings. Yet, you will observe some noticeable differences once you get into the nitty-gritty. It is no different when we compare CTI vs FTMO.

It’s worth noting that FTMO only has one funding type, the FTMO Challenge. On the other hand, CTI has three! So, right off the bat, we have more options to accommodate all traders rather than forcing traders to be boxed into being assessed under one trading style or trading conditions.

So, our offerings stand out from the competition due to the diverse range of programs we provide, ensuring a more comprehensive and tailored experience for our traders.

In the following sections of this article, this article will compare CTI’s Challenge to FTMO’s Challenge, highlighting the distinctive features that make CTI an attractive FTMO alternative.

CTI Challenge vs FTMO Challenge

1. Prices

Every funding program comes with a participation cost. Fortunately, making a like-for-like comparison between CTI and FTMO is straightforward. Both companies offer similar account balances, allowing for a direct evaluation of their respective programs and features.

It’s worth noting that FTMO has a more expensive option called ‘Aggressive’ on its challenge account. This mode offers a higher maximum drawdown (20% instead of 10%). We have noted the prices of this account next to those of the ordinary FTMO Challenge.

From these findings, you can tell that CTI is cheaper by:

40% on the $10K account ($66 savings).
41% on the $25k account ($111 savings).
12.46% on the $50K account ($41 savings).
12.24% on the $100K account ($71 savings).

Put simply, CTI is so much better for your pocket while receiving very competitive trading conditions (which we’ll get into now). For just $59, you can begin your challenge and join CTI in an exciting journey toward a successful trading career.

2. Salary

One of the unique features that CTI has over not only FTMO but also all the other prop firms is the Monthly Salary Bonus. Aside from The 5ers, who launched it a few months after us, we are the only forex prop firm with this incentive. Check out our comparison for CTI vs The5ers to see why our funding programs are superior to the5ers.

On the CTI Challenge, traders can earn from $100 to $1,000 monthly for life based on the chosen account, considering they maintain realistic performance metrics. In short, once traders qualify for weekly withdrawals and maintain a monthly 3% average return, they should be good to receive a monthly salary.

This initiative by CTI aims to assist funded traders in maintaining focus and achieving peak performance in their trading rather than hastily executing trades solely for monetary gain. We prioritize the development of sound trading strategies and long-term success for our traders.

3. Time Limits

CTI likes to keep it simple by applying a 45-day limit in phases 1 and 2 without T&Cs. These extra 15 trading days without conditions allow the traders a more reasonable timeframe to achieve their profit target. On the other hand, FTMO’s Challenge time limit in the first phase is a tiny 30 days, with a 14 calendar days extension if:

You haven’t gone beyond the loss limits.
You have traded for at least ten days.
You have more than 5% profit (10% for Aggressive) from 3 days before the period ends.

This structure may be too complex for some traders, and most importantly, it does not benefit all traders. Thirty days is a short time for a trading challenge to achieve a 10% profit target. This means that you are more likely to fail with FTMO if you haven’t met the targets to get the extension.

Also, we should highlight that the trading period on FTMO’s phase or step 2 is 15 days higher (60) than CTI. However, we have a more consistent time limit without adhering to special conditions.

CTI believes offering 60 days to achieve a 5% profit target doesn’t necessarily provide added value. The essential aspect here is that traders are given a fair opportunity in phase 1 without the pressure to rush into profits or achieve a 10% return within a tight timeframe.

So, If you’re seeking a prop firm that offers a more flexible time limit in phase 1 without any restrictive conditions, then CTI is the ideal choice for you.

4. Minimum Active Trading Days

CTI and FTMO’s challenges are two-phase. Yet, the number of trading days is different. With CTI, you have only five active trading days on phases 1 and 2. Meanwhile, with FTMO, you have ten active trading days on phases 1 and 2. So, if you want to reach the live-funded phase quicker than FTMO, then CTI is the way to go.

5. Withdrawal Frequency

After passing FTMO’s challenge, traders can only withdraw their profits monthly. The firm does have a ‘payout-on-demand’ option, but that applies after 14-60 calendar days from the first position placed.

There are other terms and conditions to this. Meanwhile, CTI’s withdrawal model is straightforward. The coolest thing is that you can receive profits every Friday once you’ve made at least four bi-weekly withdrawals and maintained a consistent trading style (no gambling).

Your first withdrawal happens after ten active trading days or hitting the 10% profit mark (whichever comes first). Once meeting these targets, you can get your money bi-weekly on the 10th and 25th of each calendar month.

6. Profit Share

Here, we will look at the scaling plan and everything else to increase a trader’s earnings over time.

FTMO’s maximum profit split is 90/10. Meanwhile, when you are at the CTI Funded Phase 3, CTI’s profit share starts at 80/10 on Tier 1 and goes to 100% on Tier 2. Check our Scaling Plans for more info on how to get a 100% profit share.

You can receive the 100% profit share once you scale up your live-funded account thrice.

7. Account Growth Percentage

Another advantage that CTI has over FTMO is how much we scale your funded account balance. FTMO increases your balance by 25%. On the other hand, CTI scales your account by 30% of the original account balance. So, overall, CTI is a better FTMO alternative as it offers a higher profit share and scaling.

8. Max Drawdown and Profit Target Structure

The Max Drawdown limit for the standard version of the FTMO Challenge is 10%, while the profit target is 10% in the first step and 5% in the second phase. While the Aggressive package allows traders to risk more, the cost is too high for the average trader, and the profit target will also double.

On the other hand, CTI keeps things simple with a 10% drawdown overall, a 10% profit target in phase 1, and a 5% profit target in phase 2. However, with the lower price, you get more value when considering all the options available.

Summary

Let’s summarise the findings of how CTI’s Challenge objectively beats the FTMO Challenge.

CTI prices are up to 40% cheaper than FTMO.
Monthly Salary bonus.
Longer time limits to pass phase 1 – 45 days instead of 30.
Fewer active trading days on both phases – 5 days instead of 10.
Higher profit share potential.
Higher scaling plans.
More frequency withdrawals timing – weekly withdrawals

But the benefits don’t end here!

Other funding programs that CTI offers

Earlier, we mentioned that CTI has three funding programs. We’ve already covered one, but let’s look at other funding programs and their benefits.

Instant Funding

Our Instant Funding Program is for all traders with medium-risk profiles seeking more flexible rules than the CTI Challenge. The CTI’s Instant Funding Program is mainly considered a funding program with no rules.

Yes! No rules! The only exception is you should not lose more than 5% of the initial account balance.

This funding program does not have a daily or trailing drawdown.

No Daily Drawdown or Trailing Drawdown.
Time Limit: Unlimited.
Minimum Trading Days = None.
The Profit Target = 9%
Max Drawdown = 5% from the initial balance.

After passing, expect a balance to be boosted 5x the initial Funded Account Balance and earn up to 100% profit share as you move up the Portfolio Manager (PM) levels.

Direct Funding Account

This is another differentiator between us and other prop firms. FTMO doesn’t offer a no-evaluation plan, but we do! Our direct funding program allows you to go straight to the PM stage without assessment, and you can get withdrawals as soon as ten active trading days after placing your first trade. It’s designed for confident traders who want to save time and hassle.

Plans begin at a once-off fee of $299 with also no rules. You’re good to go if you remain below a 5% drawdown limit from the initial balance.

The direct funding packages have the same scaling plans as the Instant Funding. And we double your account every time you hit a 10% profit target. You start with a profit share of 70%, which reaches up to 100% profit share at the final PM level.

Final Verdict

FTMO is undoubtedly one of the oldest prop firm industry names and packs a punch. Yet, to this day, they are only suitable for confident short-term traders as they show little consideration for slower trading styles. The only thing that may attract someone to FTMO is the larger funded accounts. But, even then, these are pricey options that only the elite can afford. All their packages are generally above the average value of other firms.

Meanwhile, CTI has cost-effectiveness in its favour and a range of accounts to suit many different needs.

We serve day traders and scalpers with the challenge account; we cater to swing traders and position traders with our Instant Funding accounts. We also have funding for those who want to start as a PM immediately.

Finally, the requirements for reaching the PM stage are pretty reasonable, a far cry from FTMO.

Look at our growing number of success stories that prove we are simply the best.

So why wait? Join City Traders Imperium today and skyrocket your trading career!

FTMO Alternative: City Traders Imperium (CTI) vs FTMO

CTI: a Better FTMO Alternative