Funded Trading Plus Review: CTI vs. FTP | City Traders Imperium

Introduction

With dozens of prop firms competing for attention, choosing the right one to get funded can be overwhelming. Funded Trading Plus (FTP) is one of the most popular options among aspiring prop traders.

Although established only in 2021, it has grown fast, quickly becoming the go-to platform for many traders. But how does it stack up against a more established player, such as City Traders Imperium (CTI)?

In this review, we break down their funding models, drawdown rules, payouts, and trader experience, so you can decide which prop firm gives you the best shot at long-term trading success.

Key Findings

• Funded Trading Plus (FTP) offers multiple funding programs: one-phase, two-phase, and instant funding.
• City Traders Imperium (CTI) also offers multiple funding programs, including instant funding, a two-step challenge, and a one-step challenge.
• CTI uses a fixed absolute drawdown in Instant Funding, which simplifies trading and facilitates the request for payouts. FTP uses a Trailing Drawdown that moves higher as your balance increases.
• CTI permits weekend holding; FTP enforces auto-close by Friday 21:30 GMT. 
• Both firms allow scaling to 100% profit split, but CTI offers it with lower thresholds and without withholding the profit made from each level.
• When it comes to withdrawals with FTP, withdrawing any amount from the account is counted towards the Max Trailing Drawdown. Meanwhile, on the CTI account, it doesn’t.

CTI Challenge vs FTP Advanced Trader Program

Account Types & Core Rules

Both FTP and CTI offer one-phase, two-phase, and instant access programs, but their rules differ significantly, especially in drawdown type, payout structure, and refund conditions.

Here’s a closer look.

Experienced (1-Phase): FTP vs. CTI 1-Step Challenge

For traders who prefer simplicity and faster funding, these one-step programs allow you to prove yourself quickly (or even skip evaluation entirely).

CTI’s version stands out for offering:

• Payouts can be withdrawn without decreasing the drawdown buffer available.
• Weekend trading flexibility.
• A more forgiving risk structure (no trailing loss after withdrawal).

FTP’s program is faster on payouts, starting from Day 1, but demands tighter risk control.

2-Phase Evaluations: FTP Premium / Advanced / Prestige vs. CTI Challenge

These programs test consistency across two evaluation phases, targeting structured, rule-compliant traders:

The key difference? CTI’s Challenge stands out for its consistent use of fixed drawdown, earlier refund, and permission to hold trades over the weekend, all of which are more forgiving for skilled but active traders.

No Evaluation: FTP Master vs. CTI Instant Funding

If you’re confident in your skills and want to trade live capital immediately, these instant-access accounts require no evaluation; just a one-time fee.

FTP’s Master Program gives you immediate access with a trailing drawdown, but restricts weekend trading.

CTI’s Instant Funding starts you on a real account with no targets and a fixed drawdown, allowing more freedom in how you manage risk and strategy.

CTI vs. FTP: Side-by-Side

While both Funded Trading Plus and City Traders Imperium offer a variety of programs to suit different trading styles, they differ sharply in how they handle risk, payouts, scaling, and trader flexibility.

#1 Pricing Tiers

One of CTI’s strongest advantages is affordability. 

With account sizes starting at $5K and $10K, new traders can enter at a lower cost while still building toward scaled funding. FTP, by contrast, starts at $25K, which raises the cost of entry for traders still testing strategies or managing risk.

#2 Drawdown Model

CTI uses a static drawdown, typically 10%, that never moves. Whether your balance grows or you withdraw, your buffer stays constant. This makes risk management and withdrawal planning much easier.

FTP, however, uses a trailing drawdown, where the stop-out level rises as your equity grows, and shrinks each time you withdraw. This creates pressure to leave profits in the account and can lead to premature disqualification if not carefully managed.

For traders who value predictability and flexibility, CTI’s fixed drawdown is a clear win.

#3 Withdrawals & Salary

FTP is fast, offering same-day payouts from Day 1 of being funded, which is hard to beat on pure liquidity access.

CTI, while not as instant, offers weekly or monthly payouts, with the added benefit of a monthly salary (up to $500/account) for traders who meet consistent profit and risk criteria.

That salary can add income stability, reduce performance anxiety, and reward long-term consistency — something no other major firm offers today.

#4 Scaling Potential

FTP offers a higher ceiling — up to $5.25M via its Premium track. That’s impressive, but it requires sustained performance under trailing drawdown constraints.

CTI scales traders to $4M, with simpler rules: only a 10% profit is needed to begin scaling, and there are no complex restrictions during payouts. While the total funding is slightly lower, the path is arguably smoother and more realistic for most traders.

#5 Weekend & Overnight Holding

CTI allows traders to hold positions over the weekend and overnight across all account types. That’s especially important for swing traders and anyone trading during low-liquidity Friday sessions or major weekend gaps.

FTP auto-closes all trades Friday at 21:30 GMT, which limits strategy flexibility and can disrupt setups that cross the weekend.

If your strategy requires holding positions longer than a day or two — or adapting to macro news — CTI gives you the breathing room to operate on your terms.

Trader Experience & Trust

Beyond funding mechanics and payout structures, the real difference between prop firms often comes down to how they support their traders. 

From awards to community engagement and education, CTI and FTP take different approaches to building trust and loyalty.

CTI: Community, Support, and Long-Term Growth

City Traders Imperium brings a more mentorship-driven experience. While CTI may not be the fastest to pay or the flashiest in marketing, it earns high marks where it counts: consistent Trustpilot ratings, personal support, and trader retention.

Funded traders get access to 24/7 community support via Discord, where analysts, coaches, and peers actively help one another improve. 

For those seeking education, the CTI Academy offers structured learning content on strategy, psychology, and discipline — elements that go far beyond just “passing a challenge.”

This ecosystem is designed not just to fund traders, but to keep them funded — a key difference in long-term trading success.

Pros & Cons Summarized

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Expert Advisors (EAs) and trade news events?

Yes, both firms allow the use of EAs and trading around news events, subject to certain conditions.

CTI permits EAs as long as you can prove ownership and use them responsibly on the 2-Step Challenge and Instant Funding, but it’s allowed without owning the EA on the 1-Step Challenge.

FTP also supports EAs, weekend trading (on some accounts), and news trading, but restricts strategies like grid systems, latency arbitrage, or trade copying to ensure fair use and compliance with their risk standards.

High-frequency arbitrage or exploitative practices are not allowed in either firm.

Can I hold trades over the weekend?

CTI allows overnight and weekend holding across all its funding programs, which gives swing traders more flexibility. In contrast, FTP enforces an auto-close policy on Fridays at 21:30 GMT for most accounts, including its Master and Challenge programs. This restriction limits the ability to carry trades through the weekend and may require strategy adjustments for multi-day traders.

Can I manage multiple funded accounts?

CTI supports multiple funded accounts, and traders can operate several accounts as long as they manage risk properly and maintain transparency. FTP’s policy is less explicitly defined, but operating multiple accounts may require approval or be subject to risk department review. It’s advisable to check with support if you plan to scale across multiple accounts simultaneously.

Are there any country restrictions?

Yes. FTP restricts access from OFAC-sanctioned countries, including the United States, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Their MT5 platform is disabled in the U.S. 

CTI, on the other hand, accepts traders from over 60 countries and supports U.S.-based clients; however, due to AML constraints, it excludes Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria.

What trading platforms do they support?

CTI and FTP operate MetaTrader 5 (MT5) as the main platform, widely-used platform offering robust charting, algorithmic trading support, and access to forex, indices, and crypto markets.

While CTI also offers Match-Trader as an additional platform, FTP offers Match-Trader, C-Trader, and DX-Trader.

Final Verdict

Both Funded Trading Plus and City Traders Imperium offer legitimate and flexible funding opportunities for aspiring traders, but they cater to different needs.

However, if you prioritise trader-friendly risk management, long-term consistency, and structured support, CTI stands out. With a fixed drawdown model, weekend trading, educational resources, and even a monthly salary, CTI is designed to help traders stay funded, not just get funded.

Are you ready to start your prop trading journey? Join City Traders Imperium, take our challenge (or not), and kickstart your trading career!

Capital is at risk. Trade responsibly.