FTMO vs FundedNext (2026 Comparison): Which is Better?

This is the most common question I get in my inbox. "Should I go with the safe option (FTMO) or the lucrative option (FundedNext)?"

In 2026, the gap has narrowed. FTMO became more flexible, and FundedNext became more reliable.

The Tale of the Tape

Deep Dive: The Drawdown Difference

This is the dealbreaker.

FTMO (Equity Drawdown): You buy a $100k account. Max loss 10%. You are up $5,000 (Equity $105,000). Your Hard Breach is now $95,000. You cannot lose more than $10k from your PEAK.

FundedNext (Balance Drawdown): You buy a $100k account. Max loss 10%. You are up $5,000 (Equity $105,000). Your Hard Breach is calculated from your Balance ($100,000 start of day). You have significantly more room to breathe.

Execution Quality

I ran a test EA on both platforms simultaneously (same lot size, same entry time).

• FTMO: Average execution 45ms. Slippage 0.1 pips.
• FundedNext: Average execution 65ms. Slippage 0.3 pips.

Winner: FTMO has slightly better liquidity providers. If you are a high-frequency scalper, FTMO is cleaner.

Reliability

FTMO has been around since 2015. They have survived every industry crash (MetaQuotes ban, banking crisis, etc.). FundedNext started in 2022. They are solid, but FTMO is "Too Big To Fail".

Final Recommendation

Choose FTMO if:

• You trade large capital ($200k+).
• You prioritize safety over profit split.
• You are a swing trader (FTMO Swing account is perfect).

Choose FundedNext if:

• You want to get paid for your challenge performance (15% Bonus).
• You need higher leverage (1:100).
• You prefer Balance-Based Drawdown (easier to pass).