Halcyon Trader Funding vs FTMO 2026: Which Prop Firm is Better?
In the competitive world of prop trading firms, choosing the right platform can make or break your trading career. In this comprehensive comparison, we'll pit Halcyon Trader Funding against FTMO—two popular choices for futures traders—to help you decide which one deserves your time and money.
Overview: Halcyon vs FTMO
| Feature | Halcyon Trader Funding | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2025 (Michigan, USA) | 2015 (Czech Republic) |
| Asset Class | Futures Only | Forex & Futures |
| Max Funded Account | $150,000 | $200,000 |
| Profit Split | Up to 100% (Ultra) | 90% |
| Evaluation Type | 1-Step | 2-Step (Max |
| Drawdown Type | Trailing / EOD | Static |
Profit Split & Payouts
Halcyon takes the crown with its Ultra accounts offering 100% profit split—meaning you keep every penny you earn. Standard Evaluation and Funded Direct accounts still offer an impressive 90% split.
FTMO offers a consistent 90% profit split across all account types, which is still competitive in the industry but doesn't match Halcyon's 100% offering.
Winner:
🏆 Halcyon — 100% split on Ultra accounts is unprecedented in the industry.
Pricing & Value
| Account Size | Halcyon Price | FTMO Price |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $113 (Eval) | ~$179/mo (Ultra) | ~$155 |
| $50,000 | $177 (Eval) | ~$299/mo (Ultra) | ~$255 |
| $100,000 | N/A | ~$405 |
| $150,000 | $233 (Eval) | ~$499/mo (Ultra) | ~$555 |
Halcyon's one-time evaluation fees are significantly cheaper than FTMO, making it more accessible for new traders. However, FTMO has higher max account limits ($200K vs $150K).
Winner:
🏆 Halcyon — Better value for money, especially for Evaluation accounts.
Drawdown Rules
Halcyon Drawdown
- Evaluation: Trailing Intraday Drawdown (no daily loss limit)
- Ultra: End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing Drawdown
- Once trailing loss reaches starting balance, it locks as permanent floor
- More flexibility = fewer "accidental" account breaches
FTMO Drawdown
- Max Account: 2-Step evaluation with Static drawdown
- Daily loss limit applies during evaluation
- Static max drawdown doesn't adjust with account growth
- More conservative risk management
Winner:
🏆 Halcyon — Trailing drawdown adapts to your growth, better for aggressive traders.
Platform Support
| Platform | Halcyon | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| Rithmic | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Tradovate | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| NinjaTrader | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Quantower | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| TradingView | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| MT5 | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (Forex) |
FTMO offers broader platform support, especially for Forex traders who need MT5. Halcyon focuses exclusively on futures with modern platforms like Quantower and TradingView.
Winner:
🤝 Tie — Depends on your preferred platform. Choose FTMO for MT5/NinjaTrader, Halcyon for Quantower/TradingView.
Trading Rules Comparison
Halcyon Rules
- ✅ News trading allowed
- ✅ DCA (Dollar-Cost Averaging) permitted
- ✅ No time limits on evaluation
- ❌ No overnight/weekend holds (day trading only)
- ❌ Max 250 contracts per day
FTMO Rules
- ✅ News trading allowed
- ✅ Semi-auto trading allowed
- ✅ Expert Advisors permitted
- ❌ No grid/martingale strategies
- ❌ Max 4 lots per trade (varies)
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Halcyon Trader Funding if:
- You want the highest profit split (up to 100%)
- You prefer futures-only trading
- You want lower upfront costs
- You prefer trailing drawdown over static
- You use Quantower, TradingView, or Rithmic
- You want a newer, more modern prop firm
Choose FTMO if:
- You want to trade Forex alongside futures
- You prefer established firms with longer track record
- You need MT5 or NinjaTrader platform support
- You want higher max account sizes ($200K)
- You use Expert Advisors or algorithmic trading
Final Verdict
Both Halcyon and FTMO are excellent choices for aspiring funded traders. Halcyon wins on value and profit split, while FTMO wins on platform variety and track record.
For traders focused specifically on U.S. futures with modern platforms, Halcyon offers exceptional value. For those wanting multi-asset flexibility, FTMO remains the industry standard.
Ready to Choose?
Use PROPBEST code for 65% OFF at Halcyon
Start with Halcyon (65% OFF)Start with FTMO
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