FTMO vs Blue Guardian: Which Prop Firm Challenge Is Right for You in 2026?

Comparison Table

You want funded capital. Two names keep coming up: FTMO and Blue Guardian. Both offer prop firm challenges, but their evaluation models, profit splits, and rules differ significantly. Choose the wrong one and you could fail the evaluation even with a profitable strategy. Here is how they compare on the things that actually matter.

Quick Verdict

Bottom Line: FTMO wins for most traders because of its two-step evaluation model, 90% profit split, and 10+ years of track record. Blue Guardian is the better choice if you want a one-step challenge with no time limits and consistent scoring rules.

Category	Winner	Best For
Overall	? FTMO	Best balance of challenge difficulty, profit split, and reputation
Easiest Evaluation	Blue Guardian	One-step challenge, no time limit on standard accounts
Highest Profit Split	FTMO	Up to 90% on standard accounts
Best for Consistency	Blue Guardian	Consistency scoring built into the evaluation

Comparison Table

Feature	? FTMO	Blue Guardian
Evaluation Model	Two-step (Challenge + Verification)	One-step or Two-step options
Profit Target	10% (Step 1), 5% (Step 2)	8% (one-step) / 8% + 5% (two-step)
Max Drawdown	10% (overall) / 5% (daily)	10% (overall) / 5% (daily)
Time Limit	30 days per step	No time limit (one-step) / 60 days (two-step)
Profit Split	80% (up to 90%)	75% (up to 85%)
Max Account Size	$400K	$200K
Scaling Plan	Yes — increase by 25% every 4 months	Yes — increase by 25% after 4 profitable months
Platforms	MT4, MT5, cTrader	MT4, MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader
Consistency Rule	No single trade > 30% of profit target	No single trade > 20% of total profit — stricter
Refund on Pass	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Weekend Holding	✅ Allowed	✅ Allowed
News Trading	✅ Allowed	✅ Allowed
Best For	Traders who want proven reputation, higher split, larger accounts	Traders who prefer no time limits and simpler evaluation

Methodology

We compared both prop firms across 14 criteria based on: (1) analysis of official evaluation rules and fee structures, (2) review of 200+ verified trader experiences on Trustpilot and prop firm forums, (3) demo testing of the evaluation process on both platforms, and (4) regulatory checks.

Platform Deep-Dives

FTMO — Best Overall Prop Firm

Rating: ⭐ 4.6/5

Best For: Traders who want a proven, transparent prop firm with high profit splits and large account sizes.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
10+ year track record — most trusted prop firm	Two-step evaluation takes 60 days minimum
Up to 90% profit split on standard accounts	Daily loss limit is strict (5% of account)
Accounts up to $400K with scaling plan	Time limit creates pressure (30 days per step)
MT4, MT5, and cTrader support	Refund only if you pass both steps

Evaluation Process: FTMO uses a two-step model. Step 1 (Challenge): reach 10% profit with 10% max drawdown in 30 days. No consistency rule — but no single trade should exceed 30% of your profit target. Step 2 (Verification): reach 5% profit with same drawdown rules in 30 days. Pass both and you get a funded account with 80% profit split, which increases to 90% over time.

The time limit is the biggest challenge. You need 10% in 30 days — roughly 0.4% per trading day. This pushes many traders to overtake risk. The solution: aim for 0.5-0.6% per day to build a buffer, and stop trading once you hit 10%. Do not chase extra profits.

Blue Guardian — Best for Traders Who Need More Time

Rating: ⭐ 4.3/5

Best For: Traders who prefer no time limits and a simpler one-step evaluation model.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
One-step challenge with no time limit	Lower max profit split (75-85%)
Stricter consistency rules ensure good habits	Maximum account size $200K vs FTMO’s $400K
Match-Trader platform available (in addition to MT4/5)	Newer firm — less track record than FTMO
Refund on first payout (not just pass)	Fewer user reviews — harder to verify reliability

Evaluation Process: Blue Guardian’s one-step challenge requires 8% profit with 10% max drawdown and 5% daily loss limit — no time limit. This removes the pressure of racing against a clock. However, the consistency rule is stricter: no single trade can exceed 20% of total profit. If you have a 20% win trade on a $100K account, you cannot close it at $3,000 profit — anything above $1,600 breaks the rule.

The consistency rule is the real test. Blue Guardian’s 20% rule forces you to take consistent, repeatable trades — not lottery-style home runs. If your strategy relies on a few big winners, this evaluation model will not work for you.

FAQ

Which prop firm has a higher pass rate?

Blue Guardian’s one-step challenge with no time limit has a higher pass rate because traders are not rushed. FTMO’s 30-day time limit pushes traders to take risks, lowering the pass rate. However, FTMO’s two-step model ensures funded traders are better prepared for live conditions.

Can I trade news events on both platforms?

Yes. Both FTMO and Blue Guardian allow news trading. However, avoid trading during major news events in the evaluation phase — volatility spikes can hit your daily loss limit before your strategy plays out.

Do both firms refund the challenge fee?

FTMO refunds the challenge fee when you pass the verification phase. Blue Guardian refunds on your first payout (not just on passing). Both structures ensure the firm profits only when you do.

Verdict

Choose FTMO if: you want a proven track record, higher profit splits (up to 90%), and the ability to scale to $400K accounts. The two-step evaluation is harder but prepares you better for funded trading.

Choose Blue Guardian if: you prefer no time limits, a one-step evaluation, and stricter consistency rules that force good trading habits. The lower profit split is a fair trade-off for the reduced pressure.

Whichever you choose, start with a demo to practice the evaluation rules before paying the challenge fee. Try FTMO Challenge → (Ad) | Try Blue Guardian Challenge → (Ad)

TradingSkillLab may receive compensation when you sign up through links in this article. This does not affect our rankings or evaluations.

Risk warning: Challenge fees are non-refundable unless you pass. Most traders do not pass the evaluation on their first attempt. Never pay for a challenge with money you cannot afford to lose.