| Feature | Pocket Option | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Type | Online broker specializing in binary options trading | Proprietary trading firm offering funded accounts to traders |
| Founded | 2017 | 2015 |
| Regulation | Registered in the Republic of Costa Rica; not regulated by major financial authorities | Based in the Czech Republic; not specified in the provided sources |
| Trading Instruments | Binary options on forex pairs, commodities, stocks, cryptocurrencies | Forex, commodities, indices, stocks, cryptocurrencies |
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary web-based platform; mobile apps for iOS and Android | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader |
| Demo Account | Yes; offers a $50,000 demo account for practice | Yes; offers a free trial to assess the platform |
| Minimum Deposit | Varies by region and payment method | No deposit required; traders pay a fee for the evaluation process |
| Payouts | Up to 98% on successful trades | Traders keep up to 90% of profits after passing the evaluation |
| Leverage | Information not specified in the provided sources | Up to 1:100 |
| Account Types | Standard account; no specific tiers mentioned | Evaluation accounts leading to funded accounts upon successful completion |
| Trading Fees | No commissions; profit comes from the difference between payouts and losses | No commissions; traders are responsible for spreads and swaps |
| Educational Resources | Offers tutorials, webinars, and a knowledge base | Provides educational articles, videos, and webinars |
| Customer Support | 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone | Support available via email and phone during business hours |
| Mobile Trading | Fully mobile-compatible with dedicated apps | Supports mobile trading through MT4, MT5, and cTrader apps |
| Additional Features | Social trading, tournaments, achievements, and bonuses | Performance coach, account analysis, and psychological support |
| User Reviews | Mixed reviews; some users report satisfaction, while others raise concerns about platform practices | Generally positive reviews; traders appreciate the funding opportunities and support |
| Geographical Restrictions | Does not provide services to residents of the EEA countries, USA, Israel, UK, and Japan | Accepts traders from most countries; specific restrictions not detailed in the provided sources |
| Order Execution Speed | Instant trade execution with no delays | Fast execution with low latency, depends on broker used |
| Spread & Slippage | Fixed or variable spreads, depends on market conditions | Raw spreads available, slippage may occur in volatile markets |
| Risk Management Tools | Stop-loss, take-profit, rollover, early close | Strict risk management rules, daily and overall loss limits |
| Trading Style Allowed | Scalping, day trading, long-term trading | Scalping, day trading, swing trading, algo trading allowed |
| Automated Trading | Limited, supports some bots via API | Fully supports EAs (Expert Advisors) on MT4, MT5, and cTrader |
| Profit Withdrawal | Instant withdrawals depending on the method | Payouts are processed bi-weekly for funded traders |
| Account Inactivity Policy | No inactivity fees, accounts remain open | Funded accounts must remain active, or they may be revoked |
| Risk of Losing Capital | Only initial deposit is at risk | No personal capital at risk, only evaluation fee is non-refundable |
| Profit Split | Pocket Option profits are individual, traders keep full winnings | Up to 90% of profits go to the trader, FTMO retains a percentage |
| Challenge Fees (If Any) | No challenge or funding evaluation required | Traders must pay for an evaluation before getting funded |
| Deposit & Withdrawal Methods | Crypto, credit/debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers | Bank transfers, crypto, online payment processors |
| Trading Psychology Support | No dedicated psychological support | FTMO offers mental coaching and trading psychology resources |
| Affiliate Program | Offers commissions and bonuses for referrals | No direct affiliate program but has a partner program |
| Customization Options | Limited charting and analysis tools | Advanced customization with MT4, MT5, and cTrader |
| Community & Networking | Social trading, chat features, trading contests | Active trader community, webinars, and exclusive trader meetups |
| Market Access | Offers trading in binary options only | Full access to forex, stocks, commodities, indices, and crypto |
| Risk Level | High-risk due to the nature of binary options | Moderate risk, but strict risk management rules apply |
| Hedging | Possible, but effectiveness depends on the trade structure | Allowed, but must adhere to FTMO’s risk guidelines |
| Slippage Protection | No advanced protection features | Institutional-grade liquidity, slippage protection available |
| News Trading | Possible, but increased risk due to market volatility | Allowed, but traders must manage risk carefully |
| Timeframe Flexibility | Short-term trades ranging from seconds to minutes | No fixed timeframes; traders choose their strategies |
| Trade Volume Limits | No specific volume limits | Scaling plan allows traders to increase capital over time |
| Trade Verification | No strict verification; trades execute instantly | Trades are monitored, and violations can lead to account termination |
| Economic Calendar Integration | Basic event alerts | Full economic calendar and news integration |
| Stop-Out Level | Traders lose the staked amount if a trade fails | If maximum drawdown is exceeded, account access is revoked |
| Scalability & Growth Potential | Personal trading only, no scaling program | Traders can scale up to $400,000+ in funding |
| Drawdown Rules | No specific rules, but losses can deplete account quickly | 5% daily and 10% overall drawdown limits enforced |
| Reinvestment of Profits | Traders can reinvest their earnings | Traders can request higher capital after proving consistency |
| Broker Dependence | Proprietary platform with in-house execution | Traders use external brokers like Eightcap, Purple Trading |
| Customer Loyalty Programs | Offers cashback, bonuses, and achievements | No loyalty rewards, but performance-based scaling is available |
| Leaderboard & Competitions | Hosts trading contests and competitions | No competitions; traders focus on consistency and risk control |
| Account Ownership | Fully owned by the trader | Funded accounts remain the property of FTMO |
| Trading on Multiple Accounts | Not allowed under normal conditions | Limited to one funded account per trader |
| Regulatory Oversight | Operates without major financial regulation | Not a broker, but follows strict internal compliance rules |
| Third-Party Tools & Add-ons | Limited to platform features | Traders can integrate custom indicators and trading scripts |
| Withdrawal Conditions | No restrictions, instant withdrawals possible | Profit split payouts occur bi-weekly on funded accounts |
| Payout Methods | Wide range including crypto and e-wallets | Bank transfers and digital payment methods available |
| Profit Potential | High, but winnings are limited to binary trade structure | Virtually unlimited, depending on trader performance |
Pocket Option is a high-risk binary options broker with instant execution, while FTMO offers a structured funding model for forex and CFD traders with strict risk management rules. Pocket Option allows fast withdrawals but lacks regulation, whereas FTMO provides long-term growth potential through funded accounts.