Head to head
City Traders Imperium vs FTMO
City Traders Imperium and FTMO compared on the things that actually decide a challenge — profit split, drawdown type, the consistency rule, news and weekend trading — straight from each firm's decoded rulebook. FTMO edges ahead on FundedWiki's overall rating (8.3/10 vs 9.3/10), but the right pick depends on how you trade.
Genuinely swing-friendly — balance-based drawdown, no daily cap on the 1-Step, and a path to 100% + salary — but mind the 60-second stop-loss rule and the much higher first-payout bar.
Best for: Swing and position traders who hold through news and weekends and want a balance-based drawdown with no daily cap — and who are disciplined about always setting a stop-loss.
Start a City Traders Imperium challengeThe gold standard. Operating since 2015 with $500M+ paid out, famously lenient on news, weekend holding and EAs. The 1-Step's trailing max-loss and Best-Day rule are the only real traps.
Best for: Serious traders who want the most proven payout record and the freedom to trade news and hold over weekends.
Start a FTMO challengeSide by side
| Rule | City Traders Imperium | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| FundedWiki rating | 8.3/10 | 9.3/10 |
| Type | Forex | Forex |
| Profit split | Challenges 80% – 100%; Instant 50% – 80% | 80% – 90% |
| Max drawdown | Mixed | Mixed |
| Consistency rule | Yes | Yes |
| News trading | Allowed | Allowed |
| Weekend holding | Yes | Yes |
| Min trading days | 3 days | 4 days |
| Funding models | 1-Step, 2-Step, Instant | 1-Step, 2-Step |
| Platforms | MT5, Match-Trader, TradingView | MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade |
| Rules decoded | 11 | 11 |
Green = the trader-friendlier side on that row (higher rating/more rules decoded, no consistency rule, or freer news/weekend trading). Splits and facts are summarized from each decoded rulebook — open a firm for full per-rule detail and sources.
The verdict
FTMO edges ahead on FundedWiki's overall rating (8.3/10 vs 9.3/10), but the right pick depends on how you trade.
City Traders Imperium runs the tighter rulebook, so FTMO gives most traders more room to breathe (rule-strictness 44 vs 35 on FundedWiki's 0–100 scale).
City Traders Imperium allows news trading; FTMO allows news trading. If you trade the calendar, that difference alone can decide it.
City Traders Imperium vs FTMO — FAQ
Is City Traders Imperium or FTMO better?
FTMO edges ahead on FundedWiki's overall rating (8.3/10 vs 9.3/10), but the right pick depends on how you trade. City Traders Imperium is best for swing and position traders who hold through news and weekends and want a balance-based drawdown with no daily cap — and who are disciplined about always setting a stop-loss.; FTMO is best for serious traders who want the most proven payout record and the freedom to trade news and hold over weekends..
City Traders Imperium vs FTMO: which has the better profit split?
City Traders Imperium advertises a Challenges 80% – 100%; Instant 50% – 80% profit split; FTMO advertises 80% – 90%. Always confirm the current split on the firm's site before you buy — splits change with promos and scaling.
Which has stricter rules, City Traders Imperium or FTMO?
City Traders Imperium runs the tighter rulebook, so FTMO gives most traders more room to breathe (rule-strictness 44 vs 35 on FundedWiki's 0–100 scale).
Does City Traders Imperium or FTMO allow news trading?
City Traders Imperium allows news trading; FTMO allows news trading. If you trade the calendar, that difference alone can decide it.
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Informational and comparison content only — not financial advice, and not affiliated with City Traders Imperium or FTMO. Rules change often; verify against each firm's official terms before relying on any detail.