Vigil/Earn2Trade vs FTMO/for Beginners
Tier 2Tier 1for Beginners

Earn2Trade vs FTMO for Beginners

FTMO is more beginner-friendly. Static drawdown is more forgiving because profits create a permanent buffer above the floor. There is no consistency rule, so you will not be penalized for having one great trading day. The 2-step evaluation is standard but requires sustained performance across two phases. Updated March 2026.

Verdict for Beginners

Recommendation: FTMO is the better choice for beginners.

FTMO is more beginner-friendly. Static drawdown is more forgiving because profits create a permanent buffer above the floor. There is no consistency rule, so you will not be penalized for having one great trading day. The 2-step evaluation is standard but requires sustained performance across two phases.

Earn2TradeFTMO
Evaluation Type1-step2-step
Drawdown TypeTrailing EOD (floor moves up at end of day)Static (floor never moves)
Consistency RuleNoneNone
Min Trading Days154
Daily Loss Limit2.2%5%
News Tradingallowedallowed
Cheapest Entry$150€155
Beginner Analysis

As a beginner, the most important factor is how forgiving the rules are. Earn2Trade uses trailing eod (floor moves up at end of day), which is harder to manage. The floor moves up with your profits, so a winning streak followed by losses can still breach you. FTMO also uses static drawdown.

Rule complexity matters when you are learning. Earn2Trade has no consistency rule, keeping things simple. FTMO has no consistency rule. Earn2Trade requires 15 minimum trading days. FTMO requires 4 minimum trading days. Fewer rules means fewer ways to accidentally fail.

Start with the smallest, cheapest account to limit the cost of learning. Earn2Trade's entry point is $150 for $25,000. FTMO starts at €155 for $10,000. Treat the first 1-2 attempts as tuition. Once you understand how the drawdown rules actually feel in practice, you can size up.

Free download

Get the full 20+ firm comparison spreadsheet.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Not sure which firm is right for you?

Answer 5 questions. Get a personalized recommendation based on your trading style, risk tolerance, and budget.

Take the Prop Firm Finder Quiz

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Earn2Trade or FTMO easier for beginners?

For beginners, FTMO is more forgiving because static drawdown gives you a fixed floor. Both have similar rule complexity.

Should beginners choose 1-step or 2-step evaluations?

A 1-step evaluation has fewer phases to pass, which means less time and fewer opportunities to fail. Earn2Trade uses 1-step, while FTMO uses 2-step. For a first-time prop trader, fewer steps means a simpler path to funding.

What is the cheapest way to start as a beginner with Earn2Trade or FTMO?

Start with the smallest account size to minimize risk. Earn2Trade's cheapest option is $25,000 for $150. FTMO's cheapest is $10,000 for €155. A smaller account means smaller losses during the learning phase.

Other Comparisons: Earn2Trade vs FTMO