What Is the FTMO Scaling Plan?
The FTMO Scaling Plan allows funded traders to increase their account balance by 25% every 4 months, up to a maximum of $400,000. It is one of the most structured growth paths in the prop trading industry and rewards consistent, profitable trading.
How the FTMO Scaling Plan Works
To qualify for scaling, you must meet these requirements during a 4-month evaluation period:
- Net profit of at least 10% over the 4-month period (combined, not per month)
- Profitable for at least 2 of the 4 months (positive P&L in 2+ calendar months)
- No rule violations — no daily loss limit breaches, no max drawdown violations
Scaling Timeline: $100K to $400K
| Month | Account Balance | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | $100,000 | 10% profit, 2/4 months profitable |
| 4-8 | $125,000 | Same conditions |
| 8-12 | $156,250 | Same conditions |
| 12-16 | $195,312 | Same conditions |
| 16-20 | $244,140 | Same conditions |
| 20-24 | $305,175 | Same conditions |
| 24-28 | $381,469 | Same conditions |
| 28+ | $400,000 (cap) | Maximum allocation reached |
FTMO vs Competitor Scaling Programs
FundedNext Scaling
FundedNext scales by 40% every 4 months with a 15% profit requirement. Maximum allocation reaches $4,000,000 — significantly higher than FTMO. However, the 15% target is harder to hit.The5ers Scaling
The5ers offers a simpler model: double your account every time you hit a 10% milestone. Starting from $6K, you can scale to $4M. No time limit on reaching the target.FXIFY Scaling
FXIFY scales by 25% after 3 consecutive profitable months. The maximum allocation is $400K, matching FTMO.Tips for Maximizing the FTMO Scaling Plan
- Target 2.5% per month — this comfortably hits the 10% over 4 months while keeping drawdown risk low
- Focus on consistency — you need 2/4 profitable months, so avoid going all-in on a single month
- Track your 4-month window — FTMO evaluates on rolling 4-month periods, so plan your trading accordingly
- Reduce risk after hitting target — once you have 10%, switch to capital preservation mode
- Consider the profit split upgrade — at 90% split with a $400K account, a 5% monthly return nets you $18,000
Is the FTMO Scaling Plan Worth It?
For traders who can consistently generate 2-3% monthly returns, the FTMO Scaling Plan provides a clear path to managing substantial capital. The 25% increase every 4 months is conservative compared to FundedNext (40%) or The5ers (100%), but FTMO's reputation and reliability make it a solid choice for long-term traders.
If you prioritize faster scaling or higher maximum allocations, FundedNext or The5ers may be better alternatives. Compare all options on our prop firm comparison page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lose my scaling progress? Yes. If you violate any trading rules (daily loss, max drawdown), your account resets and you lose all scaling progress.
Does the scaling plan cost extra? No. The scaling plan is included for all FTMO funded traders at no additional cost.
What happens at the $400K cap? Your account stays at $400K with a 90% profit split. FTMO does not offer allocations above $400K.
Can I scale multiple FTMO accounts? Yes, but total combined allocation across all accounts is capped at $400K.