| Feature | eToro | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Type | Social Trading and Multi-Asset Brokerage | Proprietary Trading Prop Firm |
| Primary Focus | Long-term investments, social/copy trading | Funded trading accounts for traders |
| Asset Classes | Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Commodities | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto (via CFDs) |
| Instruments Offered | Real stocks and CFDs (Contracts for Difference) | CFD trading through funded accounts |
| Leverage | Up to 30:1 (retail), up to 400:1 (professional) | Fixed leverage, 1:100 on most assets |
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary eToro Platform (Web & Mobile), CopyTrader | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader (via third-party) |
| Copy Trading | Yes, traders can copy portfolios or other traders’ positions | No copy trading allowed |
| Account Types | Retail, Professional (requires qualifications) | Challenge phase, Verification phase, Funded account phase |
| Account Currency | USD | Various (depends on broker, generally USD, EUR, GBP, etc.) |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 (for some regions), varies by account type | None, but traders must pay a fee for the evaluation challenge |
| Fees | Spreads, withdrawal fees, overnight fees | No ongoing fees after challenge, one-time challenge fee |
| Commission Structure | Commission-free stocks for some regions, spread-based for CFDs | None after funding, traders keep up to 90% of profits |
| Profit Split | Not applicable (self-funded account) | Up to 90% profit for traders (depends on account type) |
| Risk Management Rules | No mandatory rules, flexible stop-loss settings | Strict rules: daily drawdown, overall loss limits |
| Trading Hours | Depends on asset class (24/5 for Forex, market hours for stocks) | 24/5 (follows market hours) |
| Regulation | Regulated by multiple authorities (e.g., FCA, CySEC, ASIC, etc.) | Not regulated as it operates as a proprietary trading firm |
| Demo Accounts | Yes, unlimited virtual demo account | Yes, for the evaluation process (treated as real) |
| Education and Resources | eToro Academy, webinars, guides, market news | Trader education via FTMO Academy, webinars, trading psychology resources |
| User Base | Millions of retail investors globally | Focused on professional and aspiring traders |
| Risk of Loss | Traders risk their own capital | FTMO covers losses beyond the initial drawdown rules |
| Funding Opportunity | None | Funded accounts up to $400,000 (scalable with performance) |
| Withdrawal Process | Direct withdrawals to bank or payment methods | Monthly or bi-weekly profit payouts via preferred methods |
| Geographic Restrictions | Available in most countries, restricted in some (e.g., US for CFDs) | Available globally but certain restrictions in specific regions |
| Support | 24/5 live chat, phone, email, Help Center | 24/5 email and live chat support, trading mentors available |
| Additional Features | CopyPortfolios (thematic portfolios), social sentiment indicators | Performance coaching, trade analytics, scaling plan |
| Trading Style Supported | Long-term investing, swing trading, copy trading | Day trading, swing trading, scalping |
| Automated Trading | Not directly supported (no MT4/MT5-style Expert Advisors), but allows portfolio automation through Smart Portfolios | Fully supported via MT4/MT5 Expert Advisors (EAs) |
| Position Holding Time | Unlimited for real stock positions, rollover fees apply for CFD positions | No restrictions, but long-term holding may face swap fees |
| Risk Tools Available | Stop-loss, Take-profit, Trailing stop, CopyTrader risk score | Mandatory daily drawdown and max loss limits, scaling plan for risk increase |
| Market Analysis Tools | Integrated economic calendar, sentiment data, analyst ratings | Account analytics dashboard with performance metrics, in-depth drawdown analysis |
| Spread Type | Fixed spreads for some assets, variable for others | Fixed spread model via liquidity providers |
| Slippage | Possible during high volatility events | Low slippage due to professional liquidity connections |
| Trading Restrictions | No short-selling for real stocks, CFDs allow long/short positions | No restrictions on long or short positions |
| News Integration | In-platform news feed with market updates, partner news from Bloomberg | No direct news feed but encourages traders to stay informed independently |
| Mobile Experience | eToro mobile app with full trading and social features | MT4/MT5 mobile app support for trading on the go |
| Order Types | Market, Limit, Stop, Trailing Stop, One-Cancels-the-Other (OCO) | Market, Limit, Stop, Trailing Stop |
| Scalping | Not ideal due to wider spreads on some CFDs | Fully supported, even for high-frequency scalping |
| Hedging | Not supported (single-direction positions only) | Fully supported (multiple positions allowed in opposite directions) |
| Third-Party Integrations | No direct external API for algo trading (proprietary platform) | Compatible with MT4/MT5 APIs and trading bots |
| Withdrawals Processing Time | 1-5 business days depending on method | Typically processed within 1-2 business days |
| Deposit Methods | Bank transfer, credit/debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller | No deposit needed after challenge fee payment |
| Payout Frequency | Profits withdrawn anytime (subject to minimum withdrawal amounts) | Monthly or bi-weekly profit payouts depending on user preference |
| Trader Performance Monitoring | Basic via portfolio performance graph | Advanced metrics: profit factor, win rate, drawdown, average RR |
| Scaling Options | No scaling options for account sizes | Yes, account size increases by 25% every 4 months if performance targets are met |
| Leaderboard/Community | Public trader rankings and leaderboards via CopyTrader | No public rankings, private performance comparison |
| User Interaction | Ability to comment, like, and follow other traders' activities | No social features; private trading platform only |
| Challenge Phases | Not applicable | Two phases: Evaluation (Challenge) and Verification |
| Trading Restrictions During News Events | None | None, but caution is advised during high-impact news |
| Requalification Requirements | None once an account is funded | Must follow risk management rules continuously to keep funding |
| Withdrawal Fees | $5 per withdrawal, currency conversion fees may apply | No withdrawal fees from FTMO's side |
| Market Access Restrictions | CFDs may be restricted in some jurisdictions (e.g., USA) | Available globally, but subject to restrictions in some countries (e.g., US citizens) |
| Inactivity Fees | $10/month after 12 months of inactivity | No inactivity fees for funded traders |
| Account Suspension Risk | Accounts may be suspended due to inactivity or regulatory breaches | Accounts may be terminated if risk rules are breached |
| Broker Affiliation | Acts as its own broker | Partnered with regulated brokers for funded trading |
| Micro Lot Trading | Supported via CFDs (e.g., 0.01 lot size on Forex CFDs) | Fully supported for Forex and CFDs |
| Portfolio Diversification | Real stocks, ETFs, crypto, and themed Smart Portfolios | Focus on CFD trading only, no direct multi-asset diversification |
| Currency Conversion Fees | Yes, non-USD deposits are subject to conversion fees | No conversion fees after account funding |
| Maximum Position Size | Depends on asset class and margin availability | Set by FTMO account type and leverage rules |
| Guaranteed Stop-Loss | No (standard stop-loss only) | No, uses standard MT4/MT5 stop-loss orders |
| Trailing Stop Customization | Yes, via manual adjustment | Yes, available via MT4/MT5 trading tools |
| Spread Comparisons | Variable spreads, higher for crypto and some exotic assets | Fixed spreads (more consistent), low for major pairs |
| Commission on Forex | No direct commissions, spreads included | No commissions for funded accounts, spreads apply |
| Overnight Fees (Swaps) | Yes, swaps apply for positions held overnight (CFDs) | Yes, swap fees apply for overnight positions |
| Leverage for Cryptocurrencies | Typically 2:1 to 5:1 depending on regulations | 1:100 leverage (via CFD-based funding accounts) |
| Leverage for Equities | 5:1 for retail clients (varies by region) | No direct equity trading, CFDs only |
| Live Trading Support | No direct trader coaching | Access to performance coach for advice |
| Psychology Tools | None | Dedicated trader psychology articles and videos |
| Scaling Potential | Cannot increase funds directly, user must deposit more capital | Up to $2M through scaling plan for successful traders |
| Time to Get Started | Immediate after deposit | 2-phase process: Challenge and Verification (can take weeks) |
| Refund Policy | No refunds for withdrawal fees or poor performance | Full refund of challenge fee upon successful verification |
| Reputation | Well-known among beginner and intermediate retail investors | Highly regarded by the prop trading community for strict but fair funding |
| Affiliate Program | Yes, referral bonuses for referring new users | Yes, affiliate program for bringing new traders to the platform |
| Partnership Opportunities | Partnerships with financial institutions for asset offerings | No external partnerships, focuses solely on prop traders |
| Leaderboard Rewards | No monetary rewards for top-ranked traders | No public leaderboard rewards, but high performers can request increased funding |
| Slippage During High-Volatility Events | Slippage can occur, particularly during earnings announcements or crypto rallies | Reduced slippage due to direct liquidity provider access |
| Withdrawal Currency Options | Primarily USD, may require conversion fees for other currencies | Withdrawals generally in USD, but can vary depending on payout service |
| Negative Balance Protection | Yes, account balance cannot go below zero | No need for negative balance protection as losses are capped |
| Trading Competitions | No competitions | Periodic trading competitions for traders |
| Custom Indicators and Scripts | Not available (closed platform) | Fully available via MT4/MT5 scripting and custom indicators |
| Account Verification Process | Requires ID, proof of residence (standard KYC process) | Requires verification of ID for payout, challenge is account-only initially |
| News Trading | Allowed, but with higher spreads | Allowed, but traders must avoid triggering max drawdown due to volatility |
| Loss Recovery Options | No support for loss recovery, users bear full market risk | FTMO bears losses beyond the defined risk limits |
| Initial Capital Provided | None (self-funded) | Up to $400,000 (via evaluation phase and scaling plan) |
eToro excels in social trading, long-term investing, and diverse assets, while FTMO offers capital to disciplined traders through its evaluation program with strict risk management rules. eToro is beginner-friendly, while FTMO caters to experienced, performance-driven traders.