The Good and Bad about FTMO
Upon successfully completing the evaluation phase, traders are offered a funded position with OPTIMAL TRADER, where they can manage a live trading account and earn real profits. The firm provides multiple evaluation models — including 1-Step ALGO, 1-Step Standard, and 2-Step Evaluation — designed to suit different trading styles and objectives. With flexible rules, fair profit splits, and transparent payout structures, OPTIMAL TRADER empowers traders to perform confidently and achieve financial growth while maintaining complete freedom over their trading strategies.
Pros
- Multiple evaluation models available – 1-Step ALGO, 1-Step Standard, 2-Step, and 3-Step
- Profit share up to 90% for funded traders
- Unlimited trading period – no time limits on reaching targets
- Weekend holding allowed with risk awareness
- News trading enabled with add-ons
- Faster payouts available through reduced intervals (14 or 7 days)
- Flexible account sizes – from $5,000 to $200,000
- Advanced trader dashboard with real-time performance metrics
- Portfolio management tools for multiple accounts
- No mandatory stop loss – freedom to manage trades your way
- Leverage up to 1:33
- EA trading available (on specific account types)
- Global community of 15,000+ traders
Cons
- EA trading not allowed on standard accounts
- HFT and grid trading are restricted on most programs
- News trading requires an add-on for newer accounts
- Aggressive “all-in” or gambling styles are prohibited
- Accounts become inactive after 90 days without trading activity
Optimal Trader is a prop firm designed for traders who value transparency, flexibility, and growth. The firm offers multiple evaluation models, including 1-Step, 2-Step, and 3-Step programs, allowing traders to choose the path that best fits their strategy. With account sizes of up to $200,000 and profit splits reaching 90%, traders have the chance to earn substantial rewards for their performance. Optimal Trader supports trading across various markets, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, while providing real-time analytics, portfolio management tools, and a professional dashboard to help traders perform at their best.
Who Is Optimal Trader?
Optimal Trader is a proprietary trading firm that provides skilled traders with access to simulated capital of up to $200,000 and profit splits reaching 90%. The firm offers flexible evaluation models — 1-Step, 2-Step, and 3-Step Challenges — designed to suit different trading styles and risk preferences. Optimal Trader aims to create a transparent and trader-friendly environment, offering access to multiple trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. By focusing on fair trading conditions and professional tools, the firm empowers traders to achieve long-term success.
Their headquarters are located in Dubai, UAE.
Optimal Trader’s Evaluation Programs
Optimal Trader offers traders a choice between two main evaluation models:
One-Phase Challenge
Two-Phase Challenge
One-Phase Challenge Accounts
Optimal Trader’s One-Phase Challenge is designed for traders seeking a faster path to funding while still maintaining a strong emphasis on discipline and risk management. Traders can access funding up to $200,000 with leverage of 1:100.
Account Size
Price
$10,000
$95
$25,000
$185
$50,000
$325
$100,000
$525
$200,000
$1,045
To successfully pass the One-Phase Challenge, traders must achieve a profit target of 8%, while respecting the 5% daily drawdown and 10% maximum drawdown limits. There are no maximum trading day restrictions, but traders must trade for at least five active days before qualifying for funding.
Once traders pass the evaluation, they are awarded a funded account with no profit targets. The only requirements are to stay within the risk parameters of 5% daily drawdown and 10% maximum drawdown.
The first payout can be requested after 14 days, and subsequent payouts are available bi-weekly. Funded traders can earn a profit split of up to 90%, depending on their performance and consistency.
One Phase Challenge Scaling Plan
In Optimal Trader’s One-Phase Challenge, a structured scaling plan rewards consistent and profitable traders. To qualify, traders must achieve a 10% profit within a four-month period, with at least two of those months being profitable, including the final month. Once these conditions are met, traders receive a 25% increase in their account balance.
Example of Scaling Progression:
Starting with a $200,000 account → after 4 months → $250,000
After the next 4 months → $312,500
Following another 4 months → $390,625
And so on…
This scaling plan allows traders to steadily grow their funded capital while maintaining access to a wide range of instruments such as forex pairs, commodities, indices, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
One-Phase Challenge Rules and Conditions
Profit Target is the percentage of profit traders must achieve to pass the evaluation and qualify for funding. In the Optimal Trader One-Phase Challenge, traders must reach a profit target of 8% to successfully complete the challenge. Funded accounts have no ongoing profit targets, giving traders full flexibility to focus on consistency and risk control.
Maximum Daily Loss represents the maximum drawdown a trader can experience within a single trading day. For all account sizes, the maximum daily loss limit is 5%.
Maximum Loss refers to the total cumulative drawdown a trader can incur before the account becomes invalid. This limit is fixed at 10% across all account sizes.
Minimum Trading Days indicate how many days a trader must actively trade to meet evaluation or payout eligibility. The One-Phase Challenge requires a minimum of 5 active trading days, while funded accounts have no trading day limitations.
Weekend Holding is allowed, offering traders the flexibility to maintain open positions over the weekend.
News Trading restrictions apply during high-impact news releases. Traders cannot open or close trades 2 minutes before and after major economic events to ensure fair market conditions.
Third-Party Copy Trading Risk — Traders using copy trading services should be cautious, as multiple traders using identical strategies could lead to a denial of a funded account or withdrawal if they exceed the firm’s capital allocation limit.
Third-Party EA Risk — Using third-party Expert Advisors (EAs) that are widely used by others may result in similar restrictions, as duplicate strategies across accounts can violate Optimal Trader’s capital exposure rules.
Affiliate Program Tiers
The Optimal Trader Affiliate Program is designed to reward committed partners who bring high-quality traffic and traders to the platform. With a structured tier system, affiliates can steadily increase their commissions as they refer more traders, earning higher payouts for consistent performance.
Tier 1
For affiliates who bring in 0–25 referrals ,the commission rate is 10%, with monthly commission payouts.
Tier 2
For affiliates generating 25–50 referrals, the commission rate increases to 12.5%, also with monthly payouts.
Tier 3
For affiliates achieving 50+ referrals, commissions rise to 15%, with bi-weekly payouts for faster earnings.
Tier 4
For large-scale affiliates who generate significant traffic and conversions, Optimal Trader offers custom commission structures of 15%+. Such affiliates can directly collaborate with the partnership department via partners@optimaltraders.com to discuss exclusive terms.
The Optimal Trader Affiliate Program provides everything affiliates need to succeed — from tracking tools and detailed reporting to timely payouts and top-tier commissions. Whether you’re a new promoter or an experienced marketer, Optimal Trader ensures a transparent, profitable, and scalable partnership experience.
Account Size
Price
$10,000
$95
$25,000
$185
$50,000
$325
$100,000
$525
$200,000
$1,045
Affiliate Program Scaling Plan
The Optimal Trader Affiliate Program includes a scaling system designed to reward affiliates who show consistent growth and performance over time. To qualify for an increase in commission, affiliates must demonstrate steady referral activity and consistent monthly performance.
Once affiliates meet these requirements, their commission percentage increases by up to 25% of the original rate — allowing them to earn higher returns as they scale their network.
Here’s an example of how the scaling plan works:
After 4 months: A 10% commission increases to 12.5%.
After the next 4 months: The 12.5% commission increases to 15%.
After continued strong performance: Affiliates may qualify for 15%+ commissions through custom partnership agreements.
This structure ensures that affiliates who continue to drive quality traffic and conversions are rewarded for their consistency and dedication. The Optimal Trader Affiliate Program makes it possible for partners to grow their income steadily while contributing to the expansion of the Optimal Trader network.
Affiliate Program Rules
Commission Structure:
Tier 1: 10% commission for 0–25 referrals
Tier 2: 12.5% commission for 25–50 referrals
Tier 3: 15% commission for 50+ referrals
Tier 4: 15%+ commission for large-scale referrals (custom agreements available)
Payout Schedule:
Monthly commissions for Tier 1 and Tier 2 affiliates
Bi-weekly commissions for Tier 3 and Tier 4 affiliates
Commissions are paid between the 1st and 7th of every month
Payments are processed via cryptocurrency
Tracking & Cookie Policy:
Affiliate links are tracked through unique referral URLs provided in the dashboard
Cookies last up to 30 days, ensuring affiliates receive credit even if a user returns later to register
Eligibility:
Anyone can become an Optimal Trader affiliate, regardless of location
The minimum payout threshold is $100
Enterprise Partnership:
Affiliates with a proven track record or existing agreements with other prop firms can migrate to Optimal Trader, where their prior progress or terms can be matched or customized
The Optimal Trader Affiliate Program ensures transparency, timely payments, and flexible earning potential — empowering affiliates to build scalable, long-term income streams through high-quality referrals.
Options
Is Getting Funded with Optimal Trader Realistic?
When exploring prop firms that match your trading goals, it’s essential to evaluate how realistic their requirements are. While high profit splits and large funded accounts may sound appealing, the key factor lies in whether those targets are achievable under fair and balanced trading conditions.
With Optimal Trader, earning funding through their programs is genuinely attainable. The firm focuses on providing realistic profit targets and clear rules that reward consistency and discipline. Traders have access to a structured evaluation process, fair drawdown limits, and scaling opportunities, making it easier to progress toward long-term funding.
The Optimal Trader Affiliate Program also demonstrates the company’s transparency and trust — offering affiliates up to 15%+ commissions with clear payout cycles and performance-based scaling. This reflects a broader company philosophy of rewarding consistent performance, both for traders and partners.
Taking everything into account, Optimal Trader stands out as a credible and achievable option for traders aiming to secure capital and grow sustainably within the prop trading industry.
Payment Proof and Trustworthiness
Optimal Trader has built a strong reputation for transparency and reliability within the prop trading industry. The firm provides traders with fast and secure payout options, allowing withdrawals through bank transfer or crypto once they begin trading on a funded account. Traders can earn up to 90% profit share, with faster payout add-ons available for those seeking even quicker access to their profits.
In addition to its transparent payout structure, Optimal Trader empowers over 15,000 traders daily through its real-time trading dashboard, which provides live performance tracking, profit and drawdown monitoring, and detailed trade history insights. This level of visibility reinforces the firm’s credibility and commitment to fair and efficient trading conditions.
The firm’s proven track record, combined with its transparent operations and consistent payouts, highlights why Optimal Trader is considered a trustworthy and reliable prop trading firm for traders worldwide.
Optimal Trader’s Reputation
Optimal Trader has quickly established itself as one of the most trusted and transparent prop trading firms in the industry. With a growing community of over 15,000 active traders, the firm is recognized for providing a fast, reliable, and efficient trading experience through its advanced dashboard and transparent funding process.
Traders appreciate Optimal Trader’s commitment to fairness, accessibility, and innovation offering unlimited trading periods, up to 90% profit share, and real-time account analytics to help traders perform at their best. The firm’s continued growth and strong engagement from its global trading community highlight its positive reputation and reliability among traders worldwide.
Support
Optimal Trader provides traders and affiliates with multiple reliable channels to access information and assistance whenever needed:
FAQ Page: The website features a comprehensive FAQ section that covers common questions related to evaluations, funding, payouts, and affiliate programs.
Email Support: Traders can reach the team directly via info@optimaltraders.com for any inquiries or assistance.
Affiliate Support: For partnership or affiliate-related queries, partners@optimaltraders.com connects you directly with their partnership department.
Community Support: Optimal Trader maintains an active Discord community, where traders can engage, get updates, and share insights in real time.
Social Channels: Stay connected and informed through their Instagram and X (Twitter) accounts for announcements and trading insights.
This multi-channel support system ensures that Optimal Trader traders and partners always have quick, accessible, and responsive help available whenever they need it.
Conclusion
In summary, Optimal Trader is a reputable proprietary trading firm that provides traders with multiple evaluation options designed to suit different trading styles and objectives. Traders can choose from 1-Step, 2-Step, or 3-Step challenges, allowing them to progress at their own pace and become fully funded portfolio managers.
The firm offers realistic trading conditions, including unlimited trading periods, maximum loss limits of 6%, and up to 90% profit splits for funded traders. Optimal Trader also provides valuable add-ons such as news trading permissions, faster payouts, and the option to remove daily drawdowns, giving traders flexibility and control over their funded accounts.
With a focus on transparency, simplicity, and opportunity, Optimal Trader empowers over 15,000 traders daily through a cutting-edge dashboard that offers real-time performance insights, advanced analytics, and portfolio management tools.
If you’re looking for a trustworthy, fast-growing prop firm with fair rules, flexible programs, and a strong global community, Optimal Trader is an excellent choice for building your trading career.
If you found this Optimal Trader Review helpful, you can visit their official website here.
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