1-Step Evaluation Benchmarks: A Technical Comparison of Leading Simulated Funding Models
April 2026 – As 1-step evaluation models become the industry standard for retail traders, Funded Trading Plus has released a comparative benchmark report. The report analyzes the technical differences between the new FTMO 1-Step Challenge and the established Funded Trading Plus (FT+) 1-Step Express, focusing on drawdown mechanics, consistency requirements, and scaling velocity.
While both firms provide premium simulated trading environments, a side-by-side analysis of the rules reveals significant differences in how virtual capital is managed and rewarded. For traders researching what is a funded trading account, these "fine print" variations often dictate the long-term viability of a strategy.
"Traders deserve a black-and-white comparison of the tools available to them," a spokesperson for Funded Trading Plus stated. "By benchmarking our 1-Step Express against other veteran firms, we aim to provide the transparency needed for traders to choose the environment that best supports their specific risk management style."
Technical Comparison: 1-Step Evaluation Models
| Feature | FTMO 1-Step Challenge | FT+ 1-Step Express |
| Max Daily Loss | 10% (Simulated) | 10% (Simulated) |
| Max Drawdown | 3% | 4% |
| Drawdown Type | 10% | 6% |
| Drawdown Type | Permanent Trailing | Trailing (Locks at Starting Balance) |
| Consistency Rule | 50% "Best Day" Rule | None |
| First Reward Eligibility | 14 Days | 1 Day |
| Ongoing Reward Cycle | 14 Days | 7 Days |
| Max Scaling Potential | $2,000,000 | $5,000,000 |
Analysis of Key Performance Metrics
1. Consistency Requirements: The FTMO 1-Step model utilizes a 50% consistency rule (often called the "Best Day" rule) which applies to both the evaluation and the reward-eligible account. This requires traders to ensure no single day accounts for more than half of their total simulated gains. In contrast, the FT+ 1-Step Express has no consistency rules, allowing traders to qualify based on their natural strategy execution without artificial trading constraints.
2. Drawdown Recovery Mechanics: The maximum loss limit on the FTMO model trails the account's high-water mark permanently. Conversely, the Funded Trading Plus 1-Step Express features a "Profit-Locking" drawdown. Once the simulated account balance reaches the initial starting amount, the drawdown locks in place and stops trailing. As the virtual account grows beyond this point, the trader's effective safety buffer increases.
3. Scaling Velocity and Capital Access: The pace of simulated capital growth varies significantly between the two models. FTMO allows for a 25% scale-up every four months. The Funded Trading Plus scaling plan is performance-based with no time constraints; traders can request a scale-up every time they hit a 10% performance milestone. This allows for a significantly faster trajectory toward the funded account requirements needed to reach the $5,000,000 maximum cap.
Traders looking to compare how do you get approved for a funded trading account across different platforms can access the full technical breakdown at the Funded Trading Plus Funding Programs page.
About Funded Trading Plus
Funded Trading Plus provides professional-grade, simulated trading evaluations for retail traders worldwide. The firm is committed to transparency and provides 1-step, 2-step, and instant access pathways to reward-eligible simulated accounts with scaling potential up to $5,000,000. All trading is conducted in a strictly simulated environment using virtual funds.
