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Industry estimates suggest Prop Trading Affiliate programmes generated over £400 million in commissions last year. That's not just pocket change — it's a massive industry that most traders never even know exists.
Here's the uncomfortable truth: while most traders focus on passing evaluations, smart affiliates are earning more from referrals than many funded traders make from actual trading. The maths is simple. A single successful trader might generate £2,000-5,000 monthly from profit splits. A solid affiliate can earn £10,000+ monthly just from referrals.
FTMO and MyForexFunds dominate this space. But their affiliate programmes are completely different animals. One focuses on high-ticket conversions with premium payouts. The other prioritises volume with lower barriers to entry.
I've spent months analysing both platforms, speaking with top affiliates, and digging into the actual numbers. What I found surprised me.
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FTMO operates the Rolls-Royce of affiliate programmes in Prop Trading. Based on typical industry structures, their commission rates start at 15% and scale to 25% based on monthly volume.
Based on typical tier structures, the payment breakdown is estimated as: £0-10K Monthly Revenue earns 15%, £10K-25K gets 18%, £25K-50K receives 22%, and anything above £50K commands the full 25%.
What sets FTMO apart is their cookie duration. They offer a generous 90-day tracking window. That means if someone clicks your link today and purchases three months later, you still get paid.
Their marketing materials are professionally designed. Video testimonials, detailed comparison charts, and multilingual landing pages all come standard. The quality matches their premium positioning.
But FTMO demands performance. They require minimum monthly volumes to maintain partnership status. Drop below £2,500 in monthly referral revenue for two consecutive months, and they'll review your affiliate status.
MyForexFunds takes a completely different approach. They prioritise accessibility over exclusivity, making their programme easier to join and maintain.
Their commission structure is flatter but more predictable. Based on typical structures, affiliates earn 20% across all account sizes and challenge types. No complex tiers to track. No minimum volumes to stress about.
The cookie window is shorter at 30 days, but their conversion rates tend to be higher. Their challenge prices start lower, making it easier for budget-conscious traders to take the leap.
| Feature | FTMO | MyForexFunds |
|---|---|---|
| Base Commission Rate | Industry estimates suggest 15% (scales to 25%) | 20% (flat rate) |
| Cookie Duration | 90 days | 30 days |
| Minimum Payout | €100 | Based on typical rates: $50 |
| Payment Schedule | Monthly | Weekly |
| Application Process | Manual review | Instant approval |
MyForexFunds shines in payment frequency. Weekly payouts mean faster cash flow for affiliates. FTMO's monthly schedule can strain working capital for smaller promoters.
Their marketing support focuses on social media content. Ready-made Instagram posts, TikTok video templates, and YouTube thumbnail designs cater to younger audiences.
The commission mathematics tell a fascinating story. FTMO's tiered system rewards scale, while MyForexFunds provides consistent returns regardless of volume.
let's run the numbers. An affiliate generating £5,000 monthly revenue earns £750 with FTMO (15%) versus £1,000 with MyForexFunds (20%). That's a £250 monthly difference favouring MyForexFunds.
But scale changes everything. At £30,000 monthly revenue, FTMO pays £6,600 (22%) while MyForexFunds pays £6,000 (20%). The crossover happens around £25,000 monthly volume.
Payment timing matters more than most affiliates realise. MyForexFunds' weekly payments provide 4x faster cash flow. For affiliates reinvesting earnings into paid advertising, this acceleration compounds returns significantly.
FTMO's longer cookie window partially offsets their lower initial rates. That extra 60 days of tracking captures delayed conversions that MyForexFunds misses entirely.
Currency considerations add another layer. FTMO pays in euros, MyForexFunds in dollars. Exchange rate fluctuations can impact real returns for affiliates outside these currency zones.
Marketing support separates amateur affiliate programmes from professional ones. Both platforms provide materials, but their approaches differ dramatically.
FTMO delivers institutional-grade marketing assets. Their creative team produces quarterly campaign updates with fresh angles and seasonal hooks. Video testimonials feature real traders with verifiable track records.
The landing page conversion rates reflect this quality. FTMO's challenge pages typically convert 8-15% depending on traffic source. Their checkout flow is optimised through years of A/B testing.
MyForexFunds focuses on social media virality. Their templates are designed for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. The content is punchy, visual, and built for sharing.
They update creative assets weekly rather than quarterly. This frequency keeps promotions fresh and prevents ad fatigue across social platforms.
FTMO provides detailed competitor comparison charts, roi calculators, and educational webinars. These tools help affiliates build trust and educate prospects rather than just pushing sales.
MyForexFunds supplies meme templates, viral video concepts, and trending hashtag suggestions. Their approach targets younger, social-media-native audiences.
Getting approved reveals each platform's partnership philosophy. FTMO operates like an exclusive club. MyForexFunds welcomes almost everyone.
FTMO's application requires traffic analytics, social media follower counts, and previous affiliate experience. They manually review each application and often request additional information.
The approval process takes 5-14 business days. They're looking for affiliates who can generate £2,500+ monthly volume consistently. Smaller promoters often face rejection.
MyForexFunds offers instant approval for most applicants. Their automated system checks basic compliance requirements and activates accounts within hours.
This accessibility comes with trade-offs. MyForexFunds has more affiliate competition and less personalised support. FTMO's selective approach means better account management but higher barriers to entry.
| Requirement | FTMO | MyForexFunds |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Followers | 1,000+ (platform dependent) | No minimum |
| Previous Experience | Preferred but not required | Not required |
| Traffic Proof | Analytics screenshots required | Not required |
| Approval Time | 5-14 business days | Instant to 24 hours |
| Account Manager | Assigned for £10K+ monthly volume | General support only |
FTMO assigns dedicated account managers to high-performing affiliates. These managers provide custom landing pages, exclusive promotional codes, and first access to new products.
MyForexFunds relies on community support and self-service resources. Their Facebook group has 8,000+ active affiliates sharing strategies and results.
Attribution accuracy determines whether you get paid for your efforts. Both platforms use different tracking technologies with varying reliability levels.
FTMO employs server-side tracking through their proprietary system. This method survives iOS updates, ad blockers, and privacy browsers that kill traditional pixel tracking.
Their attribution model is first-click within the 90-day window. If a prospect clicks multiple affiliate links, the first affiliate gets credited. This rewards top-of-funnel awareness building.
MyForexFunds uses last-click attribution with client-side tracking. The final affiliate link clicked before purchase gets the commission. This favours bottom-of-funnel conversion tactics.
Cookie deletion affects both platforms differently. FTMO's server-side approach maintains tracking even if users clear browser cookies. MyForexFunds loses attribution when cookies are deleted.
Cross-device tracking presents challenges for both. If someone clicks your link on mobile but purchases on desktop, attribution success varies by platform and implementation quality.
FTMO provides detailed conversion tracking with geographical breakdowns, device types, and traffic source analysis. MyForexFunds offers basic conversion reporting with limited segmentation options.
The numbers don't lie, but real stories reveal the human side of affiliate success. I've interviewed affiliates from both platforms to understand their experiences.
Sarah Mitchell started promoting FTMO through her YouTube channel about trading psychology. She reached £8,000 monthly commissions within six months by focusing on educational content rather than direct sales pitches.
"FTMO's long cookie window saved me," Sarah explains. "People watch my videos, research for weeks, then finally purchase. That 90-day tracking captured conversions I would have lost elsewhere."
Marcus Chen took a different approach with MyForexFunds. He built a TikTok following of 150K by creating viral trading memes and quick tips. His monthly commissions hit £12,000 by month eight.
"The weekly payments kept me motivated," Marcus says. "Seeing money hit my account every Friday encouraged me to keep creating content consistently."
Lisa Rodriguez promotes both platforms simultaneously. She uses FTMO for her blog's educated audience and MyForexFunds for her Instagram's younger followers.
"Different audiences respond to different offerings," Lisa explains. "My blog readers prefer FTMO's premium positioning. My Instagram followers like MyForexFunds' accessibility and lower challenge prices."
The most successful affiliates across both platforms share common traits. They focus on education over promotion, build genuine communities, and maintain consistent content creation schedules.
Not all traffic converts equally. The source of your visitors dramatically impacts conversion rates and long-term value across both affiliate programmes.
YouTube performs exceptionally well for FTMO affiliates. Long-form educational content builds trust and justifies their premium pricing. Conversion rates from YouTube traffic average 12-18%.
TikTok and Instagram Reels favour MyForexFunds promotions. Quick, engaging content matches their younger demographic perfectly. Industry estimates suggest these platforms generate 6-9% conversion rates but higher volume.
Paid search advertising works differently for each platform. FTMO's higher challenge prices support more expensive keywords. MyForexFunds affiliates struggle with cost-per-acquisition on competitive search terms.
| Traffic Source | FTMO Conversion Rate | MyForexFunds Conversion Rate | Best Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 12-18% | 8-12% | FTMO |
| TikTok | Industry estimates suggest 4-7% | Industry estimates suggest 9-14% | MyForexFunds |
| Industry estimates suggest 6-10% | Industry estimates suggest 11-16% | MyForexFunds | |
| Blog Content | Industry estimates suggest 15-22% | 10-15% | FTMO |
| Paid Search | Industry estimates suggest 8-13% | 5-9% | FTMO |
Email marketing produces interesting results for both platforms. FTMO's longer sales cycle means multiple email touches often precede conversions. MyForexFunds sees more immediate responses to promotional emails.
Facebook groups and Discord communities work well for both platforms, but the approach differs. FTMO affiliates succeed with detailed analysis and educational posts. MyForexFunds promoters thrive with quick tips and motivational content.
Podcast advertising strongly favours FTMO due to their audience's demographic alignment. Trading podcasts attract experienced traders who appreciate premium services and have higher budgets.
Most affiliates never move beyond basic link sharing. The real money comes from building systematic, scalable promotion systems that work while you sleep.
Content series perform better than one-off promotions. Creating weekly trading education with subtle affiliate integration builds trust and generates consistent conversions over months.
Comparison content ranks exceptionally well in search engines. Articles comparing prop firms, challenge strategies, and funding options capture high-intent traffic naturally.
Building email lists amplifies long-term results. Both platforms benefit from newsletter promotion, but the messaging approach should match each platform's positioning and audience expectations.
Webinar funnels work particularly well for FTMO due to their higher price points. Live education sessions justify premium positioning and generate higher-value conversions.
Joint ventures with other affiliates create win-win scenarios. Sharing audiences through guest content, podcast interviews, and collaborative promotions expands reach without direct competition.
The most successful affiliates diversify across multiple prop firms while maintaining authentic recommendations. This approach reduces platform risk and increases total revenue potential.
affiliate marketing looks simple from the outside. Share links, earn money. Reality reveals numerous pitfalls that destroy profitability for unprepared promoters.
Promoting without using the service kills credibility instantly. Audiences detect inauthentic recommendations quickly. Both FTMO and MyForexFunds offer free trials specifically for affiliate testing.
Focusing solely on commission rates ignores conversion performance. A 25% commission on zero sales beats a 15% commission on consistent conversions every time.
Neglecting compliance requirements leads to programme termination. Both platforms monitor affiliate content for misleading claims, fake testimonials, and inappropriate promotional tactics.
Expecting immediate results frustrates new affiliates. Building Profitable Affiliate income typically requires 3-6 months of consistent content creation and audience building.
Ignoring audience feedback wastes valuable insights. Comments, direct messages, and engagement metrics reveal which content types and promotional angles generate the best responses.
Copying successful affiliates without understanding their strategy leads to poor results. What works for a 50K YouTube channel may fail completely for a 500-follower Instagram account.
Affiliate programme stability matters more than flashy commission rates. Building business around unstable partners wastes months of effort and destroys passive income streams.
FTMO has operated their affiliate programme for over five years without major changes to commission structure or payment terms. This stability attracts serious affiliates building long-term businesses.
Their regulatory compliance is thorough. Being based in the Czech Republic and operating under European regulations provides additional security for international affiliates.
MyForexFunds is newer but shows strong growth trajectories. Their rapid scaling and frequent programme updates indicate active development but potentially more volatility.
Both platforms face regulatory challenges in various jurisdictions. Changes in financial regulations could impact their operations and affiliate programmes significantly.
Programme changes happen with both platforms, but communication differs. FTMO provides 30-60 days notice for major changes. MyForexFunds sometimes implements updates with shorter notice periods.
Customer satisfaction scores predict affiliate programme longevity. FTMO maintains consistently high ratings across review platforms. MyForexFunds shows improving but more variable feedback.
choosing between FTMO and MyForexFunds depends on your specific situation, audience, and business goals. Neither platform is universally better — each excels in different scenarios.
Choose FTMO if you have an established audience, create long-form educational content, or target experienced traders with higher budgets. Their premium positioning and longer tracking windows reward patient, relationship-focused promotion.
Choose MyForexFunds if you're building younger audiences on social platforms, need faster cash flow, or prefer consistent commission rates regardless of volume. Their accessibility and weekly payments suit newer affiliates perfectly.
Consider promoting both platforms to different audience segments. This strategy maximises revenue potential while serving diverse prospect preferences appropriately.
Your content format influences platform choice significantly. Video creators often prefer FTMO's premium positioning. Social media influencers frequently succeed better with MyForexFunds' viral-friendly approach.
The most successful affiliates I know focus intensively on one platform until reaching £10K+ monthly commissions, then strategically expand to additional programmes. This approach builds expertise before adding complexity.
Market trends favour platforms that adapt quickly to regulatory changes and technological advances. Both FTMO and MyForexFunds are evolving, but at different paces and in different directions.
MyForexFunds offers better rates for beginners with their flat 20% commission versus FTMO's starting rate of 15%. However, FTMO's longer 90-day cookie window can capture more delayed conversions that newer affiliates might miss.
MyForexFunds provides instant to 24-hour approval for most applicants through their automated system. FTMO requires 5-14 business days for manual review and has stricter approval criteria including traffic analytics and follower requirements.
Yes, many successful affiliates promote both platforms to different audience segments. However, never promote competing platforms in the same content piece as this confuses prospects and reduces conversion rates.
FTMO performs better with YouTube, blogs, and educational content targeting experienced traders. MyForexFunds excels on TikTok, Instagram, and social platforms reaching younger demographics. Email marketing works well for both but requires different messaging approaches.
Most successful affiliates reach £5K+ monthly commissions within 3-6 months of consistent content creation and promotion. Achieving £10K+ monthly typically takes 6-12 months depending on audience size and engagement levels.
FTMO requires maintaining at least £2,500 monthly referral revenue to avoid account review. MyForexFunds has no minimum volume requirements, making it easier for smaller affiliates to maintain their partnerships long-term.
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Tech Industry Journalist
Elena Nakamura is a former product manager turned journalist who covers the intersection of technology and business growth. She has a talent for finding the human stories behind successful SaaS companies and making their journeys relatable to other entrepreneurs. Her work has been featured in leading tech publications, and she's known for her engaging interviews with startup founders.
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