Funded Trading Plus vs City Traders Imperium: Which Prop Firm Is Better?
Traders choosing between Funded Trading Plus and City Traders Imperium face a decision between stricter profit targets with more drawdown room versus easier targets with tighter risk limits. City Traders Imperium offers a significantly cheaper entry point at $412 for their $100K challenge compared to Funded Trading Plus's $549, plus they've eliminated the daily loss limit that catches many traders off-guard. This comparison breaks down the key differences in challenge structure, risk management rules, and costs to help you determine which firm aligns better with your trading style and risk tolerance.
FT
Funded Trading Plus
Est. 2021 · London, UK
4.7
3,000 reviews
VS
3 wins
6 ties
5 wins
CT
City Traders Imperium
Est. 2018 · London, UK
4.2
1,500 reviews
Feature
Funded Trading Plus
City Traders Imperium
Challenge Price ($100K)
$549
$412✓ Lower entry cost
Phase 1 Profit Target
10%
8%✓ Easier to pass
Phase 2 Profit Target
5%
None (single-phase)✓ Single-phase evaluation
Max Daily Loss
5%
No limit✓ No daily loss limit
Max Total Loss
10%✓ More drawdown room
5%
Min Trading Days
None✓ No minimum
3 days
Time Limit (Phase 1)
No limit
No limit
Payout Split
80% (up to 100%)
80% (up to 100%)
Funded Trading Plus
Pros
+Multiple challenge types: Instant Funding, 1-Step, and 2-Step options
+Fast weekly reward frequency starting from day 0
+No monthly fees with transparent pricing structure
+News trading allowed and weekend holding permitted
+Swap-free accounts available with no virtual charges for overnight positions
Cons
−Lower leverage at 1:30 compared to many competitors
−Limited account size options shown with pricing
−Add-on features require additional 15% fees each
−Relatively new firm established in 2021
City Traders Imperium
Pros
+Multiple account types: 1-step, 2-step challenges, and instant funding options
+Unlimited time limits on challenges with no expiration dates
+Up to 100% profit share available through VIP program progression
+Free access to CTI Academy educational content with all accounts
+24/7 multilingual customer support with 1-hour first response time
Cons
−No refunds available once any trading activity occurs on the account
−Limited information about specific trading instruments and leverage ratios
−Relatively high instant funding fees compared to challenge options
−VIP benefits require meeting specific performance criteria
Our Verdict
Which Should You Choose?
City Traders Imperium suits aggressive traders and scalpers who need freedom from daily loss limits and prefer easier profit targets. Their single-phase evaluation with just an 8% target versus Funded Trading Plus's two-phase system (10% then 5%) makes the path to funding more straightforward, especially for traders who struggle with the psychological pressure of multiple evaluation phases.
Funded Trading Plus works better for swing traders and those who occasionally take larger drawdowns, thanks to their 10% maximum total loss versus City Traders Imperium's restrictive 5% limit. However, the higher challenge cost ($549 vs $412) and stricter profit targets make this a harder path to funding.
For most traders, City Traders Imperium offers the better deal. The $137 savings on challenge costs, elimination of daily loss limits, and easier profit targets outweigh the tighter overall drawdown limit. Unless you specifically need that extra 5% drawdown room for your strategy, City Traders Imperium provides a more accessible route to funded trading.
Choose Funded Trading Plus if:
→Multiple challenge types: Instant Funding, 1-Step, and 2-Step options
→Fast weekly reward frequency starting from day 0
→No monthly fees with transparent pricing structure
→News trading allowed and weekend holding permitted
Choose City Traders Imperium if:
→Multiple account types: 1-step, 2-step challenges, and instant funding options
→Unlimited time limits on challenges with no expiration dates
→Up to 100% profit share available through VIP program progression
→Free access to CTI Academy educational content with all accounts
Disclaimer:This comparison is for informational purposes only. Prop firm rules change regularly — always verify current terms on each firm's official website before purchasing a challenge. This is not financial advice. Updated 2026-03-08.