Funded Futures Family FAQ

Funded Futures Family (FFF) is a US-based futures prop firm founded and run by CEO Manuel Meraz. The "Family" in FFF's name refers to its trader community, not corporate ownership. FFF offers six distinct programs (Classic, Elite, Premiere, Straight-to-Funded, Velocity, Evaluation-to-Live) across $25K, $50K, $100K, and $150K simulated account sizes. Pay an evaluation fee, hit the profit target without breaching the trailing drawdown, then trade a sim-funded account on a flat 90/10 split (100% on your first $10K in profits).

FFF was founded by Manuel Meraz, who serves as CEO (per his LinkedIn profile). There is no authoritative public source confirming any broader "family-owned" corporate structure — "Family" in the brand name refers to the FFF trader community, not corporate ownership. Manuel and the FFF team are visible in YouTube content and Discord AMAs.

FFF launched in 2024 as a futures-only entrant in the US prop firm space, founded by Manuel Meraz. It is younger than Apex (2021) and Topstep (2012) but has rapidly built published payout proofs, an active Discord community, and a 4.7-4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from 1,300+ reviews.

FFF is US-based. The official website is fundedfuturesfamily.com and customer-facing help is hosted at intercom.help/funded-futures-family. As a privately-held company, FFF does not publish a corporate office address publicly; support runs through email, the intercom help center, and Discord ticketing.

No — these are two completely separate companies. Funded Futures Family (FFF) was founded by Manuel Meraz; "Family" in its name refers to the trader community. MyFundedFutures (MFFU) is operated by My Funded Futures LLC, a different company, with different rules and a permissive automation policy. The naming similarity causes constant confusion in trader forums. Verify the URL: fundedfuturesfamily.com vs myfundedfutures.com.

FFF is a proprietary trading firm, not a regulated broker-dealer. Its product is structured as an educational simulation/assessment program with discretionary payouts. This is the standard structure for the entire US futures prop firm industry (Apex, Topstep, MFFU, Bulenox all operate the same way).

Legit. FFF maintains a Trustpilot rating in the 4.7-4.8/5 range from 1,300+ reviews, posts payout proofs on its YouTube and Discord channels, and has paid out documented winning traders. Most negative reviews focus on the strict no-automation enforcement and account terminations for breach — not on payment failures.

CME-listed futures only. ES, NQ, MES, MNQ, RTY, M2K, YM, MYM, CL, MCL, GC, MGC, NG, ZB, ZN, 6E, 6B, and other CME/CBOT/NYMEX/COMEX products are tradeable. No forex, no crypto spot, no equities, no options. Pure futures.

Yes — FFF accepts US traders, which is its primary market. International traders from most countries are also accepted, with the standard restricted list (Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, sanctioned jurisdictions). KYC is required at first payout.

India and Nigeria — generally yes for evaluation purchase. Pakistan and Bangladesh — verify in checkout, as these are commonly restricted. KYC at payout requires government ID; some jurisdictions only accept payouts via Rise (crypto) rather than ACH/wire.

Sim-funded. Orders fill against simulated CME quotes mirroring real-time market data; the firm's profit comes from evaluation fees plus a percentage of in-house performance. Payouts are real cash from the firm's revenue, paid out of sim PnL. This is the standard prop firm model across the entire US futures prop industry.

A traditional broker (NinjaTrader Brokerage, AMP Futures, Tradovate) holds your real cash, charges commissions, and gives you back 100% of your PnL. FFF is a sim assessment firm — you pay an eval fee, never deposit margin, and split profits 90/10 on simulated capital that the firm allocates after you pass (100% on the first $10K, then 90/10 thereafter on sim-funded; 80/20 only applies at the Professional/Live stage).

Both names contain "Funded" and "Futures" and both target US futures traders. Funded Futures Family (FFF) and MyFundedFutures (MFFU) are constantly mixed up in trader forums, Discord, and Trustpilot. They are different companies, different owners, different rules. Always verify which firm is being discussed before trusting a trader forums comment.

Automation. FFF strictly bans EAs, bots, copy trading, and third-party trade execution. MFFU permits semi-automation including copy trading from chart-based signals and webhook-triggered execution via PickMyTrade. If you need to automate TradingView alerts, choose MFFU — not FFF.

No. FFF was founded by CEO Manuel Meraz (Funded Futures Family). MFFU is operated by My Funded Futures LLC, a separate corporate entity with different leadership. There is no parent-subsidiary relationship between the two firms.

No. FFF runs six distinct programs — Classic, Elite, Premiere, Straight-to-Funded, Velocity, and Evaluation-to-Live — across $25K-$150K sizes with a flat 90/10 split (100% on the first $10K). MFFU runs Starter, Expert, and Milestone plans with $50K-$150K sizes and its own profit-split tiers. Drawdown styles, daily loss rules, minimum-day requirements, and payout cadences all differ.

Yes — they are separate firms with separate KYC, separate sim accounts, and separate rules. Many traders run both. Just remember: any trade copied between FFF and MFFU accounts violates FFF's no-copy-trading rule and will breach the FFF account.

MFFU. PickMyTrade is not compatible with FFF — FFF bans all third-party automation including PMT. MFFU explicitly permits webhook-driven execution and PMT works seamlessly with it. Other PMT-friendly futures props: Apex, Topstep, Bulenox, TPT, Tradeify.

FFF runs six distinct programs: Classic (2-day-pass minimum, EOD trailing), Elite (1-day-pass minimum, intraday trailing), Premiere (EOD trailing, 1-day-pass minimum), Straight-to-Funded, Velocity (intraday trailing), and Evaluation-to-Live (the Professional/Live stage). Each program is available across $25K, $50K, $100K, and $150K virtual buying power. Note: "1-day" and "2-day" refer to minimum trading-day pass speed, not phase count.

Classic is FFF's flagship evaluation program. It uses an end-of-day (EOD) trailing drawdown (gentler — intraday spikes don't count) and requires a minimum of 2 trading days to pass. Classic has no daily loss limit — only the trailing drawdown governs the account. Pass the profit target across at least 2 trading days and you graduate to a sim-funded account.

Elite is FFF's fastest evaluation — pass with as little as 1 minimum trading day. The trade-off: Elite uses an intraday trailing drawdown (tick-by-tick), which is stricter than the Classic/Premiere EOD style. Good for high-conviction discretionary scalpers who want the quickest route to funding.

Premiere uses an EOD trailing drawdown (like Classic) but with a 1-day-pass minimum (like Elite). It also has no daily loss limit. Premiere is the "best of both worlds" option: gentle EOD drawdown plus fast pass speed. Often the priciest tier of the three core eval programs.

Straight-to-Funded skips the evaluation phase — you pay a higher upfront fee and start directly on a sim-funded account. The trailing drawdown, contract limits, and consistency rules still apply. Closest analog to Apex's Static / instant-funding tier, but priced as a one-time setup rather than a recurring subscription.

Velocity is an aggressive evaluation product using an intraday trailing drawdown (like Elite). It's tuned for fast-paced scalpers willing to trade a tighter intraday floor in exchange for accelerated pass speed and lower upfront price. Verify exact targets and trail values on fundedfuturesfamily.com at purchase.

Evaluation-to-Live is FFF's Professional/Live stage — the graduation tier above sim-funded. Top sim-funded traders with a documented payout track record can progress to Live, where real-money capital is allocated. The profit split flips to 80/20 on Live (FFF's only 80/20 product); sim-funded stays at the flat 90/10 (100% first $10K).

Elite, Premiere, and Velocity all allow a 1-day-minimum pass. Classic requires 2 days minimum. Hitting the profit target on day 1 is enough on Elite/Premiere/Velocity; on Classic you must trade at least one additional day before you can graduate. Verify the active minimum-day rule on your dashboard.

No. Once purchased, the program type (Classic, Elite, Premiere, Velocity, etc.) is locked to that account. To switch programs you must buy a new evaluation. Refunds on the unfinished program are not standard; FFF support reviews case-by-case.

Yes — multiple evaluations per trader are permitted, and you can mix programs (e.g. Classic $50K + Elite $100K). FFF caps total funded buying power per trader. Cross-account hedging or copy trading between your own FFF accounts is banned and triggers immediate termination of all FFF accounts.

Classic at $25K or $50K. EOD trailing drawdown is gentler than Velocity/Elite's intraday tick-by-tick trail, no daily loss limit removes one source of accidental wash-out, and the 2-day pass minimum forces a small pause before graduating. The cheapest entry to learn FFF's rule set.

Elite or Premiere at $100K-$150K. Both allow a 1-day pass for fast funding. Premiere's EOD trail is more forgiving of intraday volatility; Elite's intraday trail rewards tight risk control. Pick Premiere if you want forgiveness, Elite if you want speed plus a slightly cheaper price.

$25K, $50K, $100K, and $150K virtual buying power. No $250K or $300K tier as of 2026. The $150K is the largest single-account size; scaling to higher buying power happens via the Pro program rather than an upfront purchase.

List price varies by program. Classic $25K is typically the cheapest entry; Elite, Premiere, and Velocity sit slightly higher. Straight-to-Funded $25K commands the highest one-time fee since the eval phase is skipped. Promo codes regularly bring prices down 30-50%. Verify exact figures on fundedfuturesfamily.com — pricing fluctuates with active promotions.

List price varies by program: Classic $50K is the most accessible; Elite/Premiere/Velocity carry a premium for faster pass speed; Straight-to-Funded $50K is highest. With a 30-50% promo, $50K Classic often lands under $100. The $50K tier is popular in trader forums because the trailing drawdown is large enough to survive choppy ES sessions.

List price varies by program. Classic $100K is typically the cheapest; Elite, Premiere, and Velocity at $100K command a higher fee for 1-day pass speed or intraday trail. With a Black Friday or anniversary promo, $100K Classic can drop into the $140-$180 range. $100K is the most balanced size — meaningful funded buying power without the steepest fee.

List price varies by program. Classic $150K is the most accessible; Elite/Premiere/Velocity $150K are mid-tier; Straight-to-Funded $150K is the highest one-time fee in FFF's catalog. Promos push the eval programs lower. $150K is the largest single-tier purchase before progressing to the Live/Professional stage.

No recurring monthly fee on funded sim accounts. Evaluation is a one-time purchase; the funded account is free to maintain as long as it's active. Apex and Topstep similarly drop monthly fees once funded. (MFFU also no monthly fee on funded.)

During evaluation, FFF includes Rithmic data and the platform login at no extra charge for most plans. On funded accounts, CME real-time data fees ($85/mo for non-pro, more if you're classified as a professional) may be passed through depending on broker routing. Verify in your funded account onboarding email.

FFF does not advertise a "fee back on first payout" refund policy as of 2026. This is a difference from Apex (which does refund eval fees on first payout). Always check the current terms page before purchasing.

Yes — resets are paid. Typical reset fee runs $79-$199+ depending on plan size and program (Classic, Elite, Premiere, Velocity all carry different reset fees). Still cheaper than buying a new evaluation. FFF often runs reset-discount promotions during Black Friday and major retail moments.

No firm-side hidden fees on payouts. Rise (crypto rails) has standard network fees; ACH/wire processing may be deducted by the bank. The only "gotcha" is the CME pro/non-pro data classification once funded — clarify with FFF support before going live.

FFF uses a trailing drawdown that follows your highest closed (or end-of-day) balance until you cross a threshold equal to the starting balance plus the trailing buffer. Classic, Premiere, and Prime use end-of-day (EOD) trailing; Elite and Velocity use intraday trailing (tick-by-tick). Once "locked," the trail freezes at the initial balance plus profit-target offset.

It depends on the program. Classic, Premiere, and Prime use EOD trailing — the trail recalculates after the daily close, so unrealized intraday drawdown does not count (gentler than Apex's intraday trail). Elite and Velocity use intraday trailing — the trail moves tick-by-tick, similar to Apex Eval. Pick the program that matches your risk tolerance.

No — FFF does not offer a static-drawdown product as of 2026. All FFF programs use trailing drawdown (EOD on Classic/Premiere/Prime, intraday on Elite/Velocity). If you specifically want a static (fixed floor) drawdown, look at Apex's Static plans or other firms — FFF only sells trailing variants.

Once you've locked in the trailing buffer plus the starting balance — typically when end-of-day balance reaches initial balance + trail amount. After lock, the floor freezes at the starting balance and never moves below. This is similar to MFFU's lock mechanic and gentler than Apex's perpetual trail on Eval accounts.

Yes — the sim-funded account starts with a fresh trailing buffer based on the funded starting balance. Profit accumulated during the evaluation phase doesn't roll forward. This applies across Classic, Elite, Premiere, and Velocity. Verify your starting balance and trail floor in the dashboard before placing the first trade.

Depends on the program. On Classic, Premiere, and Prime (EOD trailing), unrealized PnL only counts at the daily close — intraday spikes that revert don't move the trail. On Elite and Velocity (intraday trailing), unrealized PnL counts tick-by-tick; floating drawdown can lock the trail at a worse level even if the day closes green.

Targets are single-stage (FFF programs are not phase-based) and scale with size. Typical figures across Classic / Elite / Premiere / Velocity: roughly $1,500-$2,000 on $25K, $3,000 on $50K, $6,000-$8,000 on $100K, and $9,000-$12,000 on $150K depending on the program. Verify exact dollar targets on the active product page — FFF tweaks targets during promos.

No recurring target on the funded sim. After passing, your goal becomes meeting the payout-eligibility gate (minimum profit days plus the threshold balance) rather than a fresh percentage target each cycle.

Funded accounts must be above the threshold (initial balance + buffer) at the time of request. Typical minimum withdrawal balance: $1,500 above start on $25K, $2,500 on $50K, $5,000 on $100K, and $7,500 on $150K. Below that, payouts are deferred.

FFF's dashboard shows your current drawdown floor and remaining buffer. NinjaTrader, Tradovate, and Rithmic platforms also display real-time PnL — track this against your dashboard floor to avoid an end-of-day breach.

Both, depending on the program. Classic, Premiere, and Prime use closed-balance EOD drawdown — gentle, similar to MFFU. Elite and Velocity use equity-based intraday tick trail — strict, similar to Apex Eval. FFF deliberately offers both styles so traders can pick their tolerance.

Yes — funded accounts begin with a fresh trailing drawdown based on the funded starting balance. Profit you accumulated during the evaluation phase doesn't carry over into the funded balance.

It depends on the program. Classic, Premiere, and Prime have NO daily loss limit — only the trailing drawdown governs the account. Elite, Velocity, and Straight-to-Funded may apply daily loss limits per the active terms. Always verify the DLL (or its absence) on your chosen program's product page before purchase. Don't assume a DLL exists on FFF.

On programs that do apply a DLL (e.g. Elite, Velocity, Straight-to-Funded — verify per active terms), the daily loss counter resets at the CME daily close (5 PM CT / 6 PM ET). Classic, Premiere, and Prime have no DLL to reset. After reset, the next trading day begins fresh.

Only relevant on programs that apply a DLL (Elite, Velocity, Straight-to-Funded — verify on the active terms). When a DLL is in effect, it's typically measured against floating equity intraday, so a worst-point unrealized loss can trip the limit. Classic, Premiere, and Prime don't carry a DLL — manage to the trailing drawdown instead.

On DLL-bearing programs (e.g. Elite, Velocity, Straight-to-Funded — verify per active terms), the platform soft-locks new entries for the rest of the day. Existing open positions can typically be closed. The account is not permanently breached unless you also breach the trailing drawdown. On Classic, Premiere, and Prime there is no DLL — the trailing drawdown is the only kill switch.

If your program carries a DLL during evaluation, it typically carries into the sim-funded stage as well (Elite, Velocity, etc.). Classic, Premiere, and Prime stay DLL-free on the funded sim. Verify in the dashboard at activation — terms can shift across promotional windows.

No. The DLL is enforced at the broker / data-router level (Rithmic / Tradovate). Trying to bypass via a parallel account or third-party platform is a violation of FFF terms and triggers immediate termination.

On programs that apply a DLL (Elite, Velocity, Straight-to-Funded — verify), commissions and exchange fees typically count toward the daily loss tally. High-frequency scalpers should add round-trip cost to their loss math; on a small DLL, 50 round-trip commissions can absorb a meaningful portion of the daily budget. Classic and Premiere ignore DLL entirely since none exists.

On DLL-bearing programs, set a hard self-imposed soft-stop at 50-60% of the DLL, then walk away. Most futures trader forum wash-outs come from revenge trades after small DLL touches. On Classic/Premiere/Prime (no DLL), apply the same discipline to the trailing drawdown buffer instead — once you've used half the buffer, stop.

Very few. Elite = 1 minimum trading day, Premiere = 1 minimum trading day, Classic = 2 minimum trading days. Velocity also targets a fast 1-day pass. This is one of FFF's selling points vs Apex (which requires more days). Hitting the profit target inside the minimum day count graduates you to a sim-funded account.

A day on which you have at least one filled trade — not a day you simply log in. Some FFF promotions also require the day to show non-zero PnL. Holiday-shortened sessions count as full trading days for the day-count rule.

FFF Challenges typically have unlimited time to pass. There's no expiration after 30 or 60 days like older FTMO-style firms. Inactivity for 30+ consecutive days, however, can lead to dashboard cleanup; verify in the active T&Cs.

FFF's consistency rule is enforced at payout time on the funded account, not during evaluation. You can pass the eval with one massive winning day; consistency only matters for the first payout cycle. Apex and MFFU follow similar logic.

FFF typically applies a 30-40% best-day rule — your best trading day cannot exceed 30-40% of total profits since the last payout. Violate it and the payout is held until you trade more days at smaller size to dilute the percentage.

Trailing drawdown breach, daily loss breach, holding overnight on the standard plan, prohibited news trading, and any use of EAs / bots / copy trading. Most FFF disqualifications fall into one of these five buckets — not target-related failures.

No on standard FFF plans — all positions must be closed before the daily settlement (4:10 PM ET on equity index futures). Holding through settlement triggers automatic flat-out by the platform and may breach the account.

During evaluation, no — any non-zero day counts. For payout-eligibility on the funded account, FFF typically requires the qualifying days to show a minimum closed profit (e.g., $50-$100 depending on size). Tiny "ghost" trading days don't count toward the 5-day funded payout gate.

FFF typically issues funded credentials within 1-3 business days of evaluation pass. KYC document verification can extend this to 5 business days. Login details arrive via email and dashboard notification.

FFF historically does not charge a separate "PA activation" fee like Apex's $130 PA fee. Verify the active terms — pricing models in the futures prop space change frequently. As of 2026, FFF's funded account is free at activation.

Yes — you e-sign the FTA before getting funded credentials. The FTA contains the explicit no-automation clause, the consistency rule, the payout schedule, and the discretionary-payment language. Read it before signing.

Yes — government photo ID for KYC plus W-9 (US) or W-8BEN (international) for tax reporting. KYC happens at activation; tax form happens at first payout request.

Conceptually similar but named differently. FFF refers to the post-evaluation account as the "Funded" or "Funded Pro" account rather than "PA." The mechanics are equivalent: pass eval, graduate to a funded sim, request payouts after meeting the day-count and profit threshold.

Usually no — credential issuance typically takes 1-3 business days. Even if you pass on a Friday afternoon, you're likely waiting until Monday or Tuesday for funded login. Plan your week around it.

FFF caps total per-trader funded buying power at a published ceiling (typically several hundred thousand dollars across multiple accounts). Multiple funded accounts permitted, but cross-account hedging or copy-trading between them violates terms.

FFF advertises a path from sim-funded to "Live" or "Pro" status for top performers after several consistent payout cycles. Live conversion is discretionary and case-by-case — not an automatic graduation. Apex's similar program is more formalized.

Inactivity for 30-90 consecutive days closes the funded account. To reinstate, you typically purchase a new evaluation. Always log in and place at least one paper-trade per month while you're between live periods.

Yes — FFF accepts international funded traders. Payout method may default to Rise (crypto) for non-US accounts because ACH/domestic wires are US-only. International KYC standards apply (passport, proof of address).

Flat 90/10 from the very first payout on all sim-funded accounts — plus the first $10,000 in profits goes 100% to the trader, then 90/10 thereafter. The 80/20 split only applies if you progress to the Professional/Live (Evaluation-to-Live) stage, where real-money capital is involved. No "80%-to-start, 90%-later" tier on sim-funded.

Only when you graduate from sim-funded to the Live / Professional stage (Evaluation-to-Live). The 80/20 reflects the fact that FFF is now risking real firm capital — the trader's higher upside (90/10) on sim flips to a more conservative 80/20 on Live. Sim-funded stays at 100% first $10K, then 90/10 indefinitely.

Payouts on FFF are flexible and request-based — there is no fixed weekly or bi-weekly cycle. Requests are reviewed daily, Monday-Friday. Submit through your dashboard whenever you meet the payout-eligibility gate (7 winning days plus the minimum balance threshold). Most traders request as needed rather than on a calendar.

FFF's minimum payout request typically starts at $1,000 on smaller accounts and scales with size. Below that threshold, payouts are deferred until the balance crosses it. Rise (crypto) has its own $250 floor on the rail itself.

FFF caps the first payout at a published ceiling (commonly $1,500-$2,500 on the smallest funded sizes, scaling with account size). The cap protects the firm from a one-day-wonder pulling out everything before consistency proves out. Subsequent payouts are uncapped subject to consistency rules.

ACH (US), domestic wire (US), international wire, Rise (crypto rails — USDC primarily). Rise is fastest globally; ACH is fastest US-only. Bank wire takes 2-5 business days; Rise typically lands within 24 hours.

Requests are reviewed daily Mon-Fri; approval is typically same-day or next business day. Payment rail processing: ACH 1-3 days, wire 2-5 days, Rise (crypto) usually under 24 hours from approval. End-to-end: most FFF payouts complete within 2-5 business days, depending on the chosen rail.

FFF does not charge a withdrawal fee from its side. Bank wires may incur the originating-bank's outgoing wire fee ($25-$45 typical). Rise has standard network fees on USDC. ACH is generally free both directions.

No tax withholding. FFF issues a 1099-NEC at year-end for US traders showing total payouts. International traders sign W-8BEN and self-report to home country. Treat FFF payouts as self-employment / business income.

Yes — partial withdrawals are common. Many traders pull only 50-70% per cycle and leave a working buffer in the account to absorb future drawdowns without breaching the trail. The trail floor doesn't move until the next end-of-day high.

Account remains active. The withdrawn amount is debited from balance, the trailing drawdown floor stays where it was, and you keep trading. The next payout cycle restarts.

Yes — denied for consistency-rule violations, missing day-count, suspected automation/EA usage, news-trading violations, or KYC/W-9 incomplete. Most denials are recoverable: trade more days, dilute the best-day percentage, complete KYC, then resubmit.

FFF posts payout proofs on its YouTube channel, Discord #payouts channel, and X/Twitter. Cross-reference with prop firm forums and Trustpilot reviews for independent verification. FFF's Trustpilot rating sits in the 4.7-4.8/5 range from 1,300+ reviews as of May 2026 — broadly consistent with the firm's published payout numbers.

FFF requires 7 winning days on the sim-funded account before you can request a payout. A "winning day" is defined as a day with at least $200+ in closed profit. Tiny green days don't count. The 7-winning-days gate plus the minimum balance threshold are the two main eligibility filters.

A consistent sim-funded $50K trader hitting 7 winning days ($200+ each) at, say, $300-$500 per day, plus a few smaller profitable sessions, can request a first payout that pulls roughly $2,000-$3,500 — and at FFF, the first $10,000 in profits goes 100% to the trader, so the first request is collected before the 90/10 split kicks in.

NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic-connected platforms (R | Trader Pro, Quantower, Sierra Chart), TradingView via Tradovate, and WealthCharts. NinjaTrader and Tradovate are the most popular among FFF traders. Note: FFF does NOT use ProjectX — ProjectX is exclusive to Topstep as of Feb 2026.

NinjaTrader's free version (with FFF's connection profile) works for evaluation and funded trading. NinjaTrader's lifetime license ($1,099) or monthly subscription ($60) is optional and unlocks advanced features (multi-broker, advanced order types). Most FFF traders run the free tier.

Yes — Tradovate web/desktop/mobile is included with the FFF connection. No separate Tradovate subscription required for FFF traders. Tradovate is the easiest entry point for new traders coming from web-based brokers.

Yes — R Trader Pro (free Rithmic platform) connects via your FFF Rithmic credentials. Lightweight, low-latency, popular with scalpers. No additional subscription required. Quantower and MotiveWave also connect through Rithmic.

Yes — TradingView via Tradovate is officially supported on FFF, using the TradingView-Tradovate broker integration for charting and manual click-through order entry. However, executing trades from TradingView via webhooks or any third-party execution bridge is treated as automation and is banned. Use TradingView for charts and manual clicks only on FFF.

Yes — Sierra Chart connects via the Rithmic feed using your FFF credentials. Sierra requires its own license ($26-$36/mo). Popular for advanced volume profile and footprint chart traders. Just stay on manual order entry — no automated trading systems (ACSIL bots count as automation).

FFF includes Rithmic data and Tradovate platform access at no additional fee on most plans. NinjaTrader free tier is free. WealthCharts is also supported (subscription rates vary). Premium platforms (Sierra Chart, Quantower, NinjaTrader licensed) cost extra outside the FFF subscription.

Tradovate web. Browser-based, no install, simple DOM, decent charting. Best entry-point for traders coming from Robinhood / Webull. NinjaTrader is more powerful but the learning curve is steeper for first-time futures traders.

NinjaTrader with Rithmic feed for ladder/DOM scalping. R Trader Pro is also fast and lightweight. Sierra Chart for footprint-driven scalpers. Tradovate's web interface adds a few ms of round-trip delay vs native Rithmic.

Yes — log into NinjaTrader and Tradovate simultaneously with the same FFF credentials. Some traders chart in TradingView while executing in NinjaTrader. Just remember: any automation across these platforms violates the no-automation rule.

FFF restricts trading around high-impact news events on the funded account — typically a 2-5 minute window before and after CPI, NFP, FOMC, GDP, and similar tier-1 releases. Trades opened or closed inside the window can be voided. Verify the specific news list in the active terms.

No on standard FFF Challenges and funded accounts. All positions must be flat before the daily settlement / market close (4:10 PM ET on equity index futures, with each product having its own close time). Holding through close auto-flats and may breach the account.

No. All positions must be closed by Friday afternoon before market close. Standard FFF rules. If you want a swing-trading firm, FFF is not the right fit; consider Apex's Static plans which are slightly more permissive on swing.

Per-account contract limits scale with size: typical caps are 3 ES on $25K, 6 ES on $50K, 12 ES on $100K, and 15 ES on $150K. Micro contracts (MES, MNQ, M2K, MYM) typically have 10x the limit. Verify on the active product page.

Hedging within a single account (e.g., long ES + short NQ on the same account) is generally permitted as standard pairs trading. Cross-account hedging — long on one FFF account and short on another to game the trail — is banned. Detection terminates all linked accounts.

Manual HFT-style scalping is allowed. Automated HFT systems are banned. The line: if a human is clicking each order, fine; if software is dispatching orders at 50ms intervals, that's an EA. FFF will flag suspicious order-spacing patterns.

Yes — sub-minute scalps are common on the DOM. FFF doesn't disqualify based on hold time. The risk is consistency: dozens of sub-minute trades that all win in one big day can trigger consistency-rule deferrals at payout time.

Trailing drawdown breach, daily loss breach, holding overnight by accident, and getting caught on automation. The first two are skill issues; the latter two are rule-knowledge issues that come from skim-reading the FTA. Slow down on the rules during onboarding.

Yes — paid resets are available on most failed evaluations. Click the reset option in your dashboard, pay the reset fee, and your evaluation restarts with the original starting balance, fresh trail, and fresh day count.

Reset fees scale with size: typically $40-$50 on $25K, $60-$80 on $50K, $90-$120 on $100K, and $130-$170 on $150K. Cheaper than buying a new evaluation. FFF runs reset-discount promos during major sales.

No published cap on reset count, but each reset is a fresh paid attempt. After 3-4 resets on the same plan, most traders find better ROI by buying a smaller-tier evaluation and rebuilding from there.

Refunds on failed evaluations: no, by policy. Refunds on unfinished evaluations (you bought it but never traded): case-by-case via support, generally not advertised. Refunds for accidental duplicate purchases: typically yes if requested within 24-48 hours.

FFF does not advertise an "eval fee back on first payout" policy. This contrasts with Apex (which does refund). The trade-off: FFF tends to have lower upfront eval prices and pays the fee back through profit-split structure rather than explicit refund.

Account is breached and closed. To continue, pay the reset fee for the same plan, or buy a new evaluation. FFF support occasionally exercises discretion on edge cases (broker outages, platform glitches), but a clean drawdown breach is not reversible.

Yes — affiliate codes typically save 20-40% off list price. Verify on fundedfuturesfamily.com or via affiliate aggregators (PropFirmMatch, ThePropTrader, etc.). Bigger codes appear on Discord and YouTube channel announcements.

20-40% standard. Black Friday and year-end promos go up to 60-80% off. Some "anniversary" or holiday weekends combine plan discount + free reset.

Yes — annual Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the cheapest entry of the year. Discounts often combine with reset promos. Watch the dashboard banner, Discord announcements, and the FFF email list.

Yes — FFF runs an active affiliate program paying commissions on referred evaluation purchases. Apply via the FFF dashboard. Affiliate codes also give the buyer a discount in addition to paying out the affiliate.

No — single code per checkout. Pick the deeper of two stacking-eligible codes. Site-wide promos may already be applied automatically; the affiliate code field then adds on top.

Different products despite the name confusion. FFF: founded by CEO Manuel Meraz, strict no-automation, six programs (Classic / Elite / Premiere / Straight-to-Funded / Velocity / Evaluation-to-Live), flat 90/10 split with 100% on the first $10K, 7 winning days to payout. MFFU: separate corporate entity, automation-friendly (PMT-compatible), Starter / Expert / Milestone plans, its own split tiers. If you need automation, MFFU wins. If you're a manual discretionary trader who wants the trader-community vibe, FFF is comparable.

Apex is the largest US futures prop with broader plan variety (Standard / Static / Eval), automation-friendly (PMT works), and refunds eval fee on first payout. FFF: smaller, founded 2024 by Manuel Meraz, no-automation, no fee refund, but offers a 100% split on the first $10K and 90/10 thereafter on sim-funded. Apex wins on plan flexibility and automation; FFF wins on the first-$10K-at-100% mechanic and a faster pass speed (1-2 day minimum).

Topstep is the OG US futures prop (founded 2012), runs the proprietary TopstepX platform on the ProjectX backend (Topstep-exclusive as of Feb 2026), allows webhook automation via PMT, and has the longest brand history. FFF is younger (founded 2024) but offers faster pass minimums (1-2 days) and the first-$10K-at-100% split. Topstep wins for automation and brand longevity; FFF wins on pass speed and the 100%-first-$10K payout mechanic.

TPT is a multi-step futures evaluation firm with permissive automation (PMT-compatible), 90% profit split, and weekly payouts. FFF is comparable on size tiers but bans automation, and offers a 100% split on the first $10K plus six program variants (Classic, Elite, Premiere, Straight-to-Funded, Velocity, Evaluation-to-Live). TPT wins for algo traders; FFF wins if you specifically want a fast 1-2 day manual pass with the first-$10K-at-100% mechanic.

Bulenox is a US futures prop with permissive automation (PMT works), Master / Standard / Static plan variety, and similar drawdown style. FFF bans automation but offers six programs (Classic / Elite / Premiere / Straight-to-Funded / Velocity / Evaluation-to-Live), a 1-2 day pass minimum, and a 100% split on the first $10K. Bulenox wins for automation; FFF wins on pass-speed and the first-$10K mechanic.

Tradeify is a futures prop with permissive automation (PMT works) and varied program formats. FFF bans automation; Tradeify embraces it. FFF's six-program lineup (with both EOD and intraday trail options) gives more risk-tolerance choice; Tradeify wins on flexibility for algo traders. Pick Tradeify if you automate, FFF if you don't.

TickTick Trader is a smaller US futures prop with automation-friendly rules (PMT works) and uniquely flexible end-of-day drawdown. FFF is comparable in size (founded 2024) with bigger Trustpilot footprint (4.7-4.8 / 1,300+ reviews) but stricter on automation. TickTick for automation; FFF for manual discretionary traders who want fast 1-2 day pass minimums.

Earn2Trade has a stronger educational track (Trader Career Path) and a structured curriculum. FFF is a pure prop firm without the education layer. Earn2Trade allows automation in some product lines; FFF does not. Earn2Trade for newer traders wanting curriculum; FFF for established traders.

E8 Markets is forex-first with a smaller futures product line; FFF is futures-only. E8 allows personal EAs in forex (banned mass-distributed); FFF bans all automation. FFF wins for futures-focused traders; E8 wins if you trade forex + futures under one umbrella.

Multi-firm strategy is common — but remember, copy-trading between firms violates FFF. If you run FFF alongside Apex/Topstep/MFFU/Bulenox, place each trade manually and independently on each platform, or risk a copy-trading violation on the FFF account. PickMyTrade can automate the others, leaving FFF as your manual play.

FFF is competitive on paper: 100% on the first $10,000 in profits on sim-funded accounts, then a flat 90/10 thereafter. Apex pays 100% on Live tier. Other firms hover at 80-90%. Realistically, sustained payouts matter more than the marginal split — pick the firm that fits your trading style and automation needs.

Yes — taxable income wherever you live. FFF payouts are characterized as performance-licensing fees / self-employment income, not investment income. US: 1099-NEC, schedule C / self-employment. UK: HMRC self-employment. EU: per-country trading income. India: business income under ITR-3. Consult a local tax professional.

Trustpilot (4.7-4.8 / 5 from 1,300+ reviews as of May 2026), prop firm forums and futures trader forums, FFF's own Discord #payouts channel, the intercom.help/funded-futures-family help center, and YouTube prop-firm review channels (PropFirmMatch, ThePropTrader). Cross-reference firm-published claims with community reports for the truest picture.