Head to head
City Traders Imperium vs Funded Trading Plus
City Traders Imperium grades higher overall, 6.3 to 5.6. Across 21 measurable rows, City Traders Imperium comes out ahead on 14 and Funded Trading Plus on 3.
A long-running, well-documented firm whose rulebook has more trip-wires than its marketing admits
A once-trusted firm mid-acquisition crisis — judge it on where it is today, not its 2021-2025 record
Key differences
In short
- A $100K evaluation is cheaper at City Traders Imperium ($449 vs $493 at Funded Trading Plus).
- City Traders Imperium has the stronger payout record (5.9 vs 5.8).
- Funded Trading Plus carries more hidden-rule risk (4.8 vs 4.6), led by: broad discretionary risk-review powers.
- Funded Trading Plus allows more capital ($5,000,000 vs $4,000,000).
City Traders Imperium vs Funded Trading Plus, side by side
The better value in each row is marked
| Criterion | ||
|---|---|---|
| Grade | ||
| Overall score | C6.3 | C5.6 |
| Payouts | 5.9 | 5.8 |
| Transparency | 5.1 | 4.9 |
| Rules & trading conditions | 7.3 | 6.5 |
| Reputation | 6.8 | 5.1 |
| Platforms & execution | 5.2 | 5.1 |
| Support | 7.0 | 5.9 |
| Evidence | ||
| Trustpilot | 4.2 (1.6K) | ≈4.8(estimate; Trustpilot hides this firm's score) (2.7K) |
| Pass rate | 10%Estimate | 12%Estimate |
| Hidden risk | 4.6 HighHidden risk 4.6 out of 10, High | 4.8 HighHidden risk 4.8 out of 10, High |
| Negative recent reviews | 15.5% | 24.5% |
| Offer | ||
| $100K challenge | $449 | $493 |
| Cheapest account | $29 | $89 |
| Max allocation | $4M | $5M |
| Max profit split | 100% | 90% |
| Payouts | First payout on demand… | On demand then every 7 days (Instant Funding, 1-Step… |
| Programs | 1-step, 2-step, instant | instant, 1-step, 2-step |
| Current offer | — | — |
| Company | ||
| Headquarters | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | London, United Kingdom |
| Years in business | 8 | 5 |
| Trading | ||
| Platforms | MT5, Match-Trader | MT5, Match-Trader |
| Assets | Forex, Indices, Metals, Energies, Crypto | Forex, Metals, Indices, Energies, Crypto |
| EAs | Restricted | Restricted |
| News trading | Restricted | Restricted |
| Weekend holding | Allowed | Restricted |
| Copy trading | Restricted | Restricted |
| Hedging | Not allowed | Restricted |
Which should you choose?
By trading style
| You are… | Pick | |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners | Either | City Traders Imperium: A free trial, no time limit and a large Academy library help newcomers, but the dense rulebook (one-sided bets, the 150% margin 'gambling' rule, a mandatory 1-minute stop-loss) creates real risk of an early, confusing breach. |
| Experienced traders | City Traders Imperium | Static, balance-based drawdown gives real room to run positions and scaling reaches $4M, but discretionary rules tend to activate exactly when a seasoned trader sizes up. |
| Swing traders | City Traders Imperium | Weekend and overnight holding are allowed on every program, and the balance-based drawdown is explicitly designed to give multi-day positions room to develop. |
| Scalpers | Either | City Traders Imperium: Manual scalping is allowed and even showcased in CTI's own case studies, but the mandatory 1-minute stop-loss and VPS pre-approval rule can clash with fast setups, and bot-driven tick-scalping is banned. |
| EA & algo traders | Funded Trading Plus | EAs are allowed if they follow program rules, but FTP doesn't support third-party tools and can request an EA's source code during a risk review before funding. |
| News traders | Funded Trading Plus | News trading is allowed on every program, but the undefined 'Boom or Bust' clause lets FTP flag a result built around one major news trade even without a numeric breach. |
Verdicts
City Traders Imperium verdict
A long-running, well-documented firm whose rulebook has more trip-wires than its marketing admits
Best for: Swing and position traders who can document a consistent strategy, avoid shared EAs, and keep a paper trail (travel notices, EA ownership proof) ready for a rules review.
Avoid if: You trade a popular off-the-shelf EA, scalp with bots, need a fully refundable fee, or want 100% profit share from day one.
Funded Trading Plus verdict
A once-trusted firm mid-acquisition crisis — judge it on where it is today, not its 2021-2025 record
Best for: Traders drawn by the $4 Activation entry price or the static-drawdown 2-Step Classic, who start small, keep a paper trail of every support ticket and withdrawal screenshot, and size positions to survive a slow or disputed payout.
Avoid if: You want the fast, predictable payout experience FTP was known for in 2023-2025, need weekend holding across every program rather than three of four, or aren't comfortable trading with a firm mid-acquisition with no named new CEO.
City Traders Imperium vs Funded Trading Plus FAQ
Questions traders ask
Is City Traders Imperium better than Funded Trading Plus?
On our grading City Traders Imperium scores higher overall (6.3 vs 5.6, grade C vs C). The better choice depends on your style: compare the rules rows above before buying.
Which is cheaper, City Traders Imperium or Funded Trading Plus?
At list price a $100K evaluation costs $449 at City Traders Imperium and $493 at Funded Trading Plus, so City Traders Imperium is cheaper. The smallest accounts start at $29 and $89. Discounts change often, so check the offers page.
Which pays out more reliably, City Traders Imperium or Funded Trading Plus?
City Traders Imperium has the stronger payout score (City Traders Imperium 5.9 vs Funded Trading Plus 5.8). City Traders Imperium pays first payout on demand; after that, monthly (last 5 days of the month) on the 1-step/2-step or bi-weekly (14th/15th and last 5 days) on instant/direct funding, unless cumulative eligible profit reaches 10%, which unlocks on-demand requests; Funded Trading Plus pays on demand then every 7 days (instant funding, 1-step express); every 10 days (2-step classic, activation accounts once funded).
Which has fewer hidden rules, City Traders Imperium or Funded Trading Plus?
City Traders Imperium has the lower Hidden Risk score (City Traders Imperium 4.6, high; Funded Trading Plus 4.8, high). Each review lists the specific rules behind the score.
Is it easier to pass City Traders Imperium or Funded Trading Plus?
City Traders Imperium: 10% (estimate). Funded Trading Plus: 12% (estimate). Estimates are a guide to difficulty only; drawdown type and daily loss rules matter as much as the target.
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