FTMO
The5ersFTMO vs The5ers: Complete 2026 Comparison
Side-by-side breakdown of fees, profit splits, trading rules, payouts, and scaling — with cashback on both firms through PropFirmScan.
FTMO vs The5ers — At a Glance
FTMO
The5ersIn the vibrant and highly competitive world of proprietary trading, discerning which firm best aligns with a trader's strategy and risk appetite is paramount. Today, we dissect two industry titans: FTMO and The5ers. Both firms have carved significant niches, attracting ambitious traders with promises of substantial capital and appealing profit splits. FTMO, established in 2015 and headquartered in Prague, has become a household name, boasting an impressive 8.2/10 PFS Score and a near-perfect 4.8/5 on Trustpilot. Their staggering '$500,000,000' in total payouts underscores their dominance and reliability within the sector, setting a benchmark for others to follow.
Conversely, The5ers, founded in 2016 from Ra'anana, Israel, presents itself as a formidable challenger, earning a commendable 7.8/10 PFS Score and an even higher 4.9/5 Trustpilot rating, suggesting exceptional customer satisfaction. While their '$43,000,000' in total payouts is dwarfed by FTMO's nine-figure sum, it still represents a substantial commitment to their trading community. This analysis is crucial for traders evaluating where to invest their time and challenge fees, as we delve into the nuances that distinguish these two highly-rated platforms.
Overall Verdict

The5ers
The5ers wins with 55 vs 30 points, scoring higher in pricing & value, profit split, challenge fairness and 2 more categories.
Pricing & Value
Profit Split
Trust & Reputation
Payout Speed
Challenge Fairness
Platforms & Instruments
Scaling Potential
Trading Conditions
FTMO6 wins
FTMO vs The5ers At a Glance
A complete side-by-side breakdown of 27+ metrics across trust, cost, earnings, payouts, and trading rules.
| Metric | FTMO | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
Trust |
||
| PFS Score |
8.2/10
|
7.8/10
|
| Trustpilot Rating |
4.8/5
|
4.9/5
|
| Trustpilot Reviews |
38,883
|
20,736
|
| Founded |
2015
|
2016
|
| Total Payouts |
$500.0M
|
$43.0M
|
Info |
||
| Headquarters |
Prague, Czech Republic
|
Ra'anana, Israel
|
Cost |
||
| Lowest Entry Fee |
$170
|
$22
|
| Cashback |
2%
|
2%
|
| Fee Refundable |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Earnings |
||
| Profit Split |
80% – 90%
|
80% – 100%
|
Scaling |
||
| Max Allocation |
$2.0M
|
$4.0M
|
Payouts |
||
| First Payout |
14 days
|
14 days
|
| Payout Frequency |
Bi-weekly (every 14 days)
|
Bi-weekly
|
| Min Payout |
$20
|
$150
|
| Payout Processing |
Average 8 hours; max 1-2 business days
|
1-3 business days
|
Rules |
||
| Challenge Phases |
2-Step
|
2-Step
|
| Daily Loss Limit |
5%
|
5%
|
| Total Loss Limit |
10%
|
10%
|
| Time Limit |
Unlimited
|
Unlimited (30 days inactivity = expiry)
|
| Consistency Rule |
Best Day Rule on 1-Step only: best single day cannot exceed 50% of total profit target. 1-Step uses End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing max loss recalculated daily. No consistency rule on 2-Step.
|
None — no consistency requirements across any program
|
| News Trading |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| EA Allowed |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Copy Trading |
No
|
No
|
| Weekend Holding |
No
|
Yes
|
Tools |
||
| Platforms |
MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXTrade
|
MT5, cTrader
|
| Instruments |
~?
|
~?
|
| Leverage |
100
|
100
|
In-Depth Analysis: FTMO vs The5ers
Key Takeaways
- The5ers wins on 6 out of 10 comparable metrics.
- Lowest entry fee: The5ers from $22.
- Best profit split: The5ers up to 100%.
- Fastest payout: FTMO in 14 days.
Delving into the operational mechanics, both FTMO and The5ers employ a standard 2-phase challenge structure, featuring identical daily loss limits of 5.00% and total loss limits of 10.00%. This symmetry in challenge parameters means traders will face similar hurdles in demonstrating their proficiency, regardless of their chosen firm. However, the profit-sharing models and maximum capital allocation reveal key differentiators. FTMO offers a generous profit split ranging from 80.00% to 90.00%, while The5ers pushes the envelope further with a range of 80.00% to an enticing 100.00%. This potential for a full 100% profit retention at The5ers is a significant draw for high-performing traders seeking to maximize their earnings from funded accounts.
Capital allocation is another critical distinction. FTMO provides a robust maximum allocation of $2,000,000, which is substantial by any measure. The5ers, however, raises the bar further, offering an exceptional maximum allocation of $4,000,000. For traders aiming for the highest possible funding, The5ers clearly offers a more expansive opportunity. Both firms demonstrate excellent payout reliability, with the first payout accessible in 14 days and subsequent payouts occurring bi-weekly. This consistent schedule ensures traders can reliably access their hard-earned profits.
Flexibility in trading methods is where both firms shine, catering to a broad spectrum of strategies. Both FTMO and The5ers permit news trading and the use of Expert Advisors (EAs), a crucial factor for algorithmic traders and those who leverage market-moving events. Furthermore, both firms offer fee refunds upon successful completion of their challenges, mitigating the initial investment risk for aspiring funded traders. While FTMO’s colossal total payouts underscore their established market leadership and trustworthiness, The5ers competitive profit split and unparalleled maximum allocation position it as a strong contender for experienced traders looking to scale their operations significantly.
Program & Pricing Comparison
Compare FTMO and The5ers programs side-by-side. Filter by account size to find the best value for your budget.
| Account Size |
FTMO |
The5ers |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Split | Fee | Split | |
| $3K |
—
|
— |
$22
|
80% |
| $5K |
—
|
— |
$39
|
80% |
| $10K |
Best $170
|
80% |
$260
|
50% |
| $20K |
—
|
— |
$450
|
50% |
| $25K |
$275
|
80% |
Best $195
|
80% |
| $40K |
—
|
— |
$850
|
50% |
| $50K |
$379
|
80% |
Best $309
|
80% |
| $60K |
—
|
— |
$329
|
80% |
| $100K |
Best $483
|
90% |
$545
|
80% |
| $200K |
$1188
|
80% |
—
|
— |
| $250K |
—
|
— |
$625
|
50% |
Trading Rules & Restrictions
Key trading policy differences between FTMO and The5ers that affect your strategy flexibility.
FTMO
The5ers
Payouts & Scaling Comparison
How FTMO and The5ers compare on payout speed, frequency, and long-term scaling potential.
Payout Speed & Terms
| Metric | FTMO | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| First Payout Wait |
14 days
|
14 days
|
| Payout Frequency |
Bi-weekly (every 14 days)
|
Bi-weekly
|
| Processing Time |
Average 8 hours; max 1-2 business days
|
1-3 business days
|
| Minimum Payout |
$20
|
$150
|
Scaling Opportunities
| Max Allocation |
$2.0M
|
$4.0M
|
| Scaling Plan |
25% balance increase every 4 months with 10% net profit and 2 processed rewards required. Profit split upgraded to 90%. Maximum allocation $2,000,000.
|
All programs scale aggressively. Hyper Growth/Bootcamp scale to $4M (account doubles every 10% profit). High Stakes scales to $500K with $4K/month salary at $350K and $10K/month at $500K. Withdrawals do not affect scaling progress. Profit splits increase at each milestone from 50-80% starting up to 100%.
|
| Max Profit Split |
90%
|
100%
|
Payout Methods
FTMO
The5ers
Trust & Reputation
Trustworthiness indicators, verified payouts, and community standing for both firms.
FTMO
Unique Features
- Pioneer of Modern Prop Trading Since 2015
- 3.5 Million+ Customers Worldwide
- Acquired OANDA Global Corporation
Red Flags (10)
- Not Regulated by Any Financial Authority
- Simulated Trading Only - No Real Market Execution
- 1-Step Challenge Fee Not Refundable
The5ers
Unique Features
- 10 years in business since 2016
- Scaling up to $4 million
- No time limits on evaluations
Red Flags (13)
- Simulated trading environment
- Account termination complaints near large payouts
- Limited instrument selection (~40 assets)
Which Firm Is Better For You?
Our recommendation based on trading style, budget, and experience level.
Beginners
The5ers
Lower entry costs starting from $22.
Experienced Traders
The5ers
Up to 100% profit split with scaling.
Scalpers & Day Traders
FTMO
EA allowed. News trading allowed.
Swing Traders
The5ers
Weekend holding allowed. Unlimited (30 days inactivity = expiry).
Budget-Conscious Traders
The5ers
Lowest fee from $22. Fee refundable on pass.
High-Capital Traders
The5ers
Max allocation up to $4.0M.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about choosing between FTMO and The5ers.
The5ers is generally more accessible for beginners due to lower entry costs. Use our Risk Profile Matcher for personalized advice.
The5ers offers up to 100% maximum profit split. See our profit splits comparison.
FTMO processes first payouts in 14 days. Check our payout speed tracker.
Yes! PropFirmScan offers cashback on both FTMO (2%) and The5ers (2%). Learn how cashback works.
FTMO offers approximately 0 instruments. See our full trading rules comparison.
The5ers offers scaling up to $4.0M. Both firms offer scaling plans for consistent traders.
Both firms are vetted by PropFirmScan. FTMO has a PFS score of 8.2/10 and The5ers scores 7.8/10. See our vetting methodology.
FTMO: News ✅, EA ✅. The5ers: News ✅, EA ✅.
Final Verdict: FTMO vs The5ers
The5ers edges out FTMO for traders prioritizing maximum capital scaling and profit retention.
While FTMO boasts a larger historical payout volume, The5ers offers a significantly higher maximum allocation of $4,000,000 and the potential for an impressive 100.00% profit split. This makes The5ers more appealing for experienced traders aiming to scale their trading operations to the largest possible extent and maximize their earnings.
For aspiring proprietary traders, the choice between FTMO and The5ers ultimately hinges on individual priorities and growth trajectories. FTMO, with its industry-leading '$500,000,000' in payouts and a well-established track record since 2015, offers an undeniable sense of security and proven reliability. Its lower maximum allocation of $2,000,000 is still exceptionally high and more than sufficient for most traders, making it an excellent choice for those prioritizing a highly reputable and stable platform. The consistent profit split of 80.00%-90.00% is highly competitive and ensures traders are well-rewarded for their performance.
Conversely, The5ers, though having a smaller total payout history at '$43,000,000' and being a year younger, presents a compelling proposition for ambitious traders seeking maximum scaling opportunities. Its standout feature is the potential for a 100.00% profit split, alongside an industry-leading maximum allocation of $4,000,000. This makes The5ers particularly attractive for very high-performing traders who are confident in their ability to consistently generate profits and wish to retain the largest possible share of their earnings on the largest possible capital base. Both firms offer the flexibility of news trading, EAs, and fee refunds, ensuring a fair playing field. The decision comes down to proven scale versus ultimate earning potential.
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