Head-to-head · Independent comparison
FTMO vs The5ers
How FTMO and The5ers stack up on profit split, pricing, payouts and the rules that bind a funded account — advertised claims separated from what we could verify.
The established benchmark: long track record, transparent objectives, documented scaling plan; $200K per-account ceiling before scaling.
Established firm with transparent High Stakes rules; a stricter 'profitable days' gate and MT5-only core product are the trade-offs.
On our five-dimension scorecard, FTMO rates marginally higher overall — but the dimension-by-dimension breakdown below matters more than the average.
Advertised maximums
The numbers, head-to-head
Headline figures from the structured plan data for each firm. “Up to” splits and max funding are ceilings reached via tiers or scaling — not the figure every trader gets.
Profit split — headline maximum (%)
Higher is betterEntry price — lowest advertised ($)
Lower is betterMax funding — headline ($)
Higher is betterOur editorial scorecard (0–5)
Who wins each dimension
| Dimension | FTMO | The5ers | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing & value | 3.0 | 4.0 | The5ers |
| Profit split | 4.0 | 5.0 | The5ers |
| Payout speed | 4.0 | 3.0 | FTMO |
| Rules flexibility | 4.0 | 3.0 | FTMO |
| Transparency | 5.0 | 4.0 | FTMO |
Scores are The Prop Examiner’s editorial assessment, not user reviews. See our methodology.
Advertised vs verified
At a glance
FTMO
The5ers
- Payout minimum & methods
- Not confirmed from the official pages reviewedverify before launch
What actually binds you
Key trading rules compared
FTMO
| Phase / model | Rule | Published value |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Step | Profit target | 10% |
| 2-Step | Profit target | 10% (phase 1) + 5% (phase 2) |
| 1-Step | Daily loss limit | 3% |
| 2-Step | Daily loss limit | 5% |
| All | Max loss | 10% (1-Step uses end-of-day trailing) |
| 2-Step | Minimum trading days | 4 days |
The5ers
| Phase / model | Rule | Published value |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Profit target | 10% (Classic variant 8%) |
| Phase 2 | Profit target | 5% |
| All | Daily loss limit | 5% (from higher of prior day close or 00:00 balance) |
| All | Max overall loss | 10% from initial balance — static |
| All | Minimum trading days | 3 profitable days (closed positions netting ≥ +0.5%) |
| All | Inactivity | Accounts expire after 30+ consecutive days with no activity |
| All | Prohibited styles | Not detailed on pages reviewed — check full termsverify |
Rules vary by product. For a plan-by-plan comparison, use the account comparison tool.
Balanced view
Pros & cons
FTMO
Strengths
- Long operating history and one of the most widely reviewed prop firms.
- Clear, published trading objectives and a documented scaling plan.
- 2-Step fee is refunded with the first reward.
- Both 1-Step (90% split) and 2-Step models available.
Cons & open risks
- Account sizes top out at $200K per account (scaling needed beyond that).
- 1-Step fee is not refunded after passing.
- Live checkout pricing and promos were not exposed without the purchase flow.
- As with all prop challenges, most buyers do not reach a payout.
The5ers
Strengths
- Long operating history (since 2016) with UK and Israel company registrations.
- High Stakes profit split scales from 80% toward 100%, rewarding sustained performance.
- No maximum trading-period limit on High Stakes evaluations; only an inactivity expiry.
- Low advertised entry price for the smallest account size.
Cons & open risks
- A 'profitable days' requirement (not just trading days) can lengthen the path to a payout.
- Minimum payout amount and exact withdrawal methods were not confirmable from the pages reviewed.
- Prohibited trading styles were not clearly listed on the pages reviewed.
- Forex/CFD trading is MT5-only on the core product.
Our take
Which should you choose?
FTMO rates marginally higher on our scorecard, but "better" depends on what you trade and the rules you can live within. Read each verdict, then verify the figures for your exact product before buying.
FTMO is the established benchmark in this space: a long track record, transparent objectives, and a documented scaling plan. The main limitations are a $200K per-account ceiling before scaling and a 1-Step fee that is not refunded. We could not confirm live pricing without entering checkout, so price-shop on the day you buy.
The5ers is one of the more established names in the space, with a clearly documented High Stakes ruleset and a profit split that scales meaningfully for consistent traders. The 'profitable days' requirement and MT5-only core product are tradeoffs worth weighing, and a few payout specifics need confirming at checkout.
Affiliate disclosure: The Prop Examiner is an independent project and may earn a commission if you sign up through some of our links. We are not affiliated with any firm reviewed. Trading challenges are simulated/educational products; no profits or payouts are guaranteed.
Common questions
FTMO vs The5ers FAQ
- Is FTMO or The5ers better?
- Our independent ratings: FTMO 4.4/5, The5ers 4.2/5. FTMO edges it on our scorecard, but the right pick depends on your market, budget and the rules you can trade within.
- Which is cheaper to start, FTMO or The5ers?
- Lowest advertised entry price: FTMO from $155, The5ers from $15. The5ers has the lower starting price, but compare like-for-like account sizes — cheapest is not always best value.
- Which has the higher profit split, FTMO or The5ers?
- Headline ("up to") maximums: FTMO 90%, The5ers 100%. The5ers advertises the higher ceiling — but top splits are usually gated behind tiers or scaling, not what every trader gets.
- Does FTMO or The5ers pay out faster?
- FTMO: 2-Step rewards processed bi-weekly; ~8h avg processing stated. The5ers: Withdrawals available from the dashboard every 14 days. Payout speed and eligibility depend on the product and on meeting each firm's rules; no payout is guaranteed.
Cited & dated
Sources
Figures trace to each firm’s own pages, accessed on the dates shown. Re-verify before relying on any number — pricing and promos change.
- 1.FTMO — how it works· accessed 2026-06-17
- 2.FTMO — trading objectives· accessed 2026-06-17
- 3.FTMO — reward, growth & scaling plan· accessed 2026-06-17
- 4.FTMO — why is there a fee (refund terms)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 5.The5ers — High Stakes program page· accessed 2026-06-17
- 6.The5ers — High Stakes general rules (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 7.The5ers — About· accessed 2026-06-17
- 8.The5ers — instruments (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 9.The5ers — where is The5ers registered (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
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