FTMO VS The5ers: Which Prop Firm is better in 2026?

FTMO vs The5ers Comparison Table

Table of Contents

FTMO and The5ers are two of the longest-established names in online prop trading, but they offer noticeably different routes to funded trading. FTMO provides polished technology, multiple trading platforms and a highly structured 1-Step or 2-Step evaluation. The5ers offers a wider selection of funding models, including High Stakes, Hyper Growth and Bootcamp, alongside stronger maximum scaling potential.

Our comparison finds that FTMO is the better choice for platform flexibility, dashboard quality and traders who want a familiar evaluation structure. The5ers is better suited to traders seeking lower-cost entry options, long-term account scaling and a programme matched to a conservative trading style.

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Visit FTMO | Visit The5ers

Quick verdict

Best overall: The5ers

The5ers narrowly wins this comparison because it offers more programme choice, lower-cost entry routes and scaling that can reach considerably higher account sizes. Its current Prop Firms Compare score is 96/100, compared with 95/100 for FTMO. However, the one-point difference means neither firm is automatically better for every trader. (The5ers review vs FTMO review)

Best for platform choice: FTMO

FTMO supports MT4, MT5 and cTrader, giving discretionary traders and algorithmic traders more choice. The5ers’ current individual programme pages primarily advertise MT5 Hedge.

Best for scaling: The5ers

FTMO’s 2-Step scaling plan can increase an account by 25% every qualifying four-month period, up to $2 million. The5ers High Stakes scales up to $500,000, while Hyper Growth and parts of its wider scaling structure can reach as much as $4 million.

Best for reputation and technology: FTMO

FTMO has operated since 2015 and provides a highly developed dashboard, performance tools, multilingual support and three major trading platforms. It is the stronger option for traders who prioritise an established, polished trading environment.

FTMO’s published objectives currently include a 10% target, 3% maximum daily loss and 10% maximum loss on the 1-Step Challenge. Its 2-Step model uses 10% and 5% targets, a 5% daily loss limit, 10% maximum loss and four minimum trading days. The5ers High Stakes currently lists 10% and 5% targets, 5% daily loss, 10% maximum loss and three profitable days per phase.

Overview of FTMO and The5ers

FTMO overview

FTMO is one of the most established prop trading firms and has operated since 2015. It is known for clearly defined risk parameters, a professional trader dashboard and a choice between 1-Step and 2-Step evaluation models.

Its platform selection is one of its main advantages. Traders can choose between MT4, MT5 and cTrader, while FTMO also provides performance analytics, educational material, free trials and multilingual customer support.

FTMO is particularly suitable for traders who already have a tested strategy and want a predictable evaluation environment. Its rules are not necessarily easy, but they are generally presented clearly and applied through measurable trading objectives.

FTMO advantages

• Choice of 1-Step or 2-Step evaluation
• MT4, MT5 and cTrader support
• Free trials for practising the evaluation
• Long operational history
• Clear dashboard and performance analytics
• Scaling up to $2 million
• Strong customer support and educational resources
• Dedicated Swing account option on the 2-Step model

FTMO disadvantages

• Maximum profit share stops at 90%
• 1-Step accounts include a Best Day Rule
• Funded Standard accounts restrict trading around selected news events
• Funded Standard accounts restrict some overnight and weekend holding
• Scaling requirements take at least four months
• No direct instant-funding programme

The5ers overview

The5ers is a long-established prop firm focused on structured risk management and account growth. Its main distinguishing feature is the choice between three substantially different funding routes.

High Stakes is a conventional two-step evaluation. Hyper Growth provides a one-step route with account doubling at qualifying milestones. Bootcamp uses three evaluation stages and a lower initial payment structure.

The5ers is particularly attractive to traders who want to match a programme to their risk profile rather than choose between variations of one challenge. The main trade-off is that its current programme pages provide less platform choice than FTMO.

The5ers advantages

• Three distinct funding programmes
• No maximum evaluation time on the main programmes
• Profit shares that can scale to 100%
• High Stakes leverage of up to 1:100
• Low-cost entry route through Bootcamp
• Overnight and weekend holding permitted
• Scaling up to $4 million on selected programmes
• Suitable structures for conservative and long-term traders

The5ers disadvantages

• Programme rules vary considerably
• Current programme pages primarily list MT5 Hedge
• High Stakes requires three qualifying profitable days per phase
• High-impact news execution is restricted on High Stakes
• Hyper Growth uses a tighter 6% stop-out level
• Bootcamp requires three evaluation phases
• The programme choice can be confusing for a first-time buyer

How we compared FTMO vs The5ers

We compared the firms using the same framework applied across our prop firm reviews. The comparison covers:

Rules and programme information were checked against official programme pages, public FAQs and our existing firm reviews. Read the complete prop firm scoring methodology for details about how scores are calculated.

Challenges and evaluation process

FTMO Challenges

FTMO offers a 1-Step Challenge and its original 2-Step Challenge.

The 1-Step FTMO Challenge requires a 10% profit target, a 3% maximum daily loss and a 10% maximum loss. It has no Verification phase and no overall time limit. Traders must also follow the 50% Best Day Rule, meaning their most profitable day cannot represent more than half of the total profits used to qualify for a reward.

The 2-Step FTMO Challenge requires a 10% target during the Challenge and a 5% target during Verification. Both stages use a 5% daily loss limit, 10% maximum loss and four minimum trading days. There is no maximum evaluation period.

The 1-Step route is faster but has a tighter daily risk allowance and an additional consistency condition. The 2-Step route takes longer but gives the trader more daily drawdown room.

Read the complete FTMO review or visit FTMO.

The5ers challenges

The5ers offers three main evaluation structures: High Stakes, Hyper Growth and Bootcamp.

High Stakes

High Stakes is the closest equivalent to FTMO’s 2-Step Challenge. Traders must achieve 10% in Step 1 and 5% in Step 2. The programme uses a 5% maximum daily loss, 10% maximum loss and three profitable days per phase.

A profitable day must produce at least 0.5% of the initial account balance under the programme’s calculation. This makes the minimum-day condition more demanding than simply opening a small trade on three separate days.

Hyper Growth

Hyper Growth uses a one-step structure with a 10% evaluation target, 3% daily loss and 6% stop-out level. It has unlimited time, uses 1:30 leverage and can double the account at qualifying milestones.

The tighter 6% overall risk allowance makes Hyper Growth less forgiving than FTMO’s 1-Step Challenge, despite both using a single evaluation stage.

Bootcamp

Bootcamp is a three-stage evaluation designed to reduce the initial financial commitment. Each stage has a 6% profit target and 5% maximum loss. After reaching the funded stage, the programme uses a 4% maximum loss and 3% daily pause.

Bootcamp provides unlimited time but requires the trader to complete three separate stages before reaching the funded account.

Read the complete The5ers review or visit The5ers.

Which evaluation is easier?

For a direct two-step comparison, FTMO and High Stakes use the same headline 10% and 5% targets with the same 5% daily and 10% overall loss limits.

FTMO requires four trading days, while The5ers requires three profitable days that meet its 0.5% threshold. A trader who reaches targets through a small number of large winning days may therefore find FTMO simpler. A consistent trader regularly producing qualifying profitable days may prefer High Stakes.

For one-step accounts, FTMO provides the larger total loss allowance, while Hyper Growth offers stronger account-doubling potential. The better option depends on whether the trader values drawdown room or faster scaling.

Winner: FTMO for evaluation simplicity; The5ers for programme variety.

Pricing comparison: FTMO vs The5ers fees

The firms cannot be compared solely by headline price because the account sizes, currencies and programme structures differ. FTMO charges the complete evaluation fee upfront. The5ers Bootcamp uses a lower initial payment followed by another payment after successful completion.

FTMO indicative challenge fees

The5ers indicative entry prices

FTMO’s complete price table above comes from the pricing recorded in our current FTMO review. The5ers pricing varies by programme and active offer, so the official checkout should always be checked immediately before publishing or purchasing.

The5ers offers the lower entry point, particularly through Bootcamp and the smaller High Stakes accounts. FTMO’s fees are higher, but the 2-Step fee is refundable after successful completion and the first reward under its published conditions.

Winner: The5ers for lowest initial cost. FTMO may offer better value for traders prioritising platforms and technology.

See the latest prop firm discount codes and offers before purchasing.

Drawdown rules and risk parameters

Drawdown rules are among the most important differences when choosing a prop firm. Use our free drawdown calculator to test how a daily or total loss limit would affect your strategy.

FTMO drawdown rules

FTMO’s 2-Step Challenge provides a 5% maximum daily loss and 10% maximum overall loss. Its 1-Step Challenge reduces the daily limit to 3% but retains the 10% maximum loss.

Floating losses, closed losses, commissions and swaps can contribute to rule calculations. Traders therefore need to monitor account equity rather than relying only on closed trades.

The 2-Step model offers the more forgiving balance between profit target and drawdown. The 1-Step route provides faster qualification but leaves less room for an intraday losing sequence.

The5ers drawdown rules

The5ers applies different risk limits to each programme:

• High Stakes: 5% maximum daily loss and 10% maximum loss.
• Hyper Growth: 3% daily loss and 6% stop-out level.
• Bootcamp evaluation: 5% maximum loss with no standard hard daily loss shown in the evaluation table.
• Bootcamp funded stage: 4% maximum loss and a 3% daily pause.

High Stakes is closest to FTMO’s standard 2-Step rules. Hyper Growth and funded Bootcamp accounts provide considerably less total drawdown room.

Which firm has better risk rules?

FTMO offers the clearest overall structure. The5ers gives traders more programme choice, but that also means there is no single drawdown model that represents the whole firm.

For most traders, FTMO 2-Step and The5ers High Stakes are effectively tied on headline drawdown. FTMO 1-Step provides more maximum-loss room than Hyper Growth, making FTMO the more forgiving one-step option.

Winner: FTMO, narrowly.

Trading rules and restrictions

FTMO allows unrestricted news and weekend trading during the evaluation. Once funded, Standard accounts have restrictions, while the 2-Step Swing option is designed for traders who need to hold positions or trade around news.

The5ers generally permits overnight and weekend holding. On High Stakes, traders may hold an existing trade through news, but cannot execute orders from two minutes before until two minutes after listed high-impact events. Hyper Growth permits news trading, excluding prohibited bracket strategies and other restricted practices.

Traders who routinely keep positions open for several days should also review our ranking of the best prop firms for swing trading.

Winner: The5ers for general holding flexibility; FTMO Swing remains a strong alternative.

Account types and scaling

FTMO account types and scaling

FTMO offers account sizes up to $200,000 at the initial stage. Qualifying 2-Step traders can scale their FTMO Account by 25% after each active four-month period.

Scaling requires at least 10% total net simulated profit, at least two processed rewards and a positive account balance at the time of review. The maximum scaled allocation is $2 million, with a 90% reward share.

The5ers account types and scaling

The5ers’ scaling structure depends on the selected programme.

High Stakes increases account balances when traders reach the required scaling target and can eventually reach $500,000. Profit shares begin at 80% and increase at higher stages.

Hyper Growth is more aggressive. The account can double at each qualifying target and can eventually reach $4 million. Bootcamp also uses milestone-based account increases and can reach large allocations through its extended scaling table.

Winner: The5ers.

Use the compound growth calculator to estimate how account growth and profit withdrawals could develop over multiple scaling stages.

Trading conditions, spreads and execution

Both firms provide simulated trading environments supported by external market data and liquidity arrangements. Actual spreads, commissions and slippage can vary by platform, symbol, trading session and market volatility.

FTMO provides the broader platform selection and publishes live symbol information through its trading infrastructure. Its dashboard and platform integrations make it easier to analyse execution and performance across different trading styles.

The5ers focuses primarily on MT5 Hedge within its current programme pages. Its instruments include forex, metals, indices, oil and cryptocurrencies, although availability varies by programme.

Because execution can change during volatile markets, traders should test their preferred symbols through FTMO’s free trial or begin with the smallest suitable challenge.

Winner: FTMO for platform and infrastructure choice.

Trading technology and platforms

FTMO technology

FTMO currently supports:

• MetaTrader 4
• MetaTrader 5
• cTrader
• Desktop, web and mobile platform access
• Account MetriX and performance analytics
• Trading statistics and rule monitoring
• Economic calendar and symbol information
• Free trial accounts

Its wider platform choice makes FTMO more suitable for traders who already rely on a specific platform, custom indicator or Expert Advisor.

The5ers technology

The5ers’ current High Stakes and Hyper Growth programme pages list MT5 Hedge. The platform can be accessed through desktop, web and mobile versions.

Its trader hub provides evaluation progress, account statistics and rule monitoring. However, the narrower current platform offering gives traders less choice than FTMO.

Winner: FTMO.

Traders who use TradingView separately for chart analysis can read our TradingView Premium guide.

Dashboard and account activation

FTMO’s dashboard is one of the more mature systems in the prop-firm market. Traders can monitor profit targets, daily loss, maximum loss, trading days and broader performance statistics. Separate account credentials are provided as traders progress through evaluation stages.

The5ers also provides a clear trader hub, but traders must understand how metrics differ across High Stakes, Hyper Growth and Bootcamp. This creates a slightly steeper learning curve when comparing programmes before purchase.

Both firms review successfully completed evaluations before activating the next stage. Identity checks, rule reviews and account setup can affect activation time.

Winner: FTMO for dashboard usability.

Payouts and profit splits

FTMO’s 1-Step product offers a 90% share of simulated profits. The 2-Step programme starts lower but can increase to 90% through scaling.

The5ers High Stakes begins at 80% and can eventually reach 100%. Hyper Growth and Bootcamp also increase the payout ratio as traders reach higher scaling stages.

Both firms operate approximately fortnightly withdrawal cycles, so neither has a decisive advantage on basic payout frequency. The5ers wins on the maximum potential profit share, while FTMO offers a simpler structure.

Winner: The5ers for maximum profit share; draw for payout frequency.

Funding reliability and payout history

FTMO has operated since 2015 and reports millions of customers and substantial cumulative reward payments. Its longer operational record and mature internal systems make it one of the more established firms in the sector.

The5ers also has a long industry history and publicly promotes its ten-year anniversary. Its programme structures are built around gradual progression rather than unusually fast access to a large account.

Neither firm should be selected solely because of a high advertised account balance. Traders should compare the loss allowance, scaling conditions and payout requirements that apply before those account sizes become accessible.

Winner: FTMO for the depth of its publicly presented operational track record.

Reputation and company transparency

FTMO reputation

FTMO is headquartered in the Czech Republic and has operated since 2015. It publishes detailed challenge rules, FAQs, platform information, contact channels and company information.

Its long history, established brand and mature support infrastructure give it an advantage for traders who prioritise operational stability.

The5ers reputation

The5ers is operated by Five Percent Online Ltd, a UK-registered company. Its website publishes programme rules, FAQs, company information, restricted jurisdictions and contact details.

The firm has operated for approximately a decade and has built its reputation around long-term scaling and conservative risk management.

Winner: FTMO, narrowly.

Customer support and trader resources

FTMO’s larger multilingual support operation and more extensive performance tools give it the stronger overall support ecosystem.

Winner: FTMO.

Trader feedback: common strengths and complaints

Common FTMO feedback themes

Positive feedback frequently focuses on:

• Clear dashboard statistics
• Professional customer support
• Reliable platform access
• Transparent evaluation objectives
• An established payout process
• Useful performance analysis tools

Common criticisms include:

• Strict loss monitoring
• Restrictions on funded Standard accounts
• The Best Day Rule on 1-Step accounts
• Higher fees than some newer competitors

Common The5ers feedback themes

Positive feedback frequently focuses on:

• Long-term scaling potential
• Affordable entry routes
• Overnight and weekend holding
• Choice between three funding models
• Structured, conservative risk rules
• Established operational history

Common criticisms include:

• Less platform choice
• Programme rules that can be difficult to compare
• Tight overall loss limits on Hyper Growth and Bootcamp
• Qualifying profitable-day requirements on High Stakes

These themes are consistent with the strengths and drawbacks identified in our individual FTMO review vs The5ers review.

Which is better: FTMO or The5ers?

Choose FTMO if you:

• Want to use MT4, MT5 or cTrader
• Prefer a highly developed trader dashboard
• Want access to free evaluation trials
• Value an established evaluation model
• Prefer straightforward 1-Step and 2-Step options
• Need the FTMO Swing account for longer-term positions
• Prioritise multilingual customer support
• Are comfortable with a maximum 90% profit share
• Prefer predictable scaling over aggressive account growth

Visit FTMO

Choose The5ers if you:

• Want a choice between one, two or three evaluation stages
• Prefer a lower initial entry price
• Want the possibility of a 100% profit share
• Are focused on long-term account scaling
• Trade primarily through MT5
• Need overnight and weekend holding
• Prefer milestone-based account growth
• Have a conservative, low-risk trading strategy
• Are willing to compare several programme-specific rule sets

Visit The5ers

Final verdict: FTMO vs The5ers

FTMO and The5ers are both credible choices for disciplined traders, but their strongest features appeal to different priorities.

FTMO provides the more polished overall trading environment. Its platform choice, dashboard, free trials, support infrastructure and clearly defined challenge models make it easier to understand what the trader is purchasing. It is particularly strong for traders who already use cTrader or MT4, as well as those who prioritise an established evaluation and payout system.

The5ers offers the stronger long-term funding proposition. Its three funding routes provide more choice, selected programmes can scale up to $4 million and profit shares can eventually reach 100%. Bootcamp also provides a much lower initial entry point for traders who do not want to pay a large challenge fee upfront.

The deciding factor should not be the largest advertised account. Traders should choose the programme whose drawdown, trading-day requirements and platform availability best match their existing strategy.

🏆 Overall winner: The5ers

Based on our current scoring methodology, The5ers wins by 96 points to FTMO’s 95.

The5ers earns the advantage through stronger cost-to-risk value, greater programme variety and higher maximum scaling. FTMO remains the better choice for platforms, dashboard technology and support, meaning the one-point scoring difference should not override individual strategy requirements.

Choose The5ers for scaling and programme choice. Choose FTMO for technology, platform flexibility and a more polished all-round experience.

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