FTMO vs The5ers 2026: Rules, Fees, Payouts and Scaling Compared
Updated
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FTMO and The5ers both run 2-step challenges with a static maximum loss and no time limit, and both have operated for about ten years. On a $100,000 account, The5ers is cheaper ($405 or $455 against €540) and scales to a 100% profit split, but has tighter loss limits (4% daily, 8% maximum) and caps each payout at $4,000; FTMO allows 5% and 10% and refunds the whole fee in cash.
FTMO vs The5ers: scores by criterion
| Criterion | FTMO | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Payout reliability and track record (30%) | 5 / 5 ✓ | 4 / 5 |
| Fairness of the rules (20%) | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Cost and value (20%) | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Platforms and trading conditions (10%) | 5 / 5 ✓ | 4 / 5 |
| Transparency and terms (10%) | 5 / 5 ✓ | 3 / 5 |
| Access and support (10%) | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
Scores follow our prop firm review methodology; each comes from the full FTMO review and The5ers review.
FTMO vs The5ers rules compared
| FTMO | The5ers | |
|---|---|---|
| Main challenge | FTMO Challenge (2-Step) | High Stakes (New) |
| Fee ($100,000) | €540 | $405 |
| Profit target | 10% (phase 1), 5% (phase 2) | 10% (step 1), 5% (step 2) |
| Daily loss limit | 5% of initial capital, below the balance at 00:00 CE(S)T, checked on equity | 4% of the day's starting equity or balance, whichever is higher, at 00:00 server time |
| Maximum loss | 10% of initial capital (static) | 8% of the initial balance (static) |
| Profit split | 80%, up to 90% | 80%, up to 100% |
| Other programmes | FTMO Challenge (1-Step) | High Stakes (Classic), Bootcamp |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView |
| US traders | Accepted | Accepted |
| Company | FTMO Evaluation Global s.r.o., Czech Republic | Five Percent Online Ltd, United Kingdom and Israel |
| Not available in | 74 countries and territories (full list in the review) | 30 countries and territories (full list in the review) |
FTMO vs The5ers: the 2-step challenges
| $100,000 2-step | FTMO Challenge (2-Step) | The5ers High Stakes |
|---|---|---|
| Fee (regular price) | €540 | $405 (10% and 5% targets) or $455 (8% and 5%) |
| Profit targets | 10% and 5% | 10% and 5%, or 8% and 5% |
| Daily loss limit | 5%, from the balance at midnight CE(S)T | 4%, from the higher of the day’s starting equity or balance |
| Maximum loss | 10%, static | 8%, static |
| Trading days | At least 4 per phase | At least 3 profitable days per step |
| Fee refund | In full, with the first reward | 30% as Hub Credits during the challenge, 70% with the first payout |
The5ers is cheaper to enter but leaves less room for losses: on a $100,000 account the maximum loss floor is $92,000 against FTMO’s $90,000, and the daily limit is one percentage point tighter. The5ers’ help centre still shows 5% and 10% in an older article; its programme table, used here, shows 4% and 8%: prop firm drawdown rules.
FTMO vs The5ers payouts and profit split
FTMO starts at an 80% split, rising to 90%, and allows a first reward from the 14th day after the first funded trade. The5ers also starts at 80%, but its split rises with each scale-up to 85%, 90% and then 100% plus a fixed monthly payout from a $350,000 balance. The5ers pays every 14 days and caps each payout on a $100,000 account at $4,000, with a 3.5% withdrawal fee on most methods; FTMO publishes no comparable cap for this account size.
FTMO states that it has paid over $650 million in rewards; The5ers publishes an average payout time and a monthly payout count but no total. Neither says its figures are independently audited.
FTMO vs The5ers trading rules
During the challenge, FTMO allows news trading; on its Standard funded account it restricts trading two minutes either side of selected news and requires positions to be closed before the weekend, which its Swing type removes. The5ers allows holding positions through news and over weekends, but no orders may be executed two minutes either side of high-impact news. Both allow expert advisors, with conditions.
FTMO vs The5ers: which suits which trader?
- FTMO may suit traders who want wider loss limits, a full cash fee refund and a firm that publishes a payout total.
- The5ers may suit traders who want a lower fee and a split that can reach 100% as the account grows, and who can trade within an 8% maximum loss.
Read the full FTMO review and The5ers review before buying a challenge.
Comparisons and rankings
Frequently asked questions
Is FTMO or The5ers better?
On our methodology FTMO scores higher, mainly for its published payout total, clearer company terms and wider loss limits. The5ers has a lower fee, no news restrictions on holding positions and a profit split that can reach 100%.
Which has stricter drawdown rules, FTMO or The5ers?
On a $100,000 2-step account, The5ers' programme table shows a 4% daily and an 8% static maximum loss, against 5% and 10% at FTMO. Both maximum losses are static.
Do FTMO and The5ers accept US traders?
Both do. FTMO serves US residents through FTMO US; The5ers offers US clients TradingView only.