FTMO vs The5ers: Elite Prop Firms Comparison
Introduction
FTMO and The5ers stand as leading proprietary trading firms in the forex and futures industry, offering traders the opportunity to access substantial capital without risking their own money. FTMO, established in Prague, has built its reputation on a robust challenge-based evaluation system and exceptional trader support, maintaining a strong 4.7/5 rating on Trustpilot. The5ers, founded in Israel, distinguishes itself with a growth-focused scaling plan and low-pressure evaluation approach, earning a solid 4.5/5 Trustpilot rating. Both firms have revolutionized the prop trading space by providing viable pathways for retail traders to manage significant capital and potentially achieve professional trading careers.
Quick Comparison
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
The5ers |
|
 |
|
| Founded |
2017 |
2016 |
| Trustpilot Rating |
4.7/5 (4,500+ reviews) |
4.5/5 (2,200+ reviews) |
| Capital Range |
$10,000 – $200,000 |
$24,000 – $320,000 |
| Profit Split |
80% after passing challenges |
50-80% depending on account level |
| Evaluation Type |
Two-phase challenge system |
Low-pressure growth model |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals?
|
| Program |
FTMO |
The5ers |
| Standard Account Types |
Normal, Swing, Options Trading |
Rapid, Stellar |
| Account Sizes |
$10K, $25K, $50K, $100K, $200K |
$24K, $40K, $80K, $120K, $240K, $320K |
| Scaling Plan |
Up to 2x capital increase after consistent success |
Progressive scaling: double account size after 10% profit (up to 4x original) |
| Beginner-Friendly Options |
FTMO Challenge (easier metrics than Verification) |
Level 1 Growth Program (gradual entry) |
| Specialty Programs |
Swing Account (7-day minimum holding period) |
Rapid Program (aggressive scaling) |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test?
|
| Criteria |
FTMO |
The5ers |
| Profit Target |
10% (Challenge), 5% (Verification) |
6% (Level 1), No specific target (Level 2) |
| Maximum Daily Loss |
5% of account balance |
4% of account balance |
| Maximum Total Loss |
10% of account balance |
8% of account balance |
| Time Limit |
30 days for each phase (extendable) |
No time limit (focus on consistent trading) |
| Minimum Trading Days |
10 trading days (Challenge), 5 days (Verification) |
No minimum trading days requirement |
| Trading Restrictions |
No overnight weekend positions in Normal Account |
No weekend holding restrictions |
| Consistency Rule |
Strict consistency metrics applied |
More relaxed approach to consistency |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay?
|
| Option |
FTMO |
The5ers |
| $10K-$25K Account |
$155-$250 one-time fee |
$275 ($24K account) |
| $50K Account |
$440 one-time fee |
$375 ($40K account) |
| $100K Account |
$820 one-time fee |
$675 ($80K account) |
| $200K Account |
$1,540 one-time fee |
$1,250 ($160K account) |
| Refund Policy |
Fee refunded after first profit withdrawal |
No refund of evaluation fee |
| Coupons |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use?
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
The5ers |
| Trading Platforms |
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader |
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 |
| Mobile Trading |
Yes (through MT4/MT5/cTrader apps) |
Yes (through MT4/MT5 apps) |
| Performance Dashboard |
Comprehensive metrics dashboard |
Detailed analytics portal |
| Trading Journal |
Built-in trading journal feature |
Basic trading log capabilities |
| API Access |
Yes, for automated trading |
Yes, for automated trading |
| Trading Indicators |
Standard MT4/MT5/cTrader indicators |
Standard MT4/MT5 indicators |
Available Markets/Products
|
| Market |
FTMO |
The5ers |
| Forex |
Yes (major and minor pairs) |
Yes (major and minor pairs) |
| Commodities |
Yes (gold, silver, oil, etc.) |
Yes (limited selection) |
| Indices |
Yes (major global indices) |
Yes (major global indices) |
| Cryptocurrencies |
Yes (limited selection) |
Yes (limited selection) |
| Options |
Yes (new Options program) |
No |
| Stocks/Equities |
Limited selection |
Limited selection |
Technical Capabilities/Performance
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
The5ers |
| Execution Speed |
Fast institutional-grade execution |
Fast execution with minimal slippage |
| Average Spreads |
Competitive (EUR/USD ~0.5 pips) |
Slightly wider (EUR/USD ~0.7 pips) |
| Commissions |
Raw spread + commission model |
Raw spread + commission model |
| Allowed Trading Styles |
Scalping, day trading, swing trading |
All styles with focus on consistency |
| EAs/Algorithms |
Allowed with restrictions |
Allowed with verification |
| Server Location |
Low-latency European servers |
Multiple global server options |
Support and Educational Resources
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
The5ers |
| Customer Support |
24/5 via email, chat, phone |
Business hours via email, chat |
| Educational Content |
Extensive webinars, tutorials, articles |
Basic educational resources, trader interviews |
| Community |
Active trader community, Discord |
Growing community, Facebook group |
| Mentorship |
Coaching available (additional cost) |
Limited mentorship options |
| Trading Psychology |
Strong focus with dedicated resources |
Basic psychological guidance |
| Languages Supported |
12+ languages |
English, limited other languages |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
|
| Key Element |
FTMO |
The5ers |
| Strengths |
Structured evaluation process, higher profit split, comprehensive educational resources, wide market access, fee refund after first profit |
No time pressure during evaluation, excellent scaling plan, weekend position holding allowed, gradual growth model, higher potential capital ceiling |
| Weaknesses |
Time pressure during challenges, strict consistency rules, no weekend holding in standard accounts |
Lower initial profit split (50%), no fee refund, slightly higher evaluation costs for comparable accounts |
| Best For |
Confident, disciplined traders who can perform under time pressure and prefer higher immediate profit splits |
Patient, growth-oriented traders who value long-term scaling potential without time constraints |
| Final Grade |
4.7/5 |
4.5/5 |
| Discount Codes |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
FAQ
What makes FTMO popular among users?
FTMO’s popularity stems from its clear, well-structured evaluation process, high profit-split ratio (80%), and the refund of the initial fee after the first profit withdrawal. Traders particularly appreciate the comprehensive performance dashboard, excellent educational resources, and the company’s established reputation backed by thousands of positive reviews. The balanced challenge parameters with realistic profit targets (10% in Challenge, 5% in Verification) make it attainable for skilled traders while maintaining standards that ensure only disciplined traders qualify.
How does The5ers differ from other similar organizations?
The5ers distinguishes itself with its unique low-pressure evaluation model that has no time constraints, allowing traders to develop at their own pace. Their standout feature is the progressive scaling system where traders can double their account size after achieving 10% profit, potentially scaling up to 4x their initial capital. The5ers also permits weekend position holding across all account types and focuses more on long-term consistency rather than short-term performance metrics, making it ideal for swing traders and those who prefer a growth-oriented approach.
Which firm is better for beginner traders?
For complete beginners, The5ers generally offers a more accommodating environment due to its no-time-limit approach and focus on gradual growth. Their Level 1 program allows traders to learn and improve without the pressure of a ticking clock. However, FTMO offers superior educational resources and a more structured pathway that some beginners might prefer. The choice ultimately depends on whether a beginner responds better to deadline-driven challenges (FTMO) or a more relaxed, growth-oriented approach (The5ers). Both firms require basic trading competence to pass their evaluations.
Can I trade with both FTMO and The5ers simultaneously?
Yes, you can trade with both FTMO and The5ers simultaneously, as neither company prohibits traders from working with multiple prop firms. This approach offers diversification benefits, allowing you to experience different evaluation models and potentially manage more capital across platforms. Many professional traders maintain accounts with multiple prop firms to maximize their earning potential and minimize risk. However, be mindful that maintaining consistent performance across multiple challenges requires solid strategy and time management skills.
Which platform offers better long-term scaling potential?
The5ers offers superior long-term scaling potential through their structured growth model where traders can increase their account size up to 4x the original allocation after demonstrating consistent profitability (10% profit milestones). This creates a clear pathway to managing accounts up to $320,000 from more modest beginnings. While FTMO does offer scaling (up to 2x original allocation), their program is more focused on immediate higher profit splits (80%) rather than exponential account growth. For traders with a long-term perspective who are willing to accept a lower initial profit split, The5ers provides better scaling opportunities.
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
Our team gathered comprehensive data directly from FTMO and The5ers official websites, terms of service documents, and publicly available information. We supplemented this with verified user reviews from Trustpilot, trading forums, and social media communities. We also conducted interviews with current and former traders from both platforms to gain firsthand insights into the user experience, platform performance, and overall satisfaction with both proprietary trading firms.
2. We Examine
Our analysis team, comprised of professional traders and financial industry experts, meticulously verified all collected information for accuracy and relevance. We tested both platforms’ evaluation processes, support responsiveness, and execution quality to ensure our comparison reflects real-world performance. Each claim made by the companies was cross-checked against user experiences and industry standards to provide an honest, unbiased assessment of their offerings.
3. We Score
We developed a comprehensive scoring methodology based on key factors that matter most to traders: evaluation fairness, profit split percentages, scaling opportunities, platform reliability, market access, educational resources, support quality, and overall value. Each category received a weighted score based on its importance to the average trader, with particular emphasis on financial terms and evaluation requirements. The final scores represent a balanced assessment of each company’s overall offering.
4. You Choose
Use this comparison as a starting point for your decision, considering which aspects matter most for your trading style. If you value higher immediate profit splits and a structured challenge with clear parameters, FTMO may be your best option. If you prefer a no-time-limit evaluation with excellent scaling potential, The5ers could be more suitable. Consider your trading timeframe (day trading vs. swing trading), risk tolerance, and capital goals. We recommend reviewing both companies’ current terms on their official websites before making your final decision.
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