Sway Funded vs The5ers: Elite Prop Firms Comparison
Introduction
Sway Funded and The5ers represent two leading prop trading firms that offer traders the opportunity to access substantial capital. Sway Funded stands out with its modern approach to prop trading, offering transparent evaluation processes and competitive profit splits. The5ers, established earlier in the industry, has built a strong reputation for its trader-centric policies and multi-phase funding model. On Trustpilot, Sway Funded maintains a 4.6/5 rating while The5ers boasts a solid 4.4/5, both demonstrating strong trader satisfaction in the competitive prop firm landscape.
Quick Comparison
|
| Feature |
Sway Funded |
The5ers |
|
 |
 |
| Founded |
2023 |
2016 |
| Trustpilot Rating |
4.6/5 (400+ reviews) |
4.4/5 (1,200+ reviews) |
| Profit Split |
Up to 90% |
Up to 80% |
| Account Types |
Express, Standard, Advanced |
Rapid, Bootcamp, GTF |
| Scaling Plan |
Up to $4M |
Up to $4M |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals?
|
| Program |
Sway Funded |
The5ers |
| Express Challenge |
One-phase challenge with immediate funding upon success. Evaluation period: 1-30 days |
Not available |
| Standard Challenge |
Two-phase evaluation with 8% profit target per phase. More flexible trading rules |
GTF program with similar structure but higher profit targets (10-12%) |
| Immediate Funding |
Not available |
Rapid program offers direct funding without evaluation ($5K-$80K) |
| Learning Program |
Not available |
Bootcamp program designed for developing traders with educational components |
| Demo vs Live Trading |
Demo accounts during evaluation, live accounts after funding |
Demo accounts during evaluation, live accounts after funding |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test?
|
| Criteria |
Sway Funded |
The5ers |
| Profit Target |
8% per phase (Standard), 10% (Express) |
10-12% Phase 1, 5% Phase 2 (GTF) |
| Maximum Drawdown |
5% daily, 10% overall |
4% daily, 8-10% overall |
| Time Limit |
No time limit (30 days minimum for Express) |
Phase 1: No time limit, Phase 2: Minimum 60 days |
| Minimum Trading Days |
5 trading days per phase |
5 trading days in Phase 1, 10 in Phase 2 |
| Maximum Daily Loss |
5% of account balance |
4% of account balance |
| News Trading |
Allowed |
Restricted during high-impact news |
| Weekend Holding |
Allowed with restrictions |
Allowed with approval |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay?
|
| Option |
Sway Funded |
The5ers |
| $10K Account |
$97 (Express), $157 (Standard) |
$275 (GTF), $675 (Rapid) |
| $25K Account |
$157 (Express), $257 (Standard) |
$350 (GTF), $875 (Rapid) |
| $50K Account |
$257 (Express), $357 (Standard) |
$450 (GTF), $1,175 (Rapid) |
| $100K Account |
$397 (Express), $497 (Standard) |
$675 (GTF), $1,675 (Rapid) |
| $200K Account |
$697 (Express), $797 (Standard) |
$1,275 (GTF), Not available (Rapid) |
| Reset Fee |
50% of initial fee |
30-40% of initial fee |
| Coupons |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use?
|
| Feature |
Sway Funded |
The5ers |
| Trading Platform |
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 |
MetaTrader 5 only |
| Dashboard |
Modern trader dashboard with real-time metrics |
Comprehensive trader dashboard with detailed analytics |
| Mobile App |
Available for iOS and Android |
Available for iOS and Android |
| Trading Tools |
Basic analysis tools included |
Advanced analytics and trading tools |
| Educational Resources |
Limited educational content |
Extensive library + Bootcamp program |
Available Options/Products
|
| Feature |
Sway Funded |
The5ers |
| Account Sizes |
$10K to $200K |
$5K to $200K |
| Scaling Plan |
Double account after 10% profit |
Double account after 10% profit (25% consistency required) |
| Maximum Account Size |
Up to $4M |
Up to $4M |
| Available Markets |
Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Stocks |
| Payout Options |
Weekly/bi-weekly payouts available |
Monthly payouts, interim withdrawals available |
Technical Capabilities/Performance
|
| Feature |
Sway Funded |
The5ers |
| Execution Speed |
Industry standard (15-30ms) |
Premium execution (10-20ms) |
| Spreads |
Competitive raw spreads + markup |
Low raw spreads with minimal markup |
| Max Leverage |
1:100 during evaluation, 1:30 after funding |
1:100 throughout all phases |
| Server Reliability |
99.7% uptime |
99.9% uptime |
| EAs/Algorithms |
Allowed with restrictions |
Fully supported |
| Trading Hours |
24/5 for forex, market hours for others |
24/5 for forex, extended hours for some products |
Trader Support and Community
|
| Feature |
Sway Funded |
The5ers |
| Customer Support |
24/5 via email, live chat during business hours |
24/7 via email, chat, and scheduled calls |
| Community |
Growing Discord community (5,000+ members) |
Established Discord and forum (25,000+ members) |
| Educational Resources |
Basic tutorials and trading guides |
Comprehensive academy, webinars, and mentoring |
| Response Time |
24-48 hours typical response |
12-24 hours typical response |
| Languages Supported |
English only |
Multiple languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, etc.) |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
|
| Key Element |
Sway Funded |
The5ers |
| Strengths |
Lower entry fees, higher profit splits (up to 90%), simplified evaluation process, more lenient rules |
Established reputation, comprehensive education, diverse program options, superior trading tools, stronger community |
| Weaknesses |
Newer to market, less established track record, fewer educational resources, limited platform options |
Higher entry costs, stricter trading rules, longer evaluation process for some programs |
| Best For |
Budget-conscious traders seeking faster evaluation with more relaxed rules and higher profit splits |
Serious traders who value education, community support, and a proven funding structure with long-term stability |
| Final Grade |
4.3/5 |
4.5/5 |
| Discount Codes |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
FAQ
What makes Sway Funded popular among users?
Sway Funded has gained popularity primarily due to its competitive pricing structure, high profit splits (up to 90%), and more flexible trading rules compared to many competitors. Traders particularly appreciate the simpler one-phase Express Challenge which provides a faster path to funding, along with the absence of time limits in their Standard Challenge, allowing traders to reach profit targets at their own pace.
How does The5ers differ from other similar organizations?
The5ers distinguishes itself through its comprehensive approach to trader development and multiple program options. Unlike many competitors, they offer both evaluation-based funding (GTF program) and immediate funding options (Rapid program). Their Bootcamp program for newer traders and extensive educational resources demonstrate a commitment to trader success beyond just providing capital. Additionally, The5ers’ established track record since 2016 and transparent scaling system set them apart in the industry.
Which has better profit split terms: Sway Funded or The5ers?
Sway Funded offers more attractive profit split terms, with traders receiving up to 90% of profits compared to The5ers’ maximum of 80%. Sway Funded’s profit split starts at 80% and increases with account growth and consistent performance. The5ers typically starts at 50% for initial funded accounts in the GTF program and 70% in the Rapid program, with the potential to increase to 80% as traders scale up their accounts. For traders focused primarily on maximizing their percentage of profits, Sway Funded has the edge.
Do Sway Funded and The5ers support automated trading systems?
Both firms support automated trading systems but with different approaches. Sway Funded allows EAs (Expert Advisors) and algorithms with some restrictions regarding maximum trade frequency and risk parameters. The5ers offers fuller support for automated systems, with fewer restrictions and dedicated server options for high-frequency strategies. The5ers also provides more comprehensive documentation and support for algorithm traders, making them generally more accommodating for those using automated strategies as their primary trading method.
Which firm is better for beginner traders?
For complete beginners, The5ers offers more comprehensive support through their Bootcamp program specifically designed for developing traders. This program includes educational resources, lower profit targets, and a more gradual approach to building trading skills. Sway Funded, while offering a more affordable entry point and simpler rules, provides fewer educational resources. Therefore, The5ers is generally better suited for true beginners seeking guidance, while Sway Funded might appeal more to beginners who already have some trading knowledge but limited capital to invest in a prop firm challenge.
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
Our comprehensive comparison begins with thorough data collection from multiple authoritative sources. We analyze official information directly from Sway Funded and The5ers websites, including their program structures, rules, profit splits, and pricing details. Additionally, we gather insights from verified customer reviews across platforms like Trustpilot, Forex Peace Army, and social media channels. We supplement this with feedback from active traders using both platforms and consult industry experts who have direct experience with both firms.
2. We Examine
Our team of experienced financial analysts and trading professionals meticulously verifies all collected information. We cross-reference details across multiple sources to ensure accuracy and currency. When contradictions or unclear policies are found, we directly contact the companies for clarification. Our examination process includes analyzing historical customer experiences to identify consistent patterns in service quality, reliability, and trader satisfaction rather than isolated incidents. This multi-layered verification process ensures you receive trustworthy, up-to-date information.
3. We Score
Each company is evaluated using a proprietary scoring methodology that weights critical factors based on their importance to traders. Our scoring system balances objective metrics (such as pricing, profit splits, and scaling opportunities) with subjective elements (like ease of use, customer service quality, and educational resources). We apply consistent criteria across all firms to ensure fair comparisons, with extra weight given to factors that directly impact trader profitability and experience. Final scores reflect overall value proposition rather than simply counting features.
4. You Choose
This comparison serves as a comprehensive resource for your decision-making process, but the best choice depends on your specific needs and trading style. Consider your experience level, available budget, preferred trading instruments, and long-term goals when evaluating these options. We recommend identifying your priorities (whether affordability, educational resources, or profit terms) and using this guide to determine which firm best aligns with those needs. Remember that the ideal prop firm is one that complements your trading methodology while providing a realistic path to achieving your financial objectives.
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