The5ers vs FTMO – Elite Prop Firms Comparison

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Introduction

If you are comparing The5ers and FTMO, you are looking at two heavyweight forex firms that reward different priorities. The5ers, based in Israel and operating since 2016, has built its name on a generous payout structure and a tiered program ladder, paying up to a 100% profit split through its Hyper Growth, High Stakes and Bootcamp programs. FTMO, the older of the two at 2015, is one of the most reviewed prop firms anywhere, holding a Trustpilot snapshot of 4.8/5 from 53,102 reviews (checked September 27, 2026), and it pays up to 90%. For traders, the trade-off is reputation and convenience on one side against take-home share and entry cost on the other. The5ers lets you start small and cheaply, with High Stakes challenges from around $39, and offers CFD platform access by region: MT5, cTrader and TradingView for non-US clients, and TradingView for US clients. FTMO’s 2-Step fee is refundable with the first reward, while the 1-Step fee is non-refundable. It supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and TradingView. Evaluation styles differ as well: The5ers spreads traders across three branded programs covering 1, 2 and 3-step routes, while FTMO keeps a leaner 1-Step or 2-Step model. FTMO’s daily loss limit is 5% on 2-Step and 3% on 1-Step; its profit targets are 10% then 5% on 2-Step and 10% on 1-Step. Compare these with the exact The5ers program you select. Choose The5ers if the 100% split, low entry price and program variety matter most; choose FTMO if you want the largest track record, more platform choice and a refundable fee.

FeatureThe5ersFTMO
The5ers FTMO
Founded20162015
Profit Split
Maximum Account SizeUp to $4M on applicable Growth/Bootcamp scaling plans; High Stakes has its own lower ceilingCFD: up to $2,000,000 through scaling. Futures: up to $450,000 across 3 Sim-Funded accounts
Evaluation PhasesHigh Stakes: 2 steps; Growth: 1 step; Bootcamp: 3 steps. Separate Futures programs.CFD: 1 phase (1-Step), 2 phases (2-Step). Futures: Evaluation, then Sim-Funded, then invitation-only Live Funded
Trustpilot Rating4.8
Expert Grade99.1
ProgramThe5ersFTMO
Entry Level ProgramHigh Stakes (2-Step)Yes. CFD 2-Step from EUR 89 one-time; Futures Growth from $119 per month
Advanced ProgramHyper Growth (1-Step)FTMO Challenge and Verification (CFD 2-Step); Futures Pro path with hard daily loss and 100% withdrawals
Scaling OptionsBootcamp (3-Step)
Demo AccountAvailableFree Trials for 1-Step and 2-Step; practice only, not qualification. No free trial on Futures
CriteriaThe5ersFTMO
Profit Target
Maximum Drawdown
Minimum Trading DaysHigh Stakes: 3 profitable days per evaluation phase, each meeting the 0.5% threshold; other plans have their own requirements.
News TradingHigh Stakes: holding allowed, but order execution prohibited 2 minutes before/after high-impact news. Growth permits news subject to prohibited-strategy rules. Separate Futures rules.Evaluation: allowed within trading rules. Standard FTMO Account: affected instruments restricted 2 minutes before/after selected releases; Swing exempt. Futures: news trading allowed
Daily Loss Limit
Drawdown Type
Time Limit
Consistency / Best Day Rule
Maximum Contracts
OptionThe5ersFTMO
CFD $2.5K Account
CFD $5K Account
CFD $10K Account
CFD $25K Account
CFD $50K Account
CFD $100K Account
CFD $200K Account
Futures $25K Account
Futures $50K Account
Futures $100K Account
Futures $150K Account
Refund PolicyNo
Coupons / DiscountThe5ers discountFTMO discount
FeatureThe5ersFTMO
Trading PlatformsCFDs: MT5, cTrader and TradingView for non-US traders; TradingView only for US tradersCFD: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView. Futures: NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView
ForexYesYes
StocksNoYes
IndicesYesYes
CommoditiesYesYes
CryptocurrenciesYes on applicable CFD programs, including High Stakes; symbol and leverage limits vary.Yes
BondsNot availableNot verified for CFD accounts; check current Symbols
EA/Algo TradingYesAllowed subject to trading rules, allocation and platform limits; third-party EAs can create allocation conflicts.
FeatureThe5ersFTMO
Payout TermsFirst withdrawal 14 days after funded activation, then every 2 weeks from the last approved withdrawal; minimum and caps vary by plan. Approved requests typically processed within 3 business days. Rise, crypto and bank transfer: 3.5%; bank fees may also apply. Hub Credits: 0%, non-cash.CFD: request from day 14 after the first trade on the specific account, subject to eligibility; close all positions and pending orders. Review usually 1-2 business days; payment usually 1-2 business days after invoice approval. Futures Sim-Funded: every 4 days on Growth (50% withdrawable, cap $2,500 to $4,000), every 5 days on Pro (100% withdrawable, cap $5,000 to $8,000). Live Funded: daily, no cap
See all prop firm payouts →
Payout Frequency
Payout Cap
Payout Eligibility
Withdrawable Amount
Key ElementThe5ersFTMO
StrengthsMultiple evaluation routes; eligible scaling can increase profit share to 100%; no maximum completion deadline on core CFD evaluations, subject to inactivity limitsFull fee refund on 2-Step; static drawdown; no consistency rules on CFD; zero withdrawal commission; scaling to $2M; futures line with no minimum trading days and no activation fee
WeaknessesPlan-specific drawdown, news and profitable-day rules; cash withdrawal fees; US platform choice restricted; fee reimbursement depends on the program and eligibility1-Step fee non-refundable; 50% Best Day condition for passing/rewards; new 1-Step account after reward starts with a 90%-of-initial-capital loss floor; futures is a recurring monthly subscription, Growth pays out only 50% per request, and the Live Funded step is by invitation only
Best ForStructured traders seeking established firm with clear scaling pathCFD: 2-Step for most, 1-Step only if the 90% split outweighs other concerns. Futures: Pro if you want 100% withdrawals, Growth if you want the cheapest entry

Conclusion and Final Recommendation

Choose The5ers if you want a higher profit split, up to 100%, a scaling ceiling up to $4M on applicable Growth/Bootcamp plans and a cheaper entry, from USD 19. Consider FTMO if you want a choice of 1-Step or 2-Step evaluations and MT4, MT5, cTrader or TradingView. Its Free Trials let you practise before buying. Neither firm is better in the abstract. The right choice depends on your strategy, your budget and the instruments you trade, so read both full reviews before you commit. Verify current rules and pricing on each firm’s own site before purchasing.

Frequently asked questions

Official rule sources: The5ers platforms, High Stakes rules, drawdown, payout policy, and FTMO comparison table.

How We Compared The5ers and FTMO

Both firms carry a JoinProp Rating out of 10, scored on the same nine weighted factors, led by payout reliability at 20%, then fee structure, drawdown rules and profit split at 15% each. The scores come from our own firm reviews, built from each firm’s current terms rather than its marketing pages and re-checked at least every 90 days. Affiliate relationships have no effect on any rating, and ratings are never sold. The tables above are the evidence behind those scores. Read our full ranking methodology.

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