FTMO vs The5ers: the short answer
Pick FTMO if you want the most clearly published rules, a static 10% drawdown on the 2-Step challenge, permission to run Expert Advisors, and a choice of MT4, MT5 or cTrader. Pick The5ers if you want a cheaper entry ticket ($69 against €89 / $99 for a 10k account), weekend holding on a standard challenge, TradingView access and a scaling plan that can lift your profit split toward 100%. FTMO ranks first in our editorial ranking with a WizardTrader score of 91/100. The5ers ranks second at 86/100. All figures were verified November 2026.
Quick verdict
These two firms are closer than most head-to-heads. Both use a 5% daily loss limit and a 10% maximum drawdown, both pay out roughly every two weeks, and both list a refundable challenge fee. The real differences are price, the phase 1 profit target, what trading styles are allowed, and how settled the published rules are. FTMO allows EAs but limits weekend holding to its Swing accounts. The5ers allows weekend holding but reportedly does not allow EAs. FTMO's newest change is a consistency rule on orders from 12 October 2026. The5ers' main weakness is that sources disagree on its refund mechanics and on whether its drawdown is static or trailing.
| FTMO | The5ers | |
|---|---|---|
| WizardTrader score | 91/100 (rank 1) | 86/100 (rank 2) |
| Challenge price from | €89 / $99 (10k, 2-Step) | $69 (10k, High Stakes) |
| Profit target | 10% then 5% (2-Step) | 10% (New) or 8% (Classic), then 5% |
| Daily loss limit | 5% of initial balance | 5% |
| Max drawdown | 10% static (2-Step) | 10% (sources differ on static vs trailing) |
| Minimum trading days | 4 per phase | 3 profitable days |
| Profit split | 80% default, up to 90% | 80%, up to 100% with scaling |
| Payouts | Every 14 days | Bi-weekly |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader | MT5, cTrader, TradingView |
| Refundable fee | Yes, with first reward | Yes (sources disagree on mechanics) |
| Trustpilot | 4.8 (55,571 reviews, Nov 2026) | About 4.7 (35k–41k reviews, secondary sources) |
| Founded and HQ | 2015, Prague, Czech Republic | 2016, Israel |
Costs and profit split
The cheapest FTMO challenge in our data is the 10k 2-Step at €89 or $99. The cheapest The5ers option is the 10k High Stakes challenge at $69, so The5ers is $30 cheaper at that size. We do not hold verified prices for larger accounts at either firm, so check each firm's checkout for the size you want.
Both firms list the fee as refundable. FTMO refunds it with your first reward. The5ers also lists a refund, but its own review notes that sources disagree on the refund mechanics, so confirm how and when it is paid before you rely on it.
On profit split, FTMO starts at 80% and can reach 90%. The5ers also starts at 80% but can reach 100% through its scaling plan. For funding ceilings, FTMO lists up to $2M via scaling, while The5ers lists $500k on High Stakes and up to $4M through scaling. In our scoring, The5ers edges FTMO on cost (13/15 against 12/15).
Rules and drawdown
FTMO's 2-Step asks for 10% in phase 1 and 5% in phase 2, with at least 4 trading days per phase. The5ers' High Stakes asks for 10% on its New version or 8% on its Classic version, then 5%, with 3 profitable days required. The Classic target is the lowest phase 1 hurdle on this page.
FTMO's 10% maximum drawdown is static on the 2-Step, and its 5% daily limit is measured from initial balance. The5ers also uses 5% and 10%, but sources disagree on whether its drawdown is static or trailing, and our data does not say what the daily limit is measured from. That matters: a trailing limit moves up as your balance grows, which tightens your room after a winning run. Our guide to trailing vs static drawdown explains the difference.
On trading conduct, FTMO allows news trading with a 2-minute restriction on Standard accounts, allows EAs, and allows weekend holding only on Swing accounts. The5ers allows news trading except for 2 minutes around high-impact releases, reportedly does not allow EAs, and allows weekend holding.
Worked example: loss limits on a $100k account
Here is what the percentages mean in dollars on a $100,000 account. This is an illustration of the published rules, not a price quote.
- FTMO daily loss: 5% of the $100,000 initial balance is $5,000. Because it is based on initial balance, the figure stays $5,000 even after your balance grows.
- FTMO max drawdown: 10% static is $10,000, so equity must stay above $90,000 for the whole challenge.
- FTMO targets: $10,000 in phase 1 (10%) and $5,000 in phase 2 (5%).
- The5ers daily loss: 5% of $100,000 is $5,000, though our data does not confirm the reference balance.
- The5ers max drawdown: 10% is $10,000. If it is static, the floor is $90,000. If it is trailing, the floor rises with your balance.
- The5ers targets: $10,000 (New) or $8,000 (Classic) in phase 1, then $5,000.
On FTMO's phase 1 you need to make $10,000 before you lose $10,000. On The5ers Classic you need $8,000 before you lose $10,000, which gives slightly more room relative to the target. Use our drawdown calculator and position size calculator to size trades so that a normal losing streak stays well inside these limits.
Platforms
FTMO supports MT4, MT5 and cTrader. The5ers supports MT5, cTrader and TradingView. If you are an MT4 user, FTMO is the only fit of the two. If you chart and trade from TradingView, The5ers is. We score FTMO 10/10 on platforms and The5ers 8/10. See trading platforms compared for how the platforms differ.
Track record and reviews
FTMO has operated since 2015 from Prague and acquired the broker OANDA in December 2025, which gives it an unusual regulated-broker connection for a prop firm. It accepts US traders through the FTMO-OANDA structure. Its Trustpilot rating is 4.8 from 55,571 reviews (November 2026). It scores 28/30 on track record and transparency and 19/20 on payout record and reviews.
The5ers has operated since 2016 and is based in Israel. Its Trustpilot rating is about 4.7 from 35,000 to 41,000 reviews, based on secondary sources rather than a direct check. It scores 26/30 on track record and 18/20 on payouts and reviews.
Who should choose each
- Choose FTMO if you run EAs, use MT4, want a drawdown rule that is clearly static, or value the longest track record in our ranking.
- Choose The5ers if you want the lower entry price, hold trades over weekends, use TradingView, or plan to scale over time toward a higher split.
- Either works if you trade manually on MT5 or cTrader and can live within a 5% daily and 10% overall limit.
If you are new to evaluations, read how to pass a prop firm challenge first.
Concerns to weigh
Neither firm carries a caution note in our data, but each has drawbacks. FTMO introduced a new consistency rule on orders from 12 October 2026, so read it before you buy, and some reviews cite account locks after technical errors. For The5ers, sources disagree on refund mechanics and drawdown type, and EAs are reportedly not allowed. Treat any detail marked as disputed as unconfirmed until you see it on the firm's own site.
Read the full FTMO review and The5ers review, or compare more firms on our prop firms page.
Sources
FTMO
- FTMO: trading objectives
- FTMO: programme overview
- Trustpilot: FTMO
- Finance Magnates: FTMO closes OANDA deal
The5ers
Figures on this page were verified November 2026. Prop firm rules change often, so confirm current terms on each firm's site before you buy a challenge.
Trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone. A prop firm challenge fee is money at risk, and past payouts do not predict future results. This page is general information, not financial advice. Rankings are editorial and not paid. Read our risk disclaimer and advertiser disclosure.