Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | FTMO | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 80% → 90% | 75% → 100% |
| First Payout | 30 | 16 |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly (first after 30 days) | Monthly (avg 16 days) |
| Max Account Size | $200,000 | $250,000 |
In this independent head-to-head comparison of FTMO vs The5ers, we break down challenge rules, pricing, profit splits, and payout conditions to help you decide which prop firm is the better fit for your trading style.
FTMO: The Original Prop Firm, Proven Since 2015
The5ers: Scale to $4 Million. No Upfront Fee Required.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, FTMO scores 9.8/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: FTMO scores 9.8/10 vs The5ers at 9.4/10.
Minimum Fee: FTMO starts from $155; The5ers starts from From $15. The5ers is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: FTMO offers 80% → 90%; The5ers offers 75% → 100%. The5ers has the higher split.
Platforms: FTMO supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade; The5ers is on MT5 Hedge.
Tradeable Markets: FTMO covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Stocks; The5ers offers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Stocks, Commodities.
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how FTMO and The5ers compare on pricing.
FTMO challenge fees start from $155. The firm has operated since 2015. They have funded over 3,500,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $500M+.
The5ers challenge fees start from From $15. The firm has operated since 2016. They have funded over 262,000+ traders.
On entry-level pricing, The5ers offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
FTMO profit split: 80% → 90%. The5ers profit split: 75% → 100%. The5ers delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: FTMO pays Bi-weekly (first after 30 days); The5ers pays Monthly (avg 16 days). Faster payouts are better for cash flow management.
Here is our full independent review of FTMO:
FTMO is the firm that defined the modern prop trading industry. Founded in January 2015 in the Czech Republic, FTMO pioneered the two-phase evaluation model that dozens of firms have since copied, and remains the benchmark against which every funded trading program is measured. With $500M+ paid out to traders across 140+ countries and a 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating, its track record is unmatched in the space.
The firm operates on simulated capital — funded accounts use fictitious funds that mirror live market conditions, with profits paid as rewards. This structure is explicitly stated and legally compliant across most jurisdictions. For traders who want certainty above all else, FTMO remains the default choice.
FTMO suits professional and semi-professional traders who trade forex, metals, indices, or commodities on MetaTrader, cTrader, or DXtrade. The evaluation process is disciplined and methodical — it rewards consistent traders, not lucky ones.
It is less suitable for traders seeking instant funding, very short payout cycles, or crypto futures trading. FTMO’s monthly payout model and 30-day waiting period for the first reward are trade-offs you accept for the credibility and payout certainty that come with the most established name in the industry.
FTMO offers two evaluation formats, plus a free trial:
Challenge fees are refunded on your first profit reward. Account sizes from $10,000 to $200,000, with scaling up to $400,000 through FTMO’s Scaling Plan.
2-Step Program:
1-Step Program:
News trading is restricted on Standard 2-Step FTMO Accounts but allowed during the evaluation phases. Swing accounts have no such restrictions.
FTMO supports the widest platform range in the prop firm industry:
Tradable assets cover forex pairs, metals (gold, silver), indices, commodities, and crypto (CFDs). This is one of the broadest instrument sets in funded trading.
FTMO earns a 9.1 BestProp score — the highest we award. It is not the cheapest, fastest, or most flexible prop firm. But it is the most proven, with a decade of operation, $500M+ paid, and a transparent legal structure that has been tested across multiple regulatory environments.
If you are a serious trader looking for a funded account you can build a long-term career on, FTMO is where you start. The 30-day first payout and monthly cycle are the only real trade-offs, and they are worth it for the certainty you get in return.
Here is our full independent review of The5ers:
The5ers has been funding traders since January 2016, making it one of the two oldest major prop firms in the industry alongside FTMO. Founded by Saul Lokier and headquartered in Raanana, Israel, the firm has funded over 262,000 traders across 149 employees in 23 countries. That track record — nearly a decade of consistent operation — is the foundation of its reputation.
The firm’s standout program is Hyper Growth: a no-upfront-fee model where traders enter a scaling account that doubles with every 10% profit milestone, growing toward a maximum of $4,000,000. For experienced traders with a proven system, it is one of the highest-ceiling funded trading opportunities available.
The5ers suits experienced forex and multi-asset traders who value long-term capital scaling over fast payouts or high initial splits. The progression from small accounts to multi-million dollar funding is the core appeal — the trade-off is slower payout cycles and lower initial profit splits compared to newer competitors.
The Hyper Growth program’s no-fee entry model also makes The5ers uniquely accessible for skilled traders who can’t or prefer not to pay upfront challenge fees. If your strategy produces consistent 10% gains, the doubling scaling plan is one of the most powerful funding structures available.
The5ers offers four distinct programs:
The5ers earns an 8.6 BestProp score. Nearly a decade of operation, 262,000+ funded traders, and the Hyper Growth program’s $4M ceiling make it one of the most legitimate and ambitious funded trading programs available. The no-upfront-fee Hyper Growth entry is genuinely unique at this scale.
The trade-offs are real: monthly payouts with a 16-day average are slower than most competitors, and the initial 75% split on Hyper Growth is below the 80%+ standard elsewhere. Traders who prioritise payout speed or initial split percentage will find better options. But for those building a long-term funded trading career, The5ers’ scaling architecture and decade-long track record are hard to match.
Overall, our independent scoring gives FTMO the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If The5ers better matches your specific trading style, instruments, or preferred platform, it may still be the right choice for you.
Use our comparison table above and review the challenge fees at both firms before making your final decision. Both offer risk-free evaluation programs — the challenge fee is the only money at risk.
Based on our independent scoring, FTMO scores higher overall (9.8/10). The best choice depends on your trading style, preferred instruments, and account size.
The5ers offers a lower entry-level challenge fee. However, always compare the full account sizes you plan to trade before deciding purely on price.
The5ers offers the higher profit split. FTMO: 80% → 90%. The5ers: 75% → 100%.
EA policies: FTMO — check the review. The5ers — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: FTMO — check the review. The5ers — check the review.
Read the full FTMO review → · Read the full The5ers review →
Based on our scoring methodology, FTMO edges ahead in this comparison. However, the best choice depends on your trading style, preferred platform and account size. Read the full breakdown above for a detailed verdict.
FTMO offers 80% → 90% profit split, while The5ers offers 75% → 100% profit split. Check each firm's current terms as these can change.
Yes! FTMO has code BESTPROP. Use these at checkout to save on your challenge fee.
FTMO processes first payouts in 30 day(s), while The5ers takes approximately 16 day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither FTMO nor The5ers are regulated in the traditional financial sense — prop firms operate as private companies providing traders access to simulated or real capital. Always read the terms and conditions carefully before participating in any prop challenge.
