Prop Firms Challenges Comparisons Discount Codes Blog Contact
Home › Comparisons › The5ers vs DNA Funded — Which is Better?
The5ers
9.4/10
★★★★½
VS
DNA Funded
7.9/10
★★★★☆

The5ers vs DNA Funded — Which is Better? (2026)

Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.

Get Funded Now — The5ers View Firm — DNA Funded

The5ers vs DNA Funded — Side-by-Side

Feature The5ers DNA Funded
Payout
Profit Split 75% → 100% 80% (up to 90%)
First Payout 16 14
Payout Frequency Monthly (avg 16 days) From day 14 (day 7 with add-on)
Max Account Size $250,000 $200,000
Our Verdict — The5ers vs DNA Funded

Winner: The5ers

The5ers vs DNA Funded — Executive Summary (2026)

In this independent head-to-head comparison of The5ers vs DNA Funded, 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.

The5ers: Scale to $4 Million. No Upfront Fee Required.

DNA Funded: 10-Day Rapid Challenge. 24-Hour Entry from $25. $600K Scaling.

Based on our independent scoring methodology, The5ers scores 9.4/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.

Quick Stats: The5ers vs DNA Funded

BestProp Score: The5ers scores 9.4/10 vs DNA Funded at 7.9/10.

Minimum Fee: The5ers starts from From $15; DNA Funded starts from $25. The5ers is cheaper at entry level.

Profit Split: The5ers offers 75% → 100%; DNA Funded offers 80% (up to 90%). The5ers has the higher split.

Platforms: The5ers supports MT5 Hedge; DNA Funded is on TradeLocker.

Tradeable Markets: The5ers covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Stocks, Commodities; DNA Funded offers Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto.

Pricing Comparison: The5ers vs DNA Funded

Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how The5ers and DNA Funded compare on pricing.

The5ers challenge fees start from From $15. The firm has operated since 2016. They have funded over 262,000+ traders.

DNA Funded challenge fees start from $25.

On entry-level pricing, The5ers offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.

Challenge Rules: The5ers vs DNA Funded

Drawdown Rules

Trading Conditions

Payout Comparison: The5ers vs DNA Funded

The5ers profit split: 75% → 100%. DNA Funded profit split: 80% (up to 90%). The5ers delivers the higher cut to traders.

Payout frequency: The5ers pays Monthly (avg 16 days); DNA Funded pays From day 14 (day 7 with add-on). Faster payouts are better for cash flow management.

The5ers — Full Review

Here is our full independent review of The5ers:

Introduction to 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.

Who Is The5ers For?

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.

Challenge Programs

The5ers offers four distinct programs:

  • Hyper Growth (1-Step, no upfront fee): Enter with as little as $5,000 in evaluation capital. No entry fee — pay a small bonus contribution from $15. 10% profit target per scaling milestone. 3% daily drawdown, 6% stop-out. Account doubles at each milestone, scaling to $4,000,000. No minimum trading days at Level 1. Split: 75% up to $300K balance, 80% at $350K+, up to 100%.
  • Pro Growth (1-Step): One-time fee of $74. 75/25 profit split from the start. Single evaluation phase, structured entry into the scaling system.
  • High Stakes (2-Step): Account sizes $2,500–$100,000. Step 1 fee: $19 (refundable on completion). Step 1: 10% target. Step 2: 5% target. 5% daily drawdown, 10% max drawdown. 3 minimum profitable days per phase. Split: 80% rising to 100% at scale, with fixed payouts of $4,000/month at $350K and $10,000/month at $500K.
  • Bootcamp (3-Step): Three-phase evaluation with the most capital available upfront — up to $250,000. $95 upfront for a $100K account ($205 due after passing Phase 1), or $225 for $250K ($350 due after Phase 1). Scales at every 5% profit milestone. Best for methodical traders who prefer a step-by-step progression.

Trading Rules

  • News trading: Permitted, with restrictions on bracket/straddle strategies around news events
  • Weekend holding: Allowed on forex, metals, and crypto
  • Leverage: 1:30 (Hyper Growth / Pro Growth), 1:100 (High Stakes)
  • Platform: MT5 Hedge — supports hedging strategies
  • Inactive accounts: Expire after 30 days of no trading activity
  • Minimum profitable days: 3 required for High Stakes (a profitable day = closed positions with at least 0.5% profit on initial balance)
  • No time limits on any phase

Payouts

  • Average payout time: 16 days
  • Frequency: Monthly
  • Methods: Cryptocurrency, Rise
  • Payment accepted: Crypto, credit/debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal
  • High Stakes fixed payouts: $4,000/month at $350K balance, $10,000/month at $500K balance
  • Fee refund: High Stakes evaluation fee ($19) returned with first funded payout

Our Verdict

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.

DNA Funded — Full Review

Here is our full independent review of DNA Funded:

Introduction to DNA Funded

DNA Funded is led by CEO Martin Doepke and registered in Saint Lucia. The firm offers five distinct challenge types including a genuinely unusual 10-day Rapid Challenge and a 24-hour micro-challenge entry point from just $25. Maximum scaling reaches $600,000. Trading is conducted exclusively on TradeLocker.

One important cost factor to understand before joining: DNA Funded charges a flat $5 commission per non-crypto trade and a 0.1% fee on crypto trades. This is separate from the challenge fee and applies on funded accounts. For high-frequency traders executing many positions per day, this commission structure adds meaningful ongoing cost that should be factored into profitability calculations before choosing this platform.

Who Is DNA Funded For?

DNA Funded suits traders who want a wide range of challenge formats – from a $25 24-hour entry challenge all the way to a $200K two-phase evaluation. The Rapid Challenge is the most distinctive offering: a strict 10-calendar-day window with a 5% profit target, designed for traders who want fast confirmation of their edge without an open-ended evaluation period.

USA and Canadian traders are excluded. Grid and martingale strategies are prohibited. News trading is allowed but restricted to a 5-minute window before and after major releases.

Challenge Programs

  • 1-Phase / Single Helix ($5K-$200K): 10% profit target. 4% daily drawdown. 6% max drawdown (static). 80% split (up to 90% with add-on). First payout after 14 days (7 days with add-on). Fees $59-$1,209. First 3 payouts capped at 5% of account – cap removed after third payout.
  • 2-Phase / Double Helix ($5K-$200K): Phase 1: 10% target. Phase 2: 5% target. 5% daily drawdown. 8% max drawdown (static). 80% split (up to 90%). 14-day payout cycle. Fees $49-$1,079.
  • Rapid Challenge ($10K-$100K): 5% profit target. 3% daily drawdown. 5% max drawdown (static). Strict 10-calendar-day time limit. Weekend trading prohibited during the challenge. 80% split (up to 90%). Fees $99-$549. Fastest evaluation path for traders who are confident in their ability to perform on a deadline.
  • Instant Funding ($10K-$100K): No evaluation, no profit target, no daily drawdown limit. 4% max drawdown (trailing). Minimum 5 trading days before first withdrawal. 80% split (up to 90%). Fees $199-$979.
  • 24-Hour Challenge ($20K fixed): Entry from $25. A micro-challenge format completed within 24 hours. Unique accessibility play for traders who want a rapid, low-cost proof of concept.

Key Rules

  • Per-trade commission: $5 flat per non-crypto trade | 0.1% per crypto trade – applies on funded accounts
  • Daily profit distribution: No more than 30% of total account profit can come from a single trading day (rule added February 2026)
  • First 3 payouts: Capped at 5% of account balance each – cap lifted after third payout
  • News trading: Allowed with 5-minute restriction window before and after major releases
  • Prohibited: Grid strategies, martingale, account sharing
  • Weekend trading: Restricted on Rapid Challenge only

Trading Rules and Platforms

Single platform: TradeLocker. Instruments: forex, indices, commodities, stocks, cryptocurrencies (all CFDs). Restricted countries: USA, Canada, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Sudan, Cuba, Crimea region.

Payouts

  • Processing: 1-4 business days approval, then 1-2 additional days for funds to arrive
  • Minimum withdrawal: $100 after profit split applied
  • Methods: Cryptocurrency (1% processing fee) | Bank transfer ($50 flat fee)
  • Split: 80% base | Up to 90% with add-on
  • Scaling ceiling: $600,000

Our Verdict

DNA Funded earns a 6.7 BestProp score. The 10-day Rapid Challenge and $25 24-hour entry challenge are genuinely unique formats not available at most competitors. The programme variety (5 types) is solid and the 5% Rapid target is accessible.

The per-trade $5 commission is the most significant negative in the platform – it adds cost that compounds quickly for active traders and is not present at most competing firms. The Trustpilot score of 3.8/5 from 72 reviews is a small sample but moderate. The 5% cap on the first 3 payouts, $50 bank transfer fee, and single-platform limitation (TradeLocker only) further constrain the value proposition. DNA Funded is worth considering specifically for the Rapid Challenge format – for general prop trading the commission structure warrants careful analysis before committing.

The5ers — Key Strengths

  • BestProp score: 9.4/10
  • Competitive 75% → 100% profit split
  • Challenge fees from From $15
  • 262,000+ funded traders
  • Available on MT5 Hedge
  • Operating since 2016

DNA Funded — Key Strengths

  • BestProp score: 7.9/10
  • Competitive 80% (up to 90%) profit split
  • Challenge fees from $25
  • Available on TradeLocker

Final Verdict: The5ers vs DNA Funded (2026)

Overall, our independent scoring gives The5ers the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If DNA Funded 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.

Frequently Asked Questions: The5ers vs DNA Funded

Which is better, The5ers or DNA Funded?

Based on our independent scoring, The5ers scores higher overall (9.4/10). The best choice depends on your trading style, preferred instruments, and account size.

Is The5ers cheaper than DNA Funded?

The5ers offers a lower entry-level challenge fee. However, always compare the full account sizes you plan to trade before deciding purely on price.

Which has a better profit split, The5ers or DNA Funded?

The5ers offers the higher profit split. The5ers: 75% → 100%. DNA Funded: 80% (up to 90%).

Can I use an EA or trading bot?

EA policies: The5ers — check the review. DNA Funded — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.

Which is better for news trading?

News trading: The5ers — check the review. DNA Funded — check the review.

Read the full The5ers review →  ·  Read the full DNA Funded review →

Who should choose The5ers?
  • Traders wanting 75% → 100% profit split
  • Users of MT5 Hedge
  • Anyone looking for a top-rated funded challenge
Who should choose DNA Funded?
  • Traders wanting 80% (up to 90%) profit split
  • Users of TradeLocker
  • Anyone looking for a solid funded challenge

Frequently Asked Questions — The5ers vs DNA Funded

Based on our scoring methodology, The5ers 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.

The5ers offers 75% → 100% profit split, while DNA Funded offers 80% (up to 90%) profit split. Check each firm's current terms as these can change.

Check our offers page for the latest verified deals on both firms.

The5ers processes first payouts in 16 day(s), while DNA Funded takes approximately 14 day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.

Neither The5ers nor DNA Funded 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.

The5ers
9.4/10
Read Review →
DNA Funded
7.9/10
Read Review →