FTMO vs The5ers: Detailed Comparison for Prop Traders (2024)

FTMO vs The5ers: Which Prop Firm Is Right for You?

If you're weighing FTMO vs The5ers, you're not alone. Both are top-tier proprietary trading firms with strong reputations, but the differences in their programs can have a huge impact on your trading experience—and your bottom line. Here’s a no-fluff, data-driven breakdown to help you decide which firm aligns with your trading style, risk appetite, and goals.

Quick Comparison Table

Drawdown Limits: How Much Room Do You Really Have?

Drawdown is where many traders trip up. FTMO offers a maximum drawdown of 10% (with a daily limit of 5%), while The5ers is much tighter at 6% max and 3% daily. On a $100K account:

• FTMO: Lose up to $5,000 in a single day, $10,000 total
• The5ers: Only $3,000 daily, $6,000 total

This means FTMO gives you nearly double the breathing room. If your strategy involves volatility or scaling into trades, those extra percentage points can be the difference between passing and failing. The5ers’ tight limits require more conservative risk management—think lower lot sizes, tighter stops, and less room for error.

What to do: Use the PropSurvivalEngine drawdown calculator to stress-test your strategy against both firms' rules before committing.

Profit Targets: Lower Is (Usually) Easier

FTMO requires a 10% profit target during the evaluation, while The5ers only asks for 6%. On a $50K account, that’s $5,000 vs $3,000. That difference is huge if you’re a steady, lower-risk trader who doesn’t swing for the fences. The5ers’ lower target—combined with unlimited time (more on that below)—makes it much more achievable for traders who prioritize consistency over speed.

However, FTMO’s higher profit target is offset by their more generous drawdown. Aggressive traders may actually have an easier time with FTMO if they’re comfortable taking on more risk to hit the 10% in a shorter window.

Profit Splits: When Does the Math Work in Your Favor?

FTMO starts at an 80/20 split (trader/firm), scaling up to 90/10 after consistent performance. The5ers begins with a 50/50 split—but can go as high as 100% for funded traders as you progress.

The catch: The5ers’ 100% split applies only after you’ve passed milestones and been scaled up, whereas FTMO’s 80/20 is available from the start. For your first $10,000 profit:

• FTMO: You keep $8,000 (potentially $9,000 later)
• The5ers: You keep $5,000 (up to $10,000 after scaling)

For traders aiming for long-term, high-scale accounts, The5ers' 100% split is appealing. But for most, FTMO's higher early split means more take-home pay sooner.

Account Sizes and Scaling: How Big Can You Go?

FTMO offers account sizes from $10K to $200K, with the option to scale up to $2 million after four months of profitable trading. The5ers starts smaller ($6K to $100K), but their scaling plan can theoretically double your account at each milestone up to $4 million.

The caveat: The5ers' scaling is milestone-based and requires strict adherence to their risk and profit targets at each stage. FTMO's scaling is more linear and predictable, but tops out at $2M. If your goal is to manage the largest possible notional value (and you can handle The5ers' strict rules), The5ers wins on headline numbers. But FTMO's scaling is more attainable for most traders.

Costs and Value: What Are You Really Paying For?

FTMO’s challenge fees range from $155 (for $10K) to $1,080 (for $200K). The5ers is a bit cheaper: $95 (for $6K) to $875 (for $100K). However, you need to factor in the profit split and ease of passing the challenge. If you’re likely to fail multiple times due to tight drawdowns, the lower The5ers cost can quickly be offset by repeat attempts. Conversely, FTMO’s higher profit target may require more aggressive trading, increasing your risk of a reset.

Both firms refund your fee if you pass and get funded—but only after you start trading the funded account.

Trading Rules: What Can and Can’t You Do?

Instruments

FTMO offers the broadest range: Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, and Stocks. The5ers is limited to Forex, Metals, and Indices. If you want to trade oil, gold, or crypto, FTMO is your only option here.

Leverage

FTMO gives you 1:100 leverage across the board, which is generous for prop trading. The5ers restricts leverage to 1:30. That’s a big difference in margin requirements and can impact your ability to scale positions or trade multiple pairs at once.

News Trading, Weekend Holding, EAs

• FTMO: Allows news trading, weekend holding, and the use of Expert Advisors (EAs). However, no swing trading during major news events is allowed.
• The5ers: Disallows news trading, weekend holding, and EAs. All trading must be manual and flat by the weekend.

If you rely on automated strategies or like to hold positions over news or weekends, The5ers will be a non-starter.

Minimum Trading Days & Evaluation Time

FTMO requires 4 minimum trading days per phase, with a 30-day window for Phase 1 and 60 days for Phase 2. The5ers asks for only 3 trading days—and offers unlimited time to hit your profit target. If you hate the pressure of a ticking clock, The5ers' unlimited period is a major advantage. But if you can make 10% in a month, FTMO’s time frame won’t be an issue.

Instant Funding: Skip the Challenge?

The5ers offers instant funding—no evaluation required. You pay a fee and start trading a funded account immediately, subject to their tight risk rules. FTMO does not offer instant funding; all traders must pass the two-phase challenge.

Which Firm Is More Forgiving for Mistakes?

FTMO’s higher drawdown (10% vs 6%) and more flexible rules (EAs, weekend holding, news trading) make it more forgiving of minor errors or strategy hiccups. The5ers is much less tolerant; a single bad day can end your challenge, and you have to trade manually.

For traders who experiment, hedge, or scale in/out, FTMO’s flexibility is a real edge. The5ers' setup is best for highly disciplined, systematic traders who don’t deviate from their plan.

Scaling Plans: How Fast Can You Grow?

Both firms offer aggressive scaling, but the mechanics differ:

• FTMO: After four months of profitable trading, you can scale your account up to $2 million. The process is relatively straightforward—just keep hitting targets and avoiding rule violations.
• The5ers: Your account doubles at each milestone, up to $4 million. However, the path is steeper: you must meet profit targets within tight drawdown limits, and the evaluation is stricter at each level.

If your goal is to manage a multi-million dollar account, ask yourself: Can you consistently trade with only a 6% total drawdown? If not, FTMO’s scaling is more attainable.

Community Trust & Payout Reliability

FTMO is widely regarded as the most trusted name in prop trading, reflected in its 4.8/5 rating. Payouts are reliable, and the firm has a track record of transparency and trader education. The5ers scores a respectable 4.3/5, but some traders report frustration with tight rules and payout delays when rules are breached.

For reputation-conscious traders, FTMO’s community standing is a differentiator.

Non-Obvious Trade-Offs

• Drawdown vs. Profit Target: The5ers’ lower profit target looks easier, but the ultra-tight drawdown means you have far less margin for error. FTMO’s higher target is balanced by looser risk limits.
• Profit Split Timing: The5ers’ 100% split only applies after significant scaling. Most traders will spend months at 50/50. FTMO’s 80/20 is available immediately.
• Instrument Diversity: If you want to trade commodities, crypto, or stocks, The5ers simply isn’t an option.
• Leverage: FTMO’s 1:100 leverage allows for more position flexibility and capital efficiency. The5ers’ 1:30 can be limiting, especially for multi-pair or basket strategies.
• Rule Flexibility: FTMO’s acceptance of EAs, news trading, and weekend holding can be a major edge for algorithmic or swing traders. The5ers is strictly manual and flat by the weekend.

Who Should Choose FTMO?

• Traders who want more breathing room with risk (10%/5% drawdown)
• Algorithmic traders or those who use EAs
• Those who want to trade a wide variety of instruments
• Traders seeking a straightforward scaling plan and high community trust

Action: If you fit these criteria, use the PropSurvivalEngine comparison tool to check FTMO’s account options and see how your strategy matches their rules.

Who Should Choose The5ers?

• Highly disciplined, manual traders who can operate within 6%/3% drawdown
• Those who want instant funding and unlimited time to hit targets
• Traders focused exclusively on Forex, Metals, and Indices
• Ambitious traders willing to chase a $4M account and 100% profit split—if they can handle the strict evaluation

Action: If this sounds like you, review The5ers’ health grade to check payout reliability and challenge pass rates.

Bottom Line