FTMO vs The5ers

FTMO and The5ers are top contenders offering paths to significant simulated capital. FTMO emphasizes structured discipline and institutional connection for traders. The5ers offers maximum trading flexibility and rapid capital scaling up to $4 million.

FTMO
FTMO

Trusted path for disciplined traders.

Ciroapp review
4.8
#4 in Funded trading account

We find FTMO's Evaluation Process to be highly effective and transparent, focusing on cultivating disciplined trading habits through clear risk parameters and a unique refundable fee structure. We recognize exceptional professionalism in their operations, especially regarding customer support and the guaranteed speed of payouts and refunds. Overall, FTMO sets the industry standard for proprietary trading firms seeking to identify and reward consistent talent.

Pros

  • Refundable initial challenge fee upon success.
  • Payouts and fee refunds are consistently fast and reliable.
  • Customer support cited as highly responsive and professional.
  • Trading rules and objectives are clear and transparent.

Cons

  • Higher initial fee price compared to some competitors.
  • Occasional user reports of waiting time for account approval after Verification.
  • Limited historical tick data in MT5 (only back to 2021) may not suit all traders.
Pricing
€89–€439
Free trial
Money-backYes
Best for
Traders prioritizing career progression toward an institutional trading role., Individuals seeking highly structured risk management and proprietary analysis tools (FTMO MetriX)., Those who prefer a proven, industry-recognized process with comprehensive support.
The5ers
The5ers

Highly flexible, reliable, and trader-centric funding.

Ciroapp review
4.9
#1 in Funded trading account

We find The5ers offers a highly flexible and transparent funded trading experience, focusing on rapid account scaling and low entry costs. Traders benefit from unrestricted trading rules and exceptional customer support that resolves queries swiftly. Overall, The5ers delivers a top-tier proprietary firm solution praised universally for its reliability and integrity.

Pros

  • Extremely low, refundable one-time participation cost.
  • Flexible rules supporting all trading strategies (algotrading, news, overnight positions).
  • Customer support is exceptionally fast with near-instant responses.
  • Payouts are reliable, smooth, and processed quickly (often under 48 hours).

Cons

  • Unable to accumulate multiple funded accounts simultaneously.
  • Some traders dislike the requirement for 'profitable days' on funded accounts.
Pricing
$39
Free trial
Money-backYes
Best for
Budget-conscious traders seeking the lowest refundable entry fee ($39)., Swing traders, scalpers, or algo traders who require maximum strategic flexibility., Traders focused on aggressive capital expansion up to $4 million.
Quick verdict
Choose FTMO if you prioritize a career track and potential salaried position through the Quantlane interview opportunity.
Choose The5ers if your strategy involves scalping, news trading, or weekend holding and you seek explosive scaling up to $4 million with a $39 initial cost.

AboutFTMO

FTMO provides a transparent, structured Evaluation Process designed to discover and nurture disciplined trading talent. This journey includes two steps: the FTMO Challenge and the subsequent Verification.

Once you successfully pass both stages, you gain access to an FTMO Account. This account operates in a simulated demo environment but provides fictitious funds of up to $200,000 for you to manage.

The system is built for aspiring and experienced clients ready to develop strong, sustainable habits based on key risk management rules. For the absolute best performers, the ultimate goal is the potential to become a professional trader with Quantlane.

AboutThe5ers

The5ers offers a tailored funded trader program across major markets including Forex, Metals, Indices, Commodities, and Crypto. It's built for serious traders who want to capitalize on their skills without large upfront costs.

You trade with exceptional flexibility. Overnight and over-the-weekend holding is allowed for Forex and Metals. This structure helps you focus entirely on executing your profitable strategy 💡. Moreover, the program fully supports news trading and algorithmic strategies.

Highlights

Quick winners by category at a glance.
Ease of Entry/Cost
The5ers’ $39 entry fee is substantially lower than FTMO’s starting fee. This lowers the barrier to entry significantly. Both initial fees are refundable upon success.
Capital Scaling Potential
The5ers supports automated scaling up to $4 million in capital. FTMO’s standard path caps out at $200,000 for fictitious funds.
Strategy Flexibility
The5ers explicitly allows news trading, scalping, and weekend holding. FTMO emphasizes rigid risk management, implying less operational flexibility.
Career Development
FTMO provides a unique pathway for top performers to interview for a salaried Quantlane Trader position. The5ers does not offer this institutional opportunity.
Risk Management Focus
FTMO’s model is built around cultivating strict, professional risk habits. Its proprietary tools aid in mastering discipline and consistency.
Customer Support & Reliability
Both FTMO and The5ers receive exceptional feedback for fast, professional support and reliable, quick payouts/refunds.
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Feature Comparison

Compare key features side by side
Initial Entry Fee (Refundable)
FTMO:€89 - €439
The5ers:$39
FTMO
Maximum Funded Capital Potential
FTMO:Up to $200,000 (Fictitious)
The5ers:Up to $4 Million
FTMO
Profit Split Potential
FTMO:Up to 90%
The5ers:80% to 100%
Tie
Overnight/Weekend Holding
FTMO:Not explicitly allowed (Focus on day trading methods)
The5ers:Allowed (Forex and Metals)
The5ers
News Trading
FTMO:Not specified
The5ers:Permitted (with minor rules 2 min before/after)
The5ers
Time Limit on Evaluation
FTMO:Unlimited (No expiration)
The5ers:Unlimited (Expires after 21 days inactivity)
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EAs/Algo Trading Restriction
FTMO:Supported
The5ers:Supported (Prohibits tick scalping/latency arbitrage)
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Dedicated 1:1 Coaching
FTMO:Performance Coaching Sessions
The5ers:Dedicated Portfolio Analyst (Free)
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Proprietary Trading Tools
FTMO:FTMO MetriX, In-house Trading Tools
The5ers:External Performance Statistics Dashboard
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Path to Salaried Trading Job
FTMO:Yes (Quantlane interview opportunity)
The5ers:No
FTMO
Account Scaling Method
FTMO:Premium Programme/Performance-based
The5ers:Automatic Doubling (on 10% profit milestone)
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Transaction Reliability/Speed
FTMO:Fast and Reliable
The5ers:Reliable, often under 48 hours
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Feature Comparison Summary
3
FTMO
7
Ties
2
The5ers

Features Overview

We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.

Entry Cost & Barrier

The initial cost difference is substantial; The5ers is far cheaper to access.

The5ers

FTMO’s refundable entry fee ranges from about €89 to €439 depending on account size. This is a higher financial barrier to entry right from the start. The5ers requires only a minimal one-time entry fee of $39 for the entire evaluation process. This extremely low cost is quickly refunded upon successful qualification. The cost of entry for The5ers is nearly negligible compared to FTMO’s initial outlay. Choose The5ers if minimizing upfront financial risk is your main priority for the challenge.

Capital Scaling Potential

The5ers offers 20x the scaling potential of FTMO’s standard account.

The5ers

FTMO caps the access to fictitious capital at $200,000 for successful traders. Scaling beyond this point is via entry into the elite Premium Programme. The5ers structure supports rapid, automated scaling to grow the funded account size quickly. Traders using The5ers can potentially manage simulated capital up to $4 million. For high-volume traders seeking maximum capital growth, The5ers has a clear, superior advantage.

Trading Strategy Flexibility

The5ers offers unrestricted freedom; FTMO focuses more on strict institutional discipline.

The5ers

FTMO emphasizes strict risk management, suggesting a necessary adherence to certain styles. The trading rules promote consistency and discipline required by institutional standards. The5ers explicitly permits virtually all strategies, including scalping, news trading, and holding positions over the weekend. This flexibility means your proven method won't be compromised by hidden platform restrictions from The5ers. Traders needing rule flexibility should definitively choose The5ers for strategy freedom.

Career Path Opportunity

FTMO offers a distinct path to a salaried job; The5ers focuses on capital growth.

FTMO

FTMO operates a rigorous Performance Programme designed to identify the absolute top talent. High-ranking FTMO Traders are eligible to interview for a Quantlane Trader salaried position. The5ers program is built entirely around maximizing the trader’s independence and funded capital size. The focus is purely on achieving high profit splits up to 100%. FTMO provides a unique career escalator for those seeking institutional employment and professional recognition.

Coaching and Mentorship

The5ers offers robust 1-on-1 coaching; FTMO offers internal proprietary tools.

The5ers

FTMO provides valuable resources like the FTMO MetriX and performance coaching sessions. These proprietary tools deliver deep analysis for traders to review their own habits. The5ers offers free 1-on-1 coaching with a dedicated Portfolio Analyst for funded traders. The5ers also grants access to a live daily trading room and full professional courses. The personalized, ongoing mentorship structure makes The5ers resources slightly more comprehensive.

Profit Split Maximum

The5ers offers slightly higher ultimate profit potential (100%) than FTMO (90%).

The5ers

FTMO gives traders access to an excellent profit split, retaining up to 90% of simulated profits. This is highly competitive and generous compared to other industry standard splits. The5ers offers a standard range of 80% with the ultimate potential to reach 100% of profits. This 100% ceiling with The5ers provides the highest possible incentive for long-term top performance. Both are fantastic, but The5ers provides the slight mathematical edge at the top tier.

Evaluation Time Constraints

FTMO has no time limit or inactivity rules, offering total pressure relief.

FTMO

FTMO guarantees an unlimited trading period for both the Challenge and Verification steps. There is no risk of the account expiring due to lack of trading activity. The5ers also offers an unlimited trading period during evaluation. However, The5ers specifies that the account will expire if inactive for 21 consecutive days. FTMO provides pure freedom from time constraints, allowing total focus on methodical execution over lengthy periods.

Payout Speed and Trust

Both systems are renowned for swift and reliable payouts to traders.

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FTMO reviews consistently praise fast payouts and fee refunds after passing the evaluation. Users cite reliability and professionalism in all financial transactions with FTMO. The5ers also boasts exceptionally fast and smooth processing, often completing payouts in under 48 hours. Both firms have earned high trustworthiness regarding trader compensation and efficiency. FTMO and The5ers are industry leaders in financial transparency and speed.

Our Verdict

Objective guidance based on features, pricing, and user fit.

Choosing between FTMO and The5ers boils down to ambition and trading style flexibility. The core difference is cost and scale. FTMO offers a higher entry fee, but promises a path toward institutional quality and discipline. FTMO’s rigorous evaluation is industry-standard for risk management, backed by powerful proprietary tools like MetriX. FTMO is ideal if you are focused on building a verifiable professional track record. The5ers, conversely, champions flexibility and low cost. The $39 refundable entry fee makes The5ers incredibly accessible for new entrants. Its superpower is the rapid scaling plan, which can take traders up to $4 million in funded capital. The5ers supports virtually all trading strategies, including news trading and scalping. The deciding factor is your ultimate goal. Do you aim for a potential salaried position through FTMO’s Quantlane opportunity? Or do you prioritize maximizing your personal capital growth and strategy freedom with The5ers? If discipline and a corporate structure matter most, use FTMO. If you need cheap entry, huge scale, and unrestricted freedom, The5ers is undoubtedly the winner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which firm has the lowest entry barrier, FTMO or The5ers?

The5ers is significantly cheaper to enter, requiring only a $39 one-time refundable fee. FTMO's entry fee is considerably higher, ranging from €89 to €439. Both FTMO and The5ers refund the fee upon successful completion.

Does FTMO allow news trading and weekend holding like The5ers does?

The5ers explicitly permits news trading and holding positions over the weekend (Forex/Metals). FTMO's focus on strict risk management suggests less operational flexibility in these areas. The5ers is better for flexible strategies.

Can I scale higher with FTMO or The5ers?

You can scale much higher with The5ers, potentially reaching up to $4 million in funded capital. FTMO provides access to fictitious funds up to $200,000 in the standard funded account. For pure capital size, The5ers provides greater potential.

Which program offers a path to a professional proprietary trading job?

FTMO uniquely offers a Professional Programme where top traders can interview with Quantlane. This provides a clear, high-level career development opportunity. The5ers focuses strictly on profitable funded trading.

Is there a time limit on the evaluation stages for FTMO and The5ers?

Both FTMO and The5ers offer an unlimited trading period to pass the evaluation. However, The5ers will expire the account if there are 21 consecutive days of inactivity. FTMO has no such inactivity clause.

Which firm has the better profit split: FTMO or The5ers?

The5ers offers a slightly better ultimate split, ranging from 80% up to 100% maximum. FTMO offers a very generous profit split of up to 90%. Both are excellent, but The5ers has a higher ceiling.

Ready to Choose?

Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.