The Funded Trader vs The5ers

The Funded Trader and The5ers both offer paths to simulated funding, but their structures differ greatly. The Funded Trader focuses on massive maximum scaling potential and diverse challenge options. The5ers wins on reliability, transparent rules, and an incredibly low, refundable entry price.

The Funded Trader
The Funded Trader

Flexible trading, but expect current instability.

Ciroapp review
3.4
#9 in Funded trading account

We find The Funded Trader offers highly competitive parameters for skilled traders, featuring attractive profit splits and substantial simulated scaling opportunities. We must note, however, that recent systemic instability surrounding platform migration has caused severe service disruption and poor communication for many users.

Pros

  • High simulated profit splits available (up to 95%).
  • Offers massive potential for simulated scaling (up to $2.5M allocation).
  • Extremely flexible evaluation options, including 1-step challenges and weekend holding.
  • Supports Expert Advisors (EAs) and allows news trading in specific programs.

Cons

  • Widespread recent issues with platform migration and account access.
  • Significant, documented failures in support responsiveness and communication during service disruptions.
  • Reported concerns about unfavorable spreads, especially when trading crypto.
  • The service does not offer a free trial.
Pricing
$489–$578
Free trial
Money-back
Best for
Experienced traders who need CTrader or specific proprietary platforms, Traders prioritizing the fastest possible single-phase evaluation path (Knight Challenge), Traders seeking a guaranteed 95% profit split through VIP programs
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
Traders seeking the lowest financial entry barrier ($39 refundable fee), Traders focused on maximum capital scaling potential (up to $4 million), Those requiring exceptional consistency, support, and payment reliability
Quick verdict
Choose The Funded Trader if you prioritize a potential 95% profit split and require maximum trading platform choice (CTrader, Match-Trader, etc.)
Choose The5ers if you need high reliability, prefer transparent, flexible trading rules, and want a refundable $39 entry fee

AboutThe Funded Trader

The Funded Trader is an innovative simulated trading evaluation firm. It was created by traders who saw a need for a supportive community environment. The platform allows you to test your abilities and prove your trading skills without taking on personal risks, only the upfront fee for the evaluation.

Starting is simple: you select a challenge program and account size, then complete the two-phase evaluation process. If successful, you become an official TFT Trader. You will receive a simulated Funded Account using virtual funds but based on real market quotes. Your virtual performance determines the profit split you receive. 💡

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 Use
The5ers has a clear, standardized two-step process. The Funded Trader involves navigating many complex, rules-based challenge types.
Feature Set
The Funded Trader offers variety, including multiple platform choices (CTrader, DXTrade) and 1, 2, or 3-step evaluation options.
Value for Money
The5ers's $39 refundable fee and higher maximum scaling cap offer superior financial value. The Funded Trader requires large upfront payments.
Customer Support
The5ers is highly reliable with fast support and 1-on-1 coaching. The Funded Trader has suffered recent issues and communication failures.
Scaling Potential
The5ers scales up to $4 million, far surpassing The Funded Trader's $2.5 million maximum. Its scaling mechanics are also superior.
Trading Platform Choice
The Funded Trader supports popular options like CTrader, Match-Trader, and DXTrade. The5ers requires Metatrader 5 only.

Feature Comparison

Compare key features side by side
Evaluation Cost (Lowest)
The Funded Trader:$489+
The5ers:$39.00
The Funded Trader
Refundable Entry Fee
The Funded Trader:
The5ers:
The5ers
Maximum Profit Split
The Funded Trader:95%
The5ers:100%
Tie
Evaluation Time Limit
The Funded Trader:Varies by plan
The5ers:Unlimited
The5ers
Supports Expert Advisors (EAs)
The Funded Trader:True (Royal Challenge only)
The5ers:True (Most types allowed)
Tie
Weekend Holding Allowed
The Funded Trader:True (Royal Challenge only)
The5ers:True (FX and Metals)
Tie
News Trading Restricted
The Funded Trader:False (Allowed in Pro plans)
The5ers:False (Allowed)
Tie
Minimum Trading Days
The Funded Trader:5 days per phase
The5ers:3 days (Verification)
The Funded Trader
Max Simulated Scaling Potential
The Funded Trader:$2.5 Million
The5ers:$4 Million
The5ers
Scaling Deduction Policy
The Funded Trader:Not specified
The5ers:Payouts don't hinder scaling
The5ers
Evaluation Steps Offered
The Funded Trader:1, 2, or 3-step options
The5ers:2 Steps Standard
The5ers
Available Platforms
The Funded Trader:Match-Trader, DXTrade, CTrader, Platform 5
The5ers:Metatrader 5 (MT5) only
Tie
1-on-1 Performance Coaching
The Funded Trader:
The5ers:
The5ers
Customer Support Rating
The Funded Trader:Mixed/Poor (During instability)
The5ers:Exceptional (Fast response)
Tie
Payout Speed & Reliability
The Funded Trader:Mixed/Slowed by recent events
The5ers:Excellent (Under 48 hours)
Tie
Can Buy Multiple Accounts
The Funded Trader:
The5ers:
The Funded Trader
Profit Targets (Step 1)
The Funded Trader:8-10% (Varies)
The5ers:8%
Tie
Max Drawdown (Step 1)
The Funded Trader:8-12% (Varies)
The5ers:10%
The5ers
Feature Comparison Summary
3
The Funded Trader
8
Ties
7
The5ers

Features Overview

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

Entry Cost & Refund

The5ers offers a refundable $39 entry, making it financially low-risk to enroll.

The5ers

The Funded Trader relies on a high, non-refundable evaluation fee to enter a challenge. Fees often start near $500 for a standard simulated account size. This large upfront cost is a high commitment to prove your trading skill. The5ers charges only $39 for the entry evaluation challenge. This minimal cost is fully refunded upon achieving High Stakes Funded status. The low barrier ensures virtually anyone can attempt the evaluation. The key difference is financial risk: the high cost of The Funded Trader is gone, win or lose. The5ers' $39 fee is temporary if you succeed. The low $39 refundable entry makes trying The5ers evaluation financially safer for disciplined traders.

Trading Flexibility

The5ers allows all major strategies standard; The Funded Trader enforces rules by challenge type.

The5ers

To use EAs or hold trades over weekends at The Funded Trader, you must choose the specific Royal Challenge. News trading requires selecting a Pro challenged option. Flexibility is tied directly to the plan you purchase. The5ers offers maximum trading freedom across the board for all participants. Scalping, swing trading, news trading, and algorithms are all fully supported here. Weekend holding is automatically allowed for Forex and Metals trading. The5ers includes unrestricted trading flexibility in its standard models. The Funded Trader uses restrictions to segment its user base into different challenge types. If your strategy relies on holding positions through Friday's close, The5ers offers that freedom without requiring a specialized program.

Maximum Potential Scale

The5ers offers almost double the maximum simulated capital compared to The Funded Trader.

The5ers

The Funded Trader's standard scaling reaches up to $1.5 million in simulated funds. Its highest-tier Knight Pro challenge limits traders to a maximum of $2.5 million. This is massive by general industry standards. The5ers’ rapid scaling plan allows traders to reach a total capacity up to $4 million. The account size doubles with every successful milestone hit. If maximum simulated capital is your primary goal, The5ers’ $4 million cap is significantly larger. The Funded Trader only reaches $2.5 million max. Experienced traders looking to manage the absolute largest simulated portfolios should commit to the path offered by The5ers.

Platform Options

The Funded Trader provides platform choice, unlike The5ers, which mandates a single platform.

The Funded Trader

The Funded Trader lets traders select from various platforms, including Match-Trader, DXTrade, and CTrader. This diversity supports traders familiar with different technologies. You can pick what feels best for your strategy execution. The5ers requires the exclusive use of Metatrader 5 (MT5) for all trading activity. This ensures consistency and high-quality market execution for all users. MT5 is a globally respected platform. The Funded Trader provides more variety for user preference and platform loyalty. The5ers mandates MT5 for stability and simplicity. If you absolutely must use CTrader or DXTrade, only The Funded Trader offers that platform connectivity.

Customer Support & Reliability

The5ers is highly stable and praised for fast support; The Funded Trader has experienced significant recent issues.

The5ers

Recent user reviews for The Funded Trader cite severe operational failures and non-responsive support. Accounts were locked or credentials delayed after large-scale migration. Reliability has been severely compromised. The5ers consistently receives praise for exceptional support responses, often within minutes via live chat. Payouts are reliable, smooth, and typically processed quickly, often within 48 hours. Reliability is the strongest differentiator; The5ers has a long history of integrity and stability. The Funded Trader faces acute trust and system issues. Traders prioritizing seamless operations and getting paid reliably should strongly favor The5ers' proven track record.

Performance Coaching

The5ers offers personalized 1-on-1 coaching for funded traders, a service The Funded Trader doesn't explicitly offer.

The5ers

The Funded Trader focuses on providing varied challenge types and high profit splits for performance incentives. Personalized mentorship is not listed as a core benefit for funded traders. The5ers funds traders who receive free 1-on-1 coaching sessions with a dedicated Portfolio Analyst. They help refine trading plans and risk management. This personalized help is invaluable. The5ers provides an educational edge by offering individualized performance support. The Funded Trader assumes you are ready to trade immediately upon funding. This coaching is a significant benefit for new funded traders looking to professionalize their method instantly.

Scaling Mechanism

The5ers uses a scaling method that prioritizes growth without penalizing profit withdrawal.

The5ers

The Funded Trader scales based on account performance and consistency, up to $2.5M. Details on how profit withdrawals impact scaling targets are not specified in the data. The5ers accounts double quickly when milestones are met, up to $4M. Crucially, your profit payout is not deducted from the account balance needed for scaling. This ensures rapid growth. The5ers' unique non-deduction policy ensures traders can take profits without delaying their progression to the next fund size. This maximizes both income and growth. This mechanism helps traders keep their capital targets separate from their income withdrawals, optimizing both simultaneously.

Profit Split Potential

Both firms offer extremely competitive splits, with The5ers reaching a 100% split potential.

Tie

The Funded Trader offers a VIP program tier that provides up to a 95% profit split on virtual gains. This is offered across several of its specialized challenge types. Standard splits are 80%. The5ers also starts at 80% but allows splits to reach 100% after specific performance milestones are achieved. The ability to keep all profits is highly motivational. Both firms reward high performance generously with splits above 90%. The Funded Trader is clearer on its 95% VIP split, while The5ers’ 100% requires extra progression. For maximum profit retention, The5ers' 100% max split is unparalleled, provided you meet the required high milestones.

Our Verdict

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

Choosing between The Funded Trader and The5ers boils down to stability versus specialized options. For most traders, The5ers is the immediate, clear winner due to its reliability and low cost. The Funded Trader provides many challenge permutations and diverse platform choices, but recent instability is concerning. The Funded Trader's superpower is its sheer variety of simulation options. You can pick specialized paths for EAs or fast, single-phase evaluations. The Funded Trader also offers several platforms, including CTrader and DXTrade, if you dislike MT5. This flexibility caters to very specific trading needs. The5ers’s clear strength is its institutional stability, transparency, and unbeatable entry cost. The $39 fee is refunded, making the evaluation financially risk-free. The5ers also offers superior scaling potential, reaching up to $4 million in simulated funds, far above The Funded Trader. The key deciding factor is the user trust and operational delivery. The5ers delivers outstanding customer support and reliable, fast payouts per user reviews. The Funded Trader has unfortunately experienced widespread service outages and account lockouts lately. Choose The5ers for security, low financial risk, and a clear path to $4 million scaling. Pick The Funded Trader only if specialized features like the 95% split or CTrader access are non-negotiable for your unique strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which firm is more reliable for speedy payouts: The Funded Trader or The5ers?

The5ers is reported to have excellent reliability, processing payouts quickly, often in under 48 hours. The Funded Trader has faced recent challenges, with reliability and payout speed being mixed. Trustpilot reviews confirm The5ers is highly trusted for financial transactions.

Which proprietary firm has the highest simulated capital scaling potential?

The5ers offers the highest maximum simulated capital scaling, reaching up to $4 million. The Funded Trader provides substantial scaling, but its maximum cap is $2.5 million. The5ers also uses a faster scaling mechanism that protects your profits.

Is the evaluation entry fee refundable at The Funded Trader or The5ers?

The entry fee for The5ers' evaluation is refundable upon successful qualification. The Funded Trader charges a high, non-refundable evaluation fee. This makes The5ers the financially safer option for traders starting out.

Can I use CTrader or DXTrade with The5ers?

No, The5ers requires exclusive use of the Metatrader 5 (MT5) platform. The Funded Trader offers highly diverse platform options. These include CTrader, DXTrade, and Match-Trader.

Which firm is better for algorithm or EA trading flexibility?

The5ers offers flexible rules supporting most algorithmic trading strategies standard. The Funded Trader only permits EAs if you purchase the specialized Royal Challenge. The5ers is less restrictive for bot users.

Does The Funded Trader offer 1-on-1 coaching like The5ers?

The5ers offers funded traders free 1-on-1 performance coaching with a Portfolio Analyst. The Funded Trader does not highlight personalized coaching as a core feature. The5ers provides superior individualized support.

Ready to Choose?

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