FTMO vs The5ers 2026: Which Forex Prop Firm Is Right for You?

FTMO and The5ers are two of the longest-running forex prop firms in existence — both established, both with verified payout track records, and both genuinely worth considering. But they're built around fundamentally different philosophies, and the wrong choice for your trading style could cost you real money.

This comparison covers every meaningful difference between FTMO and The5ers: programs, drawdown rules, platforms, EA policies, news trading, scaling, and pricing — with accurate data pulled directly from both firms. By the end, you'll know exactly which one fits your setup.

FTMO: Overview

FTMO is the most recognised name in forex prop trading. Founded in Prague, Czech Republic in January 2015, FTMO has over a decade of operation and is widely considered the gold standard by which all other forex prop firms are measured. Maximum allocation reaches $400,000 on a single account, scaling all the way to $2,000,000 through their structured scaling plan.

FTMO offers two core programs: the standard 2-Step Challenge (80% profit split, rising to 90% with scaling) and the 1-Step Challenge (90% split from day one, non-refundable). Platforms include MT4, MT5, cTrader, and DXTrade — one of the widest platform selections of any forex prop firm. A limited-time discount of €101 off 100K challenges is automatically applied at checkout.

FTMO Pros & Cons

The5ers: Overview

The5ers is an Israeli prop firm offering three distinct programs — Hyper-Growth, High Stakes, and Bootcamp — with profit splits that scale all the way to 100% for every trader who sticks with the firm long enough. The entry point is aggressively low: the Bootcamp 2.5K High Stakes account starts at just $27.55 (5% off automatically applied), making it one of the most accessible prop firms available.

Maximum total allocation reaches $562,500 across all accounts via the scale-up plan, with payouts processed bi-weekly. Unlike FTMO, The5ers allows EAs (with a stop-loss requirement) and permits weekend holding without needing a special account type. Payout methods include bank transfer, crypto, and Rise — with a 2% fee for Rise/crypto and 3% for bank transfers.

The5ers Pros & Cons

Quick Comparison: FTMO vs The5ers

Head-to-Head: Key Categories

Expert Advisors — The Biggest Differentiator

This is the single most important difference between FTMO and The5ers, and it's non-negotiable. FTMO strictly prohibits all third-party EAs — only your own personal trading strategies and personal risk management tools are permitted. Violations can result in account termination. If you rely on any automated trading system, signal service, or EA not built by you personally, FTMO is off the table.

The5ers allows EAs across all three programs, subject to conditions: the EA must set a stop-loss on every position, must not copy trades from other traders' signals, and must not use techniques like tick scalping, latency arbitrage, or reverse arbitrage. As long as your EA complies with these conditions, you're free to run it.

Platforms — MT4 Users Have No Choice

FTMO supports four platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, and DXTrade. The5ers supports only MT5 and cTrader. If you trade on MT4 — a significant portion of the forex prop market still does — FTMO is your only option between these two firms. See our best prop firms for MT4 for a full list of firms supporting the platform.

For MT5 and cTrader traders, both firms are available. For DXTrade users, only FTMO qualifies. The platform question often ends the comparison immediately.

Scaling and Maximum Allocation

FTMO's scaling plan grows your account by 25% every 4 months when you meet the criteria: at least 10% total net profit, 2 processed payouts, and a positive balance. Your profit split also rises to 90% at this stage. The maximum cap is $2,000,000 — the highest available ceiling of any major forex prop firm.

The5ers' scale-up plan also grows your balance and profit split through milestones, reaching up to $562,500 total allocation. Critically, The5ers' split can reach 100% — something FTMO's plan caps at 90%. If maximum profit split matters more than maximum allocation, The5ers wins. If you want the largest possible funded account, FTMO is the clear choice.

Weekend Holding and News Trading

FTMO restricts both weekend holding and news trading on standard funded accounts. To access these, you must specifically purchase a Swing Account — available at a higher price point. Non-swing funded traders who hold positions over the weekend or trade around news events risk account violations.

The5ers has no such restriction on weekend holding across any of its programs. News trading is also permitted on Hyper-Growth and Bootcamp programs, with only a narrow 2-minute restriction around high-impact events on the High Stakes program. Swing and news traders get far more flexibility at The5ers without needing to purchase a special account type.

Drawdown Rules by Program

FTMO's 2-Step challenge runs a 5% daily loss limit and 10% maximum drawdown — both applied on an end-of-day basis. This is one of the more generous setups in the forex prop space, giving traders room to withstand intraday volatility without being stopped out.

The5ers varies by program. Hyper-Growth uses a 3% daily pause and 6% max drawdown — tighter than FTMO. High Stakes matches FTMO exactly at 5% daily and 10% max. Bootcamp uses a 5% max drawdown with no daily loss limit but requires a mandatory stop-loss on every trade (maximum 2% risk per position). For traders who prefer wider drawdown room, FTMO's 2-Step or The5ers' High Stakes are equivalent.

Entry Price and Fee Structure

FTMO's 2-Step 10K challenge costs €89 — and the fee is refunded on your first payout, making it effectively free if you pass. The 1-Step starts from €79 but is non-refundable. The €101 discount on 100K challenges is automatically applied at checkout.

The5ers starts from $27.55 for the 2.5K High Stakes account — the lowest entry point of any significant prop firm. The 5% discount is automatically applied. No refund mechanism exists, but the lower absolute cost means the barrier to getting started is significantly lower. Note that the Bootcamp program charges an additional unlock fee after passing all three phases.

Who Should Choose FTMO?

• You trade on MT4 — only FTMO supports it between the two
• You want the largest possible funded account — FTMO's $2M cap is unmatched
• You want DXTrade platform support
• You trade manually with your own strategy — FTMO's EA prohibition doesn't affect you
• You want a fee refund — FTMO refunds the 2-Step challenge fee on your first payout
• You value brand recognition — FTMO is the most well-known name in forex prop trading

Who Should Choose The5ers?

• You use EAs or automated strategies — The5ers is the clear pick
• You trade news events — more flexibility on Hyper-Growth and Bootcamp
• You hold positions over the weekend — no special account required
• You want a path to 100% profit split — only The5ers offers this
• You want the lowest entry price — from $27.55
• You want copy trading across your own accounts

Frequently Asked Questions

Is FTMO better than The5ers?

It depends entirely on your trading approach. FTMO is better for MT4 traders, manual traders who don't use EAs, and anyone chasing the highest possible allocation (up to $2M). The5ers is better for EA users, news traders, weekend holders, and traders who want a path to 100% profit split. Neither is objectively superior — your trading style decides it. Read our full FTMO review and The5ers review before deciding.

Does FTMO allow EAs?

No — FTMO strictly prohibits all third-party Expert Advisors. Only your own personal trading strategies and personal risk management tools are permitted. If you rely on any automated system, signal service, or third-party EA, FTMO will likely terminate your account. If EA usage is important to you, consider The5ers, which permits EAs with a stop-loss requirement.

Does The5ers allow weekend holding?

Yes — The5ers permits weekend holding across all three programs (Hyper-Growth, High Stakes, and Bootcamp) without needing a special account type. This is a significant advantage over FTMO, where weekend holding is only permitted on specifically purchased Swing accounts.

What is The5ers' maximum profit split?

The5ers offers a path to 100% profit split on all three programs through the scale-up plan. Starting splits are 50% (Hyper-Growth and Bootcamp) or 80% (High Stakes). As you hit scale-up milestones, your split and allocation both grow, eventually reaching 100%. FTMO caps at 90% through their scaling plan.

How much does The5ers cost to start?

The5ers starts from $27.55 for the 2.5K High Stakes (2-Step) account — the lowest entry point of any major forex prop firm. A 5% discount is automatically applied at checkout across all accounts. Note that the Bootcamp program includes an unlock fee charged after passing all three evaluation phases.

What platforms does FTMO support?

FTMO supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, and DXTrade — four platforms in total. The5ers supports only MT5 and cTrader. If you trade on MT4 or DXTrade, FTMO is the only option between these two firms. See our best prop firms for MT4 and best prop firms for DXTrade for full lists.

Which firm is easier to pass — FTMO or The5ers?

The5ers' High Stakes program matches FTMO's 2-Step drawdown parameters exactly (5% daily loss, 10% max drawdown, 10%/5% profit targets). FTMO's 2-Step may feel slightly more forgiving for some traders due to its longer operational history and well-documented evaluation process. The5ers' Bootcamp program is more demanding due to the mandatory stop-loss requirement on every position. Read our guide on how to pass a prop firm challenge for strategies that apply to both firms.