The5ers $100K Challenge Guide (2026): What Traders Should Know Before Starting
A $100K challenge is a decision about rules, not just account size. The balance sounds large, but the numbers that shape your trading are the loss limits: $5,000 of daily loss and $10,000 of maximum loss on The5ers' two-step High Stakes program. Traders who read those figures before paying plan better than traders who meet them after a breach.
This guide follows the path a trader usually takes: the first questions, the educational basics, the specific programs, the comparison with another firm, and the buying decision.
Quick answer: The5ers offers $100K evaluation accounts through two programs. High Stakes is a two-step path with unlimited time, a 5% daily loss limit, a 10% maximum loss and three profitable days per phase. Bootcamp is a three-step path that grows to $100K in stages, with 1:30 leverage and a small entry fee. Both use simulated accounts. Funding is never guaranteed.
In this guide:
- ●Common trader questions about $100K challenges
- ●How The5ers structures its $100K programs
- ●High Stakes $100K in detail
- ●Bootcamp $100K in detail
- ●Comparisons: High Stakes vs Bootcamp, and The5ers vs FTMO
- ●The funded stage: payouts, profit split and scaling
- ●The buying decision
Common Trader Questions Before Buying a $100K Challenge
Is a $100K prop firm challenge real money?
No. The5ers states that all activity on its Hub takes place in a simulated environment and that the evaluation funds are fictitious. Traders who qualify can still receive payouts based on simulated performance, under the firm's terms. FTMO describes its accounts in a similar way: simulated capital, with rewards based on simulated profits.
The practical meaning is simple. The fee is the real cost. The account balance is a measuring tool.
How much can you actually lose on a $100K account?
The loss limits define your working room, not the headline balance. On The5ers High Stakes program, the published limits are 5% daily loss and 10% maximum loss.
| Limit | Percentage | Dollar value on $100K |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum daily loss | 5% | $5,000 |
| Maximum loss | 10% | $10,000 |
| Approximate account floor | 90% of starting balance | $90,000 |
A personal risk plan should sit well inside those limits. As simple arithmetic, a trader risking 1% per trade ($1,000) would reach the 10% maximum loss after ten full losses. At 0.5% ($500), it would take twenty. This is an illustration of the math, not trading advice.
What makes evaluations difficult?
The rules create predictable pressure points:
- ●Daily loss counts open trades. A trader can look safe on closed results while floating losses sit close to the limit.
- ●Correlated positions stack. Three trades tied to the same market driver behave like one large trade.
- ●Targets create urgency. Traders near a target sometimes raise risk to finish faster, but the loss limits do not loosen.
- ●Day-count rules can push weak trades. A requirement for profitable days should be met by valid setups, not forced activity.
Most of these problems come from position sizing and process. Reading the rules first is the cheapest form of risk management.
What should you check before choosing any prop firm?
Use the same checklist for every firm:
- ●Is the firm currently operating? Check recent public information.
- ●How are daily and maximum loss calculated, and do they include open trades?
- ●Is there a time limit on each phase?
- ●Are there minimum-day or profitable-day rules?
- ●What are the news, weekend and overnight holding rules?
- ●What are the payout conditions and timing?
- ●Does the firm publish a scaling plan?
- ●How are fees handled at funding?
As of September 2026, The5ers' official program pages are live, and a third-party review verified in July 2026 describes the firm as operating since 2016. FTMO's official pages are also live.
How The5ers Structures Its $100K Challenges
Which The5ers programs offer a $100K account?
The $100K size appears in two programs: High Stakes (two steps) and Bootcamp (three steps). Each limits a trader to one $100K account in that program, and the High Stakes page lists the $100K size as an either-or choice with the $50K size.
| Program | Steps | $100K account | Time limit | Scaling ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Stakes | 2 | Yes (one of $50K or $100K per trader) | Unlimited | Up to $500,000 |
| Bootcamp | 3 | Yes (one per trader) | Unlimited | Up to $4 million |
The one-step Growth programs list smaller account sizes in third-party summaries, so they are outside the scope of this guide.
What is the difference between one-step, two-step and three-step evaluations?
The number of steps is the number of times a trader must reach a profit target before the funded stage. More steps usually mean smaller individual targets or lower starting balances. Fewer steps mean a faster route with a larger single target.
The5ers offers all three structures: one-step Growth programs, two-step High Stakes and three-step Bootcamp. The choice affects the entry fee, the size of each target and the rules a trader must manage.
Which rule categories matter most?
Every The5ers program can be compared on the same five points: profit targets, loss limits, time limits, day-count rules and trading conditions. The next two sections apply that list to High Stakes and Bootcamp.
The5ers High Stakes $100K: Rules, Costs and Trade-Offs
How does the two-step High Stakes $100K evaluation work?
High Stakes has two evaluation phases before the funded stage. The5ers describes it as its most popular program.
| Feature | High Stakes (per official page) |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 target | 10% (New version) |
| Phase 2 target | 5% |
| Maximum daily loss | 5% |
| Maximum loss | 10% |
| Minimum profitable days | 3 per phase |
| Time limit | Unlimited |
| Leverage | 1:100 |
| Platform | MT5 (Hedge) |
| Assets | Forex, metals, indices, oil, crypto |
| Funded profit share | 80% to 100% |
On a $100K account, the New version's targets are $10,000 in Phase 1 and $5,000 in Phase 2. Third-party rule analyses describe both loss limits as measured from the starting balance, which means profits build a cushion rather than raising the floor. Confirm how the daily figure is calculated in the account agreement, including how open trades count.
Accounts with no trading activity for more than 30 consecutive days expire, and the counter starts at registration.
What is the difference between High Stakes New and Classic?
The5ers lists two High Stakes versions. Based on third-party summaries, both use the same loss limits, but the Phase 1 target and fee differ.
| Version | Phase 1 target | Phase 2 target | $100K fee (third-party price matrix, Sept. 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New | 10% ($10,000) | 5% ($5,000) | $491 |
| Classic | 8% ($8,000) | 5% ($5,000) | $545 |
The trade-off is direct. New costs less and asks for two more percentage points in Phase 1. Classic costs more and lowers the first target. The useful question is which target the trader's strategy can pursue without changing normal position size.
Prices change, so the checkout page is the final source.
How do the three profitable days work?
A profitable day is a day on which closed positions produce positive profit of at least 0.5% of the initial balance. On a $100K account, that is $500.
The5ers gives the calculation: the lower of the midnight balance and midnight equity, minus the previous day's balance. A trader needs three such days in each evaluation phase.
This rule is separate from the profit target. A trader can reach $10,000 and still owe qualifying days, so a single large winning day does not complete the requirement. A simple journal column that tracks each day's qualifying status prevents surprises near the end of a phase.
What are the news, overnight and weekend rules?
The official High Stakes page allows holding trades overnight and over the weekend. Holding indices over the weekend is allowed but carries a high swap.
Holding an open trade through news is allowed. Executing orders from two minutes before to two minutes after high-impact news is not allowed. The difference between holding and executing matters, and automated strategies follow the same timing rule as manual ones.
What trade-offs should traders know?
Three points deserve attention, stated plainly:
- ●The three profitable days per phase add a day-count requirement on top of the profit target.
- ●The two-minute news window restricts order execution around listed events.
- ●The 5% daily loss limit remains active even though the 10% maximum loss is wide.
Traders whose strategies depend on trading inside the news window, or who size positions to the full daily limit, should review these rules before choosing High Stakes.
The5ers Bootcamp $100K: The Three-Step Growth Path
How does Bootcamp grow to $100K?
Bootcamp starts smaller and grows in stages. Third-party summaries of the published plan tables list the $100K path as $25,000, $50,000 and $75,000 evaluation balances before the $100,000 funded account.
| Stage | Balance | Profit target | Max loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $25,000 | 6% | 5% |
| Step 2 | $50,000 | 6% | 5% |
| Step 3 | $75,000 | 6% | 5% |
| Funded | $100,000 | 5% (for scaling) | 4% |
The percentages come from The5ers' Bootcamp page. The balances for the $100K path come from third-party summaries, so confirm them in the Hub before purchase. The funded stage also includes a 3% daily pause, and the time limit is unlimited at every stage.
What are the Bootcamp leverage and account rules?
Leverage is 1:30 for all Bootcamp accounts. A trader may hold up to four active Bootcamp accounts (one $250K, one $100K and two $20K), and each account must use a different trading method.
Inactive accounts are closed after more than 30 consecutive days. Overnight and weekend holding is allowed, with very high swaps on indices over the weekend.
Some third-party rule summaries describe a stop-loss requirement, with a violation triggered by a position that has no stop loss or a stop that risks more than 2% of the balance. This point was not visible on the official page at the time of review, so confirm it in the current Bootcamp rules.
How much does Bootcamp cost?
Bootcamp uses a two-part fee. Third-party summaries of The5ers' help centre list a $95 entry fee and a $205 payment at the funded stage for the $100K account, a total of $300. The official Bootcamp page title also shows the $95 entry price.
The structure moves most of the cost to after the trader passes. That lowers the upfront fee, and the trader still has to complete all three steps.
Who does Bootcamp suit?
Bootcamp fits traders who prefer smaller stepwise targets, a lower entry fee and a long scaling path. It does not fit traders who want the widest overall loss allowance or the highest leverage. Those points favor High Stakes.
Additional Read: The5ers Bootcamp vs Hyper Growth vs Pro Growth vs High Stakes: Which Program Fits Your Trading Style in 2026
Comparing $100K Challenges: High Stakes, Bootcamp and FTMO
How do High Stakes and Bootcamp compare at $100K?
| Factor | High Stakes $100K | Bootcamp $100K |
|---|---|---|
| Steps | 2 | 3 |
| Targets | 10% then 5% (New) | 6%, 6%, 6% on stepped balances |
| Max loss | 10% | 5% (4% funded) |
| Daily loss | 5% | 3% daily pause (funded stage) |
| Profitable-day rule | 3 per phase | None listed on the program page |
| Leverage | 1:100 | 1:30 |
| Time limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Entry cost | $491 / $545 (third-party) | $95 entry + $205 at funding |
| Scaling ceiling | $500,000 | $4 million |
The core trade-off is room versus structure. High Stakes gives a wider loss allowance and higher leverage. Bootcamp gives a lower entry fee, smaller stepped targets and a higher scaling ceiling.
How does The5ers compare with FTMO at $100K?
FTMO is an active, well-established firm and the most common comparison for a two-step $100K challenge. The table below compares the two on structure only.
| Factor | The5ers High Stakes $100K | FTMO 2-Step $100K |
|---|---|---|
| Steps | 2 | 2 |
| Profit targets | 10% then 5% (New) | 10% then 5% |
| Daily loss | 5% | 5% |
| Maximum loss | 10% | 10% (static) |
| Day-count rule | 3 profitable days (0.5% each) per phase | 4 trading days per phase (a day counts when a position is opened) |
| Time limit | Unlimited | No maximum period per recent 2026 reviews; older guides mention 30 and 60 days |
| Fee at $100K | $491 (New), $545 (Classic) | About $540 (third-party) |
| Fee refund | Refund entries listed in plan table; see terms | 100% refund with first reward withdrawal (official) |
| Profit split | 80% to 100% | Up to 90% (official) |
| Scaling ceiling | Up to $500,000 (High Stakes) | Up to $2,000,000 (third-party) |
FTMO's targets and loss limits match High Stakes New closely. The differences are in the day-count rule, the fee refund, the split ceiling and the scaling path.
FTMO's day-count rule is lighter than a profitable-day rule, and its fee refund is stated clearly on its official page. The5ers' High Stakes has no time limit in either phase, a split that rises to 100% at higher scaling tiers and a scaling ladder that continues to $500,000 at the High Stakes level. Bootcamp extends the path to $4 million.
Traders should confirm FTMO's time-limit rules on its own page, because sources disagree.
Which structural differences matter most?
Five points usually decide a comparison:
- ●Day-count rule. A profitable-day rule is stricter than a trading-day rule.
- ●Time pressure. Unlimited time removes deadline pressure.
- ●Fee treatment. A refund at first payout and a two-part fee change the effective cost differently.
- ●Split progression. A split that rises with account size rewards long-term growth.
- ●Scaling ceiling. A higher ceiling matters only if the trader stays consistent enough to reach it.
The Funded Stage: Payouts, Profit Split and Scaling
How does the profit split progress on High Stakes?
The5ers' High Stakes profit share starts at 80% and rises with each scaling step. The official scaling table shows the following.
| Account balance | Trader share |
|---|---|
| $100,000 to $150,000 | 80% |
| $175,000 to $200,000 | 85% |
| $250,000 to $300,000 | 90% |
| $350,000 to $450,000 | 100% plus a fixed payout* |
| $500,000 | 100% plus a fixed payout* |
The asterisk on the official page marks conditions on the fixed payouts, so read them before treating those figures as expected income.
How does scaling work?
On High Stakes, the account scales each time the trader meets a 10% balance target at the funded stage. For a $100K account, the first target is $110,000, followed by $125,000 and $150,000 at the same 80% share. Scaling also requires three profitable days.
Bootcamp scales on each 5% target and can reach $4 million through its published table.
Scaling is a progression path. A new buyer does not receive a $500K or $4M account on day one, and each step depends on compliance and results.
The scaling structure rewards a slower approach. A trader who keeps a steady risk percentage as the balance grows keeps the same process that produced earlier progress.
How do payouts work?
Third-party reviews describe a roughly two-week payout cycle on funded The5ers accounts. The official High Stakes page lists eligibility for fixed payouts as part of the plan.
A payout schedule is not a promise of income. A request depends on a compliant account, enough profit and the firm's current conditions. Check the current payout terms in the Hub.
Why does the funded stage matter for the buying decision?
The funded stage is where a challenge fee turns into a long-term account. Traders comparing firms should look at three funded-stage facts: how the split changes, how scaling is triggered and how payout conditions are written.
The5ers publishes its scaling ladder openly, which lets a trader review the full path before buying.
The Buying Decision: Is a $100K Challenge Right for You?
Should you choose $100K or a smaller account?
A larger size is not automatically better. The relevant question is what dollar risk the strategy needs.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What is your normal risk per trade in dollars? | Larger accounts only help if the strategy needs a larger loss allowance. |
| Does the fee fit a comfortable budget? | A high fee can pressure a trader to trade differently. |
| Can you stay within a $5,000 daily limit under stress? | A large limit can hide poor process. |
| Will you use the scaling path? | Scaling only matters after funding. |
Smaller sizes use the same percentage rules. A trader who is still testing a strategy may learn the same lessons at a lower fee.
What is the pre-purchase checklist?
- ●Choose the program: High Stakes or Bootcamp.
- ●For High Stakes, choose New or Classic based on which Phase 1 target fits the strategy.
- ●Convert the daily and maximum loss limits into dollars.
- ●Write a personal risk per trade and a personal daily stop.
- ●Read how profitable days and daily loss are calculated.
- ●Review the news window and prohibited trading practices.
- ●Confirm the current fee at checkout.
- ●Read the payout and scaling terms.
- ●Save the account terms and purchase confirmation.
How do you start a The5ers challenge?
- ●Read the official program page for High Stakes or Bootcamp.
- ●Create an account in The5ers Hub.
- ●Select the program, the $100K size and, for High Stakes, the version.
- ●Read the terms and conditions and the prohibited trading practices.
- ●Complete the purchase at the price shown in the Hub.
- ●Set up MT5 as described in the Hub.
- ●Trade from a written risk plan and track profitable days from the first session.
Who might prefer a different structure?
A trader who wants a lighter day-count rule, who trades inside the news window or who wants a fee refund at the first payout may prefer another structure.
A trader who wants unlimited time, a stepped low-fee entry or a published scaling ladder may find The5ers a closer fit.
The right choice depends on strategy, budget and risk process.
Summary
The5ers' $100K challenge comes in two forms. High Stakes is a two-step program with unlimited time, a 5% daily loss limit, a 10% maximum loss, three profitable days per phase and a scaling path to $500,000. Bootcamp is a three-step program with stepped balances, 1:30 leverage, a two-part fee and a scaling path to $4 million.
Compared with FTMO's two-step structure, the targets and loss limits are similar. The main differences are the day-count rule, fee treatment, profit split and scaling.
The strongest choice is the one that lets a trader keep the same risk process from evaluation to funding. Convert every limit into dollars, confirm current terms on the official pages and choose the size the strategy needs.