The5ers vs FTMO 2026: Account Sizes, Fees & Profit Split Compared

Every trader who has stared at a prop firm's evaluation page at 1 a.m., calculator open, drawdown rules half-understood, knows the real question isn't "which firm is better." It's "which firm's rules actually fit how I trade, and which one will still be paying out reliably a year from now."

The5ers and FTMO are two of the most-searched names in that conversation. Both have multi-year track records, both publish their rules openly, and both attract very different kinds of traders depending on account size, evaluation style, and how patient a trader is willing to be with scaling.

This guide breaks down account sizes, fees, profit splits, evaluation models, payout systems, and drawdown rules for both firms, based on publicly available program information as of 2026. Prop firms update pricing and rules periodically, so always confirm current terms on the official site before purchasing an evaluation.

Account Sizes and Scaling Potential

How high can you scale an account with The5ers vs FTMO?

The5ers markets one of the more aggressive scaling ceilings in the retail prop trading space. Across its main programs, the firm advertises scaling paths that can reach up to $4 million in simulated capital for traders who maintain consistent profitability over multiple scaling cycles. Scaling typically happens in increments tied to profit milestones — for example, growing the funded balance each time a trader hits a set percentage target while respecting drawdown rules. It's worth noting that scaling caps can differ by program (some High Stakes program pages reference lower ceilings than the headline $4 million figure), so it's worth confirming the exact scaling table for the specific program you choose before you buy in.

FTMO's Scaling Plan is more conservative but well documented. Traders who meet the plan's profitability and consistency requirements can receive a 25% balance increase at each scale-up, with published materials describing a path toward a $2 million account for traders who qualify repeatedly over time.

In practical terms: The5ers positions itself around a higher long-term ceiling, while FTMO's scaling plan is smaller in absolute terms but has a longer, well-established track record behind it.

Which firm offers better starting account size options for new traders?

The5ers gives traders more entry points at the lower end. Its Bootcamp program starts with account sizes as small as $6,000, aimed at traders who want to start with lower financial commitment and build up gradually through a three-step evaluation. Hyper Growth and High Stakes accounts then range roughly from $10,000 up to $100,000-$250,000 depending on the program.

FTMO's standard account sizes run from $10,000 up to $200,000, split across six tiers. There isn't a sub-$10,000 entry option, which makes The5ers the more accessible starting point for traders working with a smaller evaluation budget.

Evaluation Fees and Entry Costs

What does it cost to start a challenge with The5ers compared to FTMO?

The5ers is generally the lower-cost entry point of the two. Its Bootcamp program has been advertised from around $39 for a $6,000 account, and other programs list one-time fees in a similar low range for comparable account sizes. Pricing scales up with account size across all programs, but the entry tier is noticeably cheaper than most established competitors.

FTMO's fees run higher across the board. As of 2026, a $10,000 account starts in the €79-€89 range depending on whether you choose the 1-Step or 2-Step Challenge, scaling up to roughly €999-€1,080 for a $200,000 account. FTMO doesn't offer an account smaller than $10,000, so there's no ultra-low-cost entry tier the way The5ers' Bootcamp provides.

Are evaluation fees refundable, and how do refund policies differ?

FTMO refunds the challenge fee on the 2-Step Challenge path, but only once the trader receives their first profit reward on the funded account — not simply for passing the evaluation. The 1-Step Challenge does not carry this refund at all, according to FTMO's own comparison materials.

The5ers' fee structure works differently depending on the program. Some programs allow split payments (Bootcamp), and program terms describe the funded stage as fee-free going forward — no inactivity charges or ongoing platform costs once a trader is funded. Refund specifics vary by program, so it's worth reading the current terms for the exact plan you're considering rather than assuming a blanket policy across all five program types.

Profit Split Structures Explained

How does The5ers' profit split progression compare to FTMO's fixed split?

This is one of the more meaningfully different areas between the two firms.

FTMO's split is simpler: 1-Step Challenge traders reportedly start at a flat 80-90% split from day one, depending on the specific plan, while 2-Step Challenge traders typically start at 80% and can rise to 90% after meeting Scaling Plan criteria — generally tied to a defined number of profitable trading days with drawdown kept under a set threshold.

The5ers uses a progression model that starts lower and climbs over time. Public program information describes funded accounts starting around a 50-80% split depending on the program, then increasing in stages — commonly cited steps run through 60%, 80%, 90%, and up to a 100% ceiling at the top scaling tier for traders who sustain profitability across multiple cycles. Reaching the very top tier appears to require a long, consistent track record — some sources note this typically takes well over a year of funded trading. Program pages differ slightly on the exact starting percentage (some newer one-step programs start traders at a higher 75-80% split rather than 50%), so the specific number depends on which of The5ers' programs you choose.

In short: FTMO's split structure is flatter and easier to predict up front. The5ers' progression model rewards long-term consistency with a higher ceiling, which is worth understanding clearly before committing to a program, especially for traders evaluating multi-year account growth rather than a single funded cycle.

Can traders reach a 100% profit split, and under what conditions?

The5ers is one of the few firms in this comparison that advertises a path to a 100% split. It sits at the top of a multi-stage scaling ladder and, based on available program information, is reached only after an extended period of consistent, rule-compliant trading across several scaling cycles — not something available at the start of a funded account.

FTMO's published ceiling tops out at 90%, achieved through its Scaling Plan or Premium Program rather than a step-ladder structure. There is no published path to 100% on FTMO's standard programs.

For traders whose priority is long-term account growth and the highest possible profit retention over time, The5ers' scaling structure offers a ceiling that FTMO's current split model does not.

Evaluation Models and Time Limits

Does The5ers offer time-limit-free evaluations, unlike FTMO's phased challenges?

Both firms currently advertise unlimited time to complete their evaluations — this is one area where the two firms are actually aligned rather than differentiated. Neither imposes a maximum calendar window to hit profit targets, which reduces pressure to overtrade just to beat a clock.

Where they differ is minimum trading days. The5ers' programs generally require a low minimum — often around three profitable trading days per phase — which is on the lighter end of the industry. FTMO requires a minimum of four trading days per evaluation step. Both are relatively trader-friendly compared to firms requiring ten or more days.

How many evaluation paths does each firm provide, and which suits different trading styles?

The5ers offers the broader menu of options. Its main programs include Bootcamp (a three-step evaluation aimed at beginners and budget-conscious traders), Hyper Growth (a single-step evaluation for traders who want to reach funded status faster), High Stakes (a two-step evaluation with a more traditional structure), and newer offerings covering futures and stock trading. This range makes it easier for traders to pick a path that matches their experience level and risk appetite, from a cautious multi-phase ramp to a faster single-step route.

FTMO runs a narrower but well-tested structure: a 1-Step Challenge and a 2-Step Challenge (Challenge plus Verification). The 2-Step model uses a 10% then 5% profit target; the 1-Step model uses a single 10% target with tighter daily loss rules in exchange for skipping the second phase. It's a simpler menu, which some traders find easier to plan around.

Payout Systems and Reliability

How often can traders request payouts from The5ers vs FTMO?

Both firms generally operate on a biweekly payout cadence for most programs, though exact timing depends on the specific plan. The5ers' funded accounts typically process the first payout around 14 days after receiving funded status, with payouts continuing every two weeks after that. FTMO also runs on a biweekly reward cycle for most account types, with payouts processed within one to two business days of approval according to the firm's own materials.

Neither firm publishes a materially faster payout cadence than the other at the standard program level — the more relevant differences show up in profit split percentage and how quickly a trader can qualify for higher splits, covered above.

What verification steps does each firm require before releasing payouts?

Both firms apply a consistency rule before or around first payout — generally requiring that no single trading day account for more than half of total profit, a standard mechanism across the industry designed to discourage one lucky trade from driving an entire payout. FTMO applies this consistently across its programs. The5ers applies a similar rule before first payout, with consistency evaluated across a wider window afterward.

Some review sources note The5ers uses additional identity or video verification steps at points in the payout process for certain programs. As with any prop firm, traders should read the specific payout terms for their program and keep documentation of their trading activity, since verification requirements can add processing time even when a payout is ultimately approved.

Risk Management and Drawdown Rules

How do daily and maximum drawdown limits compare between the two firms?

This is where the two firms diverge most clearly in philosophy.

FTMO's 2-Step Challenge uses a 5% daily loss limit and a 10% maximum loss limit, calculated as a static drawdown from the initial balance during evaluation (the daily limit resets based on the higher of starting balance or equity each day). The 1-Step Challenge tightens this to a 3% daily loss with a trailing end-of-day drawdown model.

The5ers runs tighter limits across most of its core programs. High Stakes and Hyper Growth commonly use a 3-5% daily loss limit and a 6% maximum drawdown — noticeably tighter than FTMO's 10% maximum on its standard 2-Step model. Bootcamp uses a "pause" mechanic at 3% daily loss rather than an instant account termination, plus a violation system tied to stop-loss placement (a violation triggers if a trade is opened without a stop-loss, or with a stop-loss risking more than 2% of the account on a single position; five violations result in termination).

The practical read: FTMO's drawdown buffer is wider, which gives traders more room to absorb a bad trading day. The5ers' tighter drawdown limits demand more disciplined position sizing, but this design reflects the firm's stated philosophy of prioritizing capital preservation and long-term account survival over aggressive short-term risk-taking — a framework that has featured heavily in how The5ers positions itself relative to faster, looser-drawdown competitors.

Which firm's risk framework better supports long-term account longevity?

Neither structure is objectively "safer" in isolation — it depends on trading style. A trader who occasionally has a rough day but recovers over a longer stretch may find FTMO's wider 10% maximum drawdown more forgiving. A trader who trades small, consistent size and values a firm explicitly built around capital preservation may find The5ers' tighter limits and pause mechanics (rather than instant termination in some cases) align better with a long-term, multi-year account growth plan — which is central to how The5ers frames its evaluation and scaling philosophy.

What matters most is matching the rule set to your own risk tolerance and trading frequency rather than picking based on which numbers look bigger on a marketing page.

Summary

The5ers and FTMO both remain active, established names in the prop trading space as of 2026, but they're built around different priorities. The5ers offers lower entry costs, a wider range of evaluation paths, a higher long-term scaling ceiling of up to $4 million, and a profit split progression that can climb to 100% for traders who build a long, consistent track record — all wrapped in a tighter drawdown framework designed around capital preservation and multi-year account growth. FTMO offers a simpler two-path evaluation menu, a wider drawdown buffer for absorbing rough trading days, and an eleven-year operating history with a well-documented payout track record, capped at a 90% profit split.

Neither firm is universally "better." The right choice depends on your starting budget, how much daily loss room you want, and whether you're optimizing for a fast funded account or a long-term scaling relationship with a firm.

For more prop firm comparisons, scaling guides, and trader education, explore Prop Firm Insider.