The5ers vs FTMO (2026): Rules, Payouts and Scaling Compared

Is The5ers or FTMO Better in 2026?

Neither firm is universally better. FTMO offers 1-Step and 2-Step evaluation options, while The5ers provides programs with different drawdown, payout and scaling rules. FTMO's 2-Step has a 10% static maximum loss; The5ers' High Stakes, Hyper Growth and Bootcamp have different loss limits. Choose according to your strategy, risk management and preferred funding model.

Table 1. The5ers vs FTMO comparison, as of October 2026. Verify current official terms.

Why Does the Program Matter More Than the Brand?

Choosing a prop firm involves more than comparing account sizes or advertised profit splits. Your trading strategy must fit the firm's loss limits, evaluation targets, news restrictions and payout conditions.

A swing trader may need weekend holding, while a scalper may prioritize execution rules. A strategy that works with static drawdown may struggle with trailing drawdown.

This guide compares The5ers and FTMO by program, focusing on evaluation rules, drawdown, payouts, scaling, expert advisors (EAs) and trading restrictions.

1. What Is the Difference Between The5ers and FTMO?

FTMO offers several evaluation and funding products, including its 2-Step Challenge, 1-Step Challenge and Instant Account. The5ers offers High Stakes, Hyper Growth, Pro Growth and Bootcamp for CFD trading, alongside its Futures offering.

FTMO has operated since 2015, while The5ers was founded in 2016. Longevity can inform your research, but it does not guarantee future payouts or trading success.

Which programs should you compare?

Table 2. Suggested program matches, as of October 2026. These products are not identical.

Take a look at the programs which The5ers has to offer: The5ers Bootcamp vs Hyper Growth vs Pro Growth vs High Stakes: Which Program Fits Your Trading Style in 2026

2. How Do The5ers vs FTMO Drawdown Rules Compare?

FTMO's 2-Step uses 10% and 5% profit targets, a 5% daily loss limit and a 10% static maximum loss. The5ers' rules vary: High Stakes has a 10% maximum loss, Hyper Growth a 6% stop-out level, and Bootcamp a 5% maximum loss.

Program-level rules

Table 3. Published program specifications as of October 2026. Confirm the current program version and loss calculations before purchasing.

• ●High Stakes: A two-step evaluation with 10% and 5% targets, a 5% daily limit, a 10% maximum loss and minimum profitable-day requirements.
• ●Hyper Growth: A one-step evaluation with a 10% target, a 3% daily pause and a 6% stop-out level.
• ●Bootcamp: A staged evaluation with three 6% target steps and a published 5% maximum loss.

FTMO's 1-Step and Instant products use trailing maximum-loss calculations, unlike the static maximum loss on its standard 2-Step.

What does drawdown look like on a $100,000 account?

On a hypothetical $100,000 FTMO 2-Step account, a 10% static maximum loss establishes a $90,000 threshold. The 5% daily loss limit represents $5,000 when calculated against a $100,000 reference value; the firm's daily calculation rules determine the actual threshold.

On a hypothetical $100,000 The5ers Hyper Growth account, a 6% maximum-loss threshold corresponds to $94,000, assuming the published initial-balance calculation applies. Its 3% daily pause is a separate restriction that temporarily suspends trading.

Key distinction: A daily pause is not the same as account termination. Static and trailing drawdown also work differently, so compare calculation methods rather than percentages alone.

Read more on the types of prop firm drawdown: Prop Firm Drawdown Types Explained: Static vs Trailing vs Balance-Based (2026 Guide)

3. Which Firm Offers Better Profit Splits and Payouts?

FTMO's standard 2-Step generally starts with an 80% reward split, with eligible traders able to reach 90% under its scaling plan. The5ers' profit split depends on the program and stage, with some paths advertising up to 100%.

For example, $2,000 in eligible profit would produce $1,600 at an 80% split, $1,800 at 90%, or $2,000 at 100%, before any applicable adjustments. These are calculations, not earnings forecasts.

Payout comparison

Table 4. Payout comparison, as of October 2026. Verify the exact account terms.

The5ers' published information describes a biweekly payout cycle for relevant programs. Hyper Growth also states that scaling resets the payout clock. High Stakes may have program-specific payout caps and minimum profit requirements.

Before purchasing, check:

• ●First payout eligibility date.
• ●Minimum withdrawal and payout caps.
• ●Minimum profitable-day requirements.
• ●Fee-refund conditions.
• ●Whether scaling resets the payout cycle.
• ●Available withdrawal methods.

A scheduled payout window is not a guarantee that a withdrawal will be approved.

What does The5ers' payout process look like from start to finish? Read all about it here: The5ers Payout Process: How Bi-Weekly Withdrawals Work From Start to Finish

4. Which Firm Has the Better Scaling Plan?

FTMO publishes a scaling path toward $2 million, while eligible The5ers programs advertise growth toward $4 million. These are conditional maximums, not guaranteed outcomes.

FTMO's published scaling plan can increase eligible account balances by 25% at qualifying events, subject to its requirements. Eligible traders may also qualify for a higher reward split.

The5ers uses different scaling mechanisms across programs. Hyper Growth, for example, describes doubling an eligible account at each 10% profit milestone. High Stakes and Bootcamp have separate progression requirements.

Before choosing, compare the profit targets, qualifying period, minimum profitable days, profit split at each stage, payout timing and maximum eligible allocation.

• ●The5ers Hyper Growth Program Explained and Reviewed: The5ers Hyper Growth Review 2026: Rules, Targets and Who It Suits
• ●The5ers Bootcamp Explained: The5ers Bootcamp Program Rules and Fees 2026

5. Can You Trade News, Use EAs and Hold Positions Over the Weekend?

Both firms permit certain forms of automated trading, but news trading, weekend holding and EAs remain subject to product-specific restrictions.

• ●FTMO: Standard funded accounts have restrictions around specified news releases and market closures. The 2-Step Swing account provides different conditions for news and weekend holding, with lower base leverage.
• ●The5ers: High Stakes restricts certain order execution around high-impact news. Its published rules specify a window of two minutes before and after qualifying releases. Hyper Growth permits news trading but excludes certain methods, including bracket strategies around news.

Weekend holding is available on The5ers' main CFD programs covered here, subject to their terms. FTMO permits weekend holding during evaluation and on eligible Swing accounts; Standard funded accounts generally have restrictions around longer market closures.

Both firms permit EAs in eligible circumstances. Check rules on automation, copying trades, third-party signals, latency-sensitive strategies and prohibited practices before using an EA.

News trading and which firms allow it? Read here: Prop Firm News Trading Rules in 2026: Which Firms Allow It

6. What Changed in FTMO's Consistency Rule in October 2026?

FTMO announced that its Best Day Rule would be replaced by a Consistency rule for qualifying new 1-Step orders from October 12, 2026, and applicable accounts merged from that date.

Under the published change, the best day's profit must not exceed 50% of total profit under the applicable calculation. The 2-Step Challenge does not have this Consistency rule.

The effective date matters:

• ●Qualifying new 1-Step orders from October 12, 2026, are subject to the new rule.
• ●Applicable merged accounts are also covered.
• ●Earlier orders remain subject to the previous rule under the stated transition conditions.
• ●The 2-Step Challenge does not have the same rule.

The5ers' main CFD programs do not list an equivalent general consistency rule, although High Stakes and Pro Growth have minimum profitable-day requirements.

A profitable-day requirement is not the same as a consistency rule. Always confirm the terms attached to your specific order.

Check out: FTMO Trading Objectives

Read about the prohibited trading practices at The5ers and how to qualify with 3 profitable trading days at The5ers.

7. Which Firm Is Cheaper?

Pricing depends on account size, program and refund conditions. Some smaller The5ers plans have been advertised at lower entry prices than comparable FTMO challenges, but fees can change.

Compare more than the entry fee:

• ●Exact price for your chosen account size.
• ●Refund eligibility and conditions.
• ●Reset or retry costs.
• ●Platform or data charges, where applicable.
• ●Minimum payout and withdrawal restrictions.
• ●Scaling conditions that affect payout timing.

Table 5. Cost checklist, as of October 2026. Use official checkout pages to confirm current prices.

A lower fee does not make a challenge easier to pass. Choose a program that fits your strategy and budget rather than relying on the lowest advertised price.

8. Which Firm Fits Your Trading Style?

• ●Beginners: Prioritize understandable rules and manageable costs. Test your strategy and learn the drawdown calculations before paying for an evaluation.
• ●Scalpers: Check execution restrictions, spreads, commissions, slippage, news windows and prohibited automated methods.
• ●Swing traders: FTMO's Swing account is worth investigating if you need greater flexibility around news and weekend holding. The5ers also offers programs permitting weekend holding, subject to their terms.
• ●News traders: Distinguish between holding positions through news and placing new orders during restricted windows. Check the precise instrument and account restrictions.
• ●EA users: Verify that your automation, copy-trading setup and execution method comply with the chosen program's rules.
• ●Traders focused on scaling: Compare qualifying targets, payout timing and progression conditions, not just the maximum advertised account size.

9. How Can You Avoid Common Prop Firm Mistakes?

Before purchasing either program:

1. ●Identify the exact product and version.
2. ●Confirm drawdown calculations, including daily and trailing limits.
3. ●Review evaluation targets, minimum profitable days and consistency rules.
4. ●Check news and weekend restrictions for both evaluation and funded stages.
5. ●Verify platform compatibility and EA permissions.
6. ●Read payout terms, including caps, minimums and fee refunds.
7. ●Check scaling conditions and whether they reset the payout clock.
8. ●Save the current official rules and record the verification date.
9. ●Assess the financial downside and only spend money you can afford to lose.

• ●Check out FTMO's official terms and conditions.
• ●Check out The5ers' official terms and conditions.

Key Takeaways

• ●Compare individual programs, not just firm names.
• ●Understand static, trailing and daily drawdown rules.
• ●Check payout eligibility, caps and fee-refund conditions.
• ●Match news, weekend and EA restrictions to your strategy.
• ●Treat scaling ceilings as conditional.
• ●Verify all current terms before purchasing.

Ready to Choose Your Prop Firm?

The right prop firm depends on your trading style, risk management approach, and long-term goals. Before purchasing a challenge, review each firm's current rules, profit targets, drawdown limits, and payout conditions.

Compare Your Options

Explore The5ers Compare available programs and find an account structure that fits your trading approach. If you're focused on building consistency and growing your funded allocation over time, The5ers is worth a closer look.

Explore FTMO Review FTMO's challenge options, trading rules, and evaluation requirements to see whether they suit your strategy.

Planning for Long-Term Growth?

Choosing a program is only the first step. Understanding its scaling criteria can help you plan your next moves as a trader.

Explore the The5ers Scaling Program to learn how its scaling process works and what conditions apply, and check out the Prop Firms Insider coupon code to get an additional discount with The5ers.

For more independent prop firm comparisons, scaling guides, and practical trading education, explore Prop Firm Insider.