The5ers vs FTMO: Rules, Payouts, and Scaling in 2026
The5ers vs FTMO rules, payouts, and scaling differ mainly in evaluation requirements, fee recovery, withdrawal conditions, and account-growth plans. The5ers High Stakes offers a two-step evaluation and scaling toward a higher profit share, while FTMO 2-Step offers a two-phase challenge with a refundable fee and rewards of up to 90%. The better fit depends on your strategy and the rules you can consistently follow.
Introduction: Choosing a prop firm involves more than comparing account sizes or advertised profit splits. Drawdown limits, payout caps, refund conditions, and scaling requirements can all affect a program's practical value. This guide compares The5ers High Stakes with FTMO 2-Step using publicly available official information checked in October 2026.
1. What Do The5ers and FTMO Offer Traders in 2026?
The5ers and FTMO both provide evaluation-based trading programs, but their products have different conditions. This comparison focuses on The5ers High Stakes and FTMO 2-Step, because both use a two-phase evaluation.
The5ers also offers Bootcamp and Hyper Growth, while FTMO offers a 1-Step Challenge. Their rules differ, so their conditions should not be mixed into the main comparison.
Both firms use simulated trading environments for their evaluation processes. FTMO explicitly describes its accounts as demo accounts with fictitious capital. The5ers also describes its evaluation activity as simulated. Traders should read the applicable agreement to understand how rewards are calculated and what eligibility requires.
Check out these official links: The5ers High Stakes, FTMO 2-Step Challenge
Comparison Table 1: Program Overview, as of October 2026
| Feature | The5ers High Stakes | FTMO 2-Step |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation | Two phases | Two phases |
| Phase-one profit target | 10% | 10% |
| Phase-two profit target | 5% | 5% |
| Maximum daily loss | 5% | 5% |
| Maximum overall loss | 10% | 10% |
| Minimum profitable/trading days | 3 profitable days per phase | 4 trading days per phase |
| Evaluation time limit | Unlimited, subject to inactivity rules | Unlimited |
| Reward structure | Starts at 80%; progression depends on program terms | 80% by default; up to 90% under eligible conditions |
Sources: official program pages and rules available in October 2026. Confirm account-specific terms before purchase.
2. How Do The5ers and FTMO Evaluation Rules Compare?
Both programs require traders to meet profit targets without breaching daily or overall loss limits. The percentages look similar, but the details of how losses are calculated and how profitable days are counted matter just as much as the headline targets.
What are the profit targets and loss limits?
The5ers High Stakes lists a 10% first-phase target and a 5% second-phase target, with 5% maximum daily loss and 10% maximum overall loss. FTMO 2-Step publishes the same target and loss-limit percentages.
A key difference is the minimum-day requirement: The5ers specifies profitable days, while FTMO specifies trading days. The5ers defines a profitable day using a minimum profit threshold, so simply placing a trade may not count.
Comparison Table 2: Evaluation Rules, as of October 2026
| Rule | The5ers High Stakes | FTMO 2-Step |
|---|---|---|
| Phase-one target | 10% | 10% |
| Phase-two target | 5% | 5% |
| Daily loss limit | 5% | 5% |
| Overall loss limit | 10% | 10% |
| Minimum days | 3 profitable days per phase | 4 trading days per phase |
| Time limit | Unlimited, with inactivity conditions | Unlimited |
| Breach outcome | Account may be terminated | Account may be terminated |
Take a look: The5ers High Stakes, FTMO Trading Objectives
Why do drawdown calculations matter?
A drawdown limit defines how much an account can lose before the rules are breached. Daily loss and maximum overall loss are separate restrictions, and a trader must comply with both.
The5ers High Stakes states that its daily drawdown is based on the higher of the previous day's closing balance or equity, with the daily limit recalculated at server rollover. FTMO calculates its daily loss limit using the balance at its daily reset and includes open-position profit or loss, swaps, and commissions in equity.
For example, a trader may have a positive closed balance but still breach a limit if an open position creates a large floating loss. A strategy that relies on wide stop losses or holds positions through volatile market events should be tested against the exact rules before buying a challenge.
Neither firm should be assigned a higher pass rate without comparable, independently verifiable evidence.
3. Which Firm Has Better Fees, Payout Rules, and Profit Splits?
The better payout arrangement depends on more than the advertised profit split. Traders should compare the initial fee, refund eligibility, cash versus non-cash credits, payout thresholds, withdrawal caps, and reward percentage.
How do fees and refunds compare?
The fee for either program depends on the selected account size and current checkout terms. FTMO advertises a 100% refundable fee for its 2-Step Challenge, subject to its conditions.
The5ers High Stakes uses a different fee-recovery structure. Its published policy describes Hub Credits at evaluation milestones and a 70% fee refund at the funded stage, subject to eligibility. The 70% refund is added to funded-account equity and becomes withdrawable with the first payout if the stated conditions are met.
Hub Credits are not cash. The5ers says they can be used toward eligible program purchases but cannot be withdrawn. A credit and a cash refund therefore have different financial value.
What profit split can traders receive?
The5ers High Stakes advertises an 80%–100% profit share under eligible program conditions. FTMO 2-Step starts at an 80% reward ratio, which can increase to 90% if the Scaling Plan or Premium Programme conditions are met.
For illustration, if $1,000 of simulated profit is eligible for a reward, an 80% share equals $800 and a 90% share equals $900. This is arithmetic, not an earnings forecast; actual rewards depend on compliance, eligibility, and the relevant agreement.
How often can traders request payouts?
The5ers High Stakes says funded traders can request payouts every 14 days. Its current published policy lists a $3,000 payout cap and $300 minimum profit for a $50,000 account, and a $4,000 cap and $500 minimum profit for a $100,000 account. It also lists a $150 minimum withdrawal after the profit split and states that cryptocurrency withdrawals have a maximum of $1,500 per transaction.
FTMO says eligible traders can request a reward on or after the 14th day following their first trade on that account. Positions and pending orders must be closed before a reward request. FTMO describes a review process and lists bank transfer, selected card-transfer methods, Skrill, and cryptocurrency among its payout methods. Minimums and limits may vary by method.
Comparison Table 3: Payout Conditions, as of October 2026
| Feature | The5ers High Stakes | FTMO 2-Step |
|---|---|---|
| First payout eligibility | Funded stage; conditions apply | On or after day 14 from first trade |
| Payout cycle | Every 14 days | Request-based, subject to terms |
| Starting reward share | 80% | 80% |
| Potential reward share | Up to 100% under eligible terms | Up to 90% under eligible terms |
| Fee recovery | Hub Credits plus conditional 70% refund | 100% refundable fee, subject to terms |
| Account-specific caps | Published for selected account sizes | Check current reward terms |
| Withdrawal methods | Check current supported methods and fees | Bank transfer, selected transfer services, Skrill, crypto |
Related guides:
- ●Read more on The5ers payout rules for traders
- ●How much profit split The5ers can offer to traders
- ●The5ers' payout policy explained for traders in 2026
4. Which Firm Offers the Better Scaling Plan?
The5ers and FTMO use different scaling structures. A maximum allocation figure alone cannot determine which plan offers better value: traders must consider performance milestones, the timing of scale-ups, reward percentages, and eligibility requirements.
How does The5ers scaling compare with FTMO scaling?
The5ers High Stakes describes scaling based on reaching successive 10% targets. Its published plan indicates growth up to $500,000 under applicable conditions, with reward-share progression dependent on the plan and milestone.
FTMO's Scaling Plan allows eligible accounts to increase by 25% every four months, up to $2 million across FTMO Accounts. Requirements include at least four months of trading under the same order, at least 10% net simulated profit during that period, two processed rewards, and a positive account balance at the time of scaling.
FTMO's maximum is an eligibility-based limit, not a guaranteed outcome. The same principle applies to The5ers: scaling depends on meeting its current program conditions.
Related guides:
Which scaling plan suits long-term traders?
The5ers may appeal to traders whose objectives align with its milestone-based scaling and higher potential profit share. FTMO may suit traders who prefer its four-month scaling interval and published 25% account increases.
Compare how each plan works with your expected trading pace. A trader who values a higher potential reward share may prioritize different conditions from someone focused on scaling intervals or withdrawal limits. Neither maximum allocation nor maximum profit split predicts actual earnings.
5. Which Firm Has More Flexible Trading Rules?
Trading flexibility depends on the selected program, account type, and evaluation stage. News trading, overnight positions, weekend holding, automated strategies, and inactivity requirements should be checked in the current rules rather than assumed to be universal.
Can you trade news or hold positions over the weekend?
The5ers High Stakes allows overnight and weekend holding, but restricts order execution within two minutes before and after certain high-impact news events. Its published rules state that profits from trades executed during that restricted window may be deducted, while losses remain the trader's responsibility.
FTMO distinguishes between Standard and Swing account conditions. Restrictions can differ by account type and stage, so traders who hold through major news releases or over weekends should review the rules for the exact account they intend to use.
Also check supported platforms, expert-advisor rules, copy-trading restrictions, permitted instruments, and account inactivity limits. The5ers High Stakes currently states that accounts may expire after 30 consecutive days without activity. FTMO's applicable terms should be checked for its own inactivity and account conditions.
How can traders avoid a drawdown breach?
Before trading, confirm:
- ●How the daily loss limit is calculated.
- ●When the daily limit resets and which server time applies.
- ●Whether floating losses, swaps, and commissions count toward equity.
- ●Whether the overall loss limit is static or changes under specific conditions.
- ●How withdrawals and scaling affect the account's loss buffer.
- ●What happens when a limit is reached.
Related read: Prop Firm Drawdown Types Explained: Static vs Trailing vs Balance-Based (2026 Guide)
Risk note: Prop trading evaluations involve risk, including the potential loss of entry fees. Simulated performance does not guarantee future rewards or live-market results. Review the current agreement and loss limits before participating.
6. Which Firm Should You Choose for Your Trading Strategy?
The better program is the one whose rules fit your tested strategy, risk tolerance, and financial circumstances, not necessarily the one with the largest advertised account.
Use this checklist to narrow your options:
- ●Beginners: Prioritize understandable rules, affordable fees, and clear loss limits.
- ●Scalpers: Check spreads, commissions, execution conditions, platforms, and prohibited strategies.
- ●Swing traders: Confirm overnight and weekend holding conditions.
- ●News traders: Read the exact restrictions around high-impact releases.
- ●Part-time traders: Check minimum profitable days, trading-day requirements, and inactivity rules.
- ●Growth-focused traders: Compare scaling milestones, allocation limits, and reward-share progression.
- ●Risk-conscious traders: Understand daily and maximum drawdown calculations before trading.
What should you check before buying a challenge?
- ●Choose the exact program and account size.
- ●Confirm the current entry fee and currency.
- ●Read the profit targets and minimum-day requirements.
- ●Understand daily and overall drawdown calculations.
- ●Check news, overnight, and weekend restrictions.
- ●Confirm the form and timing of any fee refund.
- ●Compare payout cycles, thresholds, and caps.
- ●Review scaling milestones and maximum allocations.
- ●Confirm platform availability and account eligibility.
- ●Treat the entry fee as money you could lose.
Verdict: Consider The5ers if its specific program, payout terms, and scaling structure suit your goals. Consider FTMO if its evaluation and reward conditions better fit your strategy. Compare the full current rules before choosing; neither firm is the universal winner for every trader.
Key Takeaways
- ●Compare exact programs: The5ers High Stakes and FTMO 2-Step are the main comparison, but other programs have different rules.
- ●Look beyond profit splits: Starting shares, payout caps, refund conditions, and minimum thresholds affect practical value.
- ●Understand scaling requirements: Maximum allocations are conditional, not guaranteed.
- ●Match rules to your strategy: News restrictions, drawdown calculations, and inactivity rules can influence your choice.
- ●Verify current terms: Official program pages and agreements should take precedence over outdated comparison articles.
Choose Your Next Step
Review the official terms for the exact program and account size you are considering. Confirm the fee, loss limits, payout conditions, and scaling requirements before purchasing an evaluation.
- ●Check out all The5ers official programs in 2026
- ●Read about The5ers' scaling guide and how to reach a 90/10 profit split
For more prop firm comparisons, scaling guides, and trader education, explore Prop Firm Insider.