We compared every fee, rule and payout. Here's the verdict.
FTMO edges out The5ers with a higher overall score (82 vs 79), stronger brand trust (12,000+ Trustpilot reviews vs 800+), and a more accessible starting fee of $99. However, The5ers wins decisively for traders who want weekend holding, US access, and the potential to earn 100% profit split at scale up to $4M.
Start with FTMO →| Metric | FTMO | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Min Fee | $99 (2-Step) | $97 (Bootcamp 2-Step) |
| Profit Split Start | 80% | 50% |
| Max Account | $200K | $4,000,000 |
| Drawdown Type | Relative (10% max) | 6% max / no daily |
| Daily Drawdown | 5% daily | None |
| Payout Start | Bi-weekly | Weekly |
| EAs Allowed | Yes | Yes |
| Weekend Holding | No | Yes |
| US Traders | No | Yes |
| Trustpilot | 4.7 (12,000+ reviews) | 4.5 (800+ reviews) |
| Founded | 2014 | 2016 |
| Overall Score | 82/100 | 79/100 |
At face value, The5ers' Bootcamp 2-Step starts at $97 vs FTMO's $99 — effectively identical. But FTMO's fee structure is more transparent and widely understood. FTMO has also refunded fees to profitable traders in certain programs, adding perceived value. The5ers' Bootcamp is genuinely affordable, but FTMO's ecosystem of account options gives traders more flexibility on how much they want to risk upfront. For pure entry cost, it's essentially a tie, but FTMO takes the edge due to broader account tier options.
FTMO's 80% starting split rising to 90% is far superior to The5ers' 50% starting split on the Bootcamp program. While The5ers can theoretically reach 100% at the highest levels, you begin keeping only half of your profits — which is poor value compared to virtually every other major prop firm. FTMO's 80% baseline is competitive, and the clear 90% upgrade path is achievable. For any trader who wants strong earnings from day one, FTMO wins this category decisively.
This is where The5ers completely dominates. A $4,000,000 maximum account is extraordinary — 20x what FTMO offers at $200K. For serious professional traders who want institutional-level capital, The5ers is in a completely different league. The scaling path to $4M is achievable through consistent performance, and the 100% profit split at the highest tier means top performers keep everything. If your goal is maximum capital access, The5ers is the clear winner.
FTMO uses a 10% max relative drawdown with a 5% daily limit. The5ers uses a 6% max with no daily drawdown. Neither is objectively better — it depends entirely on your trading style. FTMO's lack of a daily drawdown cap means you won't get caught by a single bad session below the daily limit, but the 5% daily rule can catch scalpers. The5ers' static 6% max drawdown (no daily) is excellent for swing traders. For traders who hold positions overnight and don't scalp, The5ers' no-daily-drawdown rule is a major advantage.
Weekly payouts from The5ers beat FTMO's bi-weekly schedule. More frequent access to profits matters for cash flow management. Both firms have strong payout track records — FTMO with 12,000+ Trustpilot reviews and The5ers with 800+, both averaging 4.5+ stars. FTMO's larger review base is a stronger signal of reliability, but The5ers' weekly payout cadence is genuinely more trader-friendly for those who want quicker access to earnings.
Founded in 2014, FTMO is one of the oldest prop firms in the industry with over a decade of operation. Its 12,000+ Trustpilot reviews at 4.7 stars represent one of the most robust community validation bases in the prop firm world. The5ers, founded in 2016, also has a solid track record and 4.5 Trustpilot rating, but with only 800+ reviews it's harder to draw strong statistical conclusions. For risk-averse traders prioritising firm stability, FTMO's ten-year track record and massive review base make it the safer bet.
The5ers accepts US traders while FTMO does not — this is a significant factor for a large portion of the global trading community. American traders are completely blocked from using FTMO, making The5ers the only viable choice for that audience. Beyond the US, both firms serve international traders broadly. This single factor makes The5ers essential for any US-based trader, regardless of other comparative factors.