- Choose FTMO if: You want the broadest instrument and platform range from the most recognised brand in the industry.
- Choose The5ers if: You want the largest scaling ceiling in the industry and the lowest entry price of the two.
Table of Contents
FTMO and The5ers are the two longest-running names in retail prop trading, both launched in the mid-2010s and both carrying Trustpilot ratings near the top of the industry. The comparison usually comes down to ceiling versus breadth: The5ers offers the largest scaling potential in the business at $4M, while FTMO offers the widest instrument and platform selection under the most recognised brand name. This guide breaks down pricing, profit split, scaling structure, and Trustpilot data so you can pick the firm that matches your growth ambitions.
The problem: A common frustration among traders comparing these two firms is assuming the headline profit split applies from day one. The5ers advertises splits up to 100%, but the starting split on several programs is only 50%, and reaching the top tier requires scaling an account from $20,000 to well over $1 million in balance — a detail that isn’t always obvious from marketing pages. FTMO’s flat 80% base split is easier to plan around but caps out lower overall. Traders who don’t map out the actual scaling milestones before buying a challenge often end up disappointed by how long it takes to reach the advertised maximum.
Quick Comparison
| FTMO | The5ers | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | €79 (~$85) per $10K 1-Step challenge | $39 per $5K Hyper-Growth account |
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Free Trial | Yes (Free demo challenge, same rules) | No |
| Best For | Traders who want the most recognised brand and the widest instrument range | Traders building a long-term funded career who want to scale to a large account |
| Ease of Use | 8 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Support Rating | 9 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| Start FTMO Challenge → | Explore The5ers → |
Pros & Cons
- 10-year track record since 2015 with $500M+ self-reported payouts
- Challenge fee refunded with first profit split
- Broadest instrument range among top-tier firms, including stocks and indices
- Four platform options: MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade
- Maximum scaling ceiling of $2M, half of The5ers’ $4M ceiling
- 80% base profit split, below The5ers’ 100% top tier
- No instant funding option — must pass a 1- or 2-step evaluation first
- Scales to $4M — the largest capital ceiling of any major forex prop firm
- Profit split scales up to 100% for top-performing accounts
- Nearly a decade of operating history since 2016, with $43M+ paid to traders
- Lower entry price than FTMO, from $39 for a $5K account
- Base profit split starts as low as 50% before scaling milestones kick in
- Restricts traders from 30+ countries, more than FTMO’s restricted list
- Israel-based and not regulated by FCA or CFTC, unlike some competitors
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
| Feature | FTMO | The5ers | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.8/5 (46,885+ reviews) | 4.8/5 (21,000+ reviews) | Tie |
| Max Scaling Ceiling | $2,000,000 | $4,000,000 | The5ers |
| Max Profit Split | Up to 90% | Up to 100% | The5ers |
| Starting Challenge Fee | ~$85 (€79) | $39 | The5ers |
| Operating Since | 2015 | 2016 | FTMO |
| Integrations | MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade | MT5, cTrader | — |
Final Verdict
Winner: The5ers
Frequently Asked Questions
Which firm scales to a bigger account?
The5ers offers the largest scaling ceiling among major forex prop firms at up to $4,000,000, achieved by doubling account size at regular profit milestones under its Hyper-Growth and Bootcamp programs. FTMO’s scaling plan tops out at $2,000,000, half of The5ers’ maximum allocation.
Is The5ers or FTMO cheaper to start with?
The5ers is cheaper at entry, with its smallest Hyper-Growth $5K account starting from $39, compared to FTMO’s cheapest $10K 1-Step challenge at €79 (roughly $85). Note the account sizes differ, so compare cost per dollar of starting capital when deciding.
Does The5ers really offer a 100% profit split?
Yes, but only at the top of its scaling plan. The5ers’ profit split starts as low as 50% on some programs and scales upward as the account balance grows toward roughly $1.28 million, at which point traders reach the advertised 100% tier. FTMO’s split tops out lower at 90% but is easier to reach.
Which firm has been operating longer?
FTMO launched in 2015, one year before The5ers began operating in 2016, giving FTMO a marginally longer verified track record. Both firms have paid traders continuously through multiple market cycles for nearly a decade as of 2026.
Which firm offers more trading platforms?
FTMO supports four platforms — MT4, MT5, cTrader, and DXtrade — giving it the wider selection. The5ers supports MT5 and cTrader only. Traders who specifically need MT4 or DXtrade access should lean toward FTMO.