Head to head · Oct 2026
AquaFunded vs The5ers
The5ers grades higher overall, 6.1 to 4.7. Across 21 measurable rows, AquaFunded comes out ahead on 0 and The5ers on 13.
Cheap challenges wrapped in a dense, shifting rulebook and a damaged reputation
Cheap entry and long scaling ladders, but payout-stage risk reviews made The5ers a riskier bet in 2026
Key differences
In short
- A $100K evaluation is cheaper at The5ers ($95 vs $279.20 at AquaFunded).
- The5ers has the stronger payout record (6.0 vs 5.0).
- AquaFunded carries more hidden-rule risk (7.0 vs 5.8), led by: floating-loss caps close accounts instantly.
- The5ers allows more capital ($4,000,000 vs $400,000).
- Only AquaFunded sells instant programs.
- Only The5ers sells 3-step programs.
- Match-Trader, TradeLocker, Tradovate, NinjaTrader are only available at AquaFunded.
AquaFunded vs The5ers, side by side
The better value in each row is marked
| Criterion | ||
|---|---|---|
| Grade | ||
| Overall score | D4.7 | C6.1 |
| Payouts | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Rules & transparency | 3.5 | 5.0 |
| Reputation | 3.0 | 6.5 |
| Trading conditions | 6.0 | 7.0 |
| Support | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| Platforms & execution | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Evidence | ||
| Trustpilot | Hidden (1.2K) | 4.7 (39K) |
| Pass rate | 8%Estimate | 9%Estimate |
| Hidden risk | 7.0 Very highHidden risk 7.0 out of 10, Very high | 5.8 Very highHidden risk 5.8 out of 10, Very high |
| Negative recent reviews | 80.5% | 6% |
| Offer | ||
| $100K challenge | $279.20 | $95 |
| Cheapest account | $20 | $19 |
| Max allocation | $400K | $4M |
| Max profit split | 100% | 100% |
| Payouts | Every 14 days by default… | Every 14 days from funding… |
| Programs | instant, 1-step, 2-step | 1-step, 2-step, 3-step |
| Current offer | 25% OFF· AUTUMN | DEAL |
| Company | ||
| Headquarters | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Raanana, Israel |
| Years in business | 3 | 10 |
| Trading | ||
| Platforms | MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader, TradeLocker, Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView | MT5, cTrader, TradingView |
| Assets | Forex, Indices, Metals, Commodities, Energies, Crypto, Futures | Forex, Indices, Metals, Energies, Commodities, Crypto, Futures |
| EAs | Restricted | Restricted |
| News trading | Restricted | Restricted |
| Weekend holding | Restricted | Restricted |
| Copy trading | Restricted | Restricted |
| Hedging | Restricted | Restricted |
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Raanana, IsraelWhich should you choose?
By trading style
| You are… | Pick | |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners | The5ers | Entry from $19 (High Stakes $2.5K) or $22 (Bootcamp) with no time limit is forgiving, but the T&C say evaluations are not meant for traders without experience and payout-stage interviews require you to explain your strategy. |
| Experienced traders | Either | AquaFunded: Low prices and no time limits suit disciplined traders who audit every rule for their model and accept manual payout reviews and a 3% payout fee. |
| Swing traders | Either | AquaFunded: Overnight and weekend holding is allowed on CFDs and 2-Step Standard or Elite have static drawdowns, but -1% to -2% floating-loss limits rule out wide stops on funded and instant accounts. |
| Scalpers | The5ers | Short-term trading is allowed and FX commission is $4 per lot, but trades lasting seconds, tick scalping and simultaneous bulk entries are banned, and reviewers complain about gold spreads and stop slippage. |
| EA & algo traders | Either | AquaFunded: Own-strategy EAs are allowed on CFDs, but VPS and shared-device flags appear in payout denials and futures accounts ban automation outright. |
| News traders | The5ers | High Stakes and Summer Plan block order execution 2 minutes either side of red-folder news and strip the profit, but Hyper Growth, Pro Growth and Bootcamp allow news (no bracketing) and futures have no news restriction. |
Verdicts
AquaFunded verdict
Cheap challenges wrapped in a dense, shifting rulebook and a damaged reputation
Best for: Disciplined traders with small, steady risk per trade who want cheap 2-step pricing, no time limits and a choice of four CFD platforms, and who will read every rule for their model.
Avoid if: You scalp, trade news, run EAs on a VPS, share a network with other traders, or need a firm with a clean, verifiable payout reputation.
The5ers verdict
Cheap entry and long scaling ladders, but payout-stage risk reviews made The5ers a riskier bet in 2026
Best for: Manual FX traders who want a cheap, no-time-limit evaluation and plan to scale slowly with steady, two-sided trading and modest position sizes.
Avoid if: You trade news releases, run EAs or copied signals, hold one-directional trend positions, or expect large single withdrawals from a $50K-$100K account.
AquaFunded vs The5ers FAQ
Questions traders ask
Is AquaFunded better than The5ers?
On our grading The5ers scores higher overall (6.1 vs 4.7, grade C vs D). The better choice depends on your style: compare the rules rows above before buying.
Which is cheaper, AquaFunded or The5ers?
At list price a $100K evaluation costs $279.20 at AquaFunded and $95 at The5ers, so The5ers is cheaper. The smallest accounts start at $20 and $19. Discounts change often, so check the offers page.
Which pays out more reliably, AquaFunded or The5ers?
The5ers has the stronger payout score (AquaFunded 5.0 vs The5ers 6.0). AquaFunded pays every 14 days by default; 7-day cycles (evaluations) or on-demand requests (instant) as paid add-ons; futures models pay on demand, daily or every 5-6 winning days; The5ers pays every 14 days from funding; the timer resets after each scale-up.
Which has fewer hidden rules, AquaFunded or The5ers?
The5ers has the lower Hidden Risk score (AquaFunded 7.0, very high; The5ers 5.8, very high). Each review lists the specific rules behind the score.
Is it easier to pass AquaFunded or The5ers?
AquaFunded: 8% (estimate). The5ers: 9% (estimate). Estimates are a guide to difficulty only; drawdown type and daily loss rules matter as much as the target.
Compare AquaFunded or The5ers with another firm
More head-to-heads
- AquaFunded vs FTMO
- AquaFunded vs FundedNext
- AquaFunded vs BrightFunded
- AquaFunded vs FundingPips
- AquaFunded vs Top One Trader
- AquaFunded vs Alpha Capital Group
- AquaFunded vs For Traders
- AquaFunded vs Goat Funded Trader
- The5ers vs FTMO
- The5ers vs FundedNext
- The5ers vs BrightFunded
- The5ers vs FundingPips
- The5ers vs Top One Trader
- The5ers vs Alpha Capital Group
- The5ers vs For Traders
- The5ers vs Goat Funded Trader