Head to head · Oct 2026
FTMO vs The5ers
FTMO grades higher overall, 7.6 to 6.1. Across 21 measurable rows, FTMO comes out ahead on 11 and The5ers on 5.
Key differences
In short
- A $100K evaluation is cheaper at The5ers ($95 vs $567 at FTMO).
- FTMO has the stronger payout record (8.4 vs 6.0).
- The5ers carries more hidden-rule risk (5.8 vs 4.8), led by: risk reviews at payout time.
- The5ers allows more capital ($4,000,000 vs $2,000,000).
- Only The5ers sells 3-step programs.
- MT4, NinjaTrader, Tradovate are only available at FTMO.
FTMO vs The5ers, side by side
The better value in each row is marked
| Criterion | ||
|---|---|---|
| Grade | ||
| Overall score | A7.6 | C6.1 |
| Payouts | 8.4 | 6.0 |
| Rules & transparency | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Reputation | 8.6 | 6.5 |
| Trading conditions | 6.8 | 7.0 |
| Support | 7.6 | 6.0 |
| Platforms & execution | 7.6 | 6.5 |
| Evidence | ||
| Trustpilot | 4.8 (53K) | 4.7 (39K) |
| Pass rate | 10%Reported | 9%Estimate |
| Hidden risk | 4.8 HighHidden risk 4.8 out of 10, High | 5.8 Very highHidden risk 5.8 out of 10, Very high |
| Negative recent reviews | 1.5% | 6% |
| Offer | ||
| $100K challenge | $567 | $95 |
| Cheapest account | $90 | $19 |
| Max allocation | $2M | $4M |
| Max profit split | 90% | 100% |
| Payouts | Every 14 days per FTMO Account (immediate for Supreme… | Every 14 days from funding… |
| Programs | 1-step, 2-step | 1-step, 2-step, 3-step |
| Current offer | 20% OFF | DEAL |
| Company | ||
| Headquarters | Prague, Czech Republic | Raanana, Israel |
| Years in business | 11 | 10 |
| Trading | ||
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, NinjaTrader, Tradovate | MT5, cTrader, TradingView |
| Assets | Forex, Indices, Metals, Commodities, Energies, Crypto, Stocks, 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 |
Prague, Czech Republic
Raanana, IsraelWhich should you choose?
By trading style
| You are… | Pick | |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners | Either | FTMO: No time limit, a free trial and clear 2-Step rules help learners, but fees from about $90 to $1,226 and a 10% first target make repeat attempts costly. |
| Experienced traders | FTMO | A static 10% drawdown, scaling to $2M and an 11-year payout record suit disciplined traders who keep risk near 1% per idea. |
| Swing traders | Either | FTMO: Swing accounts allow news, overnight and weekend holds, but only on the 2-Step up to $100K, at 1:30 leverage and with swap costs. |
| Scalpers | Either | FTMO: Scalping is allowed, but a simulated delay of up to 200 ms plus frequent complaints about slippage and gold spreads hurt short-term edges. |
| EA & algo traders | FTMO | EAs are allowed within 2,000 server requests a day, but third-party EAs risk the $400K per-strategy cap shared with other users. |
| News traders | Either | FTMO: News trading is free in evaluations and on Swing and futures accounts, but funded Standard accounts block trades 2 minutes either side of major releases. |
Verdicts
FTMO verdict
Still the benchmark for getting paid, but read the risk clauses before you size up
Best for: Disciplined day and swing traders who risk about 1% per trade idea and value an 11-year payout record over the cheapest fee.
Avoid if: You pass challenges with oversized positions, run copy or group setups across accounts, or need rules that cannot be tightened after you pass.
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.
FTMO vs The5ers FAQ
Questions traders ask
Is FTMO better than The5ers?
On our grading FTMO scores higher overall (7.6 vs 6.1, grade A vs C). The5ers still comes out ahead on conditions. The better choice depends on your style: compare the rules rows above before buying.
Which is cheaper, FTMO or The5ers?
At list price a $100K evaluation costs $567 at FTMO and $95 at The5ers, so The5ers is cheaper. The smallest accounts start at $90 and $19. Discounts change often, so check the offers page.
Which pays out more reliably, FTMO or The5ers?
FTMO has the stronger payout score (FTMO 8.4 vs The5ers 6.0). FTMO pays every 14 days per ftmo account (immediate for supreme premium traders); futures cycles need 4-5 qualifying days; The5ers pays every 14 days from funding; the timer resets after each scale-up.
Which has fewer hidden rules, FTMO or The5ers?
FTMO has the lower Hidden Risk score (FTMO 4.8, high; The5ers 5.8, very high). Each review lists the specific rules behind the score.
Is it easier to pass FTMO or The5ers?
FTMO: 10% (reported). The5ers: 9% (estimate). Estimates are a guide to difficulty only; drawdown type and daily loss rules matter as much as the target.
Compare FTMO or The5ers with another firm
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