FTMO and The 5%ers are two of the most established CFD prop firms, but they take fundamentally different approaches. FTMO offers a higher starting profit split and the industry's strongest trust signal. The 5%ers offers higher scaling and multiple programs for different experience levels. Here's how they compare in 2026.
Quick answer: FTMO is better for traders who want the safest, most reliable experience with a strong starting split (80%). The 5%ers is better for traders with a long-term horizon who want to grow an account to $4M with up to 100% profit split.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | FTMO | The 5%ers |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 | 2016 |
| Trustpilot | 4.8/5 (40K+) | 4.8/5 (21K+) |
| Entry Price | From €89 | From $39 |
| Evaluation Type | 2-step (Challenge + Verification) | Varies (1-step, 2-step, 3-step) |
| Starting Profit Split | 80% | 50% |
| Maximum Profit Split | 90% | 100% |
| Maximum Scaling | $400K | $4,000,000 |
| Payout Cycle | Bi-weekly | Bi-weekly |
| Payout Speed | ~8 hours | Within 72 hours |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXTrade | MT5 only |
| Total Payouts | $200M+ | Not disclosed |
| Programs | 1 (+ Swing variant) | 3 (Hyper Growth, High Stakes, Bootcamp) |
| Fee Refund | Yes (with first payout, all accounts) | Yes (High Stakes only) |
| Leverage (forex) | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:100 (High Stakes) |
| Max Account Start | $200,000 | $100,000 |
| News Trading | Unrestricted | Varies by program |
Pricing Comparison
FTMO's €89 minimum is higher than The 5%ers' $39, but FTMO refunds the fee with your first payout on all accounts. The 5%ers only refunds on the High Stakes program after passing Phase 2.
For a $100K account: FTMO charges €540 (~$580), while The 5%ers High Stakes costs $545. Nearly identical.
The bigger pricing difference is what happens after. FTMO's refund makes a successful evaluation effectively free. The 5%ers Hyper Growth doesn't refund. For traders who pass on their first attempt, FTMO costs nothing. For traders who need multiple attempts, The 5%ers' $39 entry allows more shots at a lower cost.
Winner: The 5%ers for the $39 entry point and lower cost per attempt. FTMO for the refund that makes success free.
Profit Split and Long-Term Earnings
This is where the two firms diverge most.
FTMO starts at 80% and reaches 90% through the Scaling Plan. That 90% is the ceiling. On a $10,000 monthly profit, you keep $8,000-$9,000 forever.
The 5%ers starts at 50%. On that same $10,000, you keep $5,000 initially. But the split scales with milestones, eventually reaching 100%. At 100%, you keep the full $10,000.
The crossover point: Assuming consistent $10,000/month profits, FTMO nets you more in the first 6-12 months. After the crossover, The 5%ers' higher ceiling pays more. The exact timing depends on how fast you hit milestones.
Here's the maths for the first year:
| Month | FTMO (80-90%) | The 5%ers (50%, scaling) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | $24,000-$27,000 | $15,000 |
| 4-6 | $24,000-$27,000 | $18,000-$22,500 (split improving) |
| 7-12 | $48,000-$54,000 | $45,000-$60,000 (approaching 100%) |
The numbers favour FTMO early and The 5%ers late. Your time horizon matters.
Winner: FTMO short-term (first 6 months), The 5%ers long-term (year 2+).
Scaling
This is the biggest difference. FTMO caps at $400K. The 5%ers scales to $4,000,000. That's a 10x difference.
FTMO's scaling works through the Scaling Plan: achieve 10% net profit over four consecutive months, and your account increases by 25%. Starting from $200K (the max starting account), you'd reach the $400K cap after several scaling milestones. For a consistently profitable trader, this ceiling becomes binding within the first year.
The 5%ers' Hyper Growth plan doubles your account at each milestone. From $5K: $5K > $10K > $20K > $40K > $80K > $160K > $320K > $640K > $1.28M > $2.56M > $4M. The path is long but the destination is ten times higher than FTMO's.
If you're a trader generating $5,000-$10,000 per month consistently, FTMO's $400K ceiling becomes restrictive. The 5%ers won't limit you until $4M.
Winner: The 5%ers by a wide margin. Ten times the ceiling is not close.
Rules & Evaluation
FTMO has one evaluation with clear rules: 10% target (Phase 1), 5% target (Phase 2), 5% daily loss, 10% max loss, 4 minimum trading days per phase. Simple, consistent, unchanged for years.
The 5%ers offers three programs with different rules:
- Bootcamp: 6% targets, 5% drawdown, mandatory stop-losses, 1:10 leverage
- Hyper Growth: 10% targets, 6% drawdown, 1:30 leverage, account doubling
- High Stakes: 10% target, 10% drawdown, 1:100 leverage
FTMO's simplicity is an advantage if you want one clear path. The 5%ers' variety is an advantage if you want to match the program to your experience level or trading style. The Bootcamp is genuinely designed for beginners; nothing at FTMO serves that purpose specifically.
Winner: The 5%ers for variety (three programs vs one), FTMO for simplicity.
Platform Support
FTMO offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, and DXTrade. The 5%ers offers MT5 only. If you use cTrader for automated strategies or prefer MT4 for its extensive indicator library, FTMO is the only option.
Four platforms vs one is a clear gap. The 5%ers' MT5-only limitation is its most obvious weakness compared to FTMO.
Winner: FTMO with four platforms vs one.
Trust & Track Record
Both firms have 4.8/5 Trustpilot ratings, among the highest in prop trading. FTMO has 40,000+ reviews vs The 5%ers' 21,000+. FTMO's $200M+ verified payouts provide the strongest financial evidence in the industry. Both have operated for nearly a decade.
FTMO is based in Prague (Czech Republic) with transparent corporate registration. The 5%ers is based in Israel with publicly known leadership. Both are considered top-tier for trust.
Winner: FTMO slightly, based on payout volume, review count, and payout documentation.
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose FTMO if:
- You want the safest, most proven firm in prop trading
- An 80-90% profit split is sufficient for your goals
- You use cTrader, MT4, or DXTrade
- You value faster payout processing (~8 hours vs 72 hours)
- $400K maximum account is enough for your trading volume
- You prefer one simple evaluation path
Choose The 5%ers if:
- You plan to grow a funded account over years
- You want to eventually keep 100% of profits
- You want $4M scaling potential
- You're a beginner who benefits from the Bootcamp structure
- You want to start with as little as $39
- You want high leverage (1:100 on High Stakes)
Use both? Some traders start with FTMO for immediate income (higher starting split) and The 5%ers for long-term growth (higher ceiling). There's no exclusivity requirement at either firm.
FAQ
Is FTMO or The 5%ers cheaper?
The 5%ers starts at $39 vs FTMO's €89. But FTMO refunds the fee with your first payout on all accounts, making success effectively free.
Which has a higher profit split?
The 5%ers reaches 100% vs FTMO's 90%. But FTMO starts higher at 80% vs 50%. Short-term: FTMO. Long-term: The 5%ers.
Can beginners use FTMO or The 5%ers?
Both accept beginners, but The 5%ers Bootcamp program is specifically designed for new traders with enforced risk management rules and lower profit targets.
Which has more funding potential?
The 5%ers at $4M vs FTMO at $400K. A 10x difference.
Which processes payouts faster?
FTMO at approximately 8 hours. The 5%ers takes up to 72 hours.
Do both firms refund the evaluation fee?
FTMO refunds on all accounts with your first payout. The 5%ers only refunds on High Stakes after passing Phase 2.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Trading involves risk of loss.