This article was written with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
The two OGs of prop trading go head-to-head. FTMO launched in 2015, The5ers in 2016. Both have nearly a decade of proven operations. But they differ significantly in rules and approach.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | FTMO | The5ers |
|---|
| Founded | 2015 | 2016 |
| Rating | 4.8/5 (38,670 reviews) | 4.75/5 (20,637 reviews) |
| Max Profit Split | 90% | 100% |
| Drawdown Type | Trailing | Static |
| Time Limit | 30 days | None |
| Min Price | $79 | $19 |
| Max Scaling | $2M | $4M |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader | MT5, Proprietary |
| US Traders | No | No |
| Weekend Holding | No | Yes |
| News Trading | Restricted | Allowed |
| Promo Code | None | PFKEY 5% |
Where FTMO Wins
- Brand recognition — The most established name in prop trading
- cTrader support — Superior execution and charting
- Higher review count — 38,670 vs 20,637
- MT4 support — The5ers dropped MT4
Where The5ers Wins
- 100% profit split — FTMO caps at 90%
- Static drawdown — More forgiving than FTMO's trailing
- No time limit — Zero pressure vs FTMO's 30 days
- Lower entry — $19 vs $79 minimum
- $4M scaling — Double FTMO's $2M
- Weekend holding — FTMO forces Friday close
- News trading — Fully allowed
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose FTMO If:
- You value brand prestige
- You need MT4 or cTrader
- You can comfortably pass in 30 days
- You do not trade news or hold weekends
Choose The5ers If:
- You want the highest possible profit split (100%)
- You prefer no time pressure
- You hold positions through weekends
- You trade during news events
- You want to scale beyond $2M
- Use code PFKEY for 5% off
Verdict
For most traders in 2026, The5ers is the better choice. Static drawdown, no time limit, 100% profit split potential, and $4M scaling — the rules are simply more trader-friendly. FTMO remains excellent but has not evolved as much.
