Head-to-Head Comparison
IQ Capital vs The5ers: Which Is Better in 2026?
Compare IQ Capital and The5ers side by side. Profit splits, prices, challenges, payout speed, trading rules, and more. Based on verified data.
Bottom line: IQ Capital offers up to $200,000 with a 90% profit split, while The5ers offers up to $4,000,000 at 100%. Cheapest entry: $22 (The5ers). Editorial scores on PropFirm Key: —/5 (IQ Capital) vs 4.8/5 (The5ers).
Last updated: October 6, 2026
Quick Verdict
Overall Winner
The5ers
Scores 78/100 overall based on trust, conditions, payouts, strategies, and platform access.
78
/ 100
Rating
N/A
vs4.8
IQ CapitalThe5ers
Profit Split
90%
vs100%
IQ CapitalThe5ers
Starting Price
$195
vs$22
IQ CapitalThe5ers
Max Allocation
$200K
vs$4M
IQ CapitalThe5ers
First Payout
N/A
vs14 days
IQ CapitalThe5ers
Strategy Freedom
1/8
vs5/8
IQ CapitalThe5ers
Score Breakdown
IQ Capital
LC
46
Trust & Reputation
10
Trading Conditions
81
Payout Quality
32
Strategy Freedom
13
Platform & Access
100
The5ers
IL
78
Trust & Reputation
98
Trading Conditions
85
Payout Quality
82
Strategy Freedom
63
Platform & Access
41
Detailed Side-by-Side Comparison
Metric
IQ Capital
The5ers
Overview
Rating
N/A
4.8
Reviews
0
21,419
Years Active
0 years
10 years
Verified
Country
LC
IL
Market
both
both
Pricing & Value
Starting Price
$195
$22
Max Allocation
$200K
$4M
Profit Split
90%
100%
Fee Refundable
Best Discount
No offer
10% off
Risk Management
Daily Loss Limit
5%
5%
Max Loss
$3,000
10%
Drawdown Type
eod
equity
Leverage
N/A
1:100
Execution
N/A
STP
Payouts
First Payout
N/A
14 days
Payout Frequency
every 10 days
bi-weekly
Scaling
Allowed Strategies
EA/Bots
Scalping
News Trading
Weekend Hold
Copy Trading
Hedging
Martingale
HFT
Platforms & Access
Platforms
Quantower, ATAS, DeepCharts, Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, MT5, Volumetrica
MT5, cTrader
Assets
Forex, Indices, Metals, Energy, Agriculture, Crypto, Bonds
FX, Metals, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
US Accepted
Challenge Price Comparison
Comparing prices for matching account sizes available at both IQ Capital and The5ers.
Account Size
IQ Capital
The5ers
Savings
$50K(1-step)
$195
$278
$100K(1-step)
$445
$86
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Accepts US traders
- Verified firm
Cons
- Lower rating than The5ers
- Lower profit split (90% vs 100%)
- Higher starting price ($195)
- Slower first payout (14 days)
Pros
- Higher rating (4.8/5 vs 0.0/5)
- Better profit split (100% vs 90%)
- Higher max allocation ($4M)
- Lower starting price ($22)
- Faster first payout (14 days)
Cons
- US traders not accepted
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose IQ Capital if you...
- Are a US-based trader
- Prefer a firm based in LC
- Use Quantower as your trading platform
Choose The5ers if you...
- Want the highest possible profit split
- Are looking for a budget-friendly option
- Need high capital allocation (up to $4M)
- Want fast payouts
- Plan to scale your account over time
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IQ Capital better than The5ers?
Based on our data-driven analysis, The5ers scores 78/100 overall. IQ Capital excels in strategy freedom, while The5ers stands out for payout quality. The best choice depends on your priorities as a trader.
Which is cheaper, IQ Capital or The5ers?
IQ Capital starts at $195 while The5ers starts at $22. The5ers offers the lower entry price. However, consider the profit split and payout rules for the true value comparison.
Which has better profit splits, IQ Capital or The5ers?
IQ Capital offers up to 90% profit split, while The5ers offers up to 100% profit split. The5ers has the higher profit share. Some firms increase splits through scaling programs.
Can I use Expert Advisors (EAs) with IQ Capital and The5ers?
IQ Capital does not allow Expert Advisors, and The5ers allows them. Only The5ers supports automated trading.
Which firm pays out faster, IQ Capital or The5ers?
IQ Capital's first payout is available after 14 days with every 10 days frequency. The5ers offers first payout after 14 days with bi-weekly payouts. IQ Capital gets you paid sooner.
Are IQ Capital and The5ers legit?
IQ Capital has been operating for 0 years with 0 reviews and a N/A/5 ratingverified. The5ers has 10 years of operation with 21,419 reviews and a 4.8/5 ratingverified. Both are established prop trading firms.