FTMO and The5ers are two of the longest-running forex prop firms, and their flagship two-step challenges share the same targets — 10% then 5% — and a 5% daily loss limit on most sizes. They differ in how much total room you get on larger accounts, how they define minimum activity, and how you grow the account once funded.
At a glance: 2-step challenges
| FTMO 2-Step | The5ers High Stakes | |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Forex, indices, metals, crypto CFDs | Forex, metals, indices |
| Profit targets | 10%, then 5% | 10%, then 5% |
| Daily loss limit | 5% of initial balance | 5%; $4,000 on 100K |
| Maximum loss | 10%, static | Static: 10% on smaller sizes, $8,000 on 100K |
| Activity rule | 4 minimum trading days | 3 profitable days of 0.5%+ per step |
| Time limit | None | None (closed after 30 days inactive) |
| Profit split | 80%, up to 90% with scaling | 80%, rising as the account scales |
| Payouts | On demand, after 14 days | Every 14 days, $150 minimum |
| Scaling | Scaling plan raises split | Eligible to scale after each 10% gain |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade | MT5 |
Figures from each firm’s published rules, checked November 1, 2026. Full details: FTMO review and The5ers review.
Room on a 100K account
On $100,000, FTMO gives you a fixed $90,000 floor — $10,000 of room. The5ers High Stakes gives $8,000 of static room on its 100K account. The daily limit is $5,000 at FTMO and $4,000 at The5ers. At 0.5% risk per trade ($500), that is 20 full losses to the floor at FTMO and 16 at The5ers, and ten or eight in a single day — both generous, but FTMO has more margin for a bad week.
Minimum days vs profitable days
FTMO only needs four days with a trade. The5ers needs three days that each make at least 0.5% ($500 on 100K). That rule rewards steady trading and blocks passing on one lucky day, but a trader who hits the target early still has to produce three qualifying days.
Payouts and growth
FTMO pays on demand after 14 days at 80%, rising to 90% through its scaling plan. The5ers pays every 14 days with a $150 minimum, and each 10% gain on a funded High Stakes account makes you eligible to scale the account — the firm’s main selling point. If your goal is a larger account over time, The5ers’ scaling is the clearer path; if you want flexible withdrawals, FTMO’s on-demand payouts are simpler.
Which should you choose?
Choose FTMO if you want the most room on larger accounts, on-demand payouts and a choice of MT4, MT5, cTrader or DXtrade.
Choose The5ers if you trade steadily on MT5, like a profitable-days rule that keeps you consistent, and want to scale one account over time.
Check every position with the position size calculator and compare the full field in best prop firms for forex or FTMO vs FundedNext.
Frequently asked questions
Is The5ers or FTMO better?
FTMO suits traders who want the most room on a 100K account, on-demand payouts and a choice of platforms. The5ers suits patient traders who want to grow one account through scaling and are happy on MT5.
Does The5ers have a minimum trading days rule?
High Stakes requires three profitable days of at least 0.5% of the starting balance in each step, rather than a plain minimum number of days. FTMO's 2-Step requires four trading days.
Do FTMO and The5ers have time limits?
Neither has a deadline on its 2-step challenge. The5ers closes accounts with no trading for 30 consecutive days.