Side by side
We compared the closest like-for-like plans: 2-Step Challenge, $100,000 (CFD) and High Stakes (2-Step, New plan), $100K. Prices are list prices; promotions come and go, and we don't show codes we haven't verified at checkout.
| Rule | FTMO | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Plan compared | 2-Step Challenge, $100,000 (CFD) | High Stakes (2-Step, New plan), $100K |
| Evaluation price (list) | €540 (FTMO's homepage table shows prices in EUR by default) | $405 one-time |
| Reset fee | Not published as a separate fee; a new attempt is a new Challenge | Not published as a separate fee on the High Stakes page |
| Activation fee | None listed. FTMO says the fee is refunded with your first reward ("Refund: Yes 100%"). | None listed; the fee is refunded (per The5ers' High Stakes table) |
| Profit target | 10% in phase 1, then 5% in phase 2 | 10% in step 1, then 5% in step 2 |
| Drawdown type and amount | Maximum Loss 10% of initial capital, static | Maximum loss 8% |
| Daily loss limit | 5% of initial capital | 4% |
| Consistency rule | None on 2-Step. (FTMO added a Consistency rule to 1-Step orders from Oct 12, 2026.) | None listed for High Stakes. A profitable day must close at least 0.5% of initial balance, and each step needs 3 of them. |
| Minimum trading days | 4 per phase | 3 profitable days per step |
| Max position size | Not a contract-based limit (forex/CFD lots) | Not a contract-based limit (forex/CFD lots, 1:100 leverage) |
| Profit split | 80% by default on accounts from the 2-Step; 90% if Scaling Plan or Premium Programme conditions are met | 80% to start, rising to 85%, 90% and 100% as the account scales |
| Payout frequency, minimums and caps | On request from the 14th day after your first trade on the account; reviewed in 1–2 business days. Minimum $20 closed profit for wire or card transfers. | $500 minimum withdrawal and a $4,000 cap per payout on $100K. Payout cycles are every 14 days (from The5ers' help center, checked Oct 23, 2026). |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingView and cTrader | MT5 (Hedge) on the High Stakes page. US traders use TradingView; cTrader carries an extra fee. |
| News trading | Free during the Challenge and Verification. On the funded FTMO Account, orders on affected instruments are restricted from 2 minutes before to 2 minutes after selected releases (Swing accounts excepted). | Holding through news is allowed, but opening or closing trades from 2 minutes before to 2 minutes after high-impact news isn't. |
| Bots, EAs and copy trading | EAs allowed. FTMO warns that a third-party EA used by other traders can trip its capital-allocation limit, and hyperactive EAs may be asked to change. | Not verified: The5ers' prohibited-practices page wouldn't load for us on Oct 25, 2026. Check it before using an EA. |
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 on each firm's own pages. "Not published" means we couldn't find it stated by the firm. Want the total cost with resets and activation? Use the calculator.
Who each is better for
FTMO is the better fit for
Traders who need more loss room (5% daily, 10% static max) and want EAs explicitly allowed, a choice of four platforms and free news trading during the Challenge.
The5ers is the better fit for
Traders who want a lower entry price and a scaling path that raises the split toward 100%, and who can live with 4%/8% limits and a $4,000 payout cap.
Neither is "best" for everyone. The right pick depends on how you trade: your strategy's daily swings, whether you trade news or use automation, and how fast you need payouts.
Red flags and rule changes we track
FTMO
- All FTMO day calculations reset at midnight Central European time, not at the US close.
- The default split on 2-Step accounts is 80%, not the "up to 90%" headline.
- Funded accounts have a news window that the Challenge doesn't.
- FTMO also displayed a temporary lower price on Oct 25, 2026. We list the regular price and show no discount.
Rule changes we've logged:
- FTMOConsistency
Consistency rule replaces the Best Day Rule on 1-Step
For accounts from orders created on or after Oct 12, 2026 (or merged after that date), your best day can't be more than 50% of total profit, losing days included. The legacy Best Day Rule compared against profitable days only. Exceeding either is not a breach; you keep trading until the ratio is met.
Who it affects: New FTMO 1-Step Challenges and FTMO Accounts (1-Step) from that date. Older accounts stay on the Best Day Rule.
Source: FTMO Trading Objectives
The5ers
- Funded $100K High Stakes accounts have a $4,000 cap per payout cycle (since the Sept 2026 FAQ revision).
- Accounts with no activity for 30 consecutive days expire.
- Platform choice is final after purchase, and cTrader costs extra.
- The5ers' site runs limited-time pricing banners. We show the regular High Stakes price and no codes.
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Sources
Pages we used, checked Oct 25, 2026: the firm's official pages first, plus any named third-party source. If anything here disagrees with the firm's current page, the firm's page wins.