FTMO vs The5ers

Monthly vs one-time price

One-time challenges are paid once per attempt. Monthly challenges bill again every month until you pass or cancel, so a slow pass costs more.

Example: A $100/month challenge you pass in month three cost $300, plus any activation fee.

Profit split

Your share of the profits you make on the funded account. The firm keeps the rest.

Example: With an 80% split, $5,000 of profit pays you $4,000.

1-Step, 2-Step and instant funding

The number of evaluation phases you must pass before you're funded. Instant funding skips the evaluation, usually for a higher fee and tighter rules.

Max loss (drawdown)

The furthest your account can fall before it fails. How it's measured matters as much as the size.

Example: A 10% max loss on $100K means the account fails at $90,000 if the limit is static. If it trails, that floor moves up as you profit.

Max loss (drawdown)

The furthest your account can fall before it fails. How it's measured matters as much as the size.

Example: A 10% max loss on $100K means the account fails at $90,000 if the limit is static. If it trails, that floor moves up as you profit.

Daily loss limit

The most you can lose in a single trading day. Break it once and the account fails, even if you're up overall.

Example: With a 5% daily limit on a $100K account you can't lose more than $5,000 in one day. Some firms count open trades, some only closed ones.

Time limit

How long you have to hit the profit target. Many firms now have no time limit.

Activation fee

A one-off charge some firms, mostly futures firms, take when you pass and they set up your funded account. Add it to the price when comparing.