Tier 1Tier 1for Beginners

FTMO vs The5%ers for Beginners

Both firms are equally accessible for beginners. Consider starting with the cheaper option to reduce the cost of learning. Take the firm finder quiz for a personalized recommendation. Updated March 2026.

Verdict for Beginners

Recommendation: No clear winner -- both firms are competitive.

Both firms are equally accessible for beginners. Consider starting with the cheaper option to reduce the cost of learning. Take the firm finder quiz for a personalized recommendation.

	FTMO	The5%ers
Evaluation Type	2-step	2-step
Drawdown Type	Static (floor never moves)	Static (floor never moves)
Consistency Rule	None	None
Min Trading Days	4	3
Daily Loss Limit	5%	4%
News Trading	allowed	allowed
Cheapest Entry	€155	$95

Beginner Analysis

As a beginner, the most important factor is how forgiving the rules are. FTMO's static drawdown is the most beginner-friendly type. When you make money, the drawdown floor stays where it is, giving you breathing room for mistakes. The5%ers also uses static drawdown.

Rule complexity matters when you are learning. FTMO has no consistency rule, keeping things simple. The5%ers has no consistency rule. FTMO requires 4 minimum trading days. The5%ers requires 3 minimum trading days. Fewer rules means fewer ways to accidentally fail.

Start with the smallest, cheapest account to limit the cost of learning. FTMO's entry point is €155 for $10,000. The5%ers starts at $95 for $20,000. Treat the first 1-2 attempts as tuition. Once you understand how the drawdown rules actually feel in practice, you can size up.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is FTMO or The5%ers easier for beginners?

For beginners, FTMO is more forgiving because static drawdown gives you a fixed floor. Both have similar rule complexity.

Should beginners choose 1-step or 2-step evaluations?

Both firms use multi-step evaluations. FTMO uses 2-step, while The5%ers uses 2-step. For a first-time prop trader, fewer steps means a simpler path to funding.

What is the cheapest way to start as a beginner with FTMO or The5%ers?

Start with the smallest account size to minimize risk. FTMO's cheapest option is $10,000 for €155. The5%ers's cheapest is $20,000 for $95. A smaller account means smaller losses during the learning phase.

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