The5ers: Excellent Reputation, But Weaknesses to Know About
The5ers is among the most respected prop firms on the market. Founded in 2016, it's one of the oldest in the industry (after FTMO), with a 4.8/5 on Trustpilot across 21,000+ reviews. Their payout speed (1 business day) and diverse programs make them a popular choice.
But even the best have flaws. And before investing in a challenge, you should know them. Here are the most frequent complaints, and our honest take on each.
Complaint #1: Low Starting Profit Split (50% on Hyper Growth)
This is by far the #1 complaint. On the Hyper Growth program (the most popular), The5ers offers only a 50% profit split to start. When competitors start at 80% or higher, that's a significant gap.
What We Think
This is objectively The5ers' biggest weakness. 50% is low, especially when you've proven your skills by passing the challenge. Yes, the split increases with scaling (up to 100% on some programs), but the road is long.
- 50% to start vs 80% at FTMO or FundedNext
- On a $5,000 profit month, you receive $2,500 instead of $4,000 at competitors
- The Bootcamp program offers better splits, but with different conditions
Our advice: if profit split is your main criterion, The5ers probably isn't the best entry-level choice. But if you're targeting long-term scaling, the improved splits can make up for it.
Complaint #2: MT5 Only
The5ers only offers MetaTrader 5. No MT4, no cTrader, no TradingView, no DXTrade. It's the most limited platform selection among major prop firms.
What We Think
This is a real and frustrating limitation. MT5 is a good platform, but:
- Traders used to cTrader lose access to a superior interface and faster execution
- No MT4 excludes traders with EAs developed specifically for MT4
- No TradingView integration for chart analysis
If MT5 is already your main platform, no problem. Otherwise, seriously consider this factor.
Complaint #3: No Crypto Available
The5ers doesn't offer cryptocurrency trading. In a market where BTC and ETH have become major assets for traders, this is a notable gap.
What We Think
If you exclusively trade Forex, indices, and metals, it's not an issue. But if crypto is part of your arsenal, you'll need to look elsewhere. FTMO and FundedNext both offer crypto.
Complaint #4: Multiple Programs Create Confusion
The5ers offers several programs: Hyper Growth, Bootcamp, High Stakes... Each with its own rules, splits, and scaling conditions. For newcomers, navigating these options can be genuinely confusing.
What We Think
This is a valid complaint. Program diversity is theoretically an advantage, but in practice:
- Differences between programs aren't always clearly explained
- Some programs have specific rules you only discover in the fine print
- The choice can paralyze beginners who don't know which program to pick
Our advice: if you're starting with The5ers, begin with Hyper Growth. It's the simplest and most popular program. You can explore others later.
Complaint #5: Slow Scaling
At The5ers, increasing your account size and profit split requires hitting performance milestones over several months. Compared to competitors offering faster scaling paths, it can feel slow.
What We Think
Slow scaling is consistent with The5ers' philosophy: prioritizing long-term consistency. It's a healthy approach, but it can frustrate impatient traders who want quick results.
If you're a patient trader with a long-term vision, it's actually an advantage. If you want everything right now, this isn't the model for you.
Complaint #6: Higher Prices Than Some Competitors
The5ers challenges aren't the cheapest on the market. While not as expensive as FTMO, they're above some alternatives like FundedNext (especially with its promotions).
What We Think
The price is in the upper-middle range, but it reflects a serious firm with 8+ years of history. The value proposition is fair, even if it's not the most competitive on raw price.
Should You Choose The5ers?
The5ers is an excellent choice if you match this profile:
- Patient trader targeting long-term growth and progressive scaling
- MT5 user comfortable with this platform
- Forex/indices/metals trader who doesn't need crypto
- Payout speed priority: 1 business day is the market's best
However, if initial profit split is crucial, if you need cTrader or crypto, or if you want fast scaling, look at FTMO or FundedNext instead.
Compare all options in our detailed comparison.