Overview and quick facts

The5ers is a trader-focused prop firm offering multi-stage funding, instant one-step programs, and Bootcamp challenges. The reviewer notes transparent scaling plans, frequent payouts, and broad asset coverage; reputation is established since 2016 with an active trader community and mixed but mostly positive user feedback.

Company snapshot

  • Brand: The5ers
  • Founded: 2016
  • Headquarters: Raanana, Israel

Key metrics at a glance

  • Max funded capital: up to $4,000,000
  • Programs: Bootcamp (3-step), Hyper Growth (one-step), High Stakes (2-step)
  • Leverage: 1:10–1:100 depending on program and asset
  • Profit split: 50% start, scales to 100% on milestones

History and reputation

  • Launched by experienced traders and product leads; growth focused on scalable career paths for traders. Market presence since 2016 with active content and education offerings.

Trustpilot / community score summary

  • Community engagement high (live rooms, Discord); independent reviews show mixed ratings with many positive notes on payouts and educator support and some complaints about rule enforcement and account terminations.

Funding programs and account types

Funding models offered

  • Programs available: Bootcamp (3-step low-cost challenge), Hyper Growth (one-step instant funding), High Stakes (2-step high-risk program).
  • Model types: challenge-based Bootcamp with pay-on-success element; instant/one-step funding via Hyper Growth; two-phase evaluation with partial refund and monthly salary options in High Stakes.

Account sizes and available instruments

  • Starting/evaluation sizes: evaluation accounts from $5k up to $100k depending on program; funded accounts scale up to $4,000,000 in top tiers.
  • Instruments: Forex, Metals, Indices, Commodities, Crypto and Stocks available on different programs; some programs exclude certain assets at specific stages (check stage specs).

Pricing and fee structure

  • One-time fees / entry: Bootcamp entry from $95 (plus balance-on-success fees to reach full funded cost), Hyper Growth one‑time fees typically $260–$850 depending on evaluation size, High Stakes entry from $39 for phase 1 with refunds or hub-credit on completion.
  • Refunds & hub credits: High Stakes refunds part of fee after passing; Bootcamp requires majority payment only upon success; Hyper Growth gives hub bonuses per milestone.

Trial, demo, or free options

  • Demo/evaluation: Challenge stages are run on demo/evaluation accounts (Demo trading required for Bootcamp challenge phases) and offer realistic simulated environments before funded live pool allocation.
  • Contests & promotions: periodic trading competitions and free-entry contests award evaluation accounts and hub credits as prizes.

Evaluation rules and performance targets

Profit targets and time limits

  • Evaluation targets vary by program: Bootcamp phases typically require 6% per stage with a 5% final funded-stage target; Hyper Growth evaluation targets start at 10% for the evaluation step; High Stakes requires 8% in Phase 1 and 5% in Phase 2 before scaling to funded targets.
  • Many programs have no overall time limit for passing the challenge, but inactivity for more than 30 consecutive calendar days will expire the evaluation account.

Drawdown rules (max daily / overall)

  • Programs enforce both a maximum overall drawdown and a maximum daily drawdown: common values are 4%–6% overall for funded stop-out levels depending on program and 3% daily pause for funded stages; High Stakes uses a 10% max loss and 5% daily drawdown in evaluation and funded stages.
  • The daily pause mechanism automatically closes positions and disables trading for the remainder of the day when the daily threshold is breached; the account reopens at the server day rollover.

Allowed and disallowed strategies

  • News trading is generally allowed across programs, but bracket strategies around high‑impact news and specific order executions around news windows are restricted in certain programs; High Stakes disallows order execution 2 minutes before until 2 minutes after high‑impact events.
  • EAs are allowed in many programs but EAs that copy other accounts, perform latency/hedge arbitrage, tick scalping, reverse arbitrage, HFT or use emulators are typically prohibited and can lead to account termination and bans.

Position-sizing and risk constraints

  • Mandatory stop‑loss rules apply in specific programs (e.g., Bootcamp requires stop‑loss placement and limits single‑position risk to a small percentage of account balance, commonly 2%). Repeated risk rule violations (for example five violations) result in account termination.
  • Leverage and margin differ by asset class and program: leverage ranges from ~1:10 in Bootcamp to up to 1:100 in High Stakes, with asset-specific margin (e.g., metals, indices, commodities have lower effective leverage).

Payouts and trader economics

Profit split and payout cadence

  • Profit split structure: Traders start with an initial profit share that scales with milestones; typical entry splits begin at 50% and grow to 75% and up to 100% at advanced funding tiers.
  • Milestone bonuses: Each scaling milestone often carries a HUB bonus credit paid on top of the profit split to incentivize progress.
  • Payout cadence: First withdrawable payout becomes available 14 days after a funded account is activated and thereafter biweekly; the 14‑day cycle resets after any account scaling.
  • Immediate withdrawals: Programs allow withdrawals from early objectives in some plans (for example Hyper Growth permits withdrawals from the first objective).

Minimum payouts, payment methods, and taxes

  • Minimum withdrawal: A practical minimum payout threshold applies (commonly around $150 after profit split).
  • Supported methods: Payout channels include Rise, cryptocurrencies, and bank transfers; hub credits can be used instead of fiat withdrawals.
  • Fees and commissions: Withdrawals may incur processing commissions depending on the chosen method; crypto and bank transfers typically include service fees.
  • Tax responsibility: Traders are responsible for complying with local tax obligations and reporting payouts as required by law.

Fee refunds, reimbursements, and guarantees

  • Refundable elements: Certain programs refund part or all of the challenge fee on passing (for example High Stakes refunds fees or issues hub credit; Bootcamp collects a small entry fee and the remainder is paid only upon success).
  • Hub credit versus cash refunds: Some rewards are issued as HUB credit (usable for future program purchases) while other schemes return actual cash to the trading account on pass.
  • No guaranteed funding: Passing the evaluation is not guaranteed; fee reimbursement is conditional on meeting program terms and KYC completion.

Scaling and growth plans

  • Milestone scaling mechanics: Accounts typically scale automatically after meeting preset percentage objectives (e.g., 5% increments in Bootcamp or 10% increments in Hyper Growth/High Stakes) with corresponding increases in account balance and profit split.
  • Auto-scaling tiers: Top tiers double capital or implement fixed-step increases up to multi‑million dollar limits; advanced levels may require a personalized contract and can include fixed monthly payouts at high capital bands.
  • Payout impact on drawdown: Withdrawals reduce account balance and thus decrease the absolute drawdown allowance; traders can opt to leave profits in the account to increase permitted drawdown.

Practical notes for traders

  • Payout timing and scaling: The 14‑day payout clock resets on scaling events; plan withdrawals around scaling to avoid delaying next payout.
  • Record keeping: Maintain clear records for each payout (dates, amounts, method) to simplify tax filing and dispute resolution.
  • Choose method by cost: Compare fees and speed across Rise, crypto, and bank transfer when choosing payout channels.

Trading conditions and execution

Spreads, commissions, and swap rates

  • Typical spreads: Competitive for major FX pairs during normal market conditions, often from 0.0–0.9 pips on majors depending on program and liquidity pool.
  • Commissions: Tiered commission model applies for some instruments; common benchmark is $4 per standard lot round trip for retail-style pricing disclosures.
  • Swaps and overnight costs: Swap rates vary by asset and platform; indices and commodities carry notably higher weekend swap charges, and specific assets (e.g., Crude Oil) can have very large weekend swaps. Swap‑free (Islamic) funded accounts are available on funded stage upon request.

Execution model, slippage, and re-quotes

  • Execution model: Accounts are connected to the firm’s liquidity pool and routed through commercial liquidity providers rather than retail broker bridges, aiming for professional-grade execution.
  • Slippage: Market execution is subject to normal market slippage during volatile conditions; traders should expect occasional slippage around high‑impact news and low‑liquidity windows.
  • Re‑quotes and fills: The firm uses MT5 (Hedge) and cTrader infrastructures; order fills follow provider liquidity and market conditions, with standard market behavior for partial fills or re‑pricing during exceptional volatility.

Available platforms

  • MT5 Hedge: Full desktop, web and mobile MT5 Hedge available for all supported programs; hedge-capable accounts for multi-directional strategies.
  • cTrader: Offered as an alternative with a small surcharge for some purchases; desktop, web and mobile apps supported and cTrader ID integration used to manage multiple accounts.
  • Platform notes: No proprietary terminal is required; traders can choose MT5 or cTrader according to preferred workflow and instrument access.

Liquidity, routing, and typical latency

  • Liquidity providers: Trading is performed through aggregated commercial LPs rather than typical retail broker routes; the firm keeps LP identities confidential for commercial reasons.
  • Routing: Funded accounts are tied to pooled execution accounts managed by the risk team; this means fills reflect institutional liquidity and pooled risk management.
  • Latency expectations: Execution latency is generally competitive for retail prop‑fund standards but will vary by trader location, internet/VPS quality, and time of day; low‑latency VPS hosting is recommended for automated or scalp strategies.

Practical execution considerations

  • News and high-impact events: News trading is allowed in many programs with restrictions (no bracketing in some programs; High Stakes prohibits new orders 2 minutes before/after high‑impact releases). Expect wider spreads and increased slippage.
  • EAs and automated trading: EAs are generally permitted unless they perform forbidden behaviors (copying other accounts, latency/arbitrage, HFT, emulators, tick‑scalping). Use visible stop‑loss orders rather than stealth stops.
  • Order management best practices: Use explicit visible SLs, monitor swap exposure for weekend holds (especially indices and crude), and consider VPS placement near execution servers for latency‑sensitive strategies.

Rules enforcement and account monitoring

Monitoring tools and account dashboards

  • Traders get a personal dashboard that displays performance metrics, equity/balance snapshots, violation logs, and payout history enabling transparent self‑monitoring and performance review.

Rule enforcement process and exceptions

  • Rule breaches (risk violations, forbidden EAs, stealth SLs, news bracketing) are detected via automated checks and manual review; repeated violations lead to warnings, suspension, and eventual account termination with no refund if policy thresholds are met.
  • Exceptions are rare and handled case‑by‑case after review by the risk team; traders should submit full logs/screenshots/ticket references to speed adjudication.

Dispute resolution and appeals process

  • Disputes follow a ticketed support flow; traders must provide trading logs, MT5/cTrader terminal files, and clear timestamps for evaluation; the support and risk departments coordinate final decisions and may require KYC completion before processing appeals.

Account suspension and termination policies

  • Inactivity (30+ consecutive days), exceeding daily/overall drawdown limits, missing mandatory visible SLs or using prohibited automated strategies can trigger immediate account suspension or termination; termination decisions are communicated via the HUB and support channels with reference to the program Terms & Conditions.

Risk management, protections, and guarantees

Built‑in risk controls and margin rules

  • Accounts enforce strict risk controls: overall maximum drawdowns, daily pauses/limits, and mandatory visible stop‑loss rules on specific programs to prevent runaway losses.
  • Margin and leverage vary by asset and program with explicit margin requirements published in the platform asset spec; failure to respect margin rules can cause automatic liquidation or stop‑out events.

Insurance, capital protection, and firm liability

  • The evaluation “funds” used during challenges are simulated for assessment purposes and do not represent real custodial client funds; funded trading is granted under contract terms and the firm disclaims custodial, fiduciary, or banking liabilities.
  • There is no public investor insurance or third‑party capital guarantee for individual trader losses; traders rely on the firm’s internal pooling and risk management framework rather than external insurance.

Corporate solvency signals and disclaimers

  • The operator publishes corporate details and legal disclaimers, clarifying it is a proprietary fund and not a regulated bank or custodian; acceptance to funded stages depends on meeting program rules and KYC checks.
  • Hub mechanics and payouts are handled via the user HUB, with credits, refunds, and payout cycles defined in platform terms rather than by a bank guarantee.

Practical implications for traders

  • Treat funded accounts as conditional capital governed by program terms; keep funds documentation, KYC, and performance logs current to preserve payout and account protections.
  • Understand that withdrawals reduce account balance and therefore reduce permissible drawdown; leaving profits in the account increases allowed absolute drawdown and resilience to volatility.

Tools, education, and trader support

Educational resources

  • Course library: Extensive course catalogue covering Forex Basics, Technical Analysis, Day Trading, Swing Trading, MT5 and other markets, Risk Management, Profitable Trading Systems, ICT methodology, and Prop Trading content.
  • Live events and webinars: Regular live webinars, Trading Rooms and a Week of Mastery series with recordings and scheduled special events; registration often required and some sessions are not recorded.
  • Workshops: Focused workshops (Scalping, Supply & Demand, Price Action) designed to teach practical setups, entry timing, trade management and risk planning.

Learning tools and materials

  • Articles and blog: Deep-dive articles, market commentary and trading psychology pieces to expand traders’ literacy and system thinking.
  • Recorded VOD and session replays: On‑demand access to past classes and recordings for revision and skill consolidation.
  • Structured curricula: Step‑by‑step learning paths from basics to advanced prop‑trading requirements and adapting systems to program rules.

Trading tools and analytics

  • Performance dashboard: Personal dashboard with live performance stats, equity/balance history, violation logs and payout tracking for self‑audit.
  • Notifications and alerts: Real‑time trading notifications and market alerts sent via email and the HUB to keep traders informed of important events and account updates.
  • Third‑party tool partnerships: Recommended integrations and partner tools for journaling, backtesting, news feeds and analytics to assist strategy development and review.

Community features and mentorship

  • Live trading room community: Regularly scheduled group sessions where traders scan markets, share setups, and discuss trade ideas in real time.
  • Discord and social groups: Private community channels and social feeds for peer support, trading ideas, and event announcements (access via the HUB).
  • 1‑on‑1 coaching: Free performance coaching sessions with portfolio analysts for funded traders, focusing on statistics, plan tuning and adapting systems to program parameters.

Customer support and response times

  • Support channels: Multi‑channel support via email, live chat, support tickets and telephone during office hours; urgent requests are handled with priority tags.
  • Office hours: Support availability on standard business days with specified hours in the HUB; expect live chat and email replies during office hours and longer response times outside them.
  • Support requirements for escalations: When submitting disputes or technical cases, include account numbers, ticket references, screenshots and terminal logs to accelerate investigations.

Onboarding and user experience

Account setup flow and activation

  • Registration and purchase occur via the HUB; after checkout users receive platform credentials and download links for MT5 Hedge or cTrader to connect to evaluation or funded accounts.
  • Funded account activation follows verification steps including KYC; first funded payout becomes available 14 days after account activation and the biweekly payout cycle resets after scaling events.

KYC requirements and verification

  • KYC is mandatory after passing evaluation and requires identity and address documents (passport/ID, proof of address, date of birth) submitted through a third‑party verification provider; activation of funded accounts is contingent on successful KYC.

Dashboard usability and reporting

  • The HUB dashboard presents performance metrics, equity/balance history, violation logs, hub credit and payout tracking, and quick links to downloads and asset specifications for transparent self‑monitoring.
  • Traders receive in‑platform notifications and email alerts for account changes, payouts, and important market notices to aid timely decisions.

Mobile experience and app availability

  • Mobile trading is supported via MT5 and cTrader apps on iOS and Android; cTrader uses a cTrader ID to aggregate multiple accounts and allows switching between accounts without repeated logins.
  • The HUB and support chat are mobile‑accessible so onboarding, purchases, and support requests can be completed from phones and tablets.

First‑time user tips and common friction points

  • Upload clear KYC documents early to prevent activation delays; match the email used for purchases with platform IDs to avoid login issues.
  • Expect the 14‑day waiting period for first withdrawals after activation and plan scaling or withdrawals around that timer to avoid resets that delay paydays.
  • Use provided example emails and download links from the HUB to ensure correct MT5 and cTrader setup and reduce technical support tickets.

Support, walkthroughs and handholding

  • New users can access step‑by‑step onboarding guides, VODs and platform setup instructions in the HUB, plus live chat and ticketed support during office hours for configuration help and troubleshooting.

Security, compliance, and legal

Regulatory status and licensing

  • The5ers operates as a private equity proprietary trading organization and presents itself as a trading fund rather than a regulated banking or custody institution.
  • Traders should treat funded access as contractual trading permission under the firm’s terms rather than a client deposit protected by a banking license.

KYC, AML and verification procedures

  • Mandatory KYC is required after passing evaluation; documents typically include government ID or passport, proof of address, and date of birth.
  • The platform uses a third‑party verification provider for identity checks and may withhold account activation until KYC and tax documentation are complete.

Data protection and privacy

  • Personal data is collected for account verification, payment processing and regulatory compliance; traders should review the HUB privacy and cookie policies for retention, sharing, and deletion terms.
  • Sensitive documents (ID, proof of address) are processed via the verification provider; users must ensure secure submission and retain copies for their records.

Terms of service and key legal clauses

  • The service is governed by explicit Terms & Conditions that define the firm’s liabilities, the simulated nature of evaluation funds, eligibility limitations, forbidden territories and dispute procedures.
  • Important clauses include disclaimers that simulated evaluation funds are not real custody funds, that past simulated results are not indicative of future performance, and that funded status is conditional on meeting rules and KYC.

Jurisdiction, forbidden territories, and access restrictions

  • Access to programs is restricted in certain jurisdictions; users must confirm country eligibility during registration and avoid using the service from forbidden territories listed in the program policies.
  • The company reserves the right to refuse access, suspend accounts, or terminate services for legal, compliance, or risk reasons.

Intellectual property and content use

  • Educational materials, platform content and branding are copyrighted; use for personal study is allowed, redistribution or commercial reuse requires permission as stated in the site’s copyright policy.

Dispute handling, liability caps and arbitration

  • Disputes are handled via the HUB ticketing system, with escalation to the risk and legal teams; traders should supply complete logs and evidence when appealing enforcement decisions.
  • The firm’s terms typically limit liability and require that users accept inherent market risk; professional legal advice is recommended for disputes involving significant sums.

Practical compliance tips for traders

  • Complete KYC and tax paperwork promptly to avoid activation or payout delays.
  • Keep a local, encrypted copy of identity documents and trading logs.
  • Review the Terms & Conditions and the program-specific rules before committing funds or strategy changes.
  • If operating from a restricted jurisdiction, consult legal counsel before applying.

Reputation, reliability, and track record

Public track record and longevity

  • Operating history: The5ers has been active since 2016 and is frequently listed in industry comparison guides and prop‑firm aggregators, reflecting sustained market presence.

Payout reviews and real‑world case studies

  • Payout evidence: Many traders report biweekly payouts and milestone bonuses via the HUB; payout mechanics and cycles are documented on the firm’s hub and FAQ pages.
  • Independent reports: Community posts and third‑party comparison sites show generally positive payout experiences alongside occasional disputes over enforcement and timing.

Transparency and public disclosures

  • Simulated evaluation disclosure: The operator explicitly states that evaluation “funds” are simulated and that funded access is contractual rather than custodial, which is a crucial transparency signal for prospective applicants.

Red flags and scam indicators to watch for

  • Enforcement complaints: Common grievances posted in forums relate to strict rule enforcement, account terminations for rule breaches, and disputes over what constitutes soft versus hard breaches.
  • Jurisdiction and licensing: The firm operates as a private proprietary fund; lack of conventional banking or custodial licenses means traders should treat capital access as conditional and contract‑based rather than deposit insurance protected.

How to verify and mitigate risk

  • Due diligence checklist: verify recent payout confirmations in community channels; check HUB transaction records; request clear, timestamped trade logs during any dispute.
  • Record keeping: keep terminal logs, screenshots, KYC receipts and hub receipts; escalate via tickets with full evidence for any contested enforcement.

Pros, cons, and ideal trader profiles

Pros

  • Clear scaling path: The5ers offers structured milestone scaling and visible profit-split progression that rewards consistent performance.
  • Multiple funding models: Bootcamp, Hyper Growth and High Stakes cover low-cost challenges, instant funding and multi-step high-capital tracks.
  • Competitive payout cadence: Biweekly withdrawals after activation and hub-credit incentives help active traders monetize steadily.
  • Platform flexibility and education: MT5 Hedge and cTrader support plus a rich library of webinars, recorded VODs, and live trading rooms.
  • Transparent enforcement framework: Rules, asset specs and KYC expectations are documented and accessible in the HUB.

Cons

  • Strict rule enforcement: Automated checks plus manual reviews mean borderline breaches can result in warnings or account termination.
  • Simulated evaluation nuance: Evaluation funds are simulated and funded access is conditional and contractual rather than custodial.
  • Fees and timing complexities: Entry fees, hub-credit mechanics and the 14‑day payout timer after scaling require planning to optimize net returns.
  • Limited public regulator protections: Operates as a private trading fund; traders should not expect bank‑style deposit guarantees.

Ideal trader profiles

  • Discipline‑oriented swing traders: Traders who plan trades, manage visible stop losses, and accept measured holding periods.
  • Systematic discretionary traders: Traders who combine rule‑based entries with discretionary judgement and can adapt to program constraints.
  • Growth‑minded scalers: Traders focused on progressing through clear milestones to increase both capital and profit split.
  • Not ideal: Very high‑frequency, latency‑arbitrage, or stealth‑stop scalpers who depend on hidden order mechanics.

Comparative metrics and decision aids

Evaluation ModelProfit SplitTrading ConditionsPlatform & ExecutionSupport & Reputation
One-step (Hyper Growth), multi-step (Bootcamp, High Stakes)Starts 50% → scales to 75%/100%Competitive spreads; news allowed with program windowsMT5 Hedge and cTrader; pooled LP executionActive HUB, Discord, documented rules and FAQs

Side-by-side scorecard (price, rules strictness, payout, support)

  • Price: Entry fees vary by program (low-cost Bootcamp entry, Hyper Growth one-step fees, refundable elements in High Stakes).
  • Rules strictness: Tight automated plus manual enforcement; clear drawdown and visible‑SL requirements across programs.
  • Payout: Biweekly cadence with first withdrawal 14 days after activation; multiple payout methods and HUB credits available.
  • Support: Multi‑channel support (HUB chat, email, phone in office hours) with active community resources and educational content.

Weighted decision checklist (recommended use)

  1. Strategy fit (weight 30%): Choose if your strategy uses visible SLs, avoids HFT/arbitrage and adapts to news windows.
  2. Growth intent (weight 25%): Favor if you plan milestone scaling and reinvesting profits to raise drawdown allowance.
  3. Cost planning (weight 20%): Account for entry fees, possible refunds, and 14‑day payout reset on scaling.
  4. Execution needs (weight 15%): Use if MT5/cTrader access and pooled LP routing meet latency and liquidity needs.
  5. Support & transparency (weight 10%): Positive if you value documented rules, HUB tools and community channels.

Final verdict and who should apply

  • Final verdict: The5ers is a strong option for disciplined, growth‑oriented traders who accept documented contractual funding terms, prefer clear scaling paths and value education plus community backing.
  • Who should apply: swing traders, systematic discretionary traders and those targeting milestone scaling.
  • Who should not apply: HFT, latency‑arbitrage operators, or traders relying on stealth stops.

Personalized insight: plan withdrawals around scaling events to avoid the 14‑day reset, keep thorough terminal logs for disputes, and prefer low‑latency VPS for scalp‑sensitive setups.

Risk

Forex trading can involve the risk of loss beyond your initial deposit. It is not suitable for all investors and you should make sure you understand the risks involved, seeking independent advice if necessary.

Forex accounts typically offer various degrees of leverage and their elevated profit potential is counterbalanced by an equally high level of risk. You should never risk more than you are prepared to lose and you should carefully take into consideration your trading experience.

Past performance and simulated results are not necessarily indicative of future performance. All the content on this site represents the sole opinion of the author and does not constitute an express recommendation to purchase any of the products described in its pages.