Best Prop Firm for 2026: The5ers vs FTMO vs FundedNext
If you’re looking to get funded in 2026, choosing the right prop firm is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a trader. I currently trade with all three of these firms, so this comparison is based on real experience—not theory.
In this article, we’ll break down The5ers, FTMO, and FundedNext, looking at evaluation rules, drawdowns, pricing, platforms, and—most importantly—long-term scaling potential.
What Matters When Choosing a Prop Firm
Before comparing firms, it’s important to understand what actually matters for long-term success:
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Evaluation structure (one-step vs two-step)
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Profit targets and time limits
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Daily and maximum drawdowns
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Trading rules and flexibility
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Challenge pricing
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Scaling plans and access to larger capital
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Platform availability
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Suitability for different trading styles
All three firms discussed here can work well—but the details make a big difference.
The5ers Overview
The5ers offers both one-step and two-step evaluation models, making them flexible for different trader profiles.
Key Features
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One-step “Hyper Growth” accounts
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Two-step “High Stakes” challenge
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Phase 1 profit target: 8%
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Phase 2 profit target: 5%
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Maximum drawdown: 10%
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Daily drawdown: 5%
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Leverage: up to 1:30
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Platforms: MT5 (cTrader available for an extra fee)
Scaling Plan (Big Advantage)
The biggest strength of The5ers is its scaling plan. Every time you achieve a 10% gain, your account scales up, and profit splits can increase from 80% all the way to 100% over time.
For traders focused on long-term capital growth, this is a major advantage.
FTMO Overview
FTMO is one of the most established prop firms in the industry and follows a traditional two-step challenge model.
Key Features
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Phase 1 profit target: 10%
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Phase 2 profit target: 5%
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Maximum drawdown: 10%
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Daily drawdown: 5%
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Minimum trading days: 4
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Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade
Strengths & Weaknesses
FTMO is extremely reliable and professional, but:
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Phase 1 targets are harder (10% vs 8%)
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Challenges are generally more expensive when not on sale
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Scaling is slower compared to The5ers
FTMO remains a solid choice, especially for disciplined traders, but it’s less competitive on price and growth for 2026.
FundedNext Overview
FundedNext sits somewhere between The5ers and FTMO, offering competitive pricing and reasonable challenge conditions.
Key Features
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Phase 1 profit target: 8%
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Phase 2 profit target: 5%
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Maximum drawdown: 10%
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Daily drawdown: 5%
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Minimum trading days: 5
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Platforms: MT4, MT5 (platform availability varies by account size)
Strengths
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Competitive pricing (similar to The5ers)
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Easier Phase 1 target than FTMO
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Good overall balance of rules
Limitations
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Platform restrictions on larger accounts
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Scaling plan not as strong as The5ers
FundedNext is a very solid option, especially for traders looking for good value without the higher FTMO pricing.
Key Comparison Summary
Which Prop Firm Is Best for 2026?
All three firms are legitimate, reliable, and capable of paying traders. However, when looking at long-term growth, one firm stands out.
🥇 First Place: The5ers
Best scaling plan, competitive pricing, and trader-friendly targets. Ideal for long-term funded traders.
The 5ers = 10% off new accounts… http://www.the5ers.com?afmc=xvc
🥈 Second Place: FundedNext
Great value and solid rules, but weaker scaling compared to The5ers.
FundedNext = 10% off accounts… https://fundednext.com/?fpr=stephen18
🥉 Third Place: FTMO
Highly reputable but more expensive and harder Phase 1 targets drop it to third place for 2026.
FTMO accounts… https://trader.ftmo.com/?affiliates=qUaEypQAqkfVFbRJQxrt
Final Thoughts
If your goal is to build and scale funded accounts over time, rather than chase short-term wins, The5ers offers the best overall package heading into 2026. That said, FTMO and FundedNext are both strong alternatives depending on your preferences and trading style.
At the end of the day, the best prop firm is the one that fits how you trade, keeps you within risk limits, and supports long-term consistency.
Let me know in the comments which prop firm you’re trading with—and why.
Best of luck in 2026 and beyond.
Thanks
Stephen V
The 5ers = 10% off new accounts… http://www.the5ers.com?afmc=xvc
FundedNext = 10% off accounts… https://fundednext.com/?fpr=stephen18
FTMO accounts… https://trader.ftmo.com/?affiliates=qUaEypQAqkfVFbRJQxrt
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