Short answer: this page compares FTMO, the industry benchmark with nine years in business and 200,000+ funded traders; The5ers, one of the oldest independent firms (since 2016) with the highest Trustpilot score in the category and a scaling path up to $4M; and WICK Funded, a newer, explicitly simulated firm with its own in-house terminal and a native AI-agent connection. Here's how the rules and economics actually compare.
What FTMO, The5ers and WICK Funded actually are
All three are prop-firm evaluation services: pay a fee, hit a profit target inside the risk rules, get funded, keep a profit split. FTMO has run this model since 2015 and funded over 200,000 traders — the name most people think of first in this category. The5ers has operated since 2016, almost as long, with a smaller but extremely loyal base: 14,200+ reviews at 4.9/5, the highest score of any major firm in the space. WICK Funded launched in 2026 as an explicitly simulated firm, stated plainly on every page, running on its own in-house terminal rather than MetaTrader.
FTMO vs The5ers vs WICK Funded: the comparison table
| FTMO | The5ers | WICK Funded | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 | 2016 | 2026 |
| Trustpilot | 4.8/5 (20,800+) | 4.9/5 (14,200+) | Building |
| Cheapest entry | ~€155 ($10K) | ~$39 (Bootcamp) | $49 (10K 2-Step) |
| Evaluation model | 2-Step (+ Swing add-on) | Bootcamp, Hyper Growth, High-Stakes | 1-Step, 2-Step, Instant Funded |
| Profit split | 80% → 90% | 80% → 100% | 80% → 95% |
| Scaling ceiling | Standard account sizes | Up to $4M (Hyper Growth) | $5K-$200K |
| Payout record | 9+ years of payouts | Never missed since 2016 | New (2026) |
| Platform | MT4 / MT5 / cTrader / DXtrade | MT5 / cTrader | In-house web + mobile terminal |
| AI agent connection | No | No | Yes — public API + one-click MCP |
Last checked: October 2026 — confirm on each firm's site.
Where the three firms actually differ
Who's actually older. FTMO by a year — 2015 versus The5ers' 2016 — but both sit well ahead of WICK's 2026 launch on sheer longevity. Either name carries real weight if a long track record is your top filter.
Scaling ambition. The5ers' Hyper Growth program is purpose-built to scale one funded account up to $4M over time. Neither FTMO nor WICK offers the same explicit mega-scaling story — WICK's sizes top out at $200K.
Entry price. The5ers' Bootcamp is the cheapest of the three (~$39), followed by WICK ($49), with FTMO's standard $10K entry around €155.
Profit split ceiling. The5ers can reach 100% on its scaling tracks, the highest of the three. WICK's ladder tops out at 95%; FTMO caps at 90%. Check the specific milestones required to reach each firm's top number.
Track record vs score. FTMO has the most reviews (20,800+), reflecting its larger scale. The5ers edges it slightly on score (4.9 vs. 4.8). WICK's Trustpilot profile is still building — it hasn't had time to earn a review base yet.
Platform and tooling. FTMO supports the widest range of third-party platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade). The5ers runs MT5 and cTrader. WICK runs its own in-house web and mobile terminal with real-time P&L, drag-to-modify SL/TP and a built-in AI coach — a different trading experience, at the cost of leaving behind familiar MetaTrader tools.
AI and automation. Neither FTMO nor The5ers offers a first-party account API or native AI-agent connection. WICK publishes a documented REST API and a one-click MCP connection for Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor.
Simulation transparency. FTMO and The5ers both run evaluation-style accounts whose exact funding mechanics are described in each firm's own terms — worth reading directly rather than assuming. WICK states upfront, on every challenge page, that all accounts are simulated and that payouts are funded from company revenue rather than from live market exposure. None of this changes what you can earn; it's about how clearly the mechanics are disclosed before you pay a challenge fee.
Which one should you pick?
Pick FTMO if you want the most-tested, most-discussed process with the deepest community of shared trader experience. Pick The5ers if you have a longer time horizon and want to grow one account meaningfully, backed by a near-decade of never-missed payouts. Pick WICK Funded if you want a modern in-house terminal, a built-in AI coach and native AI-agent support, and you're comfortable with a firm that hasn't built either competitor's years of track record yet.
Ready to see the rules for yourself? Start the 2-Step Challenge.
FAQ
Which firm is more established, FTMO or The5ers? Both are long-running — FTMO since 2015, The5ers since 2016. FTMO has the larger scale and review count; The5ers has a slightly higher Trustpilot score. WICK, by contrast, launched in 2026.
Which has the highest profit split? The5ers can reach 100% on its scaling tracks; WICK ladders to 95%; FTMO caps at 90%. Reaching any ceiling depends on meeting specific performance conditions.
Which is better for scaling a funded account? The5ers, through its Hyper Growth program designed to scale accounts up to $4M. WICK's account sizes top out at $200K.
Which is cheapest to start? The5ers' Bootcamp, at roughly $39, followed by WICK at $49, with FTMO's standard $10K entry around €155.
Can I connect an AI agent to trade on any of these firms? Only WICK Funded offers a native one-click MCP connection. FTMO and The5ers both run on MetaTrader-family or cTrader platforms, so EA/cBot automation is possible but requires more setup than a first-party AI integration.
Simulated trading evaluation — no real funds are traded. Not financial advice.