The short answer
Earn2Trade is a subscription-based provider for traders who need platform variety and automated trading (EAs). The5ers Futures is a one-time fee model better suited for manual swing traders who want to avoid daily drawdown limits and monthly recurring costs.
Where they actually differ
- Pricing (Price): The5ers uses a one-time evaluation fee ($100–$120 for a $50k account). Earn2Trade operates on a monthly subscription ($150–$190 for similar sizes), meaning you keep paying until you pass.
- Risk Rules (Risk): Earn2Trade enforces a strict daily drawdown on all accounts. The5ers has no daily drawdown limit, only an EOD trailing drawdown of 4% based on the highest midnight balance.
- Platform Selection (Platforms): Earn2Trade is compatible with nearly every major futures platform (NinjaTrader, TradingView, Tradovate, etc.). The5ers is locked exclusively to BlackArrow.
- Trading Styles (Styles): Earn2Trade allows EAs and algorithmic trading but requires all positions to be closed intraday. The5ers prohibits EAs but offers a "Swing" account option that allows holding positions overnight.
- Payout Structure (Payouts): Earn2Trade charges fixed fees (e.g., $50 via Rise/Deel). The5ers charges a percentage (3.5% via Rise/Crypto) unless you withdraw as Hub Credits for a 0% fee.
- Profit Split (Payouts): The5ers offers a flat 80% split. Earn2Trade uses a tiered system: 80% if you are above the account threshold, but only 50% if you are below it.
Where they are basically the same
- Price: Both require activation or funded phase fees (Earn2Trade has monthly/activation fees; The5ers is one-time).
- Risk: Both use End-of-Day (EOD) trailing drawdown during the evaluation phase.
- Payouts: Both support Rise and Crypto as primary withdrawal methods.
- Platforms: Both offer access to the same underlying CME futures instruments.
- Styles: Both strictly prohibit holding positions over the weekend and enforce consistency rules (30% vs 40%).
Pick this one if
Earn2Trade
- You use NinjaTrader, TradingView, or specialized order flow tools.
- You trade using EAs or automated scripts.
- You prefer a "Career Path" that scales capital based on withdrawals.
The5ers Futures
- You want to pay once and trade without the pressure of a monthly subscription.
- You need to hold positions overnight (Swing account).
- You struggle with daily drawdown limits and prefer only a total drawdown rule.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to pass, Earn2Trade or The5ers Futures?
The5ers Futures is significantly cheaper for most traders because it uses a one-time fee model ($100 for a $50k Day Trade account). Earn2Trade requires a monthly subscription (starting at $150/month for a $25k TCP account), so if you don't pass within the first month, the cost doubles, making it much more expensive over time.
Can I use Expert Advisors (EAs) on both Earn2Trade and The5ers Futures?
No. Earn2Trade allows the use of EAs and algorithmic trading, provided they do not exploit platform errors. In contrast, The5ers Futures strictly prohibits all forms of algorithmic and high-frequency trading, making it a firm exclusively for manual traders.
Which firm has more restrictive drawdown rules, Earn2Trade or The5ers?
Earn2Trade is more restrictive because it imposes both a daily drawdown and a maximum drawdown. The5ers Futures does not have a daily drawdown limit; it only uses a 4% EOD trailing drawdown calculated from the midnight balance, giving the trader more breathing room during the trading day.
Which firm offers better platform flexibility, Earn2Trade or The5ers Futures?
Earn2Trade offers vastly superior flexibility, supporting over 20 platforms including NinjaTrader, TradingView, and RTrader Pro. The5ers Futures is currently limited to a single platform, BlackArrow, which may be a dealbreaker for traders accustomed to other software.
