Where you trade
The choice of platform defines the trader's technical interface and order management style. The5ers Futures provides BlackArrow, a platform known for its robust charting and depth-of-market (DOM) features tailored for futures environments. In contrast, WhitePips Futures utilizes Volumetrica, a specialized platform focused on volume profile, order flow, and advanced technical analysis. While The5ers focuses on a single-platform experience, WhitePips integrates its environment with a focus on professional-grade volume tools.
Who executes your orders
Execution quality and data integrity are handled differently by each firm. The5ers operates strictly in a simulated trading environment, meaning all trades are executed on their internal servers without direct routing to a live exchange, though they aim to replicate live conditions. WhitePips uses dxFeed as its primary data provider, ensuring high-quality market data. For WhitePips, the execution environment varies: the One Step evaluation is simulated, while their payout certificates and automated receipt systems aim to provide a high degree of transparency in the results generated by that data.
Leverage and margin
Risk management is governed by the drawdown mechanics and contract limits, which act as the technical "margin call."
- The5ers Futures: Uses a 4% End-of-Day (EOD) trailing drawdown. This is calculated based on the highest midnight balance or equity. If the balance drops below this 4% threshold, the account is closed. Contract limits are strict: a 25K account allows 2 minis or 20 micros, while a 150K account allows up to 12 minis or 120 micros.
- WhitePips Futures: Offers two distinct risk profiles. The One Step plan uses an EOD trailing drawdown, while the Instant plan uses an intraday trailing drawdown on peak equity (including open profits). Reaching the starting balance level acts as the terminal margin call. Additionally, WhitePips implements a "soft limit" daily drawdown; hitting it closes all positions for the day but does not fail the account.
Markets available
Both firms provide access to the core futures markets, but with slight variations in focus:
- The5ers: Offers Indices, Currencies, Metals, Agriculture, and Energies.
- WhitePips: Covers Futures, Indices, Commodities, and Forex (via futures contracts).
What the setup lets you do
The rules dictate the strategy's viability within the platform's limits.
- The5ers allows news trading without restrictions, which is ideal for volatility traders. However, it strictly prohibits any form of algorithmic trading, EAs, or High-Frequency Trading (HFT). It allows "stacking" and "martingale" but limits copy trading only to the trader's own accounts with a maximum allocation of $75,000.
- WhitePips has more nuanced restrictions. News trading is free during evaluation but prohibited (2 minutes before/after red USD news) in funded and instant phases. Scalping is allowed but with a technical catch: trades under 30 seconds cannot account for more than 50% of total profit. It also prohibits VPN usage and EAs on futures, though a personal EA on a VPS is allowed if disclosed.
What the setup costs
Costs include the entry fee, execution commissions, and the cost of maintaining data.
- Execution and Data: The5ers charges $5 per side for standard futures and $2.50 for micros. WhitePips includes market data for the first 30 days, after which the trader must pay $35 every 30 days ($540 for professional subscribers).
- Account Pricing: The5ers is generally more affordable for starters, with a 25K account at $59 and a 150K at $219. WhitePips starts at $129 for a 25K One Step and goes up to $1,249 for a 150K Instant account.
- Payouts: The5ers offers an 80% profit split with a 3.5% fee for bank transfers or crypto. WhitePips offers a higher 90% split. The5ers requires a 14-day wait for the first payout, while WhitePips allows payouts on demand once conditions (like the 40% consistency rule) are met.
Better setup for
- The5ers Futures is the better setup for News Traders and those seeking a low-cost entry point with a reliable EOD drawdown and no recurring data fees (included in the commission structure).
- WhitePips Futures is the better setup for Order Flow Traders who need Volumetrica and professionals who prefer a higher 90% split and the option to skip evaluations via Instant funding, provided they can manage intraday trailing risk.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper to get started with a 50K account, The5ers or WhitePips?
The5ers is significantly cheaper for a 50K account, costing between $100 (Day Trade) and $120 (Swing). In comparison, WhitePips charges $179 for its 50K One Step evaluation and $549 for its 50K Instant funding account. Furthermore, The5ers does not charge a recurring market data fee, whereas WhitePips requires $35 every 30 days after the initial month.
What are the differences in profit split and payout frequency between The5ers and WhitePips?
WhitePips offers a higher profit split of 90%, compared to the 80% offered by The5ers. Regarding frequency, WhitePips allows payouts "on demand" as soon as requirements are met, whereas The5ers requires a 14-day waiting period for the first payout and subsequent withdrawals every 14 days.
How does the drawdown rule differ for a funded trader at The5ers versus WhitePips?
At The5ers, the drawdown is always 4% and follows an End-of-Day (EOD) calculation based on the highest midnight balance. At WhitePips, the rule depends on the plan: the One Step account also uses an EOD trailing drawdown, but the Instant account uses an intraday trailing drawdown, which tracks peak equity in real-time, making it more sensitive to open profit fluctuations.
Can I trade the news or use EAs on both The5ers and WhitePips?
Both firms prohibit EAs and automated trading for futures. Regarding news trading, The5ers allows it without restrictions across all accounts. WhitePips, however, only allows news trading during the One Step evaluation; on funded or Instant accounts, you cannot open or close trades within 2 minutes of high-impact USD news without risking profit removal or account review.
