FundedNext and The5ers are two of the biggest names in forex prop trading, and both accept South Africans. They suit very different traders: FundedNext is built around MetaTrader, EA support and fast payouts, while The5ers is built around long-term scaling toward a 100% profit split. Here’s how they compare on the things that decide whether you get paid.
Quick verdict
Choose FundedNext if you use MT4 or MT5, run EAs, or want payouts every few days. Choose The5ers if you plan to stay with one firm for years and want the best scaling plan in the industry, and you’re comfortable with slower payouts and a withdrawal fee.
Side-by-side comparison
| FundedNext (Stellar 2-Step) | The5ers (High Stakes) | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2022, UAE | 2016, UK company |
| Profit targets | 8% then 5% | 10% then 5% |
| Daily loss limit | 5% | 5% |
| Maximum loss | 10% (static) | 10% |
| Minimum days | Varies by model; check your plan | 3 profitable days per step |
| Time limit | None | None |
| Entry price | From $59.99 USD | From $19 USD ($2,500 account) |
| $100K price | $549.99 USD | Check current price |
| Profit split | 80% base, 90% via scaling, 95% paid add-on | 80%, rising to 100% at $350K |
| Payout frequency | First after 21 days, then every 14 days (1-Step: every 5 business days) | First after 14 days, then every 14 days |
| Payout speed | 24-hour guarantee or $1,000 extra | Typically 5–8 business days |
| Withdrawal fee | None advertised | 3.5% on cash methods |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader | MT5 only |
| EAs | Allowed on MT4/MT5 | Check current terms |
| News trading | Allowed; funded profits within 5 minutes of high-impact news count at 40% | No trades 2 minutes either side of high-impact news |
| Scaling ceiling | $4M (FundedNext Pro) | $500K on High Stakes; $4M on Hyper Growth/Bootcamp |
Evaluation rules
Both firms’ flagship two-step programs use a 5% daily loss and a 10% maximum loss with no time limit, so the difference is in the details. FundedNext’s Phase 1 target is lower at 8%, while The5ers asks for 10% in Step 1 and requires at least three profitable days in each step, counting only days that close at least 0.5% of the starting balance in profit. If you trade infrequently, that profitable-day rule can slow you down.
For one-step traders, FundedNext’s Stellar 1-Step (10% target, 3% daily, 6% maximum) is roughly comparable to The5ers’ Pro Growth (10% target, 3% daily, 6% stop-out, 3 profitable days). Hyper Growth drops the minimum days but starts at a 50% split.
Profit split and scaling
FundedNext starts at 80% and reaches 90% through its FundedNext Pro scaling program or 95% with a paid add-on at checkout. It also pays a 15% reward based on the challenge target, which few firms offer.
The5ers is the long game. On High Stakes, every 10% gain scales your account, and the split rises to 85%, 90% and finally 100% at $350,000, plus a fixed monthly payment of $4,000 that rises to $10,000 at $500,000. No other firm we cover rewards consistent traders this generously over time.
Payouts
This is FundedNext’s clearest win. It promises payouts within 24 hours or pays an extra $1,000, and it publishes large monthly payout totals. The5ers typically takes 5–8 business days, charges 3.5% on cash withdrawals, and publicly acknowledged payout delays in March 2026. If fast, predictable cash flow matters to you, FundedNext is the safer choice today.
Platforms and strategy fit
FundedNext offers MT4, MT5, cTrader and Match-Trader, and allows EAs on MetaTrader. The5ers runs on MT5 only. News traders should note both firms restrict news trading in different ways: The5ers High Stakes blocks trading 2 minutes either side of high-impact releases, while FundedNext allows it but counts only 40% of funded-account profits made within 5 minutes of listed events.
Trust and reputation
The5ers has ten years of history and a 4.7/5 Trustpilot score across 37,000+ reviews, but its 2026 payout issues are a real concern. FundedNext is younger but larger, with a 4.5/5 Trustpilot score across 79,000+ reviews and complaints centred on rule changes rather than refused payouts.
What it costs in rand
At an illustrative rate of R18 per US dollar (check today’s rate and your card’s foreign transaction fee):
| Firm | Cheapest entry | Approx. in rand |
|---|---|---|
| FundedNext | $59.99 | about R1,080 |
| The5ers | $19 | about R340 |
Card payments to offshore firms count toward your single discretionary allowance, and payouts arrive in foreign currency that you’ll convert to rand. See how to withdraw prop firm profits in South Africa.
Trading from South Africa
Forex traders get the most liquidity during the London–New York overlap, roughly 14:00–18:00 SAST in the Northern summer and 15:00–19:00 in winter. US index futures are busiest after the New York cash open at 15:30 or 16:30 SAST. Payouts are income for SARS, usually declared through provisional tax: see prop firm tax in South Africa.
Which should you choose?
For most South African forex traders starting out in 2026, FundedNext is the more practical choice thanks to MetaTrader, faster payouts and no withdrawal fee. The5ers is the better long-term home for disciplined traders who expect to scale, as long as they test a small withdrawal first.
Visit FundedNext Read our FundedNext review
Visit The5ers Read our The5ers review
FundedNext vs The5ers FAQ
Is FundedNext or The5ers better for beginners?
The5ers’ $2,500 High Stakes account costs $19, the cheapest way to learn the process. FundedNext’s Stellar 2-Step has a lower 8% first target and no profitable-day requirement. Both have no time limit.
Which pays out faster, FundedNext or The5ers?
FundedNext promises payouts within 24 hours or pays an extra $1,000. The5ers typically processes approved payouts in 5–8 business days and charges 3.5% on cash withdrawals.
Which has the higher profit split?
The5ers can reach 100% on High Stakes once your account scales to $350,000. FundedNext starts at 80% and reaches 90% through scaling or 95% with a paid add-on.
Can South Africans use both firms?
Yes. Neither FundedNext nor The5ers lists South Africa as a restricted country.
Can South Africans use both FundedNext and The5ers?
Yes. Both firms accept South African residents; confirm eligibility at checkout.
How much does it cost in rand?
Entry prices are in foreign currency; at an illustrative R18 per US dollar, FundedNext starts at about R1,080 and The5ers at about R340.