Databento VS The5ers
Cross-category comparison: each provider serves a different trader workflow.
UPDATED 2026-05-27 · 3 axes scored
Quick Decision
▶ PICK DATABENTO IF DATA-API
- Quant researchers
- HFT developers
- Backtesting engines
- Academic research
▶ PICK THE5ERS IF PROP-FIRM
- Long-term scaling traders (Hyper/Pro Growth)
- Futures traders preferring EOD drawdown
- Traders pursuing 100% profit split via milestones
- CFD traders wanting multiple program choices
Side-by-Side Matrix
| METRIC | DATABENTO | THE5ERS |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Affiliate Program | No | Yes |
| Asset Coverage Breadth | 5 classes | 6 classes |
| Asset Coverage | US Equities · US Futures · US Options · Crypto · FX | Forex · Indices · Commodities · Cryptocurrencies · Stocks (CFDs) · Futures (micros) |
| Category | data api | prop firm |
Asset Class Coverage
Where the two providers overlap and where each has unique coverage.
| ASSET CLASS | DATABENTO | THE5ERS |
|---|---|---|
| Commodities | — | ✓ Covered |
| Crypto | ✓ Covered | — |
| Cryptocurrencies | — | ✓ Covered |
| FX | ✓ Covered | — |
| Forex | — | ✓ Covered |
| Futures (micros) | — | ✓ Covered |
| Indices | — | ✓ Covered |
| Stocks (CFDs) | — | ✓ Covered |
| US Equities | ✓ Covered | — |
| US Futures | ✓ Covered | — |
| US Options | ✓ Covered | — |
| TOTAL CLASSES | 5 | 6 |
Only Databento
US Equities · US Futures · US Options · Crypto · FX
Only The5ers
Forex · Indices · Commodities · Cryptocurrencies · Stocks (CFDs) · Futures (micros)
Pricing Tier Map
Full tier ladder side-by-side · names and prices as published by each provider · 4 vs 6 tiers.
DATABENTO · 4 TIERS FREE TIER
01
Usage-based From $0
Pay-as-you-go for historical data; no subscription
02
Standard $199/mo
Monthly subscription for individuals and small teams
03
Plus Per-contract
For investment firms and institutional service providers
04
Unlimited Per-contract
Complete historical access for institutional users
▲ Free Tier · $125 in free credits for new users (6-month expiry); usable on historical data
THE5ERS · 6 TIERS
01
Bootcamp $2.5K $39
CFD entry tier; introductory profit targets and scaling rules
02
Hyper Growth $5K $95
1-step CFD challenge; 50% profit split with scaling to 100%
03
Pro Growth $10K $155
Multi-step CFD evaluation; 50%→100% scaling
04
High Stakes $20K $295
Aggressive 8% profit target; up to 100% split at milestones
05
Futures $25K $50 eval / $70 activation
1-step futures challenge; 80/20 split, EOD drawdown
06
Futures $50K $100 eval / $140 activation
1-step futures; 80/20 split, EOD drawdown
Fit Profile
DATABENTO · PROFILE DATA-API
Best For
- Quant researchers
- HFT developers
- Backtesting engines
- Academic research
Not Ideal For
- Retail traders needing cheap real-time quotes
- Non-technical users
Full Databento Review
THE5ERS · PROFILE PROP-FIRM
Best For
- Long-term scaling traders (Hyper/Pro Growth)
- Futures traders preferring EOD drawdown
- Traders pursuing 100% profit split via milestones
- CFD traders wanting multiple program choices
Not Ideal For
- Traders wanting simple 1-tier structure (program variety can confuse)
- Pure equities traders (CFD/futures focus)
- Those unable to meet 3-5% daily drawdown discipline
Full The5ers Review
Adjacent Comparisons
Related matchups — same category first, then cross-category for context.
Databento vs Polygon.io (now Massive)The5ers vs Polygon.io (now Massive)Databento vs AlpacaThe5ers vs AlpacaDatabento vs IEX Cloud (Discontinued)The5ers vs IEX Cloud (Discontinued)Databento vs FinnhubThe5ers vs FinnhubDatabento vs Alpha VantageThe5ers vs Alpha VantageDatabento vs Twelve DataThe5ers vs Twelve DataDatabento vs EODHD (EOD Historical Data)The5ers vs EODHD (EOD Historical Data)Databento vs FinazonThe5ers vs Finazon