Apex Trader vs E8 Markets - Prop Firm Comparison
Introduction
Apex Trader and E8 Markets are two popular funding firms that actually sit in very different corners of the prop world. Apex Trader, founded in Austin in 2021, is a pure CME-futures specialist built for intraday traders, offering account sizes up to $250,000, keeping 100% of your first $25,000 in profits, and processing bi-weekly payouts within 24 hours. E8 Markets, founded in 2021 in Dallas and rebranded from E8 Funding in 2024, is a multi-asset firm focused on forex and CFDs across MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker and Match-Trader, with fast scaling up to $1 million. The core decision here is about what you trade: if you want exchange-listed futures like ES, NQ, CL and GC, Apex Trader is the natural fit. If you want forex, indices and crypto CFDs with flexible platforms, E8 Markets is built for you.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Apex Trader Funding | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Founded | 2021 | — |
| Profit Split | 100% first $25,000, then 90/10 | 80%, 90%, or 100% (paid choice at checkout) |
| Maximum Account Size | $300,000 | $500,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 1 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Expert Grade | 8.8 | 9 |
Program Types
| Program | Apex Trader Funding | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | — |
| Advanced Program | Yes | — |
| Scaling Options | Yes | — |
| Demo Account | — | — |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Apex Trader Funding | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 5-6% | 6% (E8 Zero/One), 8% (E8 Pro) |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing drawdown (locks at starting balance) | 3% static (E8 Zero), 4-14% trailing (E8 One), 8% static (E8 Pro) |
| Minimum Trading Days | — | — |
| News Trading | Yes | — |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Apex Trader Funding | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
| $10K Account | — | — |
| $25K Account | $47 | — |
| $50K Account | $67 | — |
| $100K Account | $97 | from 366 USD |
| $200K Account | — | — |
| Refund Policy | — | Non-refundable per Terms |
| Coupons / Discount | Apex Trader Funding discount | E8 Markets discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Apex Trader Funding | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | Tradovate, Rithmic, WealthCharts | — |
| Forex | Yes | — |
| Stocks | Yes | — |
| Indices | Yes | — |
| Commodities | Yes | — |
| Cryptocurrencies | — | — |
| Bonds | Yes | — |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | — |
Payout
| Feature | Apex Trader Funding | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly (min 8 trading days between requests, 5 days with $50+ profit) | Minimum $100; first withdrawal raises loss floor to initial balance on Zero/Pro |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Apex Trader Funding | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | $378M+ payouts verified, 17,800+ Trustpilot reviews, 20 simultaneous accounts, No daily loss limit, 100% profit on first $25K per account | No daily drawdown (E8 Zero), static drawdown options, single-phase evaluations, publishes pass rate |
| Weaknesses | 4:59 PM ET close requirement, 5:1 max risk-to-reward ratio, 30% consistency rule at payout, Learning curve for beginners | First payout raises loss level (Zero/Pro), profit split is paid purchase, E8 Zero caps at 5 payouts, E8 One trailing drawdown on unrealised equity, 7-day inactivity closure on futures |
| Best For | Serious futures day traders seeking scalability and capital protection | E8 Pro: static drawdown with no consistency rule; E8 Zero: short-term campaigns |
FAQ
Are Apex Trader and E8 Markets the same type of firm?
No. Apex Trader funds traders exclusively on CME Group futures (index, energy, metals and currency contracts), while E8 Markets is a forex and CFD firm. They serve different markets, so your choice should start with the instruments you actually trade.
Which firm has the better profit split?
Both can reach 100%. Apex Trader pays 100% of your first $25,000 in profits and 90/10 thereafter, while E8 Markets starts at 80% and scales up to 100%. For futures traders chasing the first profit window, Apex has the more generous upfront threshold.
Can I trade forex or crypto with either firm?
E8 Markets is the one for that. It offers forex majors, minors and exotics plus index and crypto CFDs. Apex Trader is CME futures only, with no forex, crypto or stock products.
Which firm lets me hold trades over the weekend?
E8 Markets allows holding within broker market hours, which suits swing traders. Apex Trader is intraday only and requires positions to be closed by 4:59 PM ET, with no overnight or weekend holding.
How do payouts compare?
Apex Trader processes bi-weekly payouts within 24 hours of request. E8 Markets pays through Rise (cash or crypto) and Plane (bank transfer). Both are reliable, but Apex offers a clearer fixed cadence for futures traders.
How do the drawdown rules compare between Apex and E8 Markets?
Apex has no daily loss limit and uses a trailing drawdown that locks once it reaches your starting balance. E8 Markets uses a fixed daily loss limit plus a 4% end-of-day maximum drawdown on its Signature accounts, so your risk ceiling is checked at the close of each day.
Which firm is bigger and more established?
Both launched in 2021, but Apex is far larger by volume, with 17,800+ Trustpilot reviews and $378M+ paid out. E8 Markets is smaller (3,277 reviews) and rebranded from E8 Funding in 2024.
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
This comparison was compiled using the published review data on JoinProp for each firm. All figures, including account sizes, profit splits, drawdown rules, platforms and payout structures, are taken from each firm’s review page. Where a detail is not publicly disclosed, the cell reads “Not specified.” Verify current terms directly with Apex Trader and E8 Markets before purchasing a challenge.
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