E8 Markets vs The Trading Pit: Elite Prop Firms Comparison

Published: April 9, 2025 · Last updated: August 9, 2026

Table of Contents

Introduction

E8 Markets and The Trading Pit are two prominent proprietary trading firms offering funded trader programs for aspiring traders seeking capital without risking their own money. E8 Markets stands out for its competitive fee structure and flexible trading parameters, earning a solid 4.3/5 Trustpilot rating from 3,277 reviews (June 2026). The Trading Pit has established itself with innovative challenge structures and multiple account options, maintaining a Trustpilot listing currently unavailable due to a guidelines flag. Both firms provide legitimate pathways to funded trading careers, but their approaches to evaluation, profit splits, and program structures differ significantly.

🕑 Last updated: Aug 9, 2026⚖ How we rank firms ↗

E8 Markets

Grade 9/10 · 80%, 90%, or 100% (paid choice at checkout) split

Visit E8 Markets →🎟 E8 Markets discount code

The Trading Pit ▲ Higher rated

Grade 9.2/10 · 80 split

Visit The Trading Pit →🎟 The Trading Pit discount code

TL;DR: E8 Markets (grade 9) offers a 80%, 90%, or 100% (paid choice at checkout) profit split; The Trading Pit (grade 9.2) offers 80. Full side-by-side below. Best for: E8 Markets - E8 Pro: static drawdown with no consistency rule; E8 Zero: short-term campaigns. The Trading Pit - Traders seeking affordable entry, multiple asset classes, and no time pressure. Our higher-rated pick: The Trading Pit (9.2 vs 9).

Quick Facts

Feature	E8 Markets	The Trading Pit

Founded	—	2022
Profit Split	80%, 90%, or 100% (paid choice at checkout)	80
Maximum Account Size	$500,000	$200,000
Evaluation Phases	1	2
Trustpilot Rating	4.4	—
Expert Grade	9	9.2

Program Types

Program	E8 Markets	The Trading Pit
Entry Level Program	—	Prime 1-Phase
Advanced Program	—	Prime 2-Phase
Scaling Options	—	Yes
Demo Account	—	—

Rules & Assessment

Criteria	E8 Markets	The Trading Pit
Profit Target	6% (E8 Zero/One), 8% (E8 Pro)	10% (1-Phase) or 8%/5% (2-Phase)
Maximum Drawdown	3% static (E8 Zero), 4-14% trailing (E8 One), 8% static (E8 Pro)	7% (1-Phase) or 10% (2-Phase)
Minimum Trading Days	—	3
News Trading	—	Yes

Real trader stories

Read a trading story of a E8 Markets trader →Read a trading story of a The Trading Pit trader →

Fees & Pricing

Option	E8 Markets	The Trading Pit
CFD $2.5K Account	Not offered	USD 29 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time
CFD $5K Account	USD 48 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time	USD 49 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time
CFD $10K Account	USD 88 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time	USD 99 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time
CFD $20K Account	Not offered	USD 199 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time
CFD $25K Account	USD 188 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time	Not offered
CFD $50K Account	USD 288 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time	USD 349 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time
CFD $100K Account	USD 488 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time	USD 569 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time
CFD $200K Account	USD 798 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time	USD 1139 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time
CFD $400K Account	USD 1598 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time	Not offered
CFD $500K Account	USD 1998 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time	Not offered
Futures $50K Account	Not offered	USD 99 / Futures Prime / One-time
Futures $100K Account	Not offered	USD 189 / Futures Prime / One-time
Futures $150K Account	Not offered	USD 289 / Futures Prime / One-time
Stocks $25K Account	Not offered	USD 99 / Stocks Challenge / One-time
Coupons / Discount	E8 Markets discount	The Trading Pit discount

Platforms & Markets

Feature	E8 Markets	The Trading Pit
Trading Platforms	—	cTrader, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, ATAS, Rithmic R/Trader Pro
Forex	—	Yes
Stocks	—	Yes
Indices	—	Yes
Commodities	—	Yes
Cryptocurrencies	—	Yes
Bonds	—	No
EA/Algo Trading	—	Yes

Payout

Feature	E8 Markets	The Trading Pit
Payout Terms	Minimum $100; first withdrawal raises loss floor to initial balance on Zero/Pro	Bi-weekly (CFD: $100 minimum), follows profitable-day requirements (Futures)
See all prop firm payouts →

Verdict

Key Element	E8 Markets	The Trading Pit
Strengths	No daily drawdown (E8 Zero), static drawdown options, single-phase evaluations, publishes pass rate	Multi-asset trading, 80% split from day one, No time limits, Affordable entry, Scaling opportunities, Flexible trading rules
Weaknesses	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	80% split capped, Newer firm (2022), Trustpilot flagged, Futures market-data fees, Classic program discontinued
Best For	E8 Pro: static drawdown with no consistency rule; E8 Zero: short-term campaigns	Traders seeking affordable entry, multiple asset classes, and no time pressure

Visit E8 Markets →Read full E8 Markets review

Visit The Trading Pit →Read full The Trading Pit review

Real funded traders – in their own words

Named traders JoinProp interviewed who passed and traded with these firms. Read their full stories:

Traders who chose E8 Markets

Meet Charlie Fox →

Traders who chose The Trading Pit

FAQ

What makes E8 Markets popular among users?

E8 Markets has gained popularity primarily due to its lower entry fees, one-phase evaluation process, and the absence of time limits during the challenge. Traders appreciate the flexibility of completing profit targets at their own pace, along with the 80% profit split on the funded Performance Account stage. The simplified evaluation structure makes it accessible for newer traders who might feel intimidated by multi-phase challenges with strict time constraints.

How does The trading pit differ from other similar organizations?

The Trading Pit distinguishes itself with a comprehensive platform selection (including cTrader support), a robust educational academy, and a well-established community. Their scaling plan, which offers a 25% account size increase after four consistent months, is among the most generous in the industry. They also provide superior analytics through their dashboard and have a more extensive global server presence, offering traders improved execution speeds across various regions.

Which firm offers better profit splits and scaling opportunities?

Both firms offer 80% profit splits on funded accounts – E8 Markets on its Performance Account stage and The Trading Pit on its Prime program from day one, making it initially more attractive. However, The Trading Pit provides a more aggressive scaling plan with 25% account increases after four consistent months, versus E8 Markets’ 10% increase after achieving a 10% profit. For long-term growth potential, The Trading Pit’s scaling model may prove more beneficial despite the slightly lower initial profit split.

Are challenges from these firms easier or harder than other prop firms?

Both firms offer moderately challenging evaluations compared to the industry average. E8 Markets’ one-phase model with no time limits is generally considered more accessible, especially for methodical traders who need time to reach profit targets. The Trading Pit’s two-phase system with specific time constraints (30 days per phase) is more structured but also more demanding. Both have realistic profit targets (10% for E8 and 8% per phase for The Trading Pit) that are achievable without excessive risk-taking.

Can I get a refund if I fail the challenge?

Neither firm offers refunds for failed challenges. E8 Markets provides a full refund within 24 hours of purchase if you change your mind before trading, while The Trading Pit offers an 80% refund if no trades have been placed. Once you begin trading, the evaluation fees are non-refundable regardless of performance. This is standard practice across the proprietary trading firm industry.

How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?

1. We Collect

Our comparison begins with comprehensive data collection from official sources, including each company’s website, terms of service, and fee structures. We supplement this with information gathered from Trustpilot, user testimonials, and independent trader forums. Additionally, we conduct interviews with current and former traders from both firms to gain insights into real user experiences beyond marketing materials.

2. We Examine

Our team of professional traders and financial analysts then verifies all collected information for accuracy. We test the trading platforms firsthand and evaluate customer service responsiveness through multiple channels. Each aspect of the programs-from evaluation criteria to profit splits-is scrutinized against industry standards and competitor offerings to ensure a fair assessment.

3. We Score

We use a weighted scoring methodology that prioritizes key aspects of funded trading programs: fee structure (15%), evaluation fairness (20%), platform reliability (15%), profit split terms (15%), scaling opportunities (10%), educational resources (10%), customer support (10%), and community strength (5%). Each category receives a 1-5 score, which is then weighted to calculate the final rating.

4. You Choose

This comparison serves as a starting point for your research. Consider your trading style, financial situation, and career goals when making your decision. Budget-conscious traders may prefer E8 Markets’ lower fees and simpler evaluation, while traders seeking comprehensive support might value The Trading Pit’s educational resources and platform options. We recommend testing both platforms with demo accounts before committing to a paid challenge.