E8 Markets vs The5ers: Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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Introduction
Both E8 Markets and The5ers fund forex and CFD traders, so the contrast here is less about what you trade and more about how you get funded and how long each firm has been doing it. The5ers has operated since 2016 and carries one of the strongest reputations in the industry, with a 4.7/5 Trustpilot score from over 27,000 reviews. E8 Markets, founded in 2021, is newer and smaller at 4.3/5 from 3,277 reviews, but it competes on speed and simplicity. E8 runs a single-phase evaluation across its two account lines, E8 Signature and E8 One, with one 6% profit target and no minimum trading days, so a disciplined trader can reach funding quickly. The5ers takes a more graduated path, offering 1-Step, 2-Step and 3-Step programs with targets that range from 6% to 10% and a scaling plan designed to grow your account over time. Risk management also differs in character: E8 enforces an end-of-day drawdown of 3% on E8 One and 4% on Signature, checked at the close of each day, while The5ers applies a 5% daily and 10% maximum drawdown. On funding size, E8 reaches up to $150K on Signature or $200K on E8 One, whereas The5ers spans $5K to $250K depending on program and scales higher through its growth plan. Both can reach a 100% profit split, though The5ers offers it more directly while E8 starts at 80% and upgrades. A trader who wants the fastest route to a funded account will look at E8 Markets; one who values a long track record and structured scaling will favour The5ers.
Quick Facts
| Feature | E8 Markets | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| ![]() | |
| Founded | 2021 | 2016 |
| Profit Split | 80%, 90%, or 100% (paid choice at checkout) | 80-100% |
| Maximum Account Size | $500,000 | $4,000,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 3 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.4 | 4.8 |
| Expert Grade | 9 | 9 |
Program Types
| Program | E8 Markets | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | High Stakes (2-Step) |
| Advanced Program | Yes | Hyper Growth (1-Step) |
| Scaling Options | No | Bootcamp (3-Step) |
| Demo Account | Yes | Available |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | E8 Markets | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 6% (E8 Zero/One), 8% (E8 Pro) | 5-10% |
| Maximum Drawdown | 3% static (E8 Zero), 4-14% trailing (E8 One), 8% static (E8 Pro) | 10% |
| Minimum Trading Days | 0 | 3 |
| News Trading | Evaluation: unrestricted. Funded: no trading 5 minutes before or after high-impact releases | Yes |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | E8 Markets | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| CFD $2.5K Account | Not offered | USD 19 / High Stakes New / One-time |
| CFD $5K Account | USD 48 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time | USD 35 / High Stakes New / One-time |
| CFD $10K Account | USD 88 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time | USD 69 / High Stakes New / One-time |
| CFD $25K Account | USD 188 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time | USD 176 / High Stakes New / One-time |
| CFD $50K Account | USD 288 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time | USD 278 / High Stakes New / One-time |
| CFD $100K Account | USD 488 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time | USD 491 / High Stakes New / One-time |
| CFD $200K Account | USD 798 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time | Not offered |
| 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 $25K Account | Not offered | USD 59 / Day Trade / One-time |
| Futures $50K Account | Not offered | USD 100 / Day Trade / One-time |
| Futures $100K Account | Not offered | USD 170 / Day Trade / One-time |
| Futures $150K Account | Not offered | USD 199 / Day Trade / One-time |
| Coupons / Discount | E8 Markets discount | The5ers discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | E8 Markets | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TradeLocker, Match-Trader, cTrader, MetaTrader 5; Tradovate for futures | MetaTrader 5, cTrader |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | Yes | No |
| Bonds | No | Not available |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | Yes |
Payout
| Feature | E8 Markets | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Minimum $100; first withdrawal raises loss floor to initial balance on Zero/Pro | Bi-weekly; minimum $150 threshold; bank 3%, Wise/crypto 2%, Hub Credits 0% |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | E8 Markets | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | No daily drawdown (E8 Zero), static drawdown options, single-phase evaluations, publishes pass rate | Established 2016, 30,000+ verified payouts, Profit scales to 100%, No time limits, Multiple program options |
| 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 | Non-refundable fees, Strict drawdown rules, US traders restricted, Withdrawal fees (2-3%), News trading prohibited on High Stakes |
| Best For | E8 Pro: static drawdown with no consistency rule; E8 Zero: short-term campaigns | Structured traders seeking established firm with clear scaling path |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose E8 Markets if you want a shorter evaluation at 1 phase. Choose The5ers if a larger funded ceiling at $4M and a cheaper entry, from USD 19 matter more to you. Neither firm is better in the abstract. The right choice depends on your strategy, your budget and the instruments you trade, so read both full reviews before you commit. Verify current rules and pricing on each firm’s own site before purchasing.
Frequently asked questions
What should I know about E8 Markets’s programs?
E8 Signature Forex is a one-step simulated evaluation with a 6% profit target and end-of-day dynamic drawdown. It is one E8 product, not a rulebook for every E8 account. E8 Markets official rules.
What should I know about The5ers’s programs?
The5ers High Stakes is a two-step program with a scaling ladder. Its advertised maximum profit share is reached through scaling rather than being the standard starting share. The5ers official rules; The5ers official program information.
How do payouts differ between E8 Markets and The5ers?
E8 Signature Forex lists an 80% share, a $100 net minimum, a 35% Best Day Rule, a payout buffer and per-request caps. Five qualifying profitable days are required between later payouts, but not the first. E8 Markets official rules.
High Stakes starts at 80% and the published ladder reaches 100% at advanced levels. Its payout guide allows funded-stage requests on a biweekly basis and specifies a $150 minimum after the split. The5ers official rules; The5ers official program information.
Which account rules matter when comparing E8 Markets and The5ers?
There is no overall completion deadline, but a trade must be opened and closed at least every 60 days. The Performance account also has a 2% daily pause. E8 Markets official rules.
High Stakes fee benefits are divided into 10% and 20% non-withdrawable Hub credits after the evaluation steps and a conditional 70% refund at the funded stage. Passing alone does not return the whole fee as cash. The5ers official rules; The5ers official program information.
Is E8 Markets or The5ers automatically the better choice?
No, neither is the default pick. E8 Markets has the shorter evaluation at 1 phase, and The5ers has the larger funded ceiling at $4M and the cheaper entry at USD 19. Which of those matters more depends on how you actually trade, so compare how each firm measures drawdown, the total fee once add-ons and resets are included and the evaluation objectives for the exact program you buy, rather than the headline numbers. If you fail an evaluation, do not assume either firm offers a fixed reset discount: check the reset terms for the specific account you bought.
How We Compared E8 Markets and The5ers
Both firms on this page carry a JoinProp Rating out of 10. We produce that rating with the same 9-factor methodology we apply to every firm we review: payout reliability (20%), fee structure (15%), drawdown rules (15%), profit split (15%), evaluation terms (10%), trading rules (10%), support access and responsiveness (5%), scaling plan (5%), and track record and transparency (5%).
The inputs come from our firm reviews, not from this page. For each firm we work from the current terms and conditions rather than marketing pages, track rule and pricing changes over time, and read payout and support reports across Trustpilot, Reddit and Discord, looking for recurring patterns rather than isolated complaints. Every firm is re-checked at least every 90 days, or sooner after a material change. Affiliate relationships have no effect on any rating, and ratings are never sold.
The tables above show the evidence behind those factors. A few rows, including trading platforms, available instruments, maximum account size and demo availability, are there to help you judge fit and do not affect either rating.
Read our full ranking methodology
