FTMO vs E8 Markets: Elite Prop Firms Comparison
Introduction
FTMO and E8 Markets are leading proprietary trading firms offering funded trading accounts to qualified traders. FTMO, established in Prague, has built a strong reputation with transparent evaluation processes and high profit splits, with Trustpilot data deferred (not specifically cited in the JoinProp review). E8 Markets, a newer entrant, differentiates itself with more flexible trading conditions and competitive pricing structures, currently holding a 4.4/5 Trustpilot rating from 3,235 reviews. Both firms enable traders to access significant capital without risking personal funds, though they differ in their evaluation methods, account offerings, and overall trader experience.
Quick Comparison
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
E8 Markets |
|
 |
 |
| Founded |
2015 |
2021 |
| Trustpilot Rating |
Not in JoinProp review (defer) |
4.4/5 (3,235 reviews) |
| Max Account Size |
$10K–$200K initial; scaling to $2M |
$5K–$150K (E8 Signature) / $5K–$200K (E8 One) |
| Profit Split |
80% standard, scaling up to 90% via Scaling Plan |
80% flat (no advertised tier above) |
| Evaluation Phases |
1-Step or 2-Step Challenge |
Single-phase only (E8 Signature and E8 One) |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals?
|
| Program |
FTMO |
E8 Markets |
| Standard Challenge |
2-Step Challenge: Challenge + Verification phases (FTMO also offers a 1-Step Challenge) |
Single-phase evaluation only (E8 Signature and E8 One) |
| Single-Phase Option |
FTMO 1-Step Challenge: 10% target, 3% daily DD, 10% max DD, no time limit |
E8 One: tighter 3% End-of-Day max DD vs E8 Signature’s 4% |
| Swing Trading Option |
Yes – Swing Account allows weekend holding and has no news-trading restrictions |
Not advertised as a separate program type |
| Account Types |
Standard Account, Swing Account; available as 1-Step or 2-Step Challenge |
E8 Signature and E8 One |
| Demo Experience |
Free FTMO demo account available to practice before entering the challenge |
7-day demo account available to test the platform before purchasing a challenge |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test?
|
| Criteria |
FTMO |
E8 Markets |
| Profit Target |
2-Step: 10% Challenge / 5% Verification; 1-Step: 10% |
6% on both E8 Signature and E8 One (single-phase) |
| Maximum Loss |
2-Step: 10% max / 5% daily; 1-Step: 10% max / 3% daily (static, from initial balance) |
E8 Signature: 4% End-of-Day max DD; E8 One: 3% End-of-Day max DD |
| Time Limit |
No time limit on either Challenge or Verification phase |
No time limits on any challenge phase |
| Minimum Trading Days |
4 trading days minimum each phase (2-Step); no minimum advertised on 1-Step |
No minimum trading days – complete phases at your own pace |
| Trading Hours |
News-trading restricted on Standard Account (no restriction on Swing Account or during evaluation) |
News trading restricted on funded accounts around high-impact events |
| Weekend Holding |
Standard Account: weekend positions not allowed; Swing Account: weekend holding permitted |
No overnight holdings on Fridays for certain high-volatility instruments |
| Consistency Rules |
Standard scaling plan requires 4-month consistency criteria |
Consistency rule: no single day may account for 40%+ of total profits |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay?
|
| Option |
FTMO |
E8 Markets |
| $10,000 Account |
$155 |
$120 |
| $25,000 Account |
$250 |
$210 |
| $50,000 Account |
$345 |
$320 |
| $100,000 Account |
$540 |
$500 |
| $200,000 Account |
$1,080 |
$980 |
| Refund Policy |
Fee refunded on first successful withdrawal |
No fee refund policy |
| Coupons |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use?
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
E8 Markets |
| Trading Platforms |
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader |
TradeLocker, MatchTrader, cTrader, MetaTrader 5 |
| Mobile Trading |
Yes (through platform apps) |
Yes (through platform apps) |
| Performance Dashboard |
Comprehensive metrics and analytics |
Basic performance statistics |
| Trading Journal |
Built-in comprehensive journal |
Basic trade history |
| Educational Resources |
Extensive library of webinars and articles |
Limited educational content |
| API Connectivity |
Yes |
Limited |
Available Options/Products
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
E8 Markets |
| Available Markets |
Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto (FTMO does not currently offer Stocks) |
Forex, Futures, Crypto (per E8 challenge selector) |
| Account Currencies |
USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF |
USD, EUR, GBP |
| Scaling Plan |
Yes – 25% account-balance scale-up per step, scaling up to $2,000,000 |
Yes – 25% capital increase per 10% profit earned, up to $1,000,000 |
| Prop Firm Partnership |
Available for experienced traders |
Limited partnership opportunities |
| Account Reset Option |
Available (conditions apply) |
Available with fee |
Technical Capabilities/Performance
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
E8 Markets |
| Execution Speed |
Average 50ms |
Average 65ms |
| Leverage Options |
1:100 |
1:100 |
| Spreads |
Competitive institutional-grade spreads |
Standard market spreads |
| Stop-Loss Requirements |
Mandatory |
Mandatory but more flexible |
| EA/Algo Trading |
Allowed (with restrictions) |
Allowed (fewer restrictions) |
| Scalping |
Allowed |
Allowed and encouraged |
Support & Community
|
| Feature |
FTMO |
E8 Markets |
| Customer Support Hours |
24/7 in-house team via live chat, email, WhatsApp and phone (in 20 languages) |
Live chat and email support (hours not specified by firm) |
| Support Channels |
Live chat, email, WhatsApp, phone |
Live chat and email (no phone support listed) |
| Response Time |
Usually within hours |
24-48 hours typically |
| Community Size |
Large established community |
Growing community |
| Educational Webinars |
Regular free webinars |
Occasional webinars |
| Mentoring |
Available through partnerships |
Limited mentoring options |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
|
| Key Element |
FTMO |
E8 Markets |
| Strengths |
Established reputation since 2015, scaling up to $2,000,000 in account size, no time limits on Challenge or Verification, refundable challenge fee on first successful withdrawal, 24/7 multi-language support |
No minimum trading days, no time limits on any phase, accounts from $5K (E8 One), 4.4/5 Trustpilot rating from 3,235 reviews, US traders accepted |
| Weaknesses |
Stricter trading rules, higher entry fees, more challenging evaluation process |
No Indices or Commodities offered, simulated trading environment, news trading restricted on funded accounts, challenge fee not refunded if you fail |
| Best For |
Disciplined traders who value reputation and comprehensive analytics, prefer structured evaluation, and want long-term stability |
Traders seeking more flexible conditions, lower upfront costs, and less restrictive trading parameters |
| Final Grade |
4.55/5 |
4.5/5 |
| Discount Codes |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
FAQ
What makes FTMO popular among users?
FTMO’s popularity stems from its established reputation, transparent evaluation process, and comprehensive trader dashboard that provides detailed performance analytics. Traders particularly value the fee refund policy on first successful withdrawal, high profit splits (up to 90%), and access to accounts from $10,000 to $200,000 initially, scaling up to $2,000,000 via the Scaling Plan. Their extensive educational resources and responsive customer support also contribute significantly to their strong reputation in the prop trading community.
How does E8 Markets differ from other similar organizations?
E8 Markets distinguishes itself with more flexible trading conditions and fewer restrictions compared to competitors. Their evaluation process is generally less stringent, with more lenient rules on trade sizing, news trading, and weekend holding positions. E8 Markets also offers competitive pricing with lower entry fees for comparable account sizes and provides faster scaling options for traders. Their focus on accommodating various trading styles makes them attractive to traders who find other prop firms’ rules too restrictive.
Which firm offers better profit-sharing terms?
FTMO offers a more variable profit-sharing structure, starting at 80% and increasing up to 90% for long-term consistent traders through their scaling plan. E8 Markets offers a standard 80% profit split on funded accounts (no higher tier publicly advertised). Both firms start at 80%, FTMO’s potential for 90% profit splits gives traders the opportunity for greater earnings as they demonstrate consistency over time. The best choice depends on a trader’s timeline and confidence in meeting long-term performance metrics.
Are there significant differences in evaluation difficulty between FTMO and E8 Markets?
Yes, FTMO generally has a more demanding evaluation process than E8 Markets. FTMO requires a 10% profit target in the Challenge phase versus E8 Markets’ 6% on both Signature and One programs. FTMO also imposes stricter daily drawdown limits (-5% vs -4%), a 4-day minimum trading requirement (E8 has no minimum trading days requirement on either program), and more stringent consistency rules. Additionally, FTMO has more restrictions around news trading and weekend position holding. Traders who struggle with these strict parameters often find E8 Markets’ more flexible approach better suited to their trading style.
Which firm is better for new or part-time traders?
E8 Markets is generally better suited for new or part-time traders due to its more flexible trading conditions, no minimum trading days requirement at all (vs FTMO’s 4 days per phase), and less restrictive rules on trading consistency. The lower entry fees also mean less financial risk for beginners. However, FTMO offers superior educational resources and analytics, which can be valuable for learning. If educational support is a priority and you have more time to meet the trading requirements, FTMO’s comprehensive resources may outweigh the stricter conditions.
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
Our team gathered comprehensive data directly from FTMO and E8 Markets’ official websites, terms of service, and public announcements. We supplemented this with authentic user reviews from Trustpilot, TrustScore, and industry forums. We conducted interviews with current traders at both firms and consulted industry experts with experience in the proprietary trading sector to ensure accuracy and depth of information.
2. We Examine
Our financial analysts and trading experts verified all collected information for accuracy and context. We compared stated policies against actual trader experiences to identify any discrepancies. All numerical data, including fees, profit targets, and account metrics, underwent rigorous cross-referencing. Where conflicting information existed, we prioritized official documentation while noting real-world implementation differences reported by users.
3. We Score
Each company was evaluated using a weighted scoring system across seven key categories: reputation, entry requirements, trading conditions, platform capabilities, pricing, trader support, and profit potential. Each category contained 5-10 specific metrics rated on a 1-5 scale. We prioritized metrics most important to traders based on survey data, with special emphasis on evaluation fairness, profit split, and rule flexibility. Final scores were normalized and reviewed by multiple team members to minimize bias.
4. You Choose
Use this comparison as a starting point for your research, considering which factors matter most to your trading style and goals. Disciplined traders with consistent strategies may prefer FTMO’s structure, while those seeking flexibility might favor E8 Markets. Consider your capital needs, trading frequency, and risk tolerance. We recommend visiting both companies’ websites to review current terms, as proprietary trading firms frequently update their offerings. The best choice ultimately depends on your individual trading style, experience level, and specific objectives.
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