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 4.3/5 Trustpilot rating from 3,277 reviews (June 2026). 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.
TL;DR: FTMO (grade 9.1) offers a 80-90% (2-Step); 90% flat (1-Step) profit split; E8 Markets (grade 9) offers 80%, 90%, or 100% (paid choice at checkout). Full side-by-side below, plus who each is best for. Our higher-rated pick: FTMO (9.1 vs 9).
Quick Facts
| Feature | FTMO | E8 Markets |
|---|
|  |  |
| Founded | 2015 | — |
| Profit Split | 80-90% (2-Step); 90% flat (1-Step) | 80%, 90%, or 100% (paid choice at checkout) |
| Maximum Account Size | $2,000,000 | $500,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 2 | 1 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.8/5 (43,791 reviews) | 4.4 |
| Expert Grade | 9.1 | 9 |
Program Types
| Program | FTMO | E8 Markets |
|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | — |
| Advanced Program | FTMO Challenge + Verification | — |
| Scaling Options | Yes | — |
| Demo Account | No | — |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | FTMO | E8 Markets |
|---|
| Profit Target | 10% then 5% (2-Step); 10% (1-Step) | 6% (E8 Zero/One), 8% (E8 Pro) |
| Maximum Drawdown | 10% static (2-Step); 10% trailing (1-Step) | 3% static (E8 Zero), 4-14% trailing (E8 One), 8% static (E8 Pro) |
| Minimum Trading Days | 4 per phase (2-Step); none (1-Step) | — |
| News Trading | Restricted on Standard; unrestricted on Swing | — |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | FTMO | E8 Markets |
|---|
| $10K Account | $79 | — |
| $25K Account | $199 | — |
| $50K Account | $319 | — |
| $100K Account | $499 | from 366 USD |
| $200K Account | $999 | — |
| Refund Policy | 100% refund 2-Step with first payout; 1-Step non-refundable | Non-refundable per Terms |
| Coupons / Discount | FTMO discount | E8 Markets discount |
| Feature | FTMO | E8 Markets |
|---|
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader | — |
| Forex | Yes | — |
| Stocks | Yes | — |
| Indices | Yes | — |
| Commodities | Yes | — |
| Cryptocurrencies | Yes | — |
| Bonds | Available | — |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | — |
Payout
| Feature | FTMO | E8 Markets |
|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly via bank transfer, e-wallets, wire transfer, cryptocurrencies | Minimum $100; first withdrawal raises loss floor to initial balance on Zero/Pro |
| See all prop firm payouts → |
Verdict
| Key Element | FTMO | E8 Markets |
|---|
| Strengths | Full fee refund on 2-Step; static drawdown; no consistency rules; zero withdrawal commission; scaling to $2M | No daily drawdown (E8 Zero), static drawdown options, single-phase evaluations, publishes pass rate |
| Weaknesses | No reset product; 1-Step fee never refunded; 50% Best Day Rule blocks payouts; 1-Step payout resets buffer | 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 | 2-Step recommended for most; 1-Step only if 90% split outweighs other concerns | E8 Pro: static drawdown with no consistency rule; E8 Zero: short-term campaigns |
Verdict: Who each is best for: FTMO — 2-Step recommended for most; 1-Step only if 90% split outweighs other concerns. E8 Markets — E8 Pro: static drawdown with no consistency rule; E8 Zero: short-term campaigns.
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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