Topstep vs E8 Markets – Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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Introduction
Topstep and E8 Markets operate in different corners of the prop trading market. Topstep, founded in Chicago in 2012, is the original CME-futures prop firm – exclusively US futures, exclusively the TopstepX platform, with more than a billion dollars paid out to funded traders. E8 Markets (formerly E8 Funding, rebranded 2024) is a Dallas-based multi-asset Forex/CFD firm founded in 2021, offering two single-phase evaluation programs (E8 Signature and E8 One) with a refundable evaluation fee and an 80% profit split that activates on the funded Performance Account stage. The two firms barely overlap on instruments: Topstep is futures-only, E8 covers Forex, metals, and crypto – so the right pick depends almost entirely on what you trade.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Topstep | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 
| |
| Founded | 2012 | 2021 |
| Profit Split | 100% first $10,000, then 90/10 | 80%, 90%, or 100% (paid choice at checkout) |
| Maximum Account Size | $150,000 | $500,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 1 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4 | 4.4 |
| Expert Grade | 9 | 9 |
Program Types
| Program | Topstep | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Program | — | Yes |
| Scaling Options | No | No |
| Demo Account | No | Yes |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Topstep | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 6% | 6% (E8 Zero/One), 8% (E8 Pro) |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500 | 3% static (E8 Zero), 4-14% trailing (E8 One), 8% static (E8 Pro) |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 | 0 |
| News Trading | Yes | Evaluation: unrestricted. Funded: no trading 5 minutes before or after high-impact releases |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Topstep | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
| CFD $5K Account | Not offered | USD 48 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time |
| CFD $10K Account | Not offered | USD 88 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time |
| CFD $25K Account | Not offered | USD 188 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time |
| CFD $50K Account | Not offered | USD 288 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time |
| CFD $100K Account | Not offered | USD 488 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time |
| CFD $200K Account | Not offered | USD 798 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time |
| CFD $400K Account | Not offered | USD 1598 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time |
| CFD $500K Account | Not offered | USD 1998 / E8 One / SimFi / One-time |
| Futures $50K Account | USD 49 / Trading Combine / Monthly | Not offered |
| Futures $100K Account | USD 99 / Trading Combine / Monthly | Not offered |
| Futures $150K Account | USD 149 / Trading Combine / Monthly | Not offered |
| Coupons / Discount | Topstep discount | E8 Markets discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Topstep | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX | TradeLocker, Match-Trader, cTrader, MetaTrader 5; Tradovate for futures |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | No | Yes |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | Yes |
Payout
| Feature | Topstep | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly via ACH, wire, or Rise; $50 minimum | Minimum $100; first withdrawal raises loss floor to initial balance on Zero/Pro |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Topstep | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Industry pioneer, generous first $10K profit split, no time limits, EAs permitted, no daily loss limit, $1B+ paid to traders | No daily drawdown (E8 Zero), static drawdown options, single-phase evaluations, publishes pass rate |
| Weaknesses | Monthly subscription fees compound, $149 activation fee, TopstepX platform exclusive, futures-only, trailing MLL can catch intraday profit-takers | 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 traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation | E8 Pro: static drawdown with no consistency rule; E8 Zero: short-term campaigns |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose Topstep if you are serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation. Choose E8 Markets if a larger funded ceiling at $500K and a cheaper entry, from USD 48 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 Topstep’s programs?
Topstep distinguishes Express Funded Account Standard and Consistency paths, followed by a separate Live Funded Account stage. Topstep official rules.
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.
How do payouts differ between Topstep and E8 Markets?
The current payout policy lists a 90/10 split and a $125 minimum. Standard requires five winning days of $150 or more; Consistency requires three days and a 40% consistency target. Requests are subject to account-size caps. Topstep official rules.
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.
Which account rules matter when comparing Topstep and E8 Markets?
Express payouts are generally limited to 50% of account balance up to the applicable cap. Legacy eligibility and optional daily-loss-limit arrangements can change the caps or split treatment. Topstep official rules.
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.
Is Topstep or E8 Markets automatically the better choice?
No, neither is the default pick. Topstep is built for serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation, and E8 Markets has the larger funded ceiling at $500K and the cheaper entry at USD 48. 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 country eligibility, 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 Topstep and E8 Markets
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