Topstep vs E8 Markets – Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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 Comparison |
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| Feature | Topstep | E8 Markets |
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| Founded | 2012 (Chicago, IL) | 2021 (Dallas, TX) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4/5 (13,872+ reviews, April 2026) | Not specified in current review |
| Account Sizes | $50K – $150K Trading Combine® | $10K – $100K+ (scaling to $1,000,000) |
| Profit Split | 100% on first $10K, 90/10 thereafter | 80% on funded Performance Account stage |
| Evaluation Style | Trading Combine® (single-phase) | E8 Signature and E8 One (both single-phase) |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals? |
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|---|---|---|
| Program | Topstep | E8 Markets |
| Standard Evaluation | Trading Combine® at $50K, $100K or $150K | E8 Signature – single-phase, 6% profit target |
| Express / Single-Step | Combine is single-phase by default | E8 One – single-phase, 6% profit target |
| Instant Funding | Not offered | Not offered |
| Educational Support | Discord (150K+ traders), live trading rooms, daily sessions | Weekly market analysis webinars; 1-on-1 mentoring for funded |
| Account Scaling | Limited beyond largest Combine size | 25% capital increase after every 10% profit; up to $1,000,000 |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test? |
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|---|---|---|
| Criteria | Topstep | E8 Markets |
| Profit Target (Phase 1) | Single profit target per Combine size | 6% on both E8 Signature and E8 One |
| Profit Target (Phase 2) | N/A – single phase | N/A – both programs are single-phase |
| Maximum Daily Loss | None – no daily loss limit | Per-program daily loss rules apply |
| Maximum Trailing Drawdown | Trailing MLL (end-of-day only); stops trailing at starting balance | E8 Signature uses 4% End-of-Day max drawdown |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 trading days | No minimum trading days |
| Time Limit | None | No time limits |
| Consistency Rule | Best day cannot exceed 50% of total profits at payout | Max 5% account risk per trade; no hedging across accounts |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay? |
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|---|---|---|
| Option | Topstep | E8 Markets |
| Entry Level | $50K Combine: monthly subscription | $10K account: from $99 |
| Mid Tier | $100K Combine: higher monthly subscription | $25K account: from $199 |
| Premium | $150K Combine: highest monthly subscription | $100K account: $299+ one-time |
| Reset Fee | Continued monthly subscription pays the reset | Reset fees published on the firm’s pricing page |
| Refundable? | $149 activation fee path or No-Activation-Fee path | Evaluation fee fully refunded once you pass |
| Coupons | Learn More | Promo Code |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use? |
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|---|---|---|
| Platform | Topstep | E8 Markets |
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX only (new accounts since July 2025) | Industry-standard Forex/CFD platforms |
| Data Feed | Included with TopstepX | Included via platform providers |
| Mobile Trading | Mobile-browser support | Available via supported platforms |
| Custom Indicators | TradingView charting + Tilt™ indicator | Advanced risk calculators integrated into trading platforms |
| Automated Trading | EAs permitted | Permitted – automated strategies and EAs supported on E8’s MT4, MT5, and DXtrade platforms |
| News Feed | Integrated within TopstepX | Available via platform providers |
Available Markets/Products |
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|---|---|---|
| Market | Topstep | E8 Markets |
| Forex | Not offered | Major, minor, and exotic currency pairs |
| Index Futures / Indices | ES, NQ and full CME index suite | Indices not offered by E8 |
| Energy / Commodities | CL and full CME energy complex | Commodities not offered by E8 |
| Metals | GC and CME metals | Gold and silver via Forex/CFD platforms |
| Crypto | Not offered on standard accounts | Cryptocurrency CFDs (0.1% commission) |
| Stocks | Not offered | Not offered |
| Total Coverage | Full CME futures suite | Forex and crypto focus |
Technical Capabilities/Performance |
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|---|---|---|
| Feature | Topstep | E8 Markets |
| Execution Speed | Direct via TopstepX infrastructure | Simulated trading environment – accounts are not live-broker-backed |
| Automated Trading | EAs permitted | Verify EA policy on the firm’s site |
| Order Types | Standard futures order set (Market, Limit, Stop, OCO) | Full Forex/CFD order set across supported platforms |
| Platform Reliability | Established since 2012, $1B+ payouts processed | Founded 2021; rebranded from E8 Funding in 2024 |
| Data Feed Quality | TopstepX-bundled data feed | Provider-bundled retail-grade feeds |
| Trading Hours | Standard CME futures sessions | 24/5 across most CFD instruments; weekend holding allowed with restrictions |
Support and Community |
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|---|---|---|
| Support Feature | Topstep | E8 Markets |
| Customer Support Hours | Live chat, email, phone, SMS, WhatsApp | Standard support channels via the firm’s contact desk |
| Response Time | Same-day during business hours | Standard SLAs (not specified) |
| Live Coaching | Daily live trading sessions, webinars | Weekly market analysis webinars; 1-on-1 mentoring on funded |
| Trading Community | 150,000+ Discord members | Active community; monthly trading competitions |
| Educational Resources | Multiple tracks, courses, podcasts | Strategy development workshops |
| Success Stories | $1B+ in cumulative payouts | $50 minimum withdrawal; no maximum for verified accounts |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation |
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|---|---|---|
| Key Element | Topstep | E8 Markets |
| Strengths | Longest live track record in futures, deep education ecosystem, no daily loss limit, EAs permitted | Refundable evaluation fee, scaling to $1M, no minimum trading days, multiple payout methods including crypto |
| Weaknesses | Monthly subscription compounds; TopstepX-only platform; CME futures only | Strict IP/VPN rules; 5% per-trade risk cap; no indices or commodities offered |
| Best For | Futures traders who want pedigree and the best US-futures evaluation experience | Forex and crypto traders who want a refundable evaluation and US-based parent entity |
| Final Grade | 4.4/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Discount Codes | – | Coupon Code |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
FAQ
Are Topstep and E8 Markets offering the same instruments?
No. Topstep is CME Group futures only (ES, NQ, CL, GC and similar). E8 Markets offers Forex, metals, and crypto CFDs – no indices, no commodity futures, no equities. The two firms barely overlap on instruments; pick based on what you actually trade.
Which firm has the more refund-friendly evaluation?
E8 Markets refunds the evaluation fee in full once you pass and reach the funded Performance Account stage. Topstep offers two paths: a $149 activation fee on funding (Standard path) or no activation fee with a higher monthly subscription (No-Activation-Fee path).
How does scaling compare?
E8 Markets has a clear scaling program: 25% capital increase after every 10% profit earned, with consistent performance, up to $1,000,000. Topstep funded accounts top out at the largest Combine size ($150K) with no formal scaling ladder beyond that.
Can I use EAs or automated strategies?
Topstep permits EAs with no specific restriction. E8 Markets’ current review doesn’t list EAs as prohibited but also doesn’t explicitly endorse them – verify the latest rules on the E8 site before relying on automation.
How are payouts processed?
Topstep funded accounts can request bi-weekly payouts after a minimum holding period; daily payouts unlock after 30 consecutive winning days. E8 Markets supports multiple withdrawal methods including bank wire (2–5 business days), Bitcoin (24–48 hours), PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller, with a $50 minimum.
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
We pull each firm’s public-facing rules, fees, drawdown parameters, profit splits, platforms, and supported markets from their official documentation and our own JoinProp reviews.
2. We Examine
Each criterion is normalised so the two firms are compared on the same axis – for example, “drawdown” is broken down into trailing vs static, intraday vs end-of-day, and any reset conditions.
3. We Score
Where one firm offers a meaningfully better term – lower fees, broader markets, more permissive rules – we identify it and explain the trade-off.
4. You Choose
The conclusion is written so you can match a firm to your trading style: instrument coverage, evaluation tolerance, and payout cadence are the three filters most traders should care about.
