Rules compared
| Rule | E8 Markets | Alpha Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Market | Forex / CFD | Forex / CFD |
| Phases | Two-phase | Two-phase |
| Eval cost (mid tier) | $288 | $500 |
| Profit target | 8% + 5% | 8% + 5% |
| Max drawdown | Static · 8% | Static · 10% |
| Daily loss limit | 5% | 5% |
| Consistency rule | None | None |
| Min trading days | 3 | 3 |
| Max days | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Profit split | 80% | 80% |
| Payout buffer | 1% | 1% |
| Trailing on funded | No | No |
| Payout frequency | Every 14 days | Every 14 days |
Simulated outcomes, same trader
Identical balanced archetype (50% win rate, 1.2R average winner, 3 trades a day), 10,000 simulated evaluations against each firm's exact ruleset.
| Metric | E8 Markets | Alpha Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Pass rate | 23.9% | 25.0% |
| Payout rate (if passed) | 53.3% | 54.4% |
| Joint withdrawal probability | 12.8% | 13.6% |
| Expected P&L over 50 challenges | -$5.8k | -$16k |
| Failures from drawdown breach | 14% | 10% |
| Failures from daily loss | 29% | 30% |
Which should you pick?
E8 Markets: E8's one-phase E8 Trader account is the fast-track option; three-phase E8 Track has weekly consistency-style checks that most retail traders underestimate. Split is competitive. Underrated as an alternative to FTMO for traders who dislike the two-phase grind.
Alpha Capital: Alpha Capital's two-phase model is a close FTMO clone at a lower price point. Generous news-trading and holding rules relative to competitors. Payout reliability is decent but younger than FTMO/FundedNext — factor that into long-run EV.
On the numbers above, Alpha Capital is the better expected-value choice for a balanced profile — but archetypes are not you. A scalper and a swing trader can flip this ranking entirely, because drawdown type punishes lumpy P&L far more than frequent small P&L. Run your own drawdown numbers first, then simulate your real stats.
Frequently asked
Is E8 Markets or Alpha Capital easier to pass?+
In our simulation of a balanced 50%-win-rate trader, E8 Markets passes 23.9% of the time and Alpha Capital passes 25.0% — so Alpha Capital is the easier evaluation for that profile. The gap is driven mostly by drawdown type (Static vs Static) and the number of phases.
Which is cheaper, E8 Markets or Alpha Capital?+
The mid-tier evaluation costs $288 at E8 Markets and $500 at Alpha Capital. Sticker price is the wrong comparison though: over 50 attempted challenges our simulation nets -$5.8k at E8 Markets versus -$16k at Alpha Capital, because a cheaper eval you fail more often is not cheaper.
Which pays out more reliably, E8 Markets or Alpha Capital?+
Conditional on passing, our model gives E8 Markets a 53.3% chance of reaching a first payout versus 54.4% at Alpha Capital. End to end — pass and withdraw — that is 12.8% vs 13.6%. Profit splits are 80% and 80%.
What is the biggest rule difference between E8 Markets and Alpha Capital?+
E8 Markets uses a static drawdown of 8% with a 5% daily loss limit; Alpha Capital uses a static drawdown of 10% with a 5% daily loss limit. E8 Markets is the stricter ruleset for most trading styles.
Compare both firms using YOUR trading stats
Log your trades in the journal, push your real win rate and R-multiple into the simulator, and see which of these two rulesets you actually clear.
Run my simulationMore E8 Markets comparisons
Based on publicly listed rules as of 2026-07-15. Independent — not affiliated with E8 Markets or Alpha Capital. Rules change; verify before paying. Simulations are estimates, not guarantees.