Rules compared
| Rule | FTMO | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Market | Forex / CFD | Forex / CFD |
| Phases | Two-phase | Two-phase |
| Eval cost (mid tier) | $540 | $288 |
| Profit target | 10% + 5% | 8% + 5% |
| Max drawdown | Static · 10% | Static · 8% |
| Daily loss limit | 5% | 5% |
| Consistency rule | None | None |
| Min trading days | 4 | 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 | FTMO | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Pass rate | 20.3% | 23.9% |
| Payout rate (if passed) | 54.4% | 53.3% |
| Joint withdrawal probability | 11.0% | 12.8% |
| Expected P&L over 50 challenges | -$19.3k | -$5.8k |
| Failures from drawdown breach | 9% | 14% |
| Failures from daily loss | 28% | 29% |
Which should you pick?
FTMO: FTMO is the reference standard in forex prop — two phases, static drawdown, and the most consistent payout track record in the industry. The two-phase structure lowers raw pass rates, but funded traders who pass historically get paid. The 'default' choice; not the cheapest, not the most generous, but the most reliable.
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.
On the numbers above, E8 Markets 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 FTMO or E8 Markets easier to pass?+
In our simulation of a balanced 50%-win-rate trader, FTMO passes 20.3% of the time and E8 Markets passes 23.9% — so E8 Markets 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, FTMO or E8 Markets?+
The mid-tier evaluation costs $540 at FTMO and $288 at E8 Markets. Sticker price is the wrong comparison though: over 50 attempted challenges our simulation nets -$19.3k at FTMO versus -$5.8k at E8 Markets, because a cheaper eval you fail more often is not cheaper.
Which pays out more reliably, FTMO or E8 Markets?+
Conditional on passing, our model gives FTMO a 54.4% chance of reaching a first payout versus 53.3% at E8 Markets. End to end — pass and withdraw — that is 11.0% vs 12.8%. Profit splits are 80% and 80%.
What is the biggest rule difference between FTMO and E8 Markets?+
FTMO uses a static drawdown of 10% with a 5% daily loss limit; E8 Markets uses a static drawdown of 8% with a 5% daily loss limit. FTMO 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.
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Based on publicly listed rules as of 2026-07-15. Independent — not affiliated with FTMO or E8 Markets. Rules change; verify before paying. Simulations are estimates, not guarantees.