Build your comparison
Apex Trader Funding vs E8 Marketswhich prop firm deserves your challenge fee?
Quick verdict
Safer counterparty
Too close to call
Faster payouts
Too close to call
Better for smaller budgets
E8 Markets
Rule stability
Too close to call
Feature comparison
| Feature |  Apex Trader Funding |  E8 Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $118 | $58 | E8 Markets |
| Challenge model | 1-step | 1-step | Tie |
| Max funding | $3M | $4.3M | E8 Markets |
| Max profit split | 100% | 100% | Tie |
| Payouts | Weekly cycles | On demand | Tie |
| Track record | Established 2021 | Established 2021 | Tie |
| Trader rating | New — no ratings yet | New — no ratings yet | Tie |
| Headquarters | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇺🇸 United States | Tie |
| Overall score | 80 | 80 | Tie |
Both firms are scored from our ongoing research — the score dials above update as new data and trader input land. Read the full breakdowns on the Apex Trader Funding review and the E8 Markets review.
Apex Trader Funding — strengths & weaknesses
Pros
- Effectively the cheapest entry in futures funding — permanent 80–90% discount codes
- 100% profit split from the first payout under Apex 4.0
- Up to 20 parallel funded accounts with copy trading — the strongest edge-multiplier in the industry
- Optional end-of-day trailing drawdown that ignores intraday unrealized wicks
Cons
- Legacy 2024–2025 payout-denial reputation still rebuilding
- $79–99 activation fee after passing isn't obvious from the cheap-eval marketing
- First five payouts are capped on a ladder; 50% consistency rule on funded accounts
- All metals products suspended indefinitely since March 2026
E8 Markets — strengths & weaknesses
Pros
- Fast payouts — median 11 hours to approval, 24 hours to funds (firm-reported, Jan–May 2026)
- Customizable single-phase challenges (E8 One) and daily payout requests on E8 Pro
- Publishes its pass rate (17.7%) — rare transparency in this industry
- Six platforms including Tradovate futures with TradingView connectivity
Cons
- Signature per-request payout caps ($1,000–$5,250) frustrate bigger winners
- Tight 3–4% drawdowns and no overnight/weekend holding on Signature accounts
- Payouts formally styled "discretionary incentives" under the 2025 SimFi repositioning; MT5 unavailable to US residents
80
VS80
Not sold on either? Browse every firm ranked by research score and build your own head-to-head.
Compare more firms