Build your comparison
E8 Markets vs Topstepwhich prop firm deserves your challenge fee?
Quick verdict
Safer counterparty
E8 Markets
Faster payouts
E8 Markets
Better for smaller budgets
Topstep
Rule stability
Too close to call
Feature comparison
| Feature |  E8 Markets |  Topstep | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $58 | $49 | Topstep |
| Challenge model | 1-step | 1-step | Tie |
| Max funding | $4.3M | $750K | E8 Markets |
| Max profit split | 100% | 90% | E8 Markets |
| Payouts | On demand | Weekly at best | Tie |
| Track record | Established 2021 | Established 2012 | Topstep |
| Trader rating | New — no ratings yet | New — no ratings yet | Tie |
| Headquarters | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇺🇸 United States | Tie |
| Overall score | 71 | 66 | E8 Markets |
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 E8 Markets review and the Topstep review.
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
Topstep — strengths & weaknesses
Pros
- Longest track record in futures funding (2012), FIA member, published pass-rate and payout statistics
- Genuine live progression backed by an FCM — not sim-only payouts
- TopstepX discipline tools (personal loss limits, trade limits) and next-business-day payout processing
- $49/month entry with a reset credit included in each renewal
Cons
- 2026 changes cut the deal: flat 90/10 split, lower per-payout caps, and reserve-locked live accounts
- Combine Maximum Loss Limit trails intraday on open equity — unrealized wicks can breach you
- Monthly subscription costs stack during long evaluations
- Trustpilot fell to 3.4 amid the payout-policy backlash
71
VS66
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