E8 Markets vs FTMO — Which Prop Firm Offers Better Terms?

Two of the most popular prop firms in 2026 — FTMO (the industry veteran) and E8 Markets (the newer challenger). Each has its strengths, and choosing between them depends on what you value: lenient rules or faster payouts?

Here's my honest comparison after passing challenges with both firms hundreds of times.

Challenge Structure Comparison

FTMO (Standard 2-Step)

Phase 1: 8% profit target — Unlimited time — 10% total drawdown — 5% daily drawdown
Phase 2: 4% profit target — Unlimited time — 10% total drawdown — 5% daily drawdown
Profit Split: Up to 90/10 after passing
Scaling: Up to $4M accounts

E8 Markets (1-Step)

Phase 1: 7% profit target — Unlimited time — 5% total drawdown — 5% daily drawdown
Phase 2: None — single step to funded
Profit Split: 80/20 standard
Scaling: Up to $2M accounts

Which Is Easier to Pass?

E8 Markets, hands down. A single 7% target with no second phase means you only need one good run. Compare that to FTMO where you need 8% + 4% — even with unlimited time, that's more trading days and more risk exposure.

For a challenge passing service: E8 is usually faster and more predictable. Most of my clients get passed within 1-2 weeks on E8 versus 2-3 weeks on FTMO.

Which Is Better Once Funded?

FTMO, by a clear margin. The 10% total drawdown gives you way more breathing room than E8's 5%. And the 90/10 profit split (versus 80/20) means you keep more of your earnings. Plus, FTMO's scaling program goes up to $4M vs E8's $2M.

When to Choose Each

Choose E8 Markets if:

• You want to pass quickly and get funded fast
• You prefer a single-step challenge (less complexity)
• You want a lower challenge fee

Choose FTMO if:

• You want more drawdown room after funding
• A higher profit split matters to you (90/10)
• You plan to scale up to larger account sizes

My Recommendation

If you're using a challenge passing service (like mine), go with E8 Markets. Lower target, single phase, faster results. If you're passing the challenge yourself or planning to trade long-term, FTMO gives you more room to operate on the funded account.