E8 Funding vs FTMO: Which Prop Firm Wins in 2026?

Side-by-side breakdown of rules, fees, payouts and who should pick which.

Quick Verdict

E8 Funding wins on value with a lower entry fee ($47 vs $89) with equal or larger max account size. FTMO may still win on payout reliability and trader reputation if those matter more to you.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Metric	E8 Funding	FTMO
Founded	2021	2015
HQ	Dallas, USA	Prague, Czech Republic
Market	Forex/CFD	Forex/CFD
Minimum fee	$47	$89
Account size range	$5,000 – $400,000	$10,000 – $200,000
Profit split	80% (up to 90%)	80%
Payouts	Bi-weekly (5 days after first payout)	Monthly (on-demand after first)
Challenge model	1-step OR 2-step (E8 Track / E8 Evaluation)	2-step (Challenge + Verification)
Platforms	MT4, MT5, TradeLocker	MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade

E8 Funding Pros

Very low entry fee ($47 for $5k account): among the cheapest 2-step options
Up to 400k account size: high scaling ceiling for big swing traders
Bi-weekly payouts faster than FTMO monthly cycle
Allows EAs, news trading, and weekend holds on most plans

FTMO Pros

Longest-running major prop firm: proven track record since 2015
Strong reputation and reliable payouts (TrustPilot 4.8)
Generous 80% profit split, scalable to 90%
Allows EAs, scalping and news trading on most accounts

Who Should Pick Which?

Pick E8 Funding if: Cost-conscious traders wanting a 2-step model with cheaper entry than FTMO.

Pick FTMO if: Serious traders who value reputation and payout reliability over cheap fees.

Test Both Against Your Strategy Before You Pay

Run your backtest through JPTradingCapital's Prop Firm Checker. We evaluate your trades against E8 Funding's and FTMO's exact rulesets and tell you which one your strategy would actually pass.

Open the Prop Firm Checker →

If the decision is really about who runs the evaluation rather than which firm, our prop firm challenge passing service trades it for you on either firm. The account is bought in your name and we take no share of your payouts.

Full E8 Funding and FTMO Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, E8 Funding or FTMO?

E8 Funding is cheaper to start, with a minimum challenge fee of $47. E8 Funding starts at $47 and FTMO starts at $89. Cheaper entry doesn't always mean better value. Check the profit split, account ceiling, and payout reliability before deciding.

Which has the better profit split, E8 Funding or FTMO?

E8 Funding offers 80% (up to 90%) and FTMO offers 80%. Note: most prop firms scale the split with consecutive payouts, so the headline number is just the starting point.

Can I run the same EA on both E8 Funding and FTMO?

Yes, both firms support MT4 and MT5, so any EA compiled for those platforms will run on both. You'd still need to verify each firm's news-trading and scalping rules to make sure your strategy is allowed.

Which is more reputable, E8 Funding or FTMO?

E8 Funding (founded 2021) has the longer track record. E8 Funding was founded in 2021 and is still building its payout reputation. For larger account sizes the older firm is usually the safer pick.

Which is better for swing traders, E8 Funding or FTMO?

Swing traders need to check two things: (1) whether the firm allows weekend holds, and (2) whether the daily drawdown is static or trailing. Trailing DD is brutal for swing positions because intraday peak equity becomes the new floor. See the Pros/Cons section above for each firm's specifics.

Can I use both E8 Funding and FTMO simultaneously?

Yes, most prop firms allow you to hold multiple accounts at different firms (their rules apply only to their own accounts). Some traders deliberately diversify across 2-3 firms to reduce single-firm risk and stack payouts.