Side-by-side comparison
Topstep vs E8 Markets
Rules, drawdown model, fees, and trading conditions compared side by side. Data verified from official sources.
Topstep vs E8 Markets: Full Comparison
| Rule | | |
|---|---|---|
| Drawdown | EOD trailing EOD trailing max loss: the limit trails up on the end-of-day closing balance, not on intraday unrealised peaks. CME futures accounts. | Varies Varies by model: E8 One uses a dynamic drawdown (moves with closed profits), Signature and Zero an EOD dynamic drawdown; both become static at the starting… Full detailVaries by model: E8 One uses a dynamic drawdown (moves with closed profits), Signature and Zero an EOD dynamic drawdown; both become static at the starting balance. Only E8 Pro is static from the start. |
| Consistency rule | Varies | Varies |
| Risk per trade cap | Capped Scaling Plan caps max contracts by account balance (e.g. $50K = 5 minis / 50 micros); buying power scales with end-of-day balance. | No cap No hard max-risk-per-trade rule; only a per-ticket order limit (50 lots, 20 for XAUUSD) that can be bypassed by stacking orders. |
| News trading | Yes Allowed in all phases; only bars entering a full max-size position into scheduled major news. | Varies Unrestricted on evaluation; funded accounts ban trading 5 min before/after high-impact news. |
| Weekend holding | No Futures day-trading only, positions auto-flatten daily (~3:10 PM CT); no overnight or weekend holds. | Varies Allowed on E8 One; the E8 Signature program auto-closes daily, with no overnight or weekend holds. |
| EAs / bots | Varies Automation permitted via the TopstepX/ProjectX API; no firm-published statement that the API is the ONLY route. Full detailAutomation permitted via the TopstepX/ProjectX API; no firm-published statement that the API is the ONLY route. Bans VPS/VPN/remote servers outright (all activity must originate from the trader's own device), plus HFT and SIM-fill-exploit algos. | Varies Third-party EAs are permitted; what is banned is the same strategy across multiple users. Prohibits holding >50% of trades under one minute. Full detailThird-party EAs are permitted; what is banned is the same strategy across multiple users. Two caveats: Terms 9.1(a) bans 'bots, scripts, automation software, or AI agents' outright, arguably scoped to platform interaction but with no EA carve-out; and the product table excludes EAs on E8 Zero and E8 Signature Futures. Prohibits holding >50% of trades under one minute. |
| Daily loss limit | - | 5% |
| Overall loss limit | - | 8% |
| Profit split | up to 90% 90/10 on Express Funded Accounts (100% of the first $10K for traders who joined before Jan 12 2026). Full detail90/10 on Express Funded Accounts (100% of the first $10K for traders who joined before Jan 12 2026). Live Funded: up to 100% daily after 30 winning days. Crypto only via CME Micro Bitcoin/Ether futures. | up to 100% 80/90/100% tiers at checkout; E8 One and E8 Zero headline up to 100%. |
| Fee refund | No Subscription-based pricing, not one-time fee. | Yes |
| Platforms | TopstepX | MT4, MT5 |
| Assets | Futures, Indices | Crypto, FX, Indices, Metals, Commodities |
| Account sizes | $50K, $100K, $150K | $25K, $50K, $100K, $250K, $300K |
| Payout methods | - | - |
Last verified: 2026-09-29 (Topstep), 2026-09-29 (E8 Markets). Always verify current terms on each firm's official site before purchasing.
Also consider·VelotradeMulti-asset prop trading,
one account for all markets.
Multi-asset · Hong Kong · Est. 2016
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