Apex Trader Funding vs E8 Markets

Starting costs are not ranked because an activation fee is unknown. Apex Trader Funding charges $25 one-time plus a $79 activation fee. E8 Markets charges $150 one-time.

Apex Trader Funding uses Intraday Trailing drawdown at 4%, while E8 Markets uses EOD Trailing drawdown at 4% ($2,000 buffer once locked at initial). Apex Trader Funding uses intraday trailing, the strictest type — your floor moves in real time with every tick of profit. E8 Markets's EOD trailing only adjusts at market close, giving intraday profits a safer cushion. Lock behavior differs: Apex Trader Funding — trails indefinitely, while E8 Markets — locks at $50,000 after $2,000 profit.

No timing winner is declared until both selected paths have formula-ready public evidence. Apex Trader Funding: Missing public evidence: Selected Economic Product. E8 Markets: Missing public evidence: Selected Economic Product.

Payout details vary by tier. Check individual firm pages for full breakdown.

When comparing withdrawal frequency, the gap between payouts matters. Apex Trader Funding requires 5 profitable trading days between each withdrawal, while E8 Markets requires 5 profitable trading days. At 20 trading days per month, that means Apex Trader Funding can request roughly 4 payouts per month versus E8 Markets's 4.

E8 Markets requires clearing a buffer zone before your first payout — you must earn above your starting balance plus the drawdown amount before any withdrawal is allowed. Apex Trader Funding has no buffer requirement, meaning payouts are available from day one.

Apex Trader Funding requires 5 trading days between payout requests. E8 Markets's minimum trading day gap between payouts is not stated.

To count as a qualifying day toward payouts, Apex Trader Funding requires at least $200 in daily profit, while E8 Markets requires $150. The lower bar at E8 Markets is easier to meet on choppy trading days.

E8 Markets caps any single trading day at 35% of your payout cycle's total profit — designed to encourage consistent performance rather than one-hit profits. Apex Trader Funding's best-day cap is not stated.

Apex Trader Funding requires a minimum account balance of $52,600 before you can request a payout. E8 Markets's minimum balance requirement is not stated.

Apex Trader Funding requires at least $52,100 to remain in the account after each withdrawal, limiting how much you can take out at once. E8 Markets's post-withdrawal balance floor is not stated.

Apex Trader Funding caps funded accounts at 6 payouts before requiring a transition to a live account. E8 Markets's maximum payout count is not stated.

Both firms require a safety net before payouts: Apex Trader Funding at $2,100 and E8 Markets at $2,000. You must build this buffer above your starting balance before requesting your first withdrawal.

Apex Trader Funding caps each withdrawal at $3,000 per request. E8 Markets's per-request cap is not stated.

Apex Trader Funding has an account closure trigger: total_payouts: 6. E8 Markets's account closure trigger is not stated.

E8 Markets is more flexible overall. Copy trading: allowed at E8 Markets but restricted at Apex Trader Funding. Both require flat-by deadlines: Apex Trader Funding at 4:59 PM ET, E8 Markets at 3:10 PM CT.

Both firms work well for day traders. Apex Trader Funding is a stronger fit for budget traders (starting at $19.9). Explore all trading styles to see which firms match your approach.

Based on $500/day profit, 20 trading days/month, 55% win rate

E8 Markets: activation fee unknown (unknown_activation_fee): the cost total is incomplete until the fee is known. E8 Markets projects $8,125/mo more in funded earnings.

Overall, Apex Trader Funding scores higher (68 vs 50) on our trader-friendliness index. Key advantages: more lenient consistency rules. That said, E8 Markets wins on more forgiving drawdown rules, fewer trading restrictions, no account closure limit. See the full glossary to understand any unfamiliar terms, or explore trading styles to find the best firm for your approach.