Topstep vs E8 Markets: prop firm rules compared
At the $50,000 account size, Topstep's evaluation allows a $2,000 max drawdown (end-of-day trailing, locks at breakeven) against E8 Markets' $2,000 (end-of-day trailing, locks at breakeven), with the same $3,000 profit target. Both allow the same dollar drawdown at that size. Payouts are per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency at Topstep and on demand (5 profitable days between payouts; max 4 per signature account) at E8 Markets.
| Rule (evaluation phase) | TSTopstep | E8E8 MarketsE8 Signature (Futures) model |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 account | ||
| Profit target | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Daily loss limit | None | None |
| Max drawdown | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| $100,000 account | ||
| Profit target | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| Daily loss limit | None | None |
| Max drawdown | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| $150,000 account | ||
| Profit target | $9,000 | $9,000 |
| Daily loss limit | None | None |
| Max drawdown | $4,500 | $4,000 |
| Firm-wide | ||
| Drawdown model | End-of-day trailing, locks at breakeven | End-of-day trailing, locks at breakeven |
| Consistency rule | Max 55% of total profit from one day | None |
| Minimum trading days | 2 trading days | None |
| Profit split | 90/10 | 80/20 |
| Payout frequency | Per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency | On demand (5 profitable days between payouts; max 4 per Signature account) |
| Account sizes offered | $50,000 · $100,000 · $150,000 | $25,000 · $50,000 · $100,000 · $150,000 |
| Rules confidence | Rules verified | Rules verified |
E8 Markets figures are for the E8 Signature (Futures) model; it also sells: E8 Zero Starter, E8 Zero Max.
Rules last checked against each firm's own documentation on . Firms change their rules often, so confirm the current terms on Topstep's site and E8 Markets' site. Spotted a rule that changed? Tell us.
Where Topstep and E8 Markets differ
- Trailing floor
- Topstep: Locks at breakeven
- E8 Markets: Locks at breakeven on E8 Signature; keeps trailing on E8 Zero Starter and E8 Zero Max
- Consistency rule
- Topstep: Max 55% of total profit from one day
- E8 Markets: None on E8 Signature; max 40% of total profit from one day on E8 Zero Starter and E8 Zero Max
- Minimum trading days
- Topstep: 2 trading days
- E8 Markets: None on any plan
- Plans sold
- Topstep: One evaluation model
- E8 Markets: 3 plans: E8 Signature, E8 Zero Starter and E8 Zero Max
- Account sizes, all plans
- Topstep: $50K · $100K · $150K
- E8 Markets: $25K · $50K · $100K · $150K · $200K
- Automated trading
- Topstep: Allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account
- E8 Markets: No written answer on record
- Profit split
- Topstep: 90/10
- E8 Markets: 80/20
- Payouts
- Topstep: Per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency
- E8 Markets: On demand (5 profitable days between payouts; max 4 per Signature account)
Topstep and E8 Markets in brief
Topstep
One evaluation, the Trading Combine, traded on TopstepX. Its Maximum Loss Limit trails at end of day and locks at the starting balance. A 55% best-day consistency rule raises the target but never fails the account. The optional daily loss limit pauses trading and is not a violation.
E8 Markets
E8 Signature (Futures) is a one-step evaluation whose "Dynamic" drawdown trails at end of day and locks at the starting balance once closed profit equals the drawdown, with no daily loss limit or consistency rule in the evaluation. E8 Zero Starter and Zero Max trail at end of day without locking during the challenge and have a 40% best-day rule that raises the target. Tradovate only.
How these rules play out
On Topstep and E8 Markets the drawdown trails at end of day: the floor is recalculated once, from the closing balance, so open profit given back during the session does not raise it — but equity touching the floor during the session still counts. For example, at Topstep and E8 Markets a $50,000 account starts with its floor at $48,000, $2,000 under the start.
On Topstep and E8 Markets' E8 Signature plan the trailing floor stops rising once it reaches breakeven and stays there. On E8 Markets' E8 Zero Starter and E8 Zero Max plans it keeps trailing for the whole evaluation.
Topstep and E8 Markets have no daily loss limit, so a losing day is bounded only by the max drawdown.
Topstep starts the trading day at 6:00 PM ET (5:00 PM CT).
A consistency rule caps how much of the total profit one day may carry. Topstep caps any single day at 55% of total profit, so it takes at least 2 profitable days to finish inside the rule. One day may then carry at most $1,650 of a $3,000 target. E8 Markets' E8 Zero Starter and E8 Zero Max plans cap any single day at 40% of total profit, so it takes at least 3 profitable days to finish inside the rule. One day may then carry at most $1,200 of a $3,000 target. E8 Markets' E8 Signature plan applies no consistency rule in the evaluation, so one large day can count in full.
Topstep requires at least 2 trading days before a pass; E8 Markets sets no minimum number of days.
On automated trading — a strategy or bot sending the orders — at Topstep it is allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account; E8 Markets has no written answer on record. Written answers: Topstep (read ).
Choosing between Topstep and E8 Markets
Topstep and E8 Markets differ on 3 of the evaluation rules compared here: trailing floor, consistency rule and minimum trading days. If one or two large days make up most of your profit, the consistency rule sets how fast you can finish: Topstep caps one day at 55% of total profit; E8 Markets caps one day at 40% of total profit on some plans and has no cap on others. To finish in as few sessions as possible, compare the minimum days: Topstep needs at least 2 trading days, E8 Markets sets no minimum.
Once funded, the profit split is 90/10 at Topstep and 80/20 at E8 Markets. Payout terms — Topstep: Per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency; E8 Markets: On demand (5 profitable days between payouts; max 4 per Signature account). Topstep sells one evaluation model; E8 Markets sells 3 plans: E8 Signature, E8 Zero Starter and E8 Zero Max. Each plan carries its own version of the rules above, which is why they are listed plan by plan. If a strategy or bot will send your orders, Topstep's written answer is allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account, and E8 Markets has no written answer on record.
Read both rule sets against your own average day, then confirm the current terms on Topstep's site and E8 Markets' site. PassTraq tracks challenges at both firms using the same rule presets shown here.
Topstep vs E8 Markets: quick answers
Which has the larger drawdown at $50K, Topstep or E8 Markets?
Neither: both allow $2,000 on a $50,000 evaluation (Topstep: end-of-day trailing; E8 Markets: end-of-day trailing).
Does Topstep or E8 Markets have a consistency rule?
Topstep: max 55% of total profit from one day. E8 Markets: none on E8 Signature; max 40% of total profit from one day on E8 Zero Starter and E8 Zero Max.
Which has a daily loss limit, Topstep or E8 Markets?
Neither: both bound a losing day only by the max drawdown.
Can you trade with a bot or strategy at Topstep or E8 Markets?
Topstep: allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account. E8 Markets: no written answer on record.
More comparisons
Rules are sourced from each firm's official help centre and can change without notice — always confirm on the firm's site before buying an evaluation. Where a link is a partner link, it is marked as such.