Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | BrightFunded | E8 Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 80% → 100% | 80% → 100% |
| First Payout | 30 | 14 |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly (weekly add-on available) | On-demand (after 14-day first wait) |
| Max Account Size | $200,000 | $500,000 |
In this independent head-to-head comparison of BrightFunded vs E8 Markets, we break down challenge rules, pricing, profit splits, and payout conditions to help you decide which prop firm is the better fit for your trading style.
BrightFunded: Static Rules. Fast Payouts. Zero Fees.
E8 Markets: $38.9M Paid Out. Forex + Futures + Crypto. Full Customization.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, E8 Markets scores 9.2/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: BrightFunded scores 8.9/10 vs E8 Markets at 9.2/10.
Minimum Fee: BrightFunded starts from €55; E8 Markets starts from $40. E8 Markets is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: BrightFunded offers 80% → 100%; E8 Markets offers 80% → 100%. E8 Markets has the higher split.
Platforms: BrightFunded supports cTrader, MT5, DXtrade; E8 Markets is on MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker, MatchTrader, NinjaTrader, Quantower, TradingView, Sierra Chart.
Tradeable Markets: BrightFunded covers Forex, Crypto, Indices, Commodities (150+ assets); E8 Markets offers Forex, Metals, Indices, Energies, Crypto, CME Futures.
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how BrightFunded and E8 Markets compare on pricing.
BrightFunded challenge fees start from €55. The firm has operated since 2023. They have funded over 27,500+ traders. Total payouts to date: $7M+.
E8 Markets challenge fees start from $40. The firm has operated since 2021. Total payouts to date: $38,900,000+.
On entry-level pricing, E8 Markets offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
BrightFunded profit split: 80% → 100%. E8 Markets profit split: 80% → 100%. E8 Markets delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: BrightFunded pays Bi-weekly (weekly add-on available); E8 Markets pays On-demand (after 14-day first wait). Faster payouts are better for cash flow management.
Here is our full independent review of BrightFunded:
BrightFunded launched in September 2023 with offices in Dubai, Amsterdam, and Warsaw, and has paid out $7M+ to 27,500+ active traders. The firm focuses on a single, well-built evaluation path — a two-phase challenge with static drawdown rules, no consistency requirements, and one of the faster payout processes in the industry (4–8 hours typical, 24-hour maximum guarantee).
Unlike firms that offer 1-step, instant funding, and multiple program types, BrightFunded deliberately keeps its structure simple: one evaluation model, six account sizes, and a clean set of rules. This makes it easy to understand what you’re buying and what’s expected.
BrightFunded suits forex, indices, and multi-asset traders who want predictable, static drawdown rules and no consistency requirements. The static 5%/10% drawdown — which never trails regardless of account growth — means you always know exactly where your limits are. The no-consistency-rule policy means you can make 80% of your profit target in a single trade if your strategy calls for it.
The 30-day wait for the first funded payout and bi-weekly default payout cycle make BrightFunded less suited to traders who need frequent cash flow. If you can absorb that waiting period, the 4–8 hour actual processing time and zero-fee withdrawals are genuinely strong.
BrightFunded offers one evaluation format in six account sizes:
Fees are charged in EUR and are refundable as an optional add-on at checkout (not automatic — you pay extra to guarantee fee refund on your first payout):
BrightFunded’s checkout includes optional upgrades that customise your challenge:
BrightFunded also runs a Trade2Earn loyalty program that awards token rewards for trading activity — an unusual feature in the prop firm space worth monitoring as it develops.
BrightFunded earns a 7.9 BestProp score. The static drawdown rules, zero-fee withdrawals, no-consistency-rule policy, and 4–8 hour payout processing are all genuinely strong features. The 100% profit split after the third scaling event is one of the more generous long-term rewards structures available.
The trade-offs are the 30-day first payout wait, fees charged in EUR (not USD), and the optional rather than automatic fee refund. For traders with a multi-month time horizon who want clean, predictable rules and fast payouts once they’re funded, BrightFunded delivers well above its price point.
Here is our full independent review of E8 Markets:
E8 Markets (originally E8 Funding, founded November 2021) is a US-based prop firm led by CEO Dylan Elchami. In December 2024 the firm launched a dedicated futures division under the E8 Futures brand; that product line has since been absorbed into the main E8 Markets platform as the Signature Futures program — making E8 Markets one of a small number of firms that now covers forex, crypto, and CME futures under a single account dashboard.
The numbers back up its longevity: $38.9M+ paid across 12,772 verified payouts with an average payout of $3,049. Trustpilot sits at 4.3/5 from 3,275 reviews, with 84.8% five-star ratings.
E8 Markets has the broadest product range of any firm we have reviewed — seven distinct program types spanning 1-step, 2-step, 3-step, and instant-style evaluations, with full account customization on the flagship E8 One. This makes it suitable for a wide range of trader profiles: beginners can start at $5,000 with a fixed ruleset; experienced traders can dial in their exact drawdown tolerance and profit split on E8 One; futures traders have the Signature Futures track with NinjaTrader, Quantower, TradingView, and Sierra Chart.
Restricted countries note: E8 Markets restricts 34+ countries including Russia, Iran, North Korea — and notably the UAE. Traders based in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE cannot currently join.
The standout product. Choose your account size ($5K–$500K), drawdown tolerance (4%–14% overall, 3%–9.2% daily), and profit split (80%, 90%, or 100%) at checkout — locked permanently for that account. Single-phase evaluation. Profit target scales with drawdown selection (6%–21%). Intraday dynamic trailing drawdown. Scaling path to $1,000,000. 40% best-day consistency rule on funded accounts. First payout after 14 days; subsequent on-demand with 5 profitable days gate (0.3% daily minimum). Fees $40–$1,627.
Account sizes $25K–$150K, fees $110–$390. 6% profit target. EOD dynamic drawdown (4% overall on $25K/$50K; 3% on $100K/$150K; 2% daily soft pause). Profit split fixed at 80% — no customisation. 35% best-day rule. First payout after 14 days with minimum payout thresholds that step up over time ($1,250 first payout on $50K → $3,250 on payout 5+). Payout caps are a known limitation of this track.
The integrated futures track inherited from the former E8 Futures brand. Same account sizes and fees as Signature Forex ($25K–$150K, $110–$390). 6% profit target. EOD dynamic drawdown capped at 4% overall. 80% profit split. 35% best-day rule. No overnight or weekend holds — all positions must be flat at session close. Instruments: CME Group only — ES, NQ, YM, RTY, CL, GC. Platforms: NinjaTrader, Quantower, TradingView, Sierra Chart. Contract limits: 2–12 mini / 20–120 micro depending on account size.
Same structure and pricing as Signature Forex. EOD dynamic drawdown. 80% split. Leverage capped at 1:2. Platforms: cTrader, MatchTrader, TradeLocker. BTC/USD, ETH/USD, altcoins.
Account sizes $5K–$200K. Two-phase: 8% Phase 1 / 4% Phase 2. Intraday dynamic trailing drawdown customizable 6%–14%. 80% split. 40% best-day rule.
Account sizes $10K–$400K. Three phases: 8% / 4% / 4%. Customizable drawdown 6%–14% overall, 3%–7% daily. 80% split. 40% best-day rule.
Two-phase with equal 5%/5% targets. Customizable 6%–14% drawdown. 80% split. 40% best-day rule.
E8 Markets earns an 8.3 BestProp score. No other single firm in our database matches its program breadth — seven evaluation types, forex/crypto/futures under one roof, full account customization on E8 One, and $38.9M in verified payouts give it a credibility foundation that newer firms simply cannot match yet. The 100% split option on E8 One and the futures track via CME instruments with four platform choices are genuine differentiators.
Trade-offs: Signature’s payout caps are a meaningful restriction for high-balance accounts, the 14-day wait on first payouts is longer than many competitors, and the UAE restriction will exclude a significant portion of the prop trading community. Overall, for traders who want a proven, multi-asset platform with deep customization, E8 Markets is one of the benchmark choices in 2026.
Overall, our independent scoring gives E8 Markets the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If BrightFunded better matches your specific trading style, instruments, or preferred platform, it may still be the right choice for you.
Use our comparison table above and review the challenge fees at both firms before making your final decision. Both offer risk-free evaluation programs — the challenge fee is the only money at risk.
Based on our independent scoring, E8 Markets scores higher overall (9.2/10). The best choice depends on your trading style, preferred instruments, and account size.
E8 Markets offers a lower entry-level challenge fee. However, always compare the full account sizes you plan to trade before deciding purely on price.
E8 Markets offers the higher profit split. BrightFunded: 80% → 100%. E8 Markets: 80% → 100%.
EA policies: BrightFunded — check the review. E8 Markets — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: BrightFunded — check the review. E8 Markets — check the review.
Read the full BrightFunded review → · Read the full E8 Markets review →
Based on our scoring methodology, E8 Markets edges ahead in this comparison. However, the best choice depends on your trading style, preferred platform and account size. Read the full breakdown above for a detailed verdict.
BrightFunded offers 80% → 100% profit split, while E8 Markets offers 80% → 100% profit split. Check each firm's current terms as these can change.
Check our offers page for the latest verified deals on both firms.
BrightFunded processes first payouts in 30 day(s), while E8 Markets takes approximately 14 day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither BrightFunded nor E8 Markets are regulated in the traditional financial sense — prop firms operate as private companies providing traders access to simulated or real capital. Always read the terms and conditions carefully before participating in any prop challenge.
