Entry price
The cost of starting depends heavily on the speed you choose to reach the funded stage. E8 Markets offers the lowest entry price for small accounts, but AquaFunded becomes competitive when you opt for multi-step challenges.
- For a $5,000 account, E8 Markets (One) costs $48, while AquaFunded (1 Step Standard) costs $67.
- For a $100,000 account, E8 Markets (One) is $488, significantly cheaper than AquaFunded’s 1-Step Standard at $527.
- However, AquaFunded offers a 3-Step evaluation for $100,000 at just $377, which is the cheapest way to access that capital if you don't mind the extra phase.
- E8 Markets Pro ($100k) costs $568, a premium price for the privilege of daily payouts.
Lo que pagas mientras operas
Every trade has a friction cost that eats into your drawdown. AquaFunded is slightly cheaper for diversified traders, while E8 Markets penalizes those trading assets beyond Forex.
- Commissions: AquaFunded charges $5 per lot on Forex, Metals, and Energies. E8 Markets matches the $5 on Forex but increases the cost to $6 for Metals, Indices, and Energies.
- Platform costs: Both firms provide MatchTrader, cTrader, and TradeLocker, but E8 Markets charges a +10% fee if you want a Swap-free account, whereas AquaFunded offers them without a specified markup at checkout.
- Leverage: AquaFunded offers up to 100:1 on its 1-Step Flex (evaluation), allowing you to open larger positions with less margin compared to the 30:1 or 50:1 limits at E8 Markets.
What mistakes cost you
In prop trading, the "cost" of a mistake is the distance to your drawdown limit. A trailing drawdown is more expensive than a static one because it "locks in" your losses as you profit.
- Risk flexibility: AquaFunded uses trailing drawdown for most accounts, but their 2-Step Elite and 3-Step plans use static drawdown, which is "cheaper" for the trader because your loss limit doesn't move up with your balance.
- Hard breaches: E8 Markets One has a 4% dynamic drawdown that locks at the initial balance. Their Pro plan has an 8% static drawdown, which is much more forgiving.
- Penalty for errors: AquaFunded has a unique "Wave Stop" rule. If you hit a 2% floating loss, they close your trades and cut your profit split to 50%. It’s a financial penalty that keeps your account alive but makes it much harder to earn.
What it costs to get paid
This is where the math changes in favor of AquaFunded. The cost of being with E8 Markets is the 10% to 20% more profit they keep for themselves.
- Profit Split: AquaFunded gives you 90% by default. E8 Markets starts at 80%, and you have to pay extra at checkout to reach 90% or 100%.
- The Buffer Cost: On E8 Markets Pro, you can get paid daily, but you only receive your share of 50% of the profits; the other 50% must stay in the account as a drawdown buffer. This is a massive opportunity cost.
- Withdrawal Fees: AquaFunded charges a $35 flat fee for Rise payouts over $1,000. E8 Markets has no direct fee but requires high minimums ($250 for Rise).
- Refunds: AquaFunded returns your entry fee after the 4th payout. E8 Markets only offers refunds on the Pro plan.
Where each one hides its cost
- AquaFunded hides its cost in consistency rules. If one trading day accounts for more than 20% to 50% of your profits (depending on the plan), your payout is blocked until you trade more. This delays your income, which is a hidden cost of time.
- E8 Markets hides its cost in the Signature buffer. Before you can even request a payout on the Signature plan, you must leave a profit buffer equal to your maximum drawdown. You are essentially trading for free until that buffer is filled.
Cheapest for whom
- E8 Markets is the cheapest for the aggressive beginner who wants to spend the absolute minimum (under $50) to try a $5k evaluation and wants the psychological boost of daily payouts.
- AquaFunded is the cheapest for the consistent professional who manages large capital ($100k+) and wants to keep the maximum amount of profit (90%) with the lowest commission friction.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper to start a $100,000 account, AquaFunded or E8 Markets?
E8 Markets is cheaper if you choose their "One" 1-step account at $488. AquaFunded is more expensive for a standard 1-step ($527), but it becomes the cheapest option if you are willing to pass a 3-step evaluation, which costs only $377.
Does AquaFunded or E8 Markets offer a better profit split?
AquaFunded offers a superior default profit split of 90% across its accounts. E8 Markets typically starts at 80%, and while you can increase it to 90% or 100%, you must pay an additional fee at the time of purchase to match AquaFunded's standard terms.
Which firm has higher trading commissions, AquaFunded or E8 Markets?
E8 Markets is generally more expensive while trading, charging $6 per lot on Metals, Indices, and Energies. AquaFunded is cheaper for these assets, maintaining a flat rate of $5 per lot (and $0 for Indices), which represents a 16% saving in execution costs for heavy traders.
Who pays faster, AquaFunded or E8 Markets?
E8 Markets is faster if you use the Pro plan, as it allows for daily payouts once you have at least 1% profit. AquaFunded requires a minimum of 14 days for the first payout (or 7 days with a paid add-on), making E8 Markets the winner for traders who prioritize immediate liquidity.
