Entry price
The upfront cost is the first barrier, and here E8 Markets leads with more aggressive pricing across its different models.
- $50,000 account: E8 Markets offers the Signature plan for $150 or the One plan for $288, while Crypto Fund Trader charges $369 for its 1-Phase evaluation.
- $100,000 account: E8 Markets (One) costs $488. Crypto Fund Trader (1-Phase) costs $619.
- $200,000 account: E8 Markets (One) costs $798. Crypto Fund Trader (1-Phase) costs $1,199.
- Instant Funding: Crypto Fund Trader is the only one offering this, costing $475 for a $10,000 account with no evaluation.
- Refunds: E8 Markets offers refundable fees on its Pro plan, whereas Crypto Fund Trader does not mention a refund policy for its standard evaluations.
What you pay while trading
Operating costs are dictated by commissions and the price of "extras" that improve your odds.
- Forex Commissions: Both firms charge a standard $5 per lot.
- Crypto Commissions: E8 Markets is cheaper at 0.035% per side, compared to 0.065% at Crypto Fund Trader.
- Other Assets: Crypto Fund Trader allows trading Stocks at 0.004% commission, an asset class not available at E8 Markets.
- Add-ons: Crypto Fund Trader allows you to "buy" better conditions, such as a 90% profit split for a +20% price increase or weekly payouts for another +20%. E8 Markets offers a swap-free option for a +10% fee.
What mistakes cost you
In this industry, the cost of a mistake is the loss of the account and the fee paid.
- Drawdown "Tax": E8 Markets (One) has a very tight maximum drawdown of 4%, meaning you have less room to be wrong before losing your investment. Crypto Fund Trader (1-Phase) offers 6%, giving you 50% more "equity" for your money.
- Resets: If you fail a funded account at Crypto Fund Trader, a reset for a $50,000 account costs $1,140. E8 Markets does not have a specific reset price but offers a 10% discount on your next purchase.
- Inactivity: E8 Markets will close your account if you don't trade for 60 days, a hidden cost for swing traders that Crypto Fund Trader does not apply.
What it costs to get paid
Getting your money out isn't free, and both firms have different ways of taxing your success.
- Payout Fees: Crypto Fund Trader charges a 5% processing fee on all crypto payouts. On a $1,000 profit, you lose $50 just for the transfer. E8 Markets does not charge a specific payout fee.
- Profit Sharing: Both start at 80%. However, E8 Markets (Pro) allows you to choose up to a 100% split at checkout, while Crypto Fund Trader caps it at 90% via a paid add-on.
- The "Buffer" Cost: E8 Markets (Signature) requires you to leave a profit buffer equal to your dynamic drawdown before you can withdraw. This means your first few thousand dollars of profit are "locked" and cannot be spent.
Where each one hides its cost
Crypto Fund Trader hides its cost in the exit: the 5% crypto payout fee and the higher initial purchase price are significant. However, they are more transparent with risk, offering static or trailing drawdown that is easier to manage.
E8 Markets hides its cost in the difficulty of the rules. The 4% max drawdown on the One account is one of the tightest in the market, making it statistically more likely that you will lose the account (and your entry fee) compared to the 6% or 10% limits at Crypto Fund Trader.
Cheapest for whom
- E8 Markets is the cheapest for experienced traders who can operate within tight risk limits and want the lowest possible entry price.
- Crypto Fund Trader is the cheapest for crypto and stock traders who need more drawdown room and are willing to pay a higher entry fee to avoid being liquidated by a small market spike.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper to start a $100k challenge, Crypto Fund Trader or E8 Markets?
E8 Markets is significantly cheaper, as its One evaluation costs $488, while the 1-Phase evaluation at Crypto Fund Trader costs $619. This represents a saving of $131 at the moment of purchase.
Which firm has higher trading commissions for crypto, Crypto Fund Trader or E8 Markets?
Crypto Fund Trader is more expensive for crypto traders, charging a 0.065% commission. E8 Markets charges 0.035%, which is nearly half the cost per trade compared to its competitor.
Which firm charges more to withdraw profits, Crypto Fund Trader or E8 Markets?
Crypto Fund Trader is more expensive to get paid because it applies a 5% processing fee on all crypto payouts. E8 Markets does not charge a withdrawal fee, although some of its accounts require leaving a profit buffer before the first payout.
Which firm allows more room for errors in their 1-phase accounts, Crypto Fund Trader or E8 Markets?
Crypto Fund Trader is more forgiving, offering a 6% maximum drawdown in its 1-Phase account. In contrast, the E8 Markets One account only allows a 4% maximum drawdown, making it much easier to lose the account during a period of drawdown.
