Short answer: this page compares FTMO, the nine-year industry benchmark with 200,000+ funded traders; E8 Markets, a US-based firm (founded 2021) known for customizable challenge parameters and a large public payout history; and WICK Funded, a newer, explicitly simulated firm built around an in-house terminal and a native AI-agent connection. Here's how the rules and economics actually compare.
What E8 Markets, FTMO and WICK Funded actually are
All three run the standard evaluation model: pay a fee, hit a profit target inside the risk rules, get a funded account, keep a profit split. FTMO has operated since 2015, the longest-running major name in the category, with a 4.8/5 score across 20,800+ reviews. E8 Markets launched in 2021 and has paid out $68M+ to 18,900+ traders, with a 4.3/5 Trustpilot score across 3,200+ reviews. WICK Funded launched in 2026 as an explicitly simulated firm, stated plainly, running on its own purpose-built terminal.
E8 Markets vs FTMO vs WICK Funded: the comparison table
| E8 Markets | FTMO | WICK Funded | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2021 | 2015 | 2026 |
| Trustpilot | 4.3/5 (3,200+) | 4.8/5 (20,800+) | Building |
| Cheapest entry | ~$40 (E8 One $5K, often discounted) | ~€155 ($10K) | $49 (10K 2-Step) |
| $100K challenge price | ~$260 (Signature line, varies) | ~€540 | $319 (2-Step) |
| Evaluation model | E8 One (1-step, selectable), Signature, Classic/Track | 2-Step (+ Swing add-on) | 1-Step, 2-Step, Instant Funded |
| Profit split | 80% standard, up to 100% selectable (E8 One) | 80% → 90% | 80% → 95% |
| Max drawdown | Selectable 4-14%, intraday trailing or EOD | Standard fixed rules | 5-6% static (fixed from initial balance) |
| Platform | MT5, cTrader, MatchTrader, TradeLocker, Tradovate | MT4 / MT5 / cTrader / DXtrade | In-house web + mobile terminal |
| AI agent connection | AI integration in own terminal | No | Yes — public API + one-click MCP |
Last checked: October 2026 — confirm on each firm's site.
Where the three firms actually differ
Customization. E8 Markets' E8 One line lets you select your own target, drawdown and even profit split up to 100% — a level of personalization neither FTMO's standardized 2-Step process nor WICK's fixed-rule tracks offer.
Track record and trust signals. FTMO has four more years of history than E8 Markets, a much larger review base, and a higher Trustpilot score. WICK is the newest of the three, launched in 2026 with a Trustpilot profile still building.
Asset breadth. E8 Markets covers forex, indices, metals, commodities, stocks, crypto and futures — the broadest menu of the three. FTMO is forex/CFD-centered; WICK focuses on forex, metals, crypto and oil.
Drawdown mechanics. E8 Markets' drawdown is selectable and trailing by product. WICK uses a static 5-6% max drawdown fixed from your initial balance, which doesn't move against you as equity grows — a tighter ceiling but a more predictable floor than E8's trailing model. FTMO's rules are fixed per account type.
Price at the $100K tier. WICK's $319 2-Step and E8's roughly $260 Signature line both run well below FTMO's roughly €540, though all three run promotional pricing that can shift the comparison.
Platform and tooling. FTMO and E8 Markets both run on multiple third-party platforms. WICK runs its own in-house web and mobile terminal with real-time P&L, drag-to-modify SL/TP and a built-in AI coach — a different trading experience, at the cost of leaving behind MetaTrader, cTrader or Tradovate tools.
AI and automation. E8 Markets has some AI integration within its own terminal. FTMO has no first-party API or AI connection. WICK publishes a documented REST API and a one-click MCP connection built specifically for Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor to trade on an account directly — a more complete AI-agent setup than either competitor.
Which one should you pick?
Pick E8 Markets if you want to dial in your own risk parameters, asset mix and split rather than accept a fixed structure. Pick FTMO if you want the most-tested, most-widely-discussed process in the industry, with the deepest pool of shared trader experience. Pick WICK Funded if you want a modern in-house terminal with a built-in AI coach, a tighter static drawdown, and full native AI-agent support — and you're comfortable with a brand-new firm that hasn't built either competitor's multi-year history yet.
Ready to see the rules for yourself? Start the 2-Step Challenge.
FAQ
Which has the longest track record? FTMO, operating since 2015 versus E8 Markets' 2021 launch and WICK's 2026 launch — the biggest gap of the three.
Which offers the most customizable challenges? E8 Markets, particularly through its E8 One line, which lets you select target, drawdown and profit-split parameters. WICK and FTMO both use fixed rule sets per track.
Which is cheapest for a $100K account? E8 Markets and WICK both run meaningfully cheaper than FTMO at this tier, though promotional pricing on all three changes often.
Does any of the three offer futures? E8 Markets does, as part of a broader asset menu. Neither FTMO nor WICK offers futures — both are forex/CFD-focused.
Can I connect an AI agent to trade on any of these firms? WICK Funded offers the most complete setup — a public REST API plus a native one-click MCP connection. E8 Markets has some AI integration within its own terminal. FTMO has no first-party API or AI connection at all.
Simulated trading evaluation — no real funds are traded. Not financial advice.