Executive Summary: At a Glance
| Feature | Alpha Capital Group (Alpha One-step) | E8 Markets (E8 One) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 10% | 10% | Tie |
| Max Daily Loss | 4% | 4% | Tie |
| Max Overall Loss | 6% (Balance-Based) | 6% (Trailing) | Alpha Capital Group |
| Min. Trading Days | None | None | Tie |
| Leverage | Up to 1:30 | Up to 1:30 | Tie |
| Profit Split | 80% | 80% (Customizable up to 100%) | E8 Markets |
| News Trading (Funded) | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Tie |
| Payouts | On-demand (Min. 2% profit & 50% consistency) | On-demand (No minimum profit) | E8 Markets |
| Scaling Plan | Yes (10% profit) | Yes | Tie |
| Broker | In-house (ACG Markets) | Partner (Virtual Markets / Tier-1 LP) | Depends on Preference |
| Trustpilot | 4.6/5 (Excellent) | 4.3/5 (Excellent) | Alpha Capital Group |
| Key Strength | Simpler, Balance-Based drawdown. | Customizable rules & higher potential profit split. | N/A |
Detailed Comparison: Instant Funding Programs
Let’s break down the key differences that will impact your choice.
1. The Most Critical Difference: Drawdown Type
This is the single most important factor in choosing between these two.
- Alpha Capital Group (Alpha One-step): Uses a Balance-Based Drawdown.
- Your Maximum Loss (6%) is calculated from your initial account balance.
- Example: On a $100,000 account, your max loss is always $6,000 ($100,000 * 6%). If you grow your account to $110,000, your loss limit is still calculated from the starting $100,000. This is a static and more forgiving model.
- E8 Markets (E8 One): Uses a Trailing Drawdown.
- Your Maximum Loss (6%) is a trailing figure based on your highest achieved equity.
- Example: On a $100,000 account, your starting loss limit is $94,000. If you make a $5,000 profit, your new equity high is $105,000, and your new loss limit trails up to $98,700 ($105,000 * 94%). This is a dynamic and more challenging model, as your safety net rises with your profits.
Verdict: If you prefer a predictable, static safety net, ACG’s balance-based drawdown is significantly easier to manage. If you are a consistently profitable trader who doesn’t give back profits, the trailing drawdown may not be an issue.
2. Profit Split & Customization
- Alpha Capital Group: Offers a fixed, but very competitive 80% profit split. There is no option to change this.
- E8 Markets: Offers a default 80% profit split, but this is part of their customizable program. You can choose to lower your profit split (e.g., to 40%) in exchange for easier trading rules (e.g., a higher Max Daily Loss or Max Trailing Loss). You can also choose a higher split, up to 100%.
Verdict: E8 Markets wins on flexibility. If you want to tailor the challenge to your specific trading style or aim for a 90-100% profit split, E8 is the only option.
3. Payout Conditions
- Alpha Capital Group: The first payout is on-demand but has two conditions: a minimum of 2% total profit and a minimum consistency score of 50% (meaning no single day can account for more than 50% of your total profits).
- E8 Markets: The first payout is on-demand with no minimum profit requirement. You can withdraw any amount you make from day one.
Verdict: E8 Markets has a clear advantage here, offering more immediate and flexible access to your profits without extra conditions.
4. Broker & Platform
- Alpha Capital Group: Uses their own in-house broker, ACG Markets. This can be a pro or con. It means tighter integration and potentially better support, but some traders prefer the transparency of a well-known, independent third-party broker.
- E8 Markets: Partners with established entities like Virtual Markets and a tier-1 liquidity provider. They offer a wider range of platforms, including cTrader, MatchTrader, and TradeLocker.
Verdict: This is subjective. If you trust a firm that controls the entire process, ACG is good. If you prefer trading with a recognized broker on platforms like cTrader or TradeLocker, E8 Markets is the better choice.
Overall Conclusion & Recommendation
Both firms are highly reputable with excellent Trustpilot scores and realistic profit targets for their one-step programs. Your choice depends entirely on your trading style and preferences.
Choose Alpha Capital Group’s Alpha One-step Challenge if:
- You are highly risk-averse and want the security of a balance-based drawdown. This is the biggest reason to choose ACG.
- You prefer a simple, fixed set of rules without the paradox of choice.
- You are comfortable trading with a prop firm’s in-house broker.
Choose E8 Markets’ E8 One if:
- You are comfortable with and understand the implications of a trailing drawdown.
- You value flexibility and want to customize your profit split and trading rules.
- You want the most accessible payouts with no minimum profit requirement.
- You prefer trading with a third-party broker on platforms like cTrader or TradeLocker.
Quick Comparison to FTMO (As Requested)
Since you mentioned FTMO, here’s how these instant funding models differ from FTMO’s traditional two-step:
| Feature | FTMO (Traditional) | Alpha Capital Group (One-step) | E8 Markets (One-step) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Process | 2-Step (Challenge + Verification) | 1-Step (Single Phase) | 1-Step (Single Phase) |
| Time to Funded | Slower (Must pass two phases) | Faster (One phase only) | Faster (One phase only) |
| Overall Risk | Standard (5% Daily, 10% Max) | Higher (4% Daily, 6% Max) | Higher (4% Daily, 6% Trailing) |
| Drawdown Type | Balance-Based | Balance-Based | Trailing |
In short: Instant funding programs like those from ACG and E8 offer a faster path to a funded account but typically have tighter risk constraints (lower drawdowns) compared to the industry-standard two-step model pioneered by FTMO. They trade a longer process for stricter, immediate risk management.
Alpha Capital Group vs. E8 Markets: Overall Champion Comparison
This comparison will focus on their most popular programs: ACG’s Alpha Pro (2-step) and E8’s E8 Classic (2-step), along with their unique offerings.
Head-to-Head Summary Table
| Feature | Alpha Capital Group | E8 Markets | Winner & Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Vibe | Streamlined & Consistent. Fewer, clearer options. Strong in-house control. | Flexible & Customizable. A “choose-your-own-adventure” approach with more paths. | Depends on preference. ACG for simplicity; E8 for flexibility. |
| Best 2-Step Program | Alpha Pro Challenge (8% / 5% target) | E8 Classic (8% / 4% target) | E8 Markets (Slight Edge). The 4% Phase 2 target is easier, and no minimum trading days is a major advantage. |
| Best 1-Step Program | Alpha One-step (10% target) | E8 One (10% target) | Split Decision. ACG for its Balance-Based drawdown. E8 for its customizable rules and no-minimum payouts. |
| Unique Programs | Alpha Three-step (8%/4%/4%) | E8 Track (Three-step, very affordable) & E8 Pro (Daily Profit Cap model) | E8 Markets. Offers more variety, including a very budget-friendly three-step path. |
| Drawdown (Standard) | Balance-Based (Easier to manage) | Equity-Based (More challenging) | Alpha Capital Group. Their consistent use of balance-based drawdown is a significant benefit for traders. |
| Profit Split | 80% Fixed (Simple and competitive) | Up to 100% Customizable (You can trade easier rules for a lower split) | E8 Markets. The flexibility is unmatched, allowing traders to tailor the challenge to their style. |
| Time Limits | No Maximum period on all challenges. | No Maximum period on all challenges. | Tie. Both are excellent for traders who dislike time pressure. |
| Minimum Trading Days | 3 Days (On most programs) | None (On most programs, except E8 Pro) | E8 Markets. A clear advantage, allowing you to pass an evaluation in a single day if you’re profitable. |
| Payout Speed (Funded) | First payout in 14 calendar days. | First payout in 8 calendar days (E8 Classic/Track). | E8 Markets. Getting paid twice as fast is a huge plus. |
| Broker & Platform | In-house (ACG Markets) on MT5, cTrader, DXtrade. | Partner Brokers (Virtual Markets, Tier-1 LP) on MT5, cTrader, MatchTrader, TradeLocker. | E8 Markets. Offers more choice, including the modern TradeLocker platform. |
| Trustpilot Score | 4.6/5 (Exceptional, from ~11k reviews) | 4.3/5 (Excellent, from ~2.6k reviews) | Alpha Capital Group. A slightly higher score from a larger volume of reviews indicates very strong user satisfaction. |
| Trading Instruments | Forex, Commodities, Indices | Forex, Commodities, Indices, Cryptocurrencies | E8 Markets. The addition of cryptocurrencies is a key differentiator for crypto traders. |
| Commission Fees | Zero Commission | $3 per lot (per side) | Alpha Capital Group. A major cost-saving advantage, especially for high-frequency or scalping strategies. |
Who Should Choose Which Firm?
Choose Alpha Capital Group if:
- You value simplicity and consistency over endless customization.
- The security of a Balance-Based Drawdown is your top priority. This is ACG’s killer feature.
- You are a high-volume trader (scalper) and want to avoid commission fees.
- You are impressed by a stellar and well-established Trustpilot reputation.
- You are comfortable with a slightly longer wait for your first payout (14 days).
Best For: Traders who want a straightforward, reputable firm with trader-friendly, balance-based rules and zero commissions.
Choose E8 Markets if:
- You want maximum flexibility and the ability to customize your challenge rules and profit split.
- You want the fastest path to a payout (8 days for standard accounts).
- You want no minimum trading day requirements so you can pass an evaluation as quickly as you are able.
- You trade cryptocurrencies.
- You prefer having a choice of brokers and platforms, including modern ones like TradeLocker.
- You are on a budget and want to explore their very affordable E8 Track program.
Best For: Traders who want flexibility, faster payouts, no minimum trading days, and access to crypto, and who don’t mind equity-based/trailing drawdowns or paying commissions.
This is a clash between two excellent but philosophically different prop firms.
- For the Risk-Averse, Simple Seeker: Alpha Capital Group is the winner. Their commitment to balance-based drawdowns across all programs makes risk management fundamentally easier and is a massive point in their favor. Combined with zero commissions and a top-tier Trustpilot score, they offer a very secure and attractive package.
- For the Flexible, Fast-Paced Trader: E8 Markets is the winner. Their “builder” style platform, lack of minimum trading days, and incredibly fast 8-day payout cycle are powerful features. If you want to design your own challenge and get funded and paid quickly, E8 provides the tools to do so.
Recommendation: Your choice should hinge on the drawdown model. If the thought of a trailing/equity-based drawdown makes you nervous, go with Alpha Capital Group. If you’re confident in your ability to grow an account without violating a trailing drawdown and want the other flexible benefits, go with E8 Markets.
