| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| EOD trailing drawdown during evaluation — intraday dips don't kill you | Subscription-based pricing adds up if you need multiple months to pass |
| TCP free monthly resets save $100+ per failed attempt | 30% consistency rule is tighter than most competitors (40-50%) |
| Scaling path to $400K with static drawdown at $200K level | No overnight holding — all positions must close by 3:50 PM CT |
| 4.7/5 Trustpilot from 4,500+ reviews — strongest reputation in futures | Drawdown switches to intraday trailing on Live accounts (tighter than eval) |
| 15+ supported platforms including NinjaTrader free during eval | 8.89% pass rate — legitimately difficult evaluation |
My Experience
Earn2Trade has been around since 2016. That's ancient by prop firm standards — most of these companies launched in 2022 or later and half of them have already disappeared. When I started digging into the futures prop space, Earn2Trade kept showing up in every "still paying traders after years" conversation. The educational angle initially made me skeptical — I've seen too many firms hide behind courses while the actual funding product is garbage. But the Trader Career Path structure genuinely solves a problem most competitors ignore: what happens after you pass?
Most firms hand you a funded account and say "good luck." Earn2Trade gives you a roadmap. Pass at $25K, scale to $50K, then $100K, then $200K, then potentially $400K through custom offers. Each level comes with fresh balance and more drawdown. That's not marketing — it's a real progression system that rewards consistency over months, not just one lucky evaluation week.
The Numbers That Actually Matter
Here's what I found tracking the details across multiple evaluation cycles. The $50K Gauntlet Mini requires a $3,000 profit target with $2,000 EOD trailing drawdown and $1,100 daily loss limit. You get 6 contracts max. At $190/month for TCP50 or $170/month for GAU50, you're paying roughly $6/day for access to $50K in simulated capital. Not cheap — but cheaper than blowing $3,000 of your own money learning the same lessons.
The 8.89% pass rate for 2025 tells you something important: this evaluation isn't designed for everyone to pass. Compare that to firms advertising "30% pass rates" that conveniently don't mention how many funded traders actually survive to payout. Of the traders who passed Earn2Trade and got funded, 18% had at least one withdrawal. That's real data they publish voluntarily. Most firms won't touch that metric.
The $139 LiveSim activation fee gets deducted from your first payout — not paid upfront. If you go Live instead, you skip the activation fee but pay roughly $135/month in exchange data fees. The math: LiveSim is better for most traders unless you're planning to stay funded for 6+ months.
What Actually Impressed Me
The EOD drawdown during evaluation is the killer feature. I've blown accounts at other firms because NQ spiked 40 points against me at 10:30 AM, triggered intraday trailing drawdown, and by 2 PM I would have been fine. Earn2Trade's EOD calculation means that dip doesn't count against your drawdown unless you close the day underwater. That breathing room changes how you trade.
Platform flexibility is legitimately excellent. NinjaTrader and Finamark are free during evaluation. But you can also use R|Trader, R|Trader Pro, Overcharts, and a dozen other options. If you're married to a specific platform, Earn2Trade probably supports it. Most newer futures firms lock you into ProjectX or their proprietary solution.
The free monthly reset on TCP subscriptions is underrated. Blow your account on day 25? Your subscription renews on day 30 and you get a fresh start automatically. At competitors, that reset costs $75-$150. Over 3-4 failed attempts, that savings compounds fast.
My Honest Concerns
The drawdown model shift from evaluation to funded is the biggest gotcha. During eval, you get friendly EOD trailing. Once funded on a Live account, it switches to intraday trailing based on open equity. That's a significant tightening. Traders who passed the eval trading aggressively through intraday dips suddenly find themselves breaching on Live because the drawdown now tracks every tick.
The 30% consistency rule is tighter than I'd like. Most competitors use 40% or even 50%. At 30%, you need very evenly distributed profits across your minimum 10 trading days. One monster day that accounts for more than 30% of your total profit means you can't pass until you build enough other winning days to dilute it. For traders with a "wait for the A+ setup" approach who might only trade 2-3 days per week, this rule forces artificial activity.
No overnight holding eliminates swing trading entirely. All positions must close by 3:50 PM CT. If your strategy involves holding through overnight sessions or catching gap moves, Earn2Trade isn't your firm. Full stop.
Account Types & Pricing
| Feature | TCP 25K | TCP 50K | TCP 100K | GAU 50K | GAU 100K | GAU 150K | GAU 200K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $150 | $190 | $350 | $170 | $315 | $350 | $550 |
| Profit Target | $1,750 | $3,000 | $6,000 | $3,000 | $6,000 | $9,000 | $12,000 |
| EOD Drawdown | $1,500 | $2,000 | $3,500 | $2,000 | $3,500 | $4,500 | $6,000 |
| Daily Loss Limit | $500 | $1,100 | $2,200 | $1,100 | $2,200 | $3,300 | $4,500 |
| Max Contracts | 3 | 6 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 15 | 20 |
| Free Reset | ✅ Monthly | ✅ Monthly | ✅ Monthly | ❌ $100 | ❌ $100 | ❌ $130 | ❌ $155 |
| Scales To | $200K → $400K | $400K | $400K | Stays at size | Stays at size | Stays at size | Stays at size |
| Best For | Budget builders | ⭐ Best value TCP | Fast scalers | Quick funding | ⭐ Best GAU value | Experienced | Confident traders |
My take: TCP 50K is the sweet spot for most traders. You get the scaling path, free monthly resets, and the $190/month is manageable. If you're already profitable and just want the capital, GAU 100K at $315/month gets you funded at your chosen size immediately without a progression ladder.
The $200K Gauntlet Mini at $550/month only makes sense if you're confident you'll pass within 1-2 months — otherwise the subscription costs eat you alive.
Trading Rules You Need To Know
| Rule | Evaluation | Funded (LiveSim/Live) | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drawdown Type | EOD trailing (friendly) | LiveSim: EOD trailing / Live: Intraday trailing | 🔴 Critical |
| Daily Loss Limit | Account-specific hard cap | Same caps; can be removed at $200K+ | 🔴 Critical |
| Consistency Rule | 30% — no single day > 30% of total profit | Same 30% rule applies | 🟡 High |
| Min Trading Days | 10 days minimum | No minimum | 🟡 High |
| Position Limits | Progression ladder (increases with balance) | Same progression ladder | 🟡 High |
| Trading Hours | Must close all by 3:50 PM CT | Same — close by 3:50 PM CT | 🟡 High |
| Overnight Holding | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ Not allowed | 🟡 High |
| Profit Split | N/A | 80/20 (trader keeps 80%) | 🟢 Medium |
| Copy Trading | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ Not allowed | 🟢 Medium |
| News Trading | Allowed during eval | Restricted on some Live accounts | 🟢 Medium |
| Static Drawdown | Not available during eval | Unlocked at $200K TCP level | 🟢 Medium |
| Min Payout | N/A | $100 ($239 first time on LiveSim to cover activation) | 🟢 Low |
The drawdown shift is the trap most traders miss.
During eval, you can survive a $1,500 intraday dip on a $50K account because EOD only checks your closing balance. On a Live funded account, that same $1,500 dip triggers intraday trailing drawdown in real-time. I've seen traders who passed eval in 12 days breach their Live account in 3 because they didn't adjust their sizing for the tighter drawdown. If you pass on LiveSim, you keep the EOD calculation — another reason LiveSim is often the smarter choice initially.
Consistency rule strategy:
With a $3,000 target on the $50K and 30% consistency, your best day can't exceed $900 if you want to pass with minimum days. My approach: target $250-$350 per day over 10-15 sessions. Boring but effective. If you accidentally have a $1,200 day early, don't panic — just keep trading smaller to build enough cumulative profit that $1,200 drops below 30%.
Platforms You Can Trade With
| Platform | Cost During Eval | Best For | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐ NinjaTrader | Free | DOM trading, order flow, automation | Desktop only, learning curve |
| Finamark | Free (+ 90 days post-eval) | Clean charting, simple execution | Less advanced than NT |
| R|Trader / R|Trader Pro | Included | Rithmic-native execution | Basic charting |
| Overcharts | 60-day free trial | Volume analysis, market profile | Paid after trial |
Tradeable products: CME, COMEX, NYMEX, and CBOT futures only. That covers ES, NQ, YM, RTY, CL, GC, SI, ZB, ZN, HG, and the full micro suite (MES, MNQ, MYM, etc.). No forex, no stocks, no crypto. If you trade anything outside CME group exchanges, Earn2Trade isn't your firm.
My recommendation: NinjaTrader for anyone serious about futures. It's free during eval, has the deepest DOM tools, and the indicator ecosystem is massive. Most funded futures traders I know land on NinjaTrader eventually — might as well start there.
Strategy to Regular Payouts
Attacking the Trader Career Path
TCP50 is where I'd put most traders. The $3,000 target with $2,000 drawdown gives you a 1.5:1 target-to-drawdown ratio. Not generous, but workable. Here's the math that matters: at 6 contracts max on /MNQ ($2/point), a 25-point winner = $300. Hit that 10 times across 10+ days and you're funded. The consistency rule means you need to spread those wins — no $1,000 day followed by nine $200 days.
The real power of TCP is what happens after you pass. Hit your $3,000 target on TCP50, withdraw, and you get upgraded to a fresh $100K account. New balance, more drawdown, bigger contract limits. Keep hitting targets and withdrawing, and you scale through $150K and $200K — where static drawdown unlocks and the game changes completely.
Engineering the Consistency Rule
At 30%, you need at minimum 4 winning days to dilute any single day's contribution below the threshold (if profits are roughly equal). My approach: trade small the first 3-4 days to establish a base of consistent profits, then you have room to push a bit harder on day 5+ without blowing the consistency ratio. The worst thing you can do is smash a big winner on day 1 — you've now handcuffed yourself for the rest of the evaluation.
The LiveSim vs. Live Decision
This matters more than most traders realize. LiveSim keeps EOD trailing drawdown (same as eval), activates within 2 business days, and costs a one-time $139 from your first payout. Live switches to intraday trailing drawdown, takes up to 10 days to set up with full brokerage paperwork, and costs $135/month in data fees.
94.77% of funded Earn2Trade traders choose LiveSim. They're not stupid. EOD drawdown is a massive advantage. Only switch to Live once you've proven you can handle intraday trailing and want the "real" CME designation — or once your monthly profits consistently exceed $135 to justify the data fees.
Building the Long-Term Scaling Plan
TCP scaling roadmap for a TCP50 start: Pass eval → $50K LiveSim → hit $3,000 target, withdraw → upgraded to $100K → hit target, withdraw → $150K → hit target, withdraw → $200K (static drawdown unlocks) → hit target → eligible for $400K custom offer. Realistic timeline? 8-14 months for a consistently profitable trader. Most people never make it past the $100K level. But the ones who do have a real business.
My Strategy To Regular Payouts
TCP50 is where I'd put most traders. The $3,000 target with $2,000 drawdown gives you a 1.5:1 target-to-drawdown ratio. Not generous, but workable. Here's the math that matters: at 6 contracts max on /MNQ ($2/point), a 25-point winner = $300. Hit that 10 times across 10+ days and you're funded. The consistency rule means you need to spread those wins — no $1,000 day followed by nine $200 days.
The real power of TCP is what happens after you pass. Hit your $3,000 target on TCP50, withdraw, and you get upgraded to a fresh $100K account. New balance, more drawdown, bigger contract limits. Keep hitting targets and withdrawing, and you scale through $150K and $200K — where static drawdown unlocks and the game changes completely.
Engineering the Consistency Rule
At 30%, you need at minimum 4 winning days to dilute any single day's contribution below the threshold (if profits are roughly equal). My approach: trade small the first 3-4 days to establish a base of consistent profits, then you have room to push a bit harder on day 5+ without blowing the consistency ratio. The worst thing you can do is smash a big winner on day 1 — you've now handcuffed yourself for the rest of the evaluation.
The LiveSim vs. Live Decision
This matters more than most traders realize. LiveSim keeps EOD trailing drawdown (same as eval), activates within 2 business days, and costs a one-time $139 from your first payout. Live switches to intraday trailing drawdown, takes up to 10 days to set up with full brokerage paperwork, and costs $135/month in data fees.
94.77% of funded Earn2Trade traders choose LiveSim. They're not stupid. EOD drawdown is a massive advantage. Only switch to Live once you've proven you can handle intraday trailing and want the "real" CME designation — or once your monthly profits consistently exceed $135 to justify the data fees.
Building the Long-Term Scaling Plan
TCP scaling roadmap for a TCP50 start: Pass eval → $50K LiveSim → hit $3,000 target, withdraw → upgraded to $100K → hit target, withdraw → $150K → hit target, withdraw → $200K (static drawdown unlocks) → hit target → eligible for $400K custom offer. Realistic timeline? 8-14 months for a consistently profitable trader. Most people never make it past the $100K level. But the ones who do have a real business.
Trust & Legitimacy: What You Need To Know
Earn2Trade launched in 2016. They've survived the great prop firm culling of 2023-2024, the CFTC crackdowns, and multiple market cycles. That longevity isn't accidental — it means their business model works without needing to trap traders in fee cycles. They partner with Helios Trading Partners for the actual funded accounts, which provides a layer of institutional legitimacy most newer firms can't match.
Trustpilot Reality Check
4.7 out of 5 from 4,591 reviews. That's not just good — it's the best rating of any major futures prop firm I've tracked. The positive reviews consistently mention clear rules, responsive support (specific agents like Ikbal, Ayush, and Ysmarlin get named by traders), and honest evaluation process. The negative reviews focus on the consistency rule complexity, subscription costs adding up, and the drawdown shift from eval to Live. Those complaints are valid — but they're about rule difficulty, not about the firm being unfair.
Published Pass Rate Transparency
Earn2Trade publishes their actual pass rates: 8.89% in 2025. They also publish that 18.04% of Live accounts and 18.20% of LiveSim accounts had at least one withdrawal. Most firms hide these numbers because their reality is worse than their marketing. Earn2Trade's willingness to share this data signals confidence in their model.
How This Firm Compares To Other Ones
| Feature | ⭐ Earn2Trade | Topstep | Apex | TX3 Funding | Blue Guardian Futures | FuturesElite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 | 2012 | 2021 | 2021 | 2023 | 2023 |
| Trustpilot | 4.7/5 (4,500+) | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 | 3.7/5 (4,200+) | 3.7-4.0/5 (350+) | 4.7/5 (290+) |
| Eval Type | 1-step + scaling | 1-step | 1-step | 1-step | 1-step + Instant | 1-step + Instant |
| Drawdown (Eval) | EOD trailing | EOD trailing | EOD trailing | EOD trailing | EOD trailing | EOD trailing (locks) |
| Drawdown (Funded) | Intraday trailing (Live) / EOD (LiveSim) | EOD trailing | EOD trailing | EOD trailing | EOD trailing | EOD locks to start balance |
| Consistency Rule | 30% | 50% | 30% | 40% (Starter only) | 50% eval / 40% funded | 40% funded / 20% instant |
| Profit Split | 80/20 | 90/10 | 100% first $25K then 90/10 | 100% first $10K then 90/10 | 100% first $15K then 90% | 100% first $10K then 90/10 |
| Min Trading Days | 10 | 2 | 7 | None | None | None |
| Overnight Holding | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Scaling Path | $400K (TCP), custom beyond | $150K per account | 20 accounts | Performance-based scaling | $2M (merged accounts) | $750K |
| Free Resets | ✅ TCP (monthly) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platforms | 15+ (NT, Finamark, etc.) | TopstepX | Rithmic/Tradovate | ProjectX | ProjectX + others | ProjectX, Quantower, EliteX |
| 50K Eval Price | $170-$190/mo | $49-$165/mo | $167 one-time | $70/mo (Starter) | ~$48-$160 | Competitive |
| Pass Rate | 8.89% | ~12% | 15-20% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
Where Earn2Trade wins: Platform selection (15+ vs. 1-3 at most competitors), track record (founded 2016, strongest Trustpilot), structured scaling via TCP (clear $400K path), free monthly resets on TCP, and published pass rate transparency.
Where Earn2Trade loses: 80/20 profit split (every competitor offers 90%+ or 100% initial), subscription pricing is higher than one-time fee competitors, 30% consistency rule is tighter than most, 10 minimum trading days when others require zero, and the Live account drawdown shift punishes traders who don't plan for it.
Who should choose Earn2Trade: Traders who value long-term career progression over quick payouts. If you want to build from $50K to $400K with a structured, transparent firm that's been paying traders since 2016, Earn2Trade is the pick. If you want maximum profit split and fastest possible funding, look at TX3 or Apex instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Earn2Trade?
Earn2Trade is a futures-only proprietary trading education and evaluation firm founded in 2016 in Sheridan, Wyoming. They offer two evaluation programs — Trader Career Path and Gauntlet Mini — that test traders on simulated accounts before providing funded trading accounts through their partner firm Helios Trading Partners.
What's the difference between Trader Career Path and Gauntlet Mini?
TCP is a subscription with built-in scaling: start at $25K-$100K and grow to $400K through withdrawals and upgrades. Includes free monthly resets. Gauntlet Mini is a direct-to-funding evaluation at $50K-$200K with no formal scaling path. Resets cost $100-$155. TCP costs slightly more monthly but offers better long-term value.
How much does Earn2Trade cost?
TCP ranges from $150/month (25K) to $350/month (100K). Gauntlet Mini ranges from $170/month (50K) to $550/month (200K). These are subscription fees that auto-renew until you pass or cancel. Discounts of 40-60% are frequently available — code DISCOUNT typically provides 60% off.
What is Earn2Trade's pass rate?
Earn2Trade published an 8.89% pass rate for 2025. Of those funded, 18% had at least one withdrawal. This is one of the few firms that publishes actual statistics, and the 8.89% aligns with realistic expectations for rigorous futures evaluations.
How does the EOD trailing drawdown work?
Your drawdown threshold only updates at market close based on your closing balance — not during the trading session. If you're down $1,800 intraday but close the day flat, your drawdown doesn't move. This gives massive breathing room compared to intraday trailing. However, Live funded accounts switch to intraday trailing.
What's the 30% consistency rule?
No single trading day's profit or loss can exceed 30% of your total net profit. If your target is $3,000 and your best day is $1,000, you need at least $2,334 from other days. The rule doesn't breach your account — it just prevents you from being eligible to pass until your stats balance out.
Can I hold positions overnight?
No. All positions must be closed by 3:50 PM CT every day. This applies to both evaluation and funded accounts. Swing trading and overnight gap strategies are not compatible with Earn2Trade.
What platforms does Earn2Trade support?
Over 15 platforms including NinjaTrader (free during eval), Finamark (free during eval + 90 days), R|Trader, R|Trader Pro, Overcharts (60-day free trial), and many others. This is the widest platform selection of any futures prop firm.
What's the difference between LiveSim and Live funded accounts?
LiveSim activates in 2 days with a $139 activation fee (deducted from first payout) and keeps EOD trailing drawdown. Live requires brokerage paperwork (up to 10 days), costs $135/month in data fees, uses intraday trailing drawdown, but trades on the actual CME exchange. 94.77% of funded traders choose LiveSim.
How does Earn2Trade's scaling work?
TCP only. After passing and withdrawing your full profit target, you're upgraded to the next account size with fresh balance and more drawdown. Path: $25K → $50K → $100K → $150K → $200K (static drawdown unlocks) → $400K custom offer. Each level requires hitting the profit target and withdrawing.
What futures can I trade?
Any product listed on CME, COMEX, NYMEX, and CBOT exchanges. This includes ES, NQ, YM, RTY, CL, GC, SI, ZB, ZN, HG, and all micro contracts (MES, MNQ, MYM, etc.). No forex, stocks, or crypto.
Is Earn2Trade legit?
Yes. Founded 2016, 4.7/5 Trustpilot from 4,500+ reviews, published pass rates and withdrawal statistics, partners with Helios Trading Partners for funded accounts, and founded by registered Commodity Trading Advisors. One of the most established and transparent firms in the futures prop space.
What happens if I fail the evaluation?
On TCP, your account resets for free with each monthly subscription renewal. On Gauntlet Mini, resets cost $100-$155 depending on account size. Your subscription continues billing monthly until you cancel — failed evaluations don't auto-cancel your subscription.
How long does it take to get paid?
Minimum payout is $100. LiveSim traders need $239 minimum on first withdrawal to cover the $139 activation fee plus $100 payout. Payouts process within a few business days. The $10 processing fee is waived for withdrawals over $500.
Who should NOT choose Earn2Trade?
Swing traders (no overnight holding), traders who can't commit to 10 minimum trading days, anyone who hates subscription pricing, traders who rely on one big winner per week (30% consistency is brutal for that style), and anyone who needs more than 80% profit split. If any of those describe you, look at Apex, TX3, or FuturesElite instead.
