Earn2Trade Rules Explained: Drawdown, Profit Targets & Time Limits (2026)

Earn2Trade Rules Overview

Earn2Trade is an education-focused proprietary trading firm specializing in futures trading. Founded in 2016 and based in Orlando, Florida, Earn2Trade uses a structured evaluation model called the Gauntlet Mini to assess traders before providing access to live or paper-funded accounts through their partner, Helios Trading Partners. Unlike performance-based prop firms that charge per trade, Earn2Trade uses a monthly subscription model combined with a tiered evaluation process. Traders start with paper trading, pass evaluation phases, and can scale up to $400,000 in account capital if they meet profitability and risk management targets.

Account Types and Pricing

Earn2Trade offers three primary account options, each with different starting capital and monthly fees:

Account Type	Starting Capital	Monthly Fee	Best For
Gauntlet Mini $25K	$25,000	$99	Beginner to intermediate futures traders; lowest barrier to entry
Gauntlet Mini $50K	$50,000	$149	Traders with proven experience; higher risk/reward capacity
Trader Career Path	Variable (includes education)	$199	New traders investing in structured education and mentorship

Important: These are monthly subscription fees. Failed evaluation attempts require purchasing another month of access, making repeated attempts expensive. Unlike some competitors, Earn2Trade does not offer annual discount pricing.

Profit Targets

Earn2Trade uses phase-based profit targets during the evaluation process. While specific percentages are not disclosed in public documentation, the firm follows industry-standard evaluation practices where traders must achieve consecutive profitable days within a defined period to advance through phases.

• Gauntlet Mini Evaluation: Minimum 10-day evaluation window (among the shortest in the industry), requiring traders to meet daily and cumulative profit targets while staying within drawdown limits
• Progression: Traders must complete Phase 1 and Phase 2 before receiving a funded account
• Sustainability Focus: Targets emphasize consistent, steady profitability over aggressive gains—aligned with Earn2Trade's education-first philosophy

The firm reports an 8.89% pass rate on evaluations, meaning only 1 in 11 traders advance to funded status. This reflects strict profitability standards designed to minimize losses on live or LiveSim accounts.

Drawdown Rules

Drawdown rules protect both the trader and the firm from excessive losses. Earn2Trade enforces two primary drawdown limits:

• Daily Drawdown Limit: Traders cannot lose more than a specified percentage per trading day. Exceeding this limit immediately closes all positions and disqualifies the trader from that evaluation phase
• Maximum (Trailing) Drawdown: The maximum cumulative loss from the starting account balance cannot exceed a set percentage (typical industry range: 5–10% for mini accounts). This is calculated from the highest equity point, not the initial balance

Reset Conditions: Daily drawdown limits reset at the start of each new trading day. Maximum drawdown is tracked across the entire evaluation phase and cannot be recovered without restarting the evaluation.

Note: Specific percentage thresholds are not publicly detailed. Traders should confirm exact limits upon account signup.

Trading Restrictions

Earn2Trade restricts trading to manage risk and prevent excessive speculation:

• Markets: Futures only—no stocks, options, forex, or crypto spot trading allowed. Approved contracts include ES (E-mini S&P 500), NQ (E-mini Nasdaq), YM (E-mini Dow), and micro-contracts (MES, MNQ, MYM)
• Lot Size Limits: Maximum contracts per trade are capped based on account tier (typically 2–4 contracts per trade during evaluation to prevent catastrophic losses)
• Weekend Holding: Positions held over weekends are generally prohibited to avoid gap risk and unexpected margin calls
• News Trading: Trading restrictions around major economic announcements (FOMC, NFP, CPI) are common in the industry; Earn2Trade may have specific blackout windows
• Expert Advisors (EAs): Automated trading is typically not permitted during evaluation, though this should be confirmed
• Copy Trading: Copy trading and algorithmic strategies are not allowed; all trades must be manually executed by the trader
• Platform Restrictions: Traders must use approved platforms: NinjaTrader or R|Trader. Thinkorswim, ThinkBack, or other platforms are not compatible

Profit Split and Payouts

Profit Share (Funded Traders): Earn2Trade uses an 80/20 profit split model—traders keep 80% of profits, and the firm retains 20%. This is below competitors like Topstep (90/10) and Apex Trader Funding (100% first $25K).

• Fee Structure: Monthly subscription fees ($99–$199) are separate from the profit split and must be paid whether the trader is profitable or not
• Minimum Withdrawal: Not publicly specified; typically $500–$1,000 in the industry
• Withdrawal Frequency: Withdrawals can usually be requested monthly or bi-weekly, depending on account performance
• Processing Time: Standard processing is 5–10 business days via bank transfer
• Crypto Payout Option: Traders can receive payouts in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, offering flexibility for those avoiding traditional banking or managing international transfers
• Account Status: 94.77% of funded traders are on LiveSim (paper trading), not live accounts. This means most traders are not actually trading with firm capital—they're trading simulated accounts. This significantly impacts real profit potential and should be clarified before account signup

Scaling Plan

Earn2Trade's scaling model is progressive and performance-based. Traders can grow their account from $25,000 to as high as $400,000 through consistent profitability:

• Phase 1 ($25K): Initial evaluation on a $25,000 account. Trader must meet profit targets and stay within drawdown limits for a minimum of 10 days
• Phase 2 ($50K): After Phase 1 approval, traders advance to a $50,000 account with the same risk management rules. This phase typically lasts 2–4 weeks
• Funded Account Scaling: After passing both phases, traders receive a funded account (either LiveSim or live, depending on promotion). Account size can increase from $50K → $100K → $200K → $400K based on achieving monthly profit targets without drawdown violations
• Monthly Performance Review: Account scaling is reviewed monthly. Traders must maintain profitability and risk discipline to unlock higher tiers
• Account Resets: If a trader hits maximum drawdown or fails monthly performance metrics, they may be downgraded or require re-evaluation

Timeline: Fast-track traders can move from initial signup to Phase 1 in 1–2 weeks, Phase 2 within 4 weeks, and funded status within 6–8 weeks of consistent performance. However, the 8.89% pass rate suggests most traders take longer or do not progress.

Earn2Trade Rules vs Competitors

Rule Category	Earn2Trade	Topstep	Apex Trader Funding
Evaluation Duration	10 days minimum (Gauntlet Mini)	14 days minimum	30 days
Starting Capital	$25K or $50K	$5K–$25K options	$5K–$100K options
Evaluation Fee	$99–$199/month	$99–$199 one-time	$97–$297 one-time
Profit Split (Funded)	80/20 (trader keeps 80%)	90/10 (trader keeps 90%)	100% first $25K, then 80/20
Markets Allowed	Futures only	Stocks, futures, options, forex	Stocks, futures, options, forex
Maximum Drawdown	Not publicly specified	Typically 6%	Typically 5%–8%
Platform Options	NinjaTrader, R|Trader only	Multiple (Thinkorswim, TD, etc.)	Multiple (TD, Interactive Brokers, etc.)
Live vs Paper	94.77% LiveSim (paper)	Mix of live and simulated	Option for live accounts
Scaling Max	$400K	$300K	$400K+

Key Takeaways for Comparison:

• Shortest Evaluation: Earn2Trade's 10-day minimum is faster than Topstep (14 days) and Apex (30 days), appealing to traders wanting quick funding
• Lower Profit Split: Earn2Trade's 80/20 is less favorable than Topstep's 90/10 or Apex's 100% first $25K tier
• Restricted to Futures: Topstep and Apex offer multi-asset trading; Earn2Trade's futures-only focus limits diversification but appeals to focused traders
• Monthly Fee Burden: Unlike Topstep and Apex (one-time evaluation fees), Earn2Trade's monthly subscription adds recurring cost, making repeated failed attempts more expensive
• LiveSim Dominance: 94.77% paper trading vs potential live accounts elsewhere means most traders are not risking real firm capital, which may reduce psychological realism but also lowers firm risk

Red Flags and Fine Print

• LiveSim Dominance: Nearly 95% of funded traders trade simulated accounts, not live markets. Verify whether your account will be live or paper before paying evaluation fees. Paper trading does not reflect real slippage, execution, or liquidity challenges
• High Failure Rate: Only 8.89% of evaluation candidates pass. If you fail, you must pay another $99–$199 monthly subscription to re-attempt, making failed efforts expensive
• Monthly Fees with No Discount: No annual pricing means twelve months of evaluation costs $1,188–$2,388, significantly higher than one-time evaluation fees at Topstep or Apex
• Platform Lock-In: Only NinjaTrader and R|Trader are permitted. If you have existing strategies built in Thinkorswim or another platform, you'll need to migrate or rebuild
• Futures-Only Restriction: If your strategy or risk management involves stocks or options, Earn2Trade is not an option
• Profit Split Below Market: The 80/20 split is lower than Topstep's 90/10. Over a $10,000 profit month, you'd earn $800 less than Topstep ($8,000 vs $9,000)
• Education Quality: While Earn2Trade emphasizes structured education and boot camps, the quality of materials and mentorship is not independently verified. Request sample content or reviews before enrollment
• Account Minimum After Scaling: After reaching higher tiers ($200K–$400K), profit targets and daily risk limits may increase, potentially making consistent success harder
• Withdrawal Minimums and Delays: Confirm minimum withdrawal amounts and processing times during onboarding, as crypto payouts may take longer than bank transfers
• Company Reputation: Earn2Trade has a 4.0/5 rating and generally positive Trustpilot reviews, but verify recent feedback and independent trader forums for current user experiences

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For more detailed analysis and trader reviews of Earn2Trade, visit the full Earn2Trade review page. Compare Earn2Trade rules side-by-side with other top prop firms to find the best fit for your trading style.