Earn2Trade Review 2026: Trader Career Path vs Gauntlet Mini
Last updated: April 17, 2026 · 13 min read · By Markets Coupons Team
Earn2Trade is one of the longest-running futures prop firms in the industry — 9+ years in business, 6,400+ traders funded in 2025, and a Trustpilot score of 4.7 / 5 across 4,751 reviews. Based in Sheridan, Wyoming, the firm is known for two things: education-first onboarding (free Beginner Crash Course, Journalytix license included) and a structured career-path model that upgrades your funded account as you withdraw profits — no manual scaling requests, no waiting periods.
Earn2Trade offers two main products: the Trader Career Path® (TCP), a subscription-based evaluation with progression from $25K to $400K funded, and the Gauntlet Mini™, an intraday-focused 10-day test from $50K to $200K. The current 50% off all subscriptions promotion plus up to 35% off resets makes this one of the most aggressive discount cycles Earn2Trade has run.
This guide breaks down every detail — pricing, drawdown mechanics, profit targets, the progression ladder, allowed instruments, and pros/cons — so you can decide if Earn2Trade fits your trading style before paying the subscription fee.
Quick Summary Type: Futures prop firm (CME, COMEX, NYMEX, CBOT only) Best for: Disciplined futures traders who value structure, education, and a clear progression path Profit split: Up to 80%, scales with live account upgrades Max funding: $200K Gauntlet Mini / $400K Trader Career Path (scaled) Drawdown: EOD (End-of-Day) — trailing until highest close, then static Trustpilot: ★ 4.7 · 4,751 reviews Active offer: 50% off all subscriptions + up to 35% off resets
Table of Contents
- What is Earn2Trade?
- Trader Career Path vs Gauntlet Mini
- Pricing (All Account Sizes)
- How EOD Drawdown Works
- Trader Career Path — The Progression Ladder
- Gauntlet Mini — 10-Day Intraday Test
- Profit Split and Payouts
- Platforms and Data Feeds
- Allowed Instruments (Futures Only)
- Trading Rules and Prohibited Strategies
- Earn2Trade vs Apex vs TPT
- Pros and Cons
- FAQ
What is Earn2Trade?
Earn2Trade is a proprietary trading firm and trader-education company founded in 2016 and registered in Wyoming (Sheridan, WY). Unlike newer prop firms that focus purely on evaluation-to-payout cycles, Earn2Trade built its brand on education: the Beginner Crash Course, Journalytix trade journaling software, and real brokerage partnerships (Tradovate, NinjaTrader, Finamark) that actually issue live accounts after you pass.
Key numbers that define Earn2Trade in 2026:
- 9+ years in business — one of the oldest futures prop firms online
- 6,400+ traders funded in 2025 alone
- 4,751 Trustpilot reviews at 4.7 / 5 stars
- 8.89% pass rate in 2025 (publicly disclosed — a rare transparency move)
- Real brokerage partners — not pure simulated funding, live accounts through regulated brokers
Earn2Trade stands out for its transparency. Very few prop firms publicly disclose pass rates. The Exam Disclaimer on every page of their site spells out that 5.23% of passed traders end up on a live account and 18.04% of those live accounts see at least one withdrawal. That's honest, legally-required disclosure that competitors often hide.
Trader Career Path vs Gauntlet Mini
Earn2Trade sells two products. Picking the right one depends on your timeframe style and patience.
Trader Career Path® (Flagship)
A subscription-based evaluation with no fixed time limit. You pay monthly until you pass, cancel, or change plans. Account sizes: $25K, $50K, $100K. After passing, you upgrade to a real brokerage live account and grow it step-by-step up to $400K based on withdrawals and performance milestones.
Key characteristics:
- Monthly subscription ($150–$350 depending on size)
- Unlimited time to pass
- EOD drawdown (softer than Apex's intraday trailing)
- Automatic scaling path — no scaling requests needed
- Free Journalytix license + NinjaTrader/Finamark bundled
Gauntlet Mini™
An intraday-only 10-day minimum test aimed at day traders who want to skip the monthly subscription cycle and prove themselves quickly. Account sizes: $50K, $100K, $150K, $200K. After passing, you receive a guaranteed funding offer from Earn2Trade's partner firm.
Key characteristics:
- Monthly subscription or per-attempt pricing
- 10-day minimum trading days (not 10 calendar — 10 trading)
- EOD drawdown with daily loss limit
- "Progression Ladder" rule — max contracts per account tier
- No holding positions overnight (intraday only)
| Feature | Trader Career Path | Gauntlet Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Time to pass | Unlimited | Minimum 10 trading days |
| Overnight holding | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Account sizes | $25K–$100K → scales to $400K | $50K–$200K |
| Scaling after funding | Automatic (up to $400K) | Upgrade via withdrawals |
| Minimum days | None | 10 trading days |
| Best for | Swing + hybrid traders | Pure intraday scalpers |
Recommendation: If you trade intraday and want the fastest path to live capital, pick Gauntlet Mini. If you hold overnight or want the scaling ladder to $400K with no rush, pick Trader Career Path.
Pricing (All Account Sizes)
Earn2Trade uses monthly subscriptions (with current 50% off discount factored in). Below are the current prices as of April 2026 — regular prices before the discount are double these.
Trader Career Path
| Plan | Virtual Capital | Monthly Subscription | Profit Target | EOD Drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCP25 | $25,000 | $150 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| TCP50 | $50,000 | $190 | $3,000 | $2,500 |
| TCP100 | $100,000 | $350 | $6,000 | $3,000 |
All TCP plans include: free NinjaTrader/Finamark license, free Journalytix, free reset when rebilled, free education catalog.
Gauntlet Mini
| Plan | Virtual Capital | Monthly Subscription | Profit Goal | EOD Drawdown | Daily Loss Limit | Max Contracts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GAU50 | $50,000 | (varies) | $3,000 | $2,000 | $1,100 | 6 |
| GAU100 | $100,000 | (varies) | $6,000 | $3,500 | $2,200 | 12 |
| GAU150 | $150,000 | (varies) | $9,000 | $4,500 | $3,300 | 15 |
| GAU200 | $200,000 | (varies) | $11,000 | $6,000 | $4,400 | 16 |
Reset prices (during current 35% off promo):
- GAU50: $75
- GAU100: $100
- GAU150: $130
- GAU200: $155
Compared to Apex ($147-$587 account fees with lifetime discounts) and TPT ($150-$360/mo with NOFEE40), Earn2Trade sits in the mid-range. The key difference: Earn2Trade fees are monthly subscriptions, not one-time lifetime deals — you keep paying until you pass.
How EOD Drawdown Works
EOD (End-of-Day) drawdown is the second-softest drawdown model in futures prop (after static). Here's how it works on a TCP100 account ($100K virtual, $3K EOD drawdown):
- Start: Balance = $100,000. Drawdown floor = $97,000 (starting balance − $3K).
- You close +$1,500 one day. New balance = $101,500. Floor moves up to $98,500 ($101,500 − $3,000). But only at end of day — intraday swings don't move the floor.
- You close +$2,000 another day. Balance = $103,500. Floor moves to $100,500. Crossed "starting balance" milestone — the floor now freezes at $100,500 forever.
- You close −$500. Balance = $103,000. Floor stays at $100,500 (no move back down).
The floor only moves up, and it only updates on end-of-day close — so intraday P&L swings below the floor don't kill your account as long as you close positive.
Critical rules:
- Open equity does count for the EOD floor calculation at session close.
- Daily Loss Limit is separate — a max loss you can take in a single trading day, calculated on open equity intraday (so this one IS intraday).
- Once your balance passes "starting balance + EOD drawdown", the floor freezes at the starting balance.
This is notably softer than Apex's intraday trailing model, where the floor moves up with every tick of profit. On Earn2Trade you can ride drawdowns during the day and still pass as long as you close green.
Trader Career Path — The Progression Ladder
The TCP's standout feature is the automatic progression ladder — once you pass the evaluation, your account upgrades as you withdraw profits. No manual scaling requests, no waiting 4 months like FundedNext.
How it works on a TCP100 after passing:
| Tier | Starting Balance | Max Drawdown | Cumulative Withdrawals to Unlock Next Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $100,000 | $3,000 | Withdraw $1,500+ |
| Tier 2 | $125,000 | $3,750 | Withdraw $3,750+ cumulative |
| Tier 3 | $150,000 | $4,500 | Withdraw $6,000+ cumulative |
| Tier 4 | $200,000 | $6,000 | Withdraw $10,000+ cumulative |
| Tier 5 | $300,000 | $9,000 | Withdraw $18,000+ cumulative |
| Tier 6 | $400,000 | $12,000 | Top of ladder |
Key point: The drawdown is fixed ($3K–$12K depending on tier), meaning once you pass a tier the floor stays static — your trading room doesn't shrink if you grow the account past a tier floor.
This is a strong scaling design. Apex requires you to manually request payouts and scaling is tied to performance milestones. Earn2Trade just upgrades you automatically based on withdrawal volume.
Gauntlet Mini — 10-Day Intraday Test
The Gauntlet Mini is Earn2Trade's fastest path to funding. Designed for day traders, it has harder rules than TCP but can be passed in as little as 2 weeks.
Core Rules
- 10 minimum trading days — actual days with at least one trade; holidays don't count.
- No overnight positions — all trades must be closed before the next session open.
- EOD drawdown — same mechanic as TCP.
- Daily Loss Limit — tighter than TCP, calculated on open equity (intraday).
- Progression Ladder (contract cap) — max contracts you can hold based on current balance.
The Progression Ladder (Contract Cap)
On a GAU100 ($100K), you can hold up to 12 contracts at once. Break this and your account locks for the rest of the trading day (resume next day — account not terminated). The ladder scales: account down to a lower tier, cap scales down too. This forces position sizing discipline on high-capital accounts.
Profit Goal
- GAU50: $3,000 (6% target)
- GAU100: $6,000 (6% target)
- GAU150: $9,000 (6% target)
- GAU200: $11,000 (5.5% target)
The $200K target is slightly easier (5.5% vs 6%) because the absolute dollar amount is larger.
Profit Split and Payouts
Earn2Trade uses a real brokerage live account model, not pure simulated funding. After passing:
- You receive a live account at one of the partner brokerages (Tradovate, NinjaTrader, Finamark).
- You trade live capital (backed by Earn2Trade's partner firm, not your own money).
- You keep 80% of profits on the first live tier. Scaling up the ladder can push this higher.
Payout schedule: On-demand withdrawals from the live account once a minimum threshold is met. Crypto payouts supported (cited on homepage). Bank wire and other methods via the brokerage partner.
Important distinction vs Apex/TPT: Apex and TPT use simulated funded accounts with internal payout systems. Earn2Trade transitions you to a real live brokerage account — meaning the brokerage itself handles execution and withdrawals. This is more traditional, more regulated, and slower to process but carries less counterparty risk if a firm shuts down.
Platforms and Data Feeds
Earn2Trade supports three platforms with two data feed options:
| Platform | Data Feed | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| NinjaTrader | Rithmic | Advanced charting, custom indicators |
| Finamark | Rithmic | Clean web-based UI, ladder DOM |
| Tradovate | Tradovate | Fast web + mobile execution, built-in TradingView |
Data feed costs are covered during evaluation (the subscription fee includes them). Tradovate as data feed also unlocks TradingView integration for charting — charts on TV, execute on Tradovate.
Not supported: MT4, MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader (these are forex/CFD platforms — Earn2Trade is futures only). No Quantower or MotiveWave. If you need those, look at TPT or Bulenox.
Allowed Instruments (Futures Only)
Earn2Trade is strict about instruments: only futures listed on CME, COMEX, NYMEX, and CBOT. That means:
Allowed:
- ES, NQ, YM, RTY (equity index futures)
- CL, NG, HO, RB (energy — NYMEX)
- GC, SI, HG, PA, PL (metals — COMEX)
- ZB, ZN, ZF, ZT, UB (treasury — CBOT)
- ZC, ZS, ZW, ZM (grains — CBOT)
- 6E, 6B, 6A, 6J, 6C (currency futures — CME)
- BTC, MBT, ETH, MET (crypto futures — CME)
NOT allowed:
- Spot forex, stocks, options, CFDs, crypto spot
- ICE Futures, Eurex, LME (non-CME exchanges)
This is a real limitation for traders who trade stock ETFs via CFDs or spot crypto. If you only trade futures, it's irrelevant.
Trading Rules and Prohibited Strategies
Allowed
- Manual trading (all styles)
- News trading
- Scalping
- Swing trading (TCP only, not Gauntlet Mini)
- EAs/bots (with disclosure)
- Hedging on the same account
Prohibited
- High-frequency scalping — trades under 1 second in rapid succession
- Latency arbitrage — exploiting feed lag
- Group trading / copy from external signals — accounts must be individual decisions
- Exceeding Progression Ladder on Gauntlet Mini (results in daily lock)
- Overnight positions on Gauntlet Mini (immediate termination)
- Trading non-allowed instruments (CFDs, forex, stocks — automatic DQ)
- Using demo server quirks (price freezes, gaps) to fake profits
Discipline Rules Worth Knowing
- Pass rate disclosed publicly — 8.89% in 2025. If you're not consistently profitable on your own account, this firm won't solve that.
- Subscription model means discipline matters — slow months cost you $150–$350 each. FTMO, FundedNext, Apex are one-time fees; Earn2Trade bleeds if you take 6 months to pass.
- Real brokerage post-pass — this is a plus for longevity but means slower onboarding after passing (KYC with the broker takes days).
Earn2Trade vs Apex vs TPT
For futures traders comparing the three major US prop firms, here's the head-to-head:
| Feature | Earn2Trade | Apex | TPT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business model | Monthly subscription | One-time (lifetime) | Monthly subscription |
| Evaluation type | Education-first, long-form | Trailing drawdown, aggressive | 1-step, trailing intraday |
| Max account | $400K (TCP scaled) | $300K (scaled) | $150K (scaled higher) |
| Drawdown style | EOD | Intraday trailing | Intraday trailing |
| Minimum days | 10 (Gauntlet) / 0 (TCP) | 1 | 5 |
| Post-pass | Live brokerage account | Simulated funded | Simulated funded |
| Payout speed | Depends on broker (3–5 days) | 5 days | Day-1 (via Plaid) |
| Pass rate | 8.89% (disclosed) | Not disclosed | ~20% (disclosed) |
| Education included | Yes (free) | Minimal | Minimal |
| Trustpilot | 4.7 / 4,751 | 4.4 / 19K | 4.4 / 8.9K |
| Coupon at Markets Coupons | 50% off all subs | MARKET (90% lifetime) | NOFEE40 |
Choose Earn2Trade if:
- You want structured education (Beginner Crash Course, Journalytix)
- You want a live brokerage account, not just a sim
- You're disciplined enough to pass within 1–3 months
- You trade futures exclusively and don't mind CME/COMEX/NYMEX/CBOT restriction
Choose Apex if:
- You want the cheapest lifetime deal (90% off with MARKET)
- You're aggressive and want trailing drawdown flexibility
- You want the largest possible payout pool ($300K+)
Choose TPT if:
- You want day-1 payouts (fastest in the industry)
- You want 1-step evaluation (skip the 2-phase grind)
- You prioritize speed over scaling
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 9+ years in business — most established futures prop firm still operating
- Trustpilot 4.7 / 4,751 reviews — the highest verified score among futures-only prop firms
- Real brokerage partners — live accounts after passing, not simulated-only
- Automatic scaling up to $400K — no manual requests, progression is built in
- Free education + Journalytix included — other firms charge $50+/mo for equivalent journaling
- Transparent pass rate disclosure — 8.89% in 2025, publicly published
- EOD drawdown — softer than Apex's intraday trailing
- Crypto payouts supported
- Free reset when rebilled on TCP
Cons
- Monthly subscription model — slow traders bleed money until they pass
- Futures only — no forex, stocks, crypto spot, CFDs
- Gauntlet Mini has 10-day minimum — can't pass in a week
- Progression Ladder contract cap adds complexity for new day traders
- Onboarding to live broker adds 3–7 days after passing (KYC with partner)
- No TradingView native execution unless on Tradovate feed
- Limited to CME group exchanges — no ICE, Eurex
- Pass rate is honest but low — 8.89% means 91% of buyers never get funded
FAQ
Is Earn2Trade legit?
Yes. Earn2Trade LLC is registered in Wyoming (30 N Gould St STE 4000, Sheridan, WY 82801), has been operating since 2016, and has 4,751 Trustpilot reviews at 4.7 / 5. They publicly disclose their pass rate (8.89% in 2025) and partner with regulated brokerages (Tradovate, NinjaTrader).
How much does Earn2Trade cost?
Trader Career Path is a monthly subscription: $150 (TCP25), $190 (TCP50), or $350 (TCP100). Gauntlet Mini is also monthly, with reset prices from $75 (GAU50) to $155 (GAU200). Current 50% off discount applies to all subscriptions.
What's the difference between Trader Career Path and Gauntlet Mini?
TCP has no time limit and allows overnight holding; ideal for hybrid or swing traders. Gauntlet Mini has a 10-day minimum and is intraday-only; ideal for day traders who want a faster path.
Does Earn2Trade allow overnight holding?
On Trader Career Path, yes. On Gauntlet Mini, no — all positions must be closed before session end.
What instruments can I trade on Earn2Trade?
Futures only, listed on CME, COMEX, NYMEX, and CBOT. Index futures, energy, metals, treasuries, grains, currency futures, and CME crypto futures. No spot forex, no stocks, no CFDs.
Is the live account a real brokerage account?
Yes. After passing, Earn2Trade transitions you to a live account at a partner brokerage (Tradovate, NinjaTrader, or Finamark). This is unusual — most prop firms use simulated funded accounts internally. Earn2Trade's model adds regulatory oversight but also requires broker KYC after passing.
How fast are Earn2Trade payouts?
Payouts go through the partner brokerage, so speed depends on the broker's processing. Typically 3–5 business days for bank wire; crypto is faster when supported.
What's the Earn2Trade pass rate?
8.89% in 2025 (publicly disclosed on the site). This is based on subscriptions passed vs new subscriptions. Of those who passed, 5.23% went on to trade a live account and 18.04% of live accounts saw at least one withdrawal.
Does Earn2Trade have a coupon?
Yes — the current promo is 50% off all subscriptions plus up to 35% off resets. Check the Markets Coupons homepage for the active code and link.
Can I use a trading bot on Earn2Trade?
Yes, EAs and automated strategies are allowed with disclosure. High-frequency scalping (trades under 1 second in rapid succession) and latency arbitrage are prohibited.
Related Guides on Markets Coupons
- Apex Trader Funding Review — best futures prop firm for intraday scalpers
- Take Profit Trader Review — 1-step futures with day-1 payouts
- Bulenox Review — futures with static drawdown and news flexibility
- FTMO Review — 2-step forex challenge, industry veteran