Apex Trader Funding vs Backed
On the numbers: Apex Trader Funding pays the higher profit split; Backed has the cheaper entry point. The right choice depends on which of those you weigh most - the rules, pricing and payout detail below is where they really separate.
At a glance
| Apex Trader Funding | Backed | |
|---|---|---|
| TradingBay Rating | 8.3 ★ | 7.6 |
| Category | Futures | Crypto |
| Founded | 2021 | 2024 |
| Profit Split | 100% ★ | 90% |
| Payout Cycle | Every 8 Days | Every 5 Green Days |
| Account Sizes | $25K–$150K | $5K–$200K |
| Cheapest Challenge | $199 | $20 ★ |
| Platforms | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic / R|Trader Pro, TradingView (via Tradovate), WealthCharts | Backed web platform |
| Trustpilot | 4.2 | - |
Which is cheaper at $50K and $100K?
Lowest listed price for that account size, across each firm's challenge types.
| Apex Trader Funding | Backed | |
|---|---|---|
| $25K account | $199 | $100 ★ |
| $50K account | $249 | $200 ★ |
| $100K account | $399 | $380 ★ |
| $200K account | - | $720 |
Rules head-to-head
Drawdown type is the rule that catches most traders out - read it before the profit split.
| Apex Trader Funding | Backed | |
|---|---|---|
| Rules grade | C+ - Simple rules, restrictive payout structure | B- - Fair rules ★ |
| Drawdown type | EOD: trailing threshold recalculated once daily at market close, enforced next session (includes unrealized PnL on PA). Intraday: real-time trailing on peak balance incl. unrealized gains; never resets down. | - |
| Daily loss limit | EOD plans: fixed DLL ($500/$1,000/$1,500/$2,000 by size; tier-scaled on PA) - hitting it pauses trading for the session, no fail. Intraday plans: none. | - |
| Consistency rule | None during evaluation. 50% on funded PA: no single day may be >=50% of profit since last approved payout. | - |
| News trading | Permitted (no blanket restriction). | - |
| EAs / automation | Prohibited activities ban rule circumvention and cross-account hedging; evaluations must be passed with independent directional trading. Up to 20 PAs concurrently. | - |
| Weekend holding | Not applicable - positions are closed by session end; no overnight/weekend holding. | - |
| Min trading days | None in evaluation (one-day pass possible). PA payouts need 5 qualifying profit days per cycle. | - |
| Time limit | 30 calendar days of access per one-time fee; no extensions, no resets - failed or expired evals require a new purchase. | - |
Payouts head-to-head
| Apex Trader Funding | Backed | |
|---|---|---|
| Profit split (full terms) | 100% of approved payouts (no split on sim-funded Performance Accounts) | 80%, 90% with add-on |
| Payout frequency | Up to weekly - after 5 qualifying profit days per cycle; review within ~2 business days, funds sent in 3-4 business days | Every 5 green days |
| First payout | After 5 qualifying profit days (min daily profit $100-$350 by size) and balance above safety net (drawdown limit + $100) plus $500 | After 5 green days on the funded account |
| Minimum payout | $500 per request | $50 |
| Scaling | Tier-based scaling on Performance Accounts: contract limits and daily loss limits increase with end-of-day balance; payout ladder rises from $1,000-$2,500 (payout #1) to $1,000-$5,000 (payout #6) by size | - |
Who should choose which?
· The headline profit split matters most (100% vs 90%).
· You want the cheaper entry ($20 vs $199).
· You're buying a $50K account ($200 vs $249).
· You want an instant-funded option with no evaluation.
· You want clearer, more stable rules (rules grade B- vs C+).
Is Apex Trader Funding better than Backed?
It depends what you weigh: Apex Trader Funding pays the higher profit split; Backed has the cheaper entry point.
Which is cheaper, Apex Trader Funding or Backed?
Backed has the lower-priced entry challenge ($20 vs $199). At the $50K size, Backed is cheaper ($200 vs $249).
Does Apex Trader Funding or Backed allow EAs?
Apex Trader Funding: Prohibited activities ban rule circumvention and cross-account hedging; evaluations must be passed with independent directional trading. Up to 20 PAs concurrently.. Backed: not stated.
Can US traders join Apex Trader Funding or Backed?
Apex Trader Funding: yes, the US is not on its restricted list. Backed: not stated.
Which pays out faster, Apex Trader Funding or Backed?
Apex Trader Funding: Up to weekly - after 5 qualifying profit days per cycle; review within ~2 business days, funds sent in 3-4 business days. Backed: Every 5 green days.
Terms last verified against each firm's own site: 2026-06-12 / 2026-11-05. How we rate.