FTMO vs Apex Trader Funding
On the numbers: Apex Trader Funding pays the higher profit split; FTMO rates higher on Trustpilot. 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
| FTMO | Apex Trader Funding | |
|---|---|---|
| TradingBay Rating | 9.5 ★ | 8.3 |
| Category | Forex | Futures |
| Founded | 2015 | 2021 |
| Profit Split | Up to 90% | 100% ★ |
| Payout Cycle | On demand | Every 8 days |
| Account Sizes | $10K–$200K | $25K–$150K |
| Cheapest Challenge | €155 | $199 |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic / R|Trader Pro, TradingView (via Tradovate), WealthCharts |
| Trustpilot | 4.8 ★ | 4.2 |
Which is cheaper at $50K and $100K?
Prices shown in each firm's own currency or billing model, so not every size has a like-for-like winner.
| FTMO | Apex Trader Funding | |
|---|---|---|
| $25K account | €250 | $199 |
| $50K account | €345 | $249 |
| $100K account | €540 | $399 |
| $200K account | €1,080 | - |
Rules head-to-head
Drawdown type is the rule that catches most traders out - read it before the profit split.
| FTMO | Apex Trader Funding | |
|---|---|---|
| Rules grade | A - Clear, well-documented and stable ★ | C+ - Simple rules, restrictive payout structure |
| Drawdown type | 2-Step: static 10% Maximum Loss. 1-Step: end-of-day trailing 10% Maximum Loss (recalculated 00:00 CE(S)T, only moves up; fully resets after each reward withdrawal) | 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 | 5% (2-Step) / 3% (1-Step) of initial capital, on equity, recalculated daily at 00:00 CE(S)T | 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. |
| Profit target | 2-Step: 10% then 5%. 1-Step: 10%. No target on the funded FTMO Account | - |
| Consistency rule | 1-Step only: Best Day Rule - best day must not exceed 50% of Positive Days' Profit (applies to the Challenge and the FTMO Account; not a breach, just blocks passing/payout until diluted) | None during evaluation. 50% on funded PA: no single day may be >=50% of profit since last approved payout. |
| News trading | Allowed throughout the Evaluation Process; funded Standard accounts restricted around selected news releases; Swing accounts unrestricted | Permitted (no blanket restriction). |
| EAs / automation | Allowed; HFT/latency arbitrage and other Forbidden Trading Practices prohibited | Prohibited activities ban rule circumvention and cross-account hedging; evaluations must be passed with independent directional trading. Up to 20 PAs concurrently. |
| Weekend holding | Funded Standard accounts must close overnight/weekend positions; Swing accounts may hold. No restriction during the Evaluation Process | Not applicable - positions are closed by session end; no overnight/weekend holding. |
| Min trading days | 4 trading days per phase (2-Step only); none on 1-Step or the FTMO Account | None in evaluation (one-day pass possible). PA payouts need 5 qualifying profit days per cycle. |
| Time limit | No time limit on any phase | 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
| FTMO | Apex Trader Funding | |
|---|---|---|
| Profit split (full terms) | 2-Step: 80% base, up to 90% via Scaling Plan. 1-Step: flat 90% | 100% of approved payouts (no split on sim-funded Performance Accounts) |
| Payout frequency | On demand from 14 days; processed on a bi-weekly cycle, ~8h average processing | Up to weekly - after 5 qualifying profit days per cycle; review within ~2 business days, funds sent in 3-4 business days |
| First payout | From 14 calendar days after first trade on the FTMO Account | After 5 qualifying profit days (min daily profit $100-$350 by size) and balance above safety net (drawdown limit + $100) plus $500 |
| Minimum payout | - | $500 per request |
| Scaling | Scaling Plan: 25% balance increase per 4-month cycle (requires 10%+ net profit over the window, at least 2 processed rewards and a positive balance), reward upgraded to 90%, up to a $2,000,000 maximum initial balance | 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?
· You want to withdraw more often (On demand vs Every 8 days).
· You want no clock on the evaluation.
· You want clearer, more stable rules (rules grade A vs C+).
· Independent reputation matters to you (Trustpilot 4.8 vs 4.2).
· The headline profit split matters most (100% vs 90%).
· You'd rather not trade under a consistency rule.
· You're trading from the United States.
Is FTMO better than Apex Trader Funding?
It depends what you weigh: Apex Trader Funding pays the higher profit split; FTMO rates higher on Trustpilot.
Which is cheaper, FTMO or Apex Trader Funding?
Their entry prices are in different currencies or billing models (FTMO: €155, Apex Trader Funding: $199), so there is no like-for-like winner - compare at your account size in the table above.
Does FTMO or Apex Trader Funding allow EAs?
FTMO: Allowed; HFT/latency arbitrage and other Forbidden Trading Practices prohibited. 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..
Can US traders join FTMO or Apex Trader Funding?
FTMO: no, the United States is on its restricted list. Apex Trader Funding: yes, the US is not on its restricted list.
Which pays out faster, FTMO or Apex Trader Funding?
FTMO: On demand from 14 days; processed on a bi-weekly cycle, ~8h average processing. 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.
Terms last verified against each firm's own site: 2026-06-12 / 2026-06-12. How we rate.