Topstep vs Apex Trader Funding
On the numbers: Apex Trader Funding pays the higher profit split; Topstep has the cheaper entry point; Apex Trader Funding 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
| Topstep | Apex Trader Funding | |
|---|---|---|
| TradingBay Rating | 7.9 | 8.3 ★ |
| Category | Futures | Futures |
| Founded | 2012 | 2021 |
| Profit Split | 90% | 100% ★ |
| Payout Cycle | Weekly | Every 8 days |
| Account Sizes | $50K–$150K | $25K–$150K |
| Cheapest Challenge | $149 ★ | $199 |
| Platforms | TopstepX | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic / R|Trader Pro, TradingView (via Tradovate), WealthCharts |
| Trustpilot | 3.7 | 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.
| Topstep | Apex Trader Funding | |
|---|---|---|
| $25K account | - | $199 |
| $50K account | $49/mo | $249 |
| $100K account | $99/mo | $399 |
Rules head-to-head
Drawdown type is the rule that catches most traders out - read it before the profit split.
| Topstep | Apex Trader Funding | |
|---|---|---|
| Rules grade | B - Simple core rule; payout caps and consistency gates add friction ★ | C+ - Simple rules, restrictive payout structure |
| Drawdown type | Trailing Maximum Loss Limit - the 'One Rule' ($2,000/$3,000/$4,500 for 50K/100K/150K); set at end of day from the balance high, locks once it reaches the starting balance ($0 after first funded payout) | 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 | Optional add-on at checkout ($1,000/$2,000/$3,000); hitting it blocks trading until next session but is not a rule break. Adding it (Responsible Trading Advantage) doubles XFA payout caps and discounts the subscription $10-$30/month | 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 | Combine: $3,000 (50K), $6,000 (100K), $9,000 (150K) | - |
| Consistency rule | Combine: best day cannot exceed 50% of total profits. Express Funded Consistency payout path: largest day at or below 40% of total net profit | None during evaluation. 50% on funded PA: no single day may be >=50% of profit since last approved payout. |
| News trading | Permitted | Permitted (no blanket restriction). |
| EAs / automation | Automation allowed with conditions; trade copiers permitted; no support or remediation for bot malfunctions | 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 possible - positions must be flat by 3:10 PM CT daily; trading day runs 5:00 PM CT to 3:10 PM CT | Not applicable - positions are closed by session end; no overnight/weekend holding. |
| Min trading days | None to pass the Combine (possible in as little as 2 days); funded payout eligibility needs 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 trading days (Consistency) | None in evaluation (one-day pass possible). PA payouts need 5 qualifying profit days per cycle. |
| Time limit | No time limit; monthly subscription rebills until you pass or cancel, with a free reset credit on each rebill | 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
| Topstep | Apex Trader Funding | |
|---|---|---|
| Profit split (full terms) | 90/10 from the first dollar (accounts opened from 12 Jan 2026); members who joined earlier keep 100% of their first $10,000 lifetime profit | 100% of approved payouts (no split on sim-funded Performance Accounts) |
| Payout frequency | On demand during CME market hours once eligible; XFA cycles need 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at <=40% consistency (Consistency); LFA unlocks daily payouts after 30 winning days | Up to weekly - after 5 qualifying profit days per cycle; review within ~2 business days, funds sent in 3-4 business days |
| First payout | Funded traders can request a first payout in as little as 3 days (Consistency path); Standard path needs 5 winning days of $150+; no profit-since-last-payout requirement on the first payout | After 5 qualifying profit days (min daily profit $100-$350 by size) and balance above safety net (drawdown limit + $100) plus $500 |
| Minimum payout | $125 | $500 per request |
| Scaling | Contract limits scale with account balance per the Scaling Plan; payouts that drop the balance to a lower tier reduce maximum contract size. Payout caps rise per request count is not used - instead LFA invitation removes caps entirely | 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 the cheaper entry ($149 vs $199).
· You want to withdraw more often (Weekly vs Every 8 days).
· You want no clock on the evaluation.
· You run EAs or automated strategies.
· You want clearer, more stable rules (rules grade B vs C+).
· The headline profit split matters most (100% vs 90%).
· You'd rather not trade under a consistency rule.
· Independent reputation matters to you (Trustpilot 4.2 vs 3.7).
Is Topstep better than Apex Trader Funding?
It depends what you weigh: Apex Trader Funding pays the higher profit split; Topstep has the cheaper entry point; Apex Trader Funding rates higher on Trustpilot.
Which is cheaper, Topstep or Apex Trader Funding?
Topstep has the lower-priced entry challenge ($149 vs $199).
Does Topstep or Apex Trader Funding allow EAs?
Topstep: Automation allowed with conditions; trade copiers permitted; no support or remediation for bot malfunctions. 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 Topstep or Apex Trader Funding?
Topstep: yes, the US is not on its restricted list. Apex Trader Funding: yes, the US is not on its restricted list.
Which pays out faster, Topstep or Apex Trader Funding?
Topstep: On demand during CME market hours once eligible; XFA cycles need 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at <=40% consistency (Consistency); LFA unlocks daily payouts after 30 winning days. 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.