Apex Trader Funding vs TopStep: Which Prop Firm Wins?
Compare Apex Trader Funding vs TopStep — cost, rules, profit splits, payouts, and which prop firm suits your trading style.
Apex Trader Funding vs TopStep: At a glance
Apex Trader Funding is a us futures prop firm running a single-step evaluation, with profit targets of 6% and a max drawdown of 4%. TopStep operates in the us futures market with a single-step combine, 6% profit target, and 4% drawdown. The two firms attract different types of traders — Apex suits traders who want fast scaling, multiple accounts, no time pressure, while TopStep is generally better for disciplined futures day traders who want a reputable name. The full side-by-side comparison is below.
Evaluation structure
Apex Trader Funding's evaluation is a single-step evaluation with a typical cost around $147. You need to hit 6% profit without breaching a 4% drawdown or the daily loss rule (None on eval; trailing EOD drawdown on funded). TopStep runs a single-step combine at roughly $165, with a 6% target, 4% drawdown, and $1,000 on $50k, $2,000 on $100k, $3,000 on $150k. Neither firm is strictly harder — the right one depends on your style. Short-time-frame scalpers usually prefer firms with no daily loss limit on the evaluation. Swing traders who hold overnight need a firm that allows overnight holds.
Payouts and scaling
Once funded, Apex Trader Funding pays out on a on-demand after 8 winning days cadence with a 100% on first $25k, 90% after split. TopStep pays weekly after 5 winning days at 100% on first $10k, then 90/10. Apex Trader Funding's scaling model: Up to 20 accounts, no scaling plan required. TopStep: Funded Account Plus adds size over time. If you want to compound quickly across many accounts, the firm with broader scaling rules is usually the better fit — but faster scaling also means more capital at risk if you overtrade.
Which should you pick?
Pick Apex Trader Funding if traders who want fast scaling, multiple accounts, no time pressure — its trade-offs (trailing drawdown is strict on funded accounts) matter less for that profile. Pick TopStep if disciplined futures day traders who want a reputable name — the trade-off there is that only 3 account sizes; strict daily loss. If you can't decide, the cheapest way to learn is to practice the shape of both rule sets in a simulator first, then pay for a real evaluation once you have a feel for the pace.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Apex Trader Funding | TopStep |
|---|---|---|
| Market | US futures | US futures |
| Evaluation | Single-step evaluation | Single-step Combine |
| Min account | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Max account | $300,000 | $150,000 |
| Typical cost | ~$147 | ~$165 |
| Profit target | 6% | 6% |
| Max drawdown | 4% | 4% |
| Daily loss limit | None on eval; trailing EOD drawdown on funded | $1,000 on $50k, $2,000 on $100k, $3,000 on $150k |
| Profit split | 100% on first $25k, 90% after | 100% on first $10k, then 90/10 |
| Payout frequency | On-demand after 8 winning days | Weekly after 5 winning days |
| Time limit | None | None |
| News trading | Allowed | Allowed |
| Overnight holds | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Platforms | Rithmic, Tradovate, NinjaTrader | TopStepX, Rithmic, NinjaTrader |
| Best for | Traders who want fast scaling, multiple accounts, no time pressure | Disciplined futures day traders who want a reputable name |