FTMO vs Apex Trader Funding: Which Prop Firm Wins?

FTMO vs Apex Trader Funding: At a glance

FTMO is a forex, indices, commodities (cfd) prop firm running a two-step: challenge + verification, with profit targets of 10% and a max drawdown of 10%. Apex Trader Funding operates in the us futures market with a single-step evaluation, 6% profit target, and 4% drawdown. The two firms attract different types of traders — FTMO suits forex swing and intraday traders; overnight holds, while Apex is generally better for traders who want fast scaling, multiple accounts, no time pressure. The full side-by-side comparison is below.

Evaluation structure

FTMO's evaluation is a two-step: challenge + verification with a typical cost around $180. You need to hit 10% profit without breaching a 10% drawdown or the daily loss rule (5% daily, 10% total). Apex Trader Funding runs a single-step evaluation at roughly $147, with a 6% target, 4% drawdown, and none on eval; trailing eod drawdown on funded. 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, FTMO pays out on a monthly, on-demand after first payout cadence with a 80%, up to 90% with consistency split. Apex Trader Funding pays on-demand after 8 winning days at 100% on first $25k, 90% after. FTMO's scaling model: Scaling plan: +25% every 4 months if profitable. Apex Trader Funding: Up to 20 accounts, no scaling plan required. 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 FTMO if forex swing and intraday traders; overnight holds — its trade-offs (two-step process; stricter daily loss limit) matter less for that profile. Pick Apex Trader Funding if traders who want fast scaling, multiple accounts, no time pressure — the trade-off there is that trailing drawdown is strict on funded accounts. 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.