Prop Firms/Apex Trader Funding vs Topstep

Apex Trader Funding vs Topstep: Which Prop Firm Is Better in 2026?

Side-by-side comparison of rules, drawdown limits, payout ratios, and evaluation structure. Both firms tracked automatically with FundedOps — no more manual rule-checking.

Apex Trader Funding

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Max DrawdownEOD trailing — $1k (25k) / $2k (50k) / $3k (100k) / $4k (150k); intraday plan optional

Profit Target6%

Payout100% payout split (per-payout caps; max 6 payouts per PA)

Categoryfutures

⚡ Up to 90% off with code SAVENOW (Apex's standing house code — applies if you have no other coupon). New Apex: one-time eval fees (no subscription), 100% payout split

Topstep

Full review

Max DrawdownTrailing MLL — $2k (50k) / $3k (100k) / $4.5k (150k); trails up on end-of-day balance, breach monitored in real time (incl. unrealized P&L), locks at starting balance

Profit Target6%

Payout90/10 split from first dollar (100% of first $10k only for pre-Jan-12-2026 members)

Categoryfutures

⚡ Adding a Daily Loss Limit at checkout doubles XFA payout caps (limited-time offer)

RuleApexTopstep

Max DrawdownEOD trailing — $1k (25k) / $2k (50k) / $3k (100k) / $4k (150k); intraday plan optionalTrailing MLL — $2k (50k) / $3k (100k) / $4.5k (150k); trails up on end-of-day balance, breach monitored in real time (incl. unrealized P&L), locks at starting balance

Drawdown TypeBothTrailing

Profit Target6%6%

Payout Ratio100% payout split (per-payout caps; max 6 payouts per PA)90/10 split from first dollar (100% of first $10k only for pre-Jan-12-2026 members)

Min Trading DaysNone to pass eval; 5 qualifying profit days per payout ($100–$350/day min by size)Min 2 days to pass Combine (one-day pass not allowed); funded payout via 5 winning days ($150+) or 3-day Consistency path

News Trading Allowed

Weekend Holding

Consistency Rule50% at payout (Performance Accounts) — no single day ≥50% of profit since last payoutCombine: best day must stay below 50% of the profit target; funded (XFA) Consistency path: 40%

Apex Trader Funding — Overview

Apex Trader Funding is one of the largest US-based futures prop firms. Products purchased after March 1, 2026 (the "new Apex") use one-time evaluation fees with a 30-day access period — no subscriptions and no resets (a failed or expired eval means buying a new one). EOD-drawdown evaluations (25k–150k) have no consistency rule, no minimum days, and a soft daily loss limit that pauses the day without failing you. Funded Performance Accounts pay a 100% payout split with per-payout caps and a maximum of 6 payouts per account, a 50% consistency rule at payout, and a safety net of drawdown + $100.

100% payout split on Performance Account payouts

No minimum trading days to pass the evaluation — one day is possible

Frequent discount promotions (up to 90% off eval fees)

50% consistency rule at payout — no single day can be 50%+ of profit since last payout

Performance Accounts are capped at 6 payouts (with per-payout dollar caps), then the account closes

Topstep — Overview

Topstep is one of the longest-running and most trusted US futures prop firms. They pioneered many of the evaluation models used industry-wide. The Combine has one rule (don't touch the trailing Maximum Loss Limit, which ratchets up on end-of-day balance) and a consistency target — your best day must stay below 50% of the profit target, so you can't one-shot the pass. An optional Daily Loss Limit can be added at checkout; hitting it pauses the day rather than failing the account.

One of the most established and trusted firms in the industry

Clean 90/10 split from the first dollar with a well-documented payout policy

Low monthly fees ($49–$149) for the Combine

Consistency rules: best day <50% of profit target in the Combine; 40% on the funded Consistency payout path

MLL breach is checked in real time against unrealized P&L — an open trade can liquidate the account

Track your Apex Trader Funding or Topstep account automatically

FundedOps monitors your drawdown, daily loss, and consistency rule for both firms — checked after every trade import. Know exactly where you stand.

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