DayTraders and Apex Trader Funding are both one-time fee prop firms that offer 100% profit splits. Both underwent significant changes in early 2026 — Apex restructured from monthly subscriptions to one-time fees, and DayTraders launched the S2L (Straight to Live) program that puts traders on real capital.
These are two of the most feature-rich firms in the industry. The comparison comes down to product variety, payout mechanics, and how each firm handles the path from evaluation to live trading.
What Matters in This Comparison
The key decision points between DayTraders and Apex are:
- Product variety — DayTraders offers 5 product types (Trail, EOD, Static, S2F, S2L) vs Apex's 2 (Intraday Trail, EOD Trail)
- Payout speed — DayTraders averages ~32 minutes (automated) vs Apex's 5-11 business days
- Withdrawal limits — DayTraders caps sim payouts per-request ($1K-$5K by size; no limits on live accounts), Apex caps at 6 payout requests per PA
- Max accounts — Apex allows 20 accounts, DayTraders allows 15 funded total (including S2F and S2L)
- Live trading path — DayTraders S2L offers real capital, Apex remains sim-funded
DayTraders
DayTraders offers the widest product range of any futures prop firm — four distinct account types, each designed for a different trader profile.
Key specs:
- Account sizes: 25K to 300K (Trail/EOD), 25K-150K (Static), 25K-150K (S2F), 50K-300K (S2L)
- Pricing: One-time fees — Trail $249-$879, EOD $309-$1,599, Static $150-$400, S2F $370-$825, S2L $329-$599. Promo code "DT" for 90% off Trail/EOD evals (85% Static, 40% S2F, 25-46% S2L)
- Drawdown: Intraday trailing (Trail), EOD trailing with DLL (EOD), static/fixed (Static), EOD trailing (S2F), intraday trailing with DLL (S2L)
- Profit split: 100% on Trail/Static/S2F — no progression, no firm cut. S2L live accounts use 80/20
- Consistency: 50% on eval, 30% on Pro funded, 20% on S2F, 25% on S2L eval, none on S2L live
- Payout frequency: Every 8 qualifying days (Pro) or 10 qualifying days (S2F). QDay = minimum $100-$400 daily profit depending on account size. S2L live accounts pay daily
- Payout speed: Automated via Plane — approximately 32 minutes average processing time
- Activation fee: $130 (Pro), $0 (S2F and S2L)
- Withdrawal limits: Per-request maxes on sim accounts ($1,000-$5,000 by size); no payout limits on live (S2L) accounts
- Max accounts: 15 funded total (max 5 S2F, 5 EOD Pro, 5 S2L within the 15)
- Automation: Personal bots allowed (no HFT, no cross-account hedging)
- Overnight: Allowed (at trader's risk)
- Platforms: ONYX (live license) and Quantower, on Rithmic data
- Trustpilot: 4.7 stars
The S2L program launched in March 2026 is a standout. After passing an 8-day evaluation (25% consistency, intraday trailing with DLL), you trade real live capital through a brokerage account. The trade-off is a lower profit split at 80/20 and reduced starting contracts (1-3 minis depending on size), but you're trading actual capital — not a simulation.
Apex Trader Funding
Apex Trader Funding restructured in March 2026, switching from monthly subscriptions to one-time evaluation fees with two drawdown options per account size.
Key specs:
- Account sizes: 25K, 50K, 100K, 150K
- Pricing: One-time fees — Intraday Trail $199-$599, EOD Trail $390-$1,090 (regular). Promo code "SAVENOW" for ~90% off
- Drawdown: Two options per size — Intraday Trail (no DLL) or EOD Trail (has DLL). Both trail until floor locks at initial balance
- Profit split: 100% payout, no profit sharing
- Consistency: None on evaluation. 50% on PA (Performance Account)
- Payout requirements: 5 trading days between payouts; per-size minimum daily profits ($100-$350) count qualifying days. 50% PA consistency (no single day may exceed 50% of total profit). Processing takes 5-11 business days (ACH for US, Plane internationally)
- Maximum payout requests: 6 per PA (lifetime cap)
- Activation fee: $69-$129 (Intraday) / $89-$149 (EOD), one-time, by account size
- Max accounts: 20
- Automation: Prohibited — no bots, algos, or automated execution
- Overnight: Allowed
- Platforms: Rithmic, Tradovate, WealthCharts
- Trustpilot: 4.4 stars (18,000+ reviews)
Apex's dual drawdown option is unique — you choose between intraday trailing (tighter tracking, no DLL) and EOD trailing (daily calculation, has DLL) at the time of purchase. The flat 100% payout split (no profit sharing) is one of the best in the industry, though the 6 payout request maximum per PA means you need to be strategic about withdrawal timing.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | DayTraders | Apex Trader Funding | |----------|-----------|---------------------| | Entry cost (50K) | $379 Trail / $200 Static (one-time) | $249 Intraday / $450 EOD (one-time) | | Product types | 5 (Trail, EOD, Static, S2F, S2L) | 2 (Intraday Trail, EOD Trail) | | Profit split | 100% (Trail/Static/S2F), 80/20 (S2L) | 100% (no profit sharing) | | Payout speed | ~32 min (automated) | 5-11 business days | | Drawdown types | Intraday trailing, static, EOD trailing | Intraday trailing or EOD trailing | | Consistency (funded) | 30% (Pro) / 20% (S2F) / 0% (S2L live) | 50% | | Activation fee | $130 (Pro) / $0 (S2F/S2L) | $69-$149 by size/type | | Withdrawal limits | Per-request maxes (sim); none on live | 6 payout requests per PA | | Max accounts | 15 funded total | 20 | | Automation | Personal bots OK | Prohibited | | Overnight | Allowed | Allowed | | Live capital path | S2L (direct to live after eval) | None (sim-funded) | | Platforms | ONYX | Rithmic, Tradovate, WealthCharts | | Trustpilot | 4.7 | 4.4 (18,000+ reviews) |
Verdict: Choose Based on What You Value Most
Choose DayTraders if you want:
- The fastest payouts in the industry (~32 minutes automated)
- Product variety — pick Trail, EOD, Static, S2F, or S2L based on your style
- A path to real live capital trading (S2L)
- 100% profit split with no firm cut on simulated accounts
- Static drawdown option for conservative risk management
- Personal bot and automation support
Choose Apex Trader Funding if you want:
- The lowest entry cost (from $199 regular for 25K Intraday Trail — pennies on the dollar during promos)
- Up to 20 funded accounts (the highest in the industry)
- 100% profit split with no firm cut
- Choice between intraday and EOD drawdown per account size
- More platform flexibility (Rithmic, Tradovate, WealthCharts)
- A massive trader community and established brand recognition
DayTraders wins on payout speed and product variety — no other firm offers five distinct account types with a live capital path. The ~32 minute automated payouts are unmatched. Apex wins on simplicity, maximum account count, and a flat 100% payout split that lets you keep every dollar of every payout.
DayTraders removed its old $150K lifetime withdrawal cap in 2026 — sim accounts now cap per-request ($1K-$5K by size) and live accounts have no payout limits at all. Apex's 6 payout request limit per PA is the cap that matters there — you need to maximize each withdrawal. For a deeper analysis of withdrawal limits across all firms, see our payout caps explained guide.
Both firms run frequent promotions. DayTraders offers up to 90% off with code "DT" and Apex offers ~90% off with code "SAVENOW." Check the deals page for the latest.
Compare DayTraders vs Apex side-by-side to see every rule in one view.
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