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 4 product types (Trail, Static, S2F, S2L) vs Apex's 2 (Intraday Trail, EOD Trail)
- Payout speed — DayTraders averages ~32 minutes (automated) vs Apex's 5-day cadence
- Total withdrawal cap — DayTraders caps at $150K lifetime, Apex caps at 6 payout requests per PA
- Max accounts — Apex allows 20 accounts, DayTraders allows 5 funded + 5 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/Static), 25K-150K (S2F), 50K-300K (S2L)
- Pricing: One-time fees — Trail $249-$879, Static $150-$575, S2F $370-$825, S2L $329-$599. Promo code "DT" for 85% off evals
- Drawdown: Intraday trailing (Trail), 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)
- Total withdrawal cap: $150,000 per user (lifetime, across all accounts)
- Max accounts: 5 funded (2 Pro + 3 S2F) + 5 S2L
- Automation: Personal bots allowed (no HFT, no cross-account hedging)
- Overnight: Allowed (at trader's risk)
- Platforms: ONYX (web-based, TradingView + Rithmic)
- 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 $118-$265, EOD Trail $177-$397 (before promo). Promo code "SAVENOW" for 85% 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% of first $25,000 in lifetime payouts, then 90/10
- Consistency: None on evaluation. 50% on PA (Performance Account)
- Payout requirements: 5 trading days between payouts. 30% windfall rule (no single day can exceed 30% of total P&L at payout time — expires after 6th payout). Half contracts until Safety Net ($79 buffer) is cleared
- Maximum payout requests: 6 per PA (lifetime cap)
- Activation fee: $99 (due within 7 days of PA offer)
- 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 100% split on your first $25K is one of the best introductory offers 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) | $131 Intraday / $197 EOD (one-time) | | Product types | 4 (Trail, Static, S2F, S2L) | 2 (Intraday Trail, EOD Trail) | | Profit split | 100% (Trail/Static/S2F), 80/20 (S2L) | 100% first $25K, then 90/10 | | Payout speed | ~32 min (automated) | 5-day cadence | | 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) | $99 | | Total withdrawal cap | $150,000 per user | 6 payout requests per PA | | Max accounts | 5 funded + 5 S2L | 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, 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 possible entry cost (from ~$118 for 25K Intraday Trail)
- Up to 20 funded accounts (the highest in the industry)
- 100% profit on your first $25K in lifetime withdrawals
- 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 four distinct account types with a live capital path. The ~32 minute automated payouts are unmatched. Apex wins on simplicity, maximum account count, and the $25K introductory 100% split threshold that lets you keep every dollar until you've withdrawn $25,000 total.
The $150K lifetime withdrawal cap at DayTraders is a meaningful constraint for long-term earners. Apex's 6 payout request limit per PA is a different kind of cap — 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 85% off with code "DT" and Apex offers 85% 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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