Apex Trader Funding vs Topstep

Apex Trader Funding is $94 cheaper to get started. Apex Trader Funding charges $25 one-time plus a $79 activation fee. Topstep charges $49/mo (monthly subscription) plus a $149 activation fee. Apex Trader Funding currently has an active promotion which may further reduce cost.

Apex Trader Funding uses Intraday Trailing drawdown at 4%, while Topstep uses EOD Trailing at 4% ($2,000 buffer once locked at initial). Apex Trader Funding uses intraday trailing, the strictest type — your floor moves in real time with every tick of profit. Topstep's EOD trailing only adjusts at market close, giving intraday profits a safer cushion. Lock behavior differs: Apex Trader Funding — trails indefinitely, while Topstep — locks at $50,000 after $2,000 profit.

Apex Trader Funding gets you funded faster, with an estimated ~1 days to first payout (1d eval). Apex Trader Funding has no consistency rule, meaning you could pass the evaluation in a single profitable day. Topstep requires your best day to be no more than 50% of total profit.

Apex Trader Funding offers up to 100% profit split(Weekly payouts), while Topstep offers up to 90%(Daily payouts). The 10 percentage point difference in profit split can add up significantly over time — on a $10,000 profit, that's $1,000 more in your pocket.

Both firms have similar trading restrictions.

Apex Trader Funding is a stronger fit for budget traders (starting at $19.9). Explore all trading styles to see which firms match your approach.

Based on $500/day profit, 20 trading days/month, 55% win rate

At $500/day profit, Apex Trader Funding reaches break-even on day 11 while Topstep reaches it on day 12. Apex Trader Funding costs $94 less to get started. Topstep projects $3,458/mo more in funded earnings.

Overall, Topstep scores higher (79 vs 76) on our trader-friendliness index. Key advantages: more forgiving drawdown rules. That said, Apex Trader Funding wins on lower starting cost, faster path to funded, better profit split. See the full glossary to understand any unfamiliar terms, or explore trading styles to find the best firm for your approach.