A detailed breakdown of how these two firms compare across costs, drawdown rules, payout structure, and trading restrictions.
Topstep is $22 cheaper to get started. Apex Trader Funding charges $131 one-time plus a $89 activation fee. Topstep charges $49/mo (monthly subscription) plus a $149 activation fee.
Apex Trader Funding uses Intraday Trailing drawdown at 4% ($2,000 buffer once at profit target), while Topstep uses .
1 min trading days
1d eval + 5d winning + 5d processing
50% consistency → need 2+ profitable days
2d eval + 5d winning + 3d processing
Topstep gets you funded faster, with an estimated ~10 days to first payout (2d eval + 5d winning + 3d processing). 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, $500 min), while Topstep offers up to 100%(Daily payouts, $125 min).
When comparing withdrawal frequency, the gap between payouts matters. Apex Trader Funding requires 5 profitable trading days between each withdrawal, while Topstep requires 5 profitable trading days. At 20 trading days per month, that means Apex Trader Funding can request roughly 4 payouts per month versus Topstep's 4.
Apex Trader Funding requires clearing a buffer zone before your first payout — you must earn above your starting balance plus the drawdown amount before any withdrawal is allowed. has no buffer requirement, meaning payouts are available from day one.
News trading allowed · Only 1 min trading days
Starting at $131.33 · One-time fee (no subscription)
Automation & bots allowed · News trading OK
News trading allowed · Only 2 min trading days
Both firms work well for day traders. Apex Trader Funding is a stronger fit for budget traders (starting at $131.33). Topstep is a stronger fit for scalpers (automation & bots allowed). 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 (never) while Topstep reaches it on day 12. Topstep costs $22 less to get started. Topstep projects $4,880/mo more in funded earnings.
Choose Topstep if you want:
Between payouts, Apex Trader Funding requires 5 trading days before your next request, while Topstep requires 5 trading days.
To count as a qualifying day toward payouts, Apex Trader Funding requires at least $250 in daily profit, while Topstep requires $150. The lower bar at Topstep is easier to meet on choppy trading days.
Topstep limits each payout to 50% of accumulated profit, keeping the remainder as an account buffer. Apex Trader Funding has no percentage-of-profit cap on payouts.
Apex Trader Funding requires a minimum account balance of $52,600 before you can request a payout. Topstep has no minimum balance requirement.
Apex Trader Funding caps funded accounts at 6 payouts before requiring a transition to a live account. Topstep has no maximum payout count.
Apex Trader Funding requires a $52,100 safety net buffer before your first payout — you must earn above starting balance plus this amount. Topstep has no safety net requirement.
Topstep caps each withdrawal at $5,000 per request. Apex Trader Funding has no per-request cap.
Overall, Topstep scores higher (72 vs 66) on our trader-friendliness index. Key advantages: lower starting cost, faster path to funded, fewer trading restrictions. See the full glossary to understand any unfamiliar terms, or explore trading styles to find the best firm for your approach.