Apex Trader Funding stands out from other prop firms with its one-step evaluation, flexible rules, and generous profit splits. Traders can keep 100% of the first $25,000 in profits and then earn a 90% split afterward, with no daily drawdown limits—only an overall trailing or static drawdown. It also allows trading during news events and holidays, supports multiple accounts, and provides free tools like a NinjaTrader license with real-time data.
Apex Trader Funding and The Funded Trader are two well-known prop firms that give traders access to large amounts of capital once they pass an evaluation. While both share the same core idea—letting traders prove their skills before trading funded accounts—they differ in focus, pricing, rules, and trader benefits.
Apex is popular for its low-cost evaluations, frequent discounts, and strong futures trading programs, making it appealing for cost-conscious traders. The Funded Trader, on the other hand, stands out with its forex and CFD offerings, gamified funding model, and multiple challenge types designed to fit different trading styles. Understanding these differences can help traders decide which firm aligns better with their goals and preferred markets.
Table of Contents
- What Is Apex Trader Funding?
- Pros
- Cons
- See All 17 Items
What Is Apex Trader Funding?
Apex Trader Funding is a proprietary trading firm offering traders access to funded accounts to trade futures. Founded by Darrell Martin in 2021 and based in Austin, Texas, Apex Trader Funding has monthly participation fees of $137 to $657. An Apex funded account can range from $25,000 to $300,000.
Pros
- Live funded accounts
- Retention of the full profit of the first $25,000 earned
- 90% profit split after the first $25,000
- Straightforward, simple rule set
- Option to manage up to 20 accounts simultaneously
Cons
- Futures trading only
- Required to trade for 10 days before payout
- Designated periods each month to request payouts
What Is The Funded Trader?
The Funded Trader program is a proprietary trading platform that offers traders evaluations to earn funded accounts in a simulated environment. Angelo Ciaramello, Blake Olson, and Carlos Rico Jr. launched The Funded Trader as a prop firm in May 2021 to gamify retail trading. There, you can simulate trading contracts for difference (CFDs) for foreign exchange (forex), indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.
The Funded Trader is headquartered in Liberty Hill, Texas, and Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Traders are charged a one-time fee ranging from $65 to $1,879, which is refunded if they pass the evaluation. Funded accounts range from $5,000 to $400,000, with an opportunity to scale up to $600,000 and even $1.5 million.
Pros
- An array of funded account options
- 80/20 payout with potential for 90/10 payout
- Challenge fee is refundable
- Supports several trading styles
- Weekend trading
Cons
- No futures trading
- Trading only 60 instruments
- Lack of on-site education
Side-by-Side Comparison
Here's a side-by-side comparison of Apex Trader Funding vs. The Funded Trader:
| Feature | Apex Trader Funding | The Funded Trader |
|---|---|---|
| Funding Options | Up to $1.5 million | Up to $400,000 |
| Profit Split | The trader keeps 100% of profits up to the initial amount of $25,000, then takes a 90% split on future transactions | You earn 80% of profits through, 90% after passing one- or two-step evaluations, and up to 95% in the VIP program for experienced traders |
| Pricing | Starts at $150 for the $25,000 account | Starts at $89 for the $25,000 account |
| Evaluation Process | 2-step process: Evaluation + Performance Evaluation | 2-step process: Challenge + Verification |
| Trading Platforms | NinjaTrader, TradingView, and others via API | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader |
| Scaling Plans | Yes, can scale as profits grow | Yes, scaling options are available based on performance |
| Account Reset Options | Available with a fee | Available with a fee |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly | Monthly |
| Leverage | 10:1 for most accounts | 10:1 for most accounts |
| Risk Management | Specific daily loss limits and drawdown rules | Specific daily loss limits and drawdown rules |
| Tradable Assets | Futures | Primarily, forex, some indices, and commodities |
| Trading Styles Allowed | Day trading, swing trading, and scalping | Day trading, swing trading, and scalping |
| Customer Support | 24/7 support via chat and email | 24/7 support via chat and email |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| Trial Accounts | Yes, a free demo account is available | Yes, a free trial account is available |
Key Differences:
- Funding Potential: Apex offers a higher funding ceiling ($1.5 million) compared to The Funded Trader’s $400,000.
- Pricing: The Funded Trader has a lower entry point, with accounts starting at $89 for a $25,000 account, compared to Apex’s $150.
- Platform Options: Apex supports a wider range of platforms, including NinjaTrader and TradingView, while The Funded Trader focuses on MetaTrader and cTrader.
- Payout Frequency: Apex provides bi-weekly payouts, which may be more attractive for traders seeking quicker access to profits, while The Funded Trader pays monthly.
Apex Trader Funding vs. The Funded Trader
When looking at Apex Trader Funding vs. The Funded Trader, you might consider six important features from each prop firm: profit-sharing, cost, flexibility, risk management, educational resources, and trading platforms. Here’s a head-to-head comparison of those features.
Profit-Sharing
Apex Trader Funding and The Funded Trader offer competitive profit-sharing splits compared to the rest of the industry. Apex Trader Funding has a one-step evaluation and a generous split. The Funded Trader offers a one-step and two-step challenge, starting with a lower profit-sharing split with an opportunity to equal Apex Trader Funding’s split. An add-on can get you to an even higher profit-sharing split.
Apex: Apex Trader Funding offers 100% of the first $25,000 you earn and allows you to take 90% of the profits afterward.
The Funded Trader: You can take 80% of the profits you earn through The Funded Trader. However, you can earn 90% if you pass the one-step and two-step evaluations. Experienced traders can earn up to 95% in a VIP program.
Cost
Neither Apex Trader Funding nor The Funded Trader charges fees associated with payouts or the method of payouts.
Apex: You can request a payout after 10 days of trading. Payouts are made on the 15th and 30th of each month, and withdrawals can take three to seven days.
The Funded Trader: Payouts depend on the type of account you subscribe to and whether you’ve purchased an add-on. You can receive a payout every 14 days or every seven days if you purchase the add-on.
Flexibility
As prop firms go, Apex Trader Funding and The Funded Trader aim to offer flexibility through their funding amounts and profit splits.
Apex: Traders can access a range of capital based on their performance. If you stick to evaluation, there’s no cap on what you can earn.
The Funded Trader: The firm offers a variety of challenges, including flexible options such as unlimited trading days, no lot limits, and early withdrawals.
Risk Management
The Funded Trader takes a risk management approach that is stricter than that of Apex Trader Funding.
Apex: Risk management from Apex Trader Funding is straightforward and avoids complicating trading. It includes no daily loss limits with a trailing drawdown, giving traders flexibility.
The Funded Trader: The Funded Trader's risk management is strict and automated, limiting a trader’s risk in a single trade. It limits a trader’s flexibility by setting a maximum percentage that can be risked and monitoring the trading strategy.
Educational Resources
Apex Trader Funding provides educational resources on trading programs and risk management strategies. Its website also offers webinars, videos, and FAQs. The Funded Trader is criticized for a lack of educational resources, although its website does contain a blog and FAQs. Still, it is backed by a community that offers support to traders.
Apex: Apex Trader Funding offers a free, 30-day education course and a one-on-one mentor.
The Funded Trader: VVS Academy is a community of traders who share their knowledge and experience. It also provides webinars, video tutorials, and trading tools.
Trading Platform
Apex Trader Funding offers a robust list of trading platforms, providing real-time data through each and a free NinjaTrader license. The Funded Trader offers two platforms familiar to many traders, giving them access to many resources and tools on the web or on the go.
Apex: The platforms are NinjaTrader, TradingView, Tradovate, Rithmic, R | Trader Pro, WealthCharts, Jigsaw Trading, Volfix, ATAS, Bookmap, EdgeClear, Finamark, MotiveWave, Quantower, and Sierra Chart.
The Funded Trader: The platforms on The Funded Trader, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), allow traders to access the brokers working with the firm. Eightcap and ThinkMarkets support MT4 and MT5, and Purple Trading Seychelles supports MT4.
Apex Trader Funding vs. The Funded Trader: Winner
Apex Trader Funding and The Funded Trader offer you funded trading accounts. However, you would trade live with Apex Trader Funding and in a simulated environment with The Funded Trader.
The differences regarding Apex Trader Funding vs. The Funded Trader don't stop there. Apex Trader Funding has a one-step evaluation it intentionally keeps simple. The Funded Trader has a straightforward one-step challenge, but it also offers a two-step challenge with different targets and stricter risk management rules.
Apex Trader Funding’s simple rules make the platform more accessible to intermediate traders, while the longer evaluations with more stringent risk management rules mean that The Funded Trader is geared toward more experienced traders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best funded trader program?
FTMO tends to be the safest all-round choice for its balance of cost, rules, reputation, flexibility. But for the more specialized (say futures-only, or higher leverage or quick payouts) then Apex Trader Funding or The Funded Trader might be a better fit.
How is Apex Trader Funding different?
What is the 30% rule in Apex trader?
In Apex Trader Funding, the 30% rule is a consistency and risk control measure. It means your largest profit day cannot make up more than 30% of your total profits since the last payout (to avoid relying on a single “lucky” trade), and your unrealized losses on open trades cannot exceed 30% of your profit balance for that day. This rule ensures steady, controlled trading rather than oversized risks.
About Sarah Edwards
Sarah Edwards is a finance writer passionate about helping people learn more about what’s needed to achieve their financial goals. She has nearly a decade of writing experience focused on budgeting, investment strategies, retirement and industry trends. Her work has been published on NerdWallet and FinImpact.
