Apex Trader Funding vs Topstep

Apex Trader Funding and Topstep are two of the best-known US futures prop firms, and they now work in very different ways. Apex charges a one-time fee for a 30-day evaluation and pays a 100% split on capped payouts. Topstep bills monthly with no time limit and pays up to 90%. This comparison uses prices and rules checked on Apex's site on 5 November 2026 and Topstep's on 3 November 2026.

At a glance

Apex Trader Funding

• Program: one-step evaluation, then a simulated Performance Account (PA). New products since 1 March 2026.
• Sizes: 25K, 50K, 100K, 150K.
• Billing: one-time fee. Evaluations last 30 days with no resets.
• Drawdown: choose Intraday Trail or EOD Trail.
• Daily loss limit: none on the Intraday evaluation; $500 to $2,000 on EOD.
• Split: 100% of approved payouts, with per-payout caps and a maximum of six payouts per PA.

Topstep

• Program: one-step Trading Combine, then an Express Funded Account and a possible route to live funding.
• Sizes: 50K, 100K, 150K.
• Billing: monthly subscription until you pass or cancel. No time limit.
• Drawdown: end-of-day trailing, locking at the starting balance.
• Daily loss limit: optional, chosen at checkout.
• Platform: TopstepX only.
• Split: up to 90%.

Pricing

Apex (one-time, list prices)

• Intraday Trail: $167 (25K), $249 (50K), $790 (100K), $1,190 (150K) on the Standard path, plus an activation fee after you pass. No Activation Fee path: $690 to $1,890.
• EOD Trail: $490 (25K), $590 (50K), $1,190 (100K), $2,190 (150K) Standard; $1,090 to $2,490 with no activation fee.
• Current sale: code SAVENOW takes 90% off all evaluations for a limited time. See our Apex discount code page.

Topstep (per month)

• Standard Path: $49 (50K), $99 (100K), $199 (150K), plus $149 activation.
• No Activation Fee Path: $95 (50K), $149 (100K), $229 (150K).

Cost at 50K, list prices

• Apex Intraday, No Activation Fee, pass first time: $799.
• Apex Intraday, Standard, pass first time: $249 plus the activation fee.
• Topstep No Activation Fee, pass in month 1: $95. In month 3: $285.
• Topstep Standard, pass in month 1: $49 + $149 = $198.

At list prices Topstep is cheaper for most traders. During Apex's 90% sale the order flips: a 50K Intraday Standard evaluation costs $24.90. Run your own numbers in the prop firm cost calculator.

Evaluation rules

• Profit target: both ask for $3,000 (50K), $6,000 (100K) and $9,000 (150K). Apex adds a 25K at $1,500.
• Max drawdown: Apex $2,000, $3,000 and $4,000; Topstep $2,000, $3,000 and $4,500.
• Drawdown style: Apex Intraday trails your peak balance in real time, including open profit. Apex EOD and Topstep update from the closing balance.
• Consistency while evaluating: Apex has none. Topstep uses a 55% consistency target: if your best day is more than 55% of the target, the target rises.
• Time: Apex gives 30 days. Topstep has no limit while you keep paying.
• Minimum days: neither has one, so both can be passed quickly.

Funded accounts and payouts

• Apex: 100% split, up to weekly after 5 qualifying days, 50% consistency on payouts, $500 minimum, and a maximum of six payouts per PA with caps from $1,000 to $5,000 by size.
• Topstep: up to a 90% split, paid on request with per-request caps on the Express Funded Account.
• Holding: Topstep requires you to be flat by 3:10 PM CT. Check Apex's rules pages for its session and holding rules.

Which should you choose?

• Choose Apex if you can hit a target inside 30 days, want no consistency rule while evaluating, like the option of no daily loss limit, or want to buy during a big sale.
• Choose Topstep if you want no time limit, prefer a low monthly entry price, or want a long-running firm with a route to live funding.
• If you need resets, Apex's new products do not offer them; Topstep does.

Related reading

• Apex Trader Funding review
• Topstep review
• Topstep discount code
• Trailing vs static drawdown

Prices and rules change often. Confirm current terms on each firm's own site before you buy. FundedKings may earn a commission if you buy through our links. See our affiliate disclosure. This guide is educational, not financial advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss.