Head-to-head · Independent comparison
Apex Trader Funding vs FTMO
How Apex Trader Funding and FTMO stack up on profit split, pricing, payouts and the rules that bind a funded account — advertised claims separated from what we could verify.
Strong value and flexibility for active futures traders, balanced against simulated-funding mechanics and a strict trailing drawdown.
The established benchmark: long track record, transparent objectives, documented scaling plan; $200K per-account ceiling before scaling.
On our five-dimension scorecard, Apex Trader Funding rates marginally higher overall — but the dimension-by-dimension breakdown below matters more than the average.
Advertised maximums
The numbers, head-to-head
Headline figures from the structured plan data for each firm. “Up to” splits and max funding are ceilings reached via tiers or scaling — not the figure every trader gets.
Profit split — headline maximum (%)
Higher is betterEntry price — lowest advertised ($)
Lower is betterMax funding — headline ($)
Higher is betterOur editorial scorecard (0–5)
Who wins each dimension
| Dimension | Apex Trader Funding | FTMO | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing & value | 5.0 | 3.0 | Apex Trader Funding |
| Profit split | 4.0 | 4.0 | Tie |
| Payout speed | 4.0 | 4.0 | Tie |
| Rules flexibility | 4.0 | 4.0 | Tie |
| Transparency | 4.0 | 5.0 | FTMO |
Scores are The Prop Examiner’s editorial assessment, not user reviews. See our methodology.
Advertised vs verified
At a glance
Apex Trader Funding
FTMO
What actually binds you
Key trading rules compared
Apex Trader Funding
| Phase / model | Rule | Published value |
|---|---|---|
| Intraday eval | Profit target | 25K $1,500; 50K $3,000; 100K $6,000; 150K $9,000 |
| Intraday eval | Trailing drawdown | Follows Peak Balance (incl. unrealized); 25K $1,000 → 150K $4,000 |
| Intraday eval | Daily loss limit | None in eval (optional DLL; EOD Trail option offered) |
| Intraday eval | Contract limits | 25K 4 (40 micro); 50K 6; 100K 8; 150K 12 |
| Eval | Minimum trading days | None — may pass in a single day (30-day access) |
| Funded (PA) | Consistency | 50% consistency rule applies (none in eval) |
| All | Prohibited styles | No hedging/offsetting across accounts; rule-circumvention closes the account |
FTMO
| Phase / model | Rule | Published value |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Step | Profit target | 10% |
| 2-Step | Profit target | 10% (phase 1) + 5% (phase 2) |
| 1-Step | Daily loss limit | 3% |
| 2-Step | Daily loss limit | 5% |
| All | Max loss | 10% (1-Step uses end-of-day trailing) |
| 2-Step | Minimum trading days | 4 days |
Rules vary by product. For a plan-by-plan comparison, use the account comparison tool.
Balanced view
Pros & cons
Apex Trader Funding
Strengths
- One-time evaluation fee (no recurring billing on new products) with frequent deep discount codes.
- 100% of requested rewards retained in simulated funded accounts, with a 5-trading-day cadence.
- No minimum trading days and no consistency rule in the evaluation — can pass quickly.
- Up to 20 accounts allowed and multiple platform/data vendors to choose from.
Cons & open risks
- Performance Accounts are explicitly simulated; payouts are discretionary, and 6 payouts close the PA.
- The Intraday Trailing Drawdown follows peak balance including unrealized gains — punishing if you give back open profit.
- A 50% consistency rule applies to funded accounts even though the eval has none.
- Site states services are intended for US users only — international eligibility must be checked.
FTMO
Strengths
- Long operating history and one of the most widely reviewed prop firms.
- Clear, published trading objectives and a documented scaling plan.
- 2-Step fee is refunded with the first reward.
- Both 1-Step (90% split) and 2-Step models available.
Cons & open risks
- Account sizes top out at $200K per account (scaling needed beyond that).
- 1-Step fee is not refunded after passing.
- Live checkout pricing and promos were not exposed without the purchase flow.
- As with all prop challenges, most buyers do not reach a payout.
Our take
Which should you choose?
Apex Trader Funding rates marginally higher on our scorecard, but "better" depends on what you trade and the rules you can live within. Read each verdict, then verify the figures for your exact product before buying.
Apex is a high-volume futures evaluation firm with trader-friendly mechanics — one-time fees, fast passes, and 100% requested rewards in sim funded accounts — frequently paired with steep discount codes. The trade-offs are a simulated funded environment with discretionary payouts, a peak-balance trailing drawdown, and a 6-payout-per-account cap. The Prop Examiner has no affiliate relationship with Apex at this time.
FTMO is the established benchmark in this space: a long track record, transparent objectives, and a documented scaling plan. The main limitations are a $200K per-account ceiling before scaling and a 1-Step fee that is not refunded. We could not confirm live pricing without entering checkout, so price-shop on the day you buy.
Affiliate disclosure: The Prop Examiner is an independent project and may earn a commission if you sign up through some of our links. We are not affiliated with any firm reviewed. Trading challenges are simulated/educational products; no profits or payouts are guaranteed.
Common questions
Apex Trader Funding vs FTMO FAQ
- Is Apex Trader Funding or FTMO better?
- Our independent ratings: Apex Trader Funding 4.0/5, FTMO 4.4/5. Apex Trader Funding edges it on our scorecard, but the right pick depends on your market, budget and the rules you can trade within.
- Which is cheaper to start, Apex Trader Funding or FTMO?
- Lowest advertised entry price: Apex Trader Funding from $100, FTMO from $155. Apex Trader Funding has the lower starting price, but compare like-for-like account sizes — cheapest is not always best value.
- Which has the higher profit split, Apex Trader Funding or FTMO?
- Headline ("up to") maximums: Apex Trader Funding 100%, FTMO 90%. Apex Trader Funding advertises the higher ceiling — but top splits are usually gated behind tiers or scaling, not what every trader gets.
- Does Apex Trader Funding or FTMO pay out faster?
- Apex Trader Funding: 5 trading days between payouts; $500 minimum; max 6 payouts per PA then it closes. FTMO: 2-Step rewards processed bi-weekly; ~8h avg processing stated. Payout speed and eligibility depend on the product and on meeting each firm's rules; no payout is guaranteed.
Cited & dated
Sources
Figures trace to each firm’s own pages, accessed on the dates shown. Re-verify before relying on any number — pricing and promos change.
- 1.Apex — homepage / product selector & instruments· accessed 2026-06-17
- 2.Apex — Intraday Trailing Drawdown Evaluations (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 3.Apex — Intraday Trailing Drawdown Payouts (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 4.Apex — Payouts page· accessed 2026-06-17
- 5.FTMO — how it works· accessed 2026-06-17
- 6.FTMO — trading objectives· accessed 2026-06-17
- 7.FTMO — reward, growth & scaling plan· accessed 2026-06-17
- 8.FTMO — why is there a fee (refund terms)· accessed 2026-06-17
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