Apex Trader Funding vs Earn2Trade: Compared Rule by Rule for 2026
Two firms, two operating philosophies. Apex Trader Funding was founded in 2021 out of Austin; Earn2Trade followed in 2016 from Wilmington, and the product design reflects that lineage. Both operate in the futures category, both accept Tradovate and Rithmic accounts, and both publish monthly payout figures. The commonalities end at the drawdown mechanic. On the numbers that matter, Earn2Trade prices its 100K challenge at ~"50/month (TCP100), roughly several dozen dollars below Apex Trader Funding, and Apex Trader Funding advertises a headline split of one hundred percent.
Side-by-side comparison
| Rule | Apex Trader Funding | Earn2Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Futures (CME) | Futures (CME) |
| Audited variants | 2 on watchlist | 2 |
| Evaluation | 1-Step | 1-Step (Gauntlet Mini / Trader Career Path) |
| Account sizes | $25K to "50K | $25K to $200K |
| Fee (100K) | ~"67 one-time (promos to ~$30) | ~"50/month (TCP100) |
| Profit split | 100% (flat — Apex 4.0) | 80/20 (flat) |
| Max drawdown | Trailing ($3K on 100K) | ~$2K to $2.5K (fixed floor) |
| Drawdown type | Trailing | Trailing |
| Daily loss | None | None (drawdown-based) |
| Consistency rule | 50% | 30% (eval) |
| Min trading days | 5 | 10 (TCP) |
| Payout speed | 3 to 5 days | Weekly (Wednesdays) |
| Payout frequency | Weekly (2x/month) | Weekly |
| News trading | Allowed | Allowed |
| EAs / bots | Allowed | Allowed |
| Weekend holding | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Scaling cap | 6 payouts per PA | Scales to $400K |
| US traders | Yes | Yes |
| Trustpilot | 4.3 (17,860+) | 4.7 (2,800+) |
| Value score | 84 | 82 |
Verdict
Pick Apex Trader Funding if the one hundred percent headline split materially affects your annual take, or the trailing drawdown lock behaviour of Apex Trader Funding matches your session windows. Pick Earn2Trade if the ~"50/month (TCP100) entry fee at the 100K tier changes your break-even maths. Traders who plan to hold overnight or through news should read the specific policy on each firm's site before committing capital.
Heads up: Apex Trader Funding has announced model changes in the past 90 days. We re-audit watchlisted firms every 7 days; double-check the live rules page before purchasing.
Apex Trader Funding strengths
Flat 100% profit split, one-time eval fee, large funded account base, simplified rule set
Apex Trader Funding weaknesses
Trailing drawdown, 6 payouts per PA cap, $85/month PA fee, ongoing Riot v. Apex litigation
Earn2Trade strengths
Long track record (since 2016), strong reputation, structured education path, weekly payouts
Earn2Trade weaknesses
Subscription model, slower scaling than newer competitors, no forex/CFDs