Apex Trader Funding vs The5ers: Compared Rule by Rule for 2026
Two firms, two operating philosophies. Apex Trader Funding was founded in 2021 out of Austin; The5ers followed in 2016 from Raanana, and the product design reflects that lineage. Apex Trader Funding focuses on CME futures instruments via Rithmic and Tradovate, while The5ers covers the broader multi-asset offering. That alone makes them shortlisted together only when a trader is choosing an asset class rather than a firm.
At 100K: Apex Trader Funding from $59, The5ers from $95.
Side-by-side comparison
| Rule | Apex Trader Funding | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Futures (CME) | Forex, Indices, Metals, Crypto, Futures |
| Watchlist | on watchlist | No |
| Evaluation | 1-Step | 1/2/3-Step |
| Account sizes | $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K | $2.5K, $5K, $10K, $20K, $25K, $50K, $100K, $200K, $250K |
| Fee (100K) | $59 | $95 |
| Profit split | 100% | 75 to 100% |
| Max drawdown (100K) | $3,000 | 5% |
| Drawdown type | Intraday trailing | n/a |
| Daily loss (100K) | n/a | n/a |
| Consistency rule | n/a | n/a |
| Min trading days | 1 | n/a |
| First payout | 5 days | 14 days |
| News trading | Allowed | Allowed |
| EAs / bots | Allowed | Varies by programme |
| Weekend holding | Not allowed | Allowed |
| US traders | Yes | Yes |
| Trustpilot | Trustpilot profile | Trustpilot profile |
Verdict
Pick Apex Trader Funding if you want US futures on Rithmic or Tradovate rather than spot FX. Pick The5ers if you want MT4, MT5 or cTrader access to forex, indices and metals, or a fast first payout window fits your cashflow. 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 profit split, one-time eval fee, large funded account base, simplified rule set
Apex Trader Funding weaknesses
Trailing drawdown, capped payouts per PA, monthly PA fee, ongoing Riot v. Apex litigation
The5ers strengths
Capital scaling pathway, higher splits at top tiers, established track record
The5ers weaknesses
Low starting split on Hyper Growth, tight drawdown, MT5 only