Apex Trader Funding vs Topstep: Compared Rule by Rule for 2026
Apex Trader Funding and Topstep are the two largest US futures prop firms by funded-account count. They share a CME-instrument focus and trailing drawdown structure but differ sharply on fee model, profit pathway and rule strictness. The right pick depends on whether you want one-time fees with maximum scale (Apex) or a subscription model with a path to live market execution (Topstep).
Side-by-side comparison
| Rule | Apex Trader Funding | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Futures (CME) | Futures (CME) |
| Audited variants | 1 on watchlist | 2 on watchlist |
| Evaluation | 1-Step | 1-Step (Combine) |
| Account sizes | $25K to $300K | $50K, "00K, "50K |
| Fee (100K) | ~"67 one-time | "49/month |
| Profit split | 100% first $25K then 90% | 90% (100% first "0K legacy) |
| Max drawdown | Trailing ($3K on 100K EOD) | ~3% Trailing (locks at breakeven) |
| Drawdown type | Trailing | Trailing |
| Daily loss | ",500 (100K EOD) | 2% |
| Consistency rule | 50% (calculator on funded only, post-Mar 2026) | None on Standard / 40% on XFA path |
| Min trading days | 0 (pass in 1 day) | 1 winning day ($200+) |
| Payout speed | 3 to 5 days | 3 to 7 days |
| Payout frequency | Weekly (EOD trailing only) | Weekly (50% / $5K cap, $6K on XFA) |
| News trading | Allowed | Allowed |
| EAs / bots | Allowed | Allowed (limited) |
| Weekend holding | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Scaling cap | 6 payouts per PA | Multiple accounts + Live Funded |
| US traders | Yes | Yes |
| Trustpilot | 4.6 (17,860+) | 4.5 (10,000+) |
| Value score | 88 | 84 |
Verdict
Pick Apex if you want a one-time fee, larger account sizes and aggressive multi-account scaling. Pick Topstep if you value a fourteen-year track record and the only credible path from simulated to live market execution in the futures prop space. Day-trading scalpers tend to prefer Apex; methodical swing-style futures traders tend to prefer Topstep.
Heads up: Apex Trader Funding and Topstep have 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
100% of first $25K, one-time fees, simple one step eval, $700M+ cumulative payouts
Apex Trader Funding weaknesses
Trailing drawdown, 6 payout cap per PA, $85/month PA fee, metals suspended, frequent rule changes historically
Topstep strengths
14 year track record, live funded account pathway, breakeven drawdown lock
Topstep weaknesses
Monthly subscription model, tightest drawdown in industry (2%/3%), slower monthly payouts