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).
At 100K: Apex Trader Funding from $59, Topstep from $99/month.
Side-by-side comparison
| Rule | Apex Trader Funding | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Futures (CME) | Futures (CME) |
| Watchlist | on watchlist | on watchlist |
| Evaluation | 1-Step | 1-Step (Combine) |
| Account sizes | $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K | $50K, $100K, $150K |
| Fee (100K) | $59 | $99/month |
| Profit split | 100% | 90% |
| Max drawdown (100K) | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Drawdown type | Intraday trailing | End-of-day trailing |
| Daily loss (100K) | n/a | n/a |
| Consistency rule | n/a | 55% |
| Min trading days | 1 | n/a |
| First payout | 5 days | 3 days |
| News trading | Allowed | Allowed |
| EAs / bots | Allowed | Allowed (limited) |
| Weekend holding | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| US traders | Yes | Yes |
| Trustpilot | Trustpilot profile | Trustpilot profile |
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
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
Topstep strengths
14 year track record, live funded account pathway, breakeven drawdown lock
Topstep weaknesses
Monthly subscription model, tightest drawdown in industry, slower monthly payouts