Apex Trader Funding Review
Apex Trader Funding is a US futures prop firm selling one-time, 30-day evaluations from $167 (25K intraday, list) that you can pass in one day, then a simulated Performance Account that pays 100% of approved payouts. The catches: a $59 to $159 activation fee on standard plans, a 50% consistency rule, 5 qualifying days per payout and a limit of six payouts per account.
100% of Approved Payouts
Payout After 5 Good Days
$25K to $150K · 20 PAs
Rithmic, Tradovate, WealthCharts
Apex Trader Funding at a Glance — Brand Profile & Stats
Who is Apex Trader Funding?
Founder: Darrell Martin
Based in: United States
Operating since: 2008 (firm’s own history page)
Traders: 100,000+ in 100+ countries (brand claim)
Model: Sim-funded futures prop firm; a separate live programme is by invitation only
New rules: New products since 1 March 2026: EOD or intraday drawdown, no MAE rule, no 5:1 risk-reward rule, 50% consistency
Source: apextraderfunding.com and the Apex help centre, checked 22 Sep 2026.
Based in: United States
Operating since: 2008 (firm’s own history page)
Traders: 100,000+ in 100+ countries (brand claim)
Model: Sim-funded futures prop firm; a separate live programme is by invitation only
New rules: New products since 1 March 2026: EOD or intraday drawdown, no MAE rule, no 5:1 risk-reward rule, 50% consistency
Source: apextraderfunding.com and the Apex help centre, checked 22 Sep 2026.
Trustpilot & Payout Figures
Trustpilot: 4.2 out of 5 from 21,077 reviews (claimed profile)
Paid since 2022: $868.75M (homepage counter, brand claim)
Last 90 days: $76.05M (brand claim)
Monthly average: $28.53M since April 2024 (brand claim)
Trustpilot and the Apex homepage, checked 22 Sep 2026.
Paid since 2022: $868.75M (homepage counter, brand claim)
Last 90 days: $76.05M (brand claim)
Monthly average: $28.53M since April 2024 (brand claim)
Trustpilot and the Apex homepage, checked 22 Sep 2026.
What an Evaluation Costs
Intraday, standard: $167 (25K), $249 (50K), $399 (100K), $599 (150K) + $59 activation
EOD, standard: $450, $550, $990, $1,890 + $119 to $159 activation
Coupon: SAVENOW took 90% off evaluations on 22 Sep 2026 (e.g. 50K intraday $24.90)
Billing: One-time fee for 30 days of access; no renewals, no resets
List prices from the apextraderfunding.com product picker, checked 22 Sep 2026. Full table below.
EOD, standard: $450, $550, $990, $1,890 + $119 to $159 activation
Coupon: SAVENOW took 90% off evaluations on 22 Sep 2026 (e.g. 50K intraday $24.90)
Billing: One-time fee for 30 days of access; no renewals, no resets
List prices from the apextraderfunding.com product picker, checked 22 Sep 2026. Full table below.
Platforms & Data Feeds
Rithmic: Works with NinjaTrader, Quantower, Bookmap, ATAS, MotiveWave and more (Windows only)
Tradovate: Web, desktop and mobile; TradingView connection; EUREX futures (extra exchange fees)
WealthCharts: All-in-one charting with a built-in trade copier
Switching: You cannot move an account between platforms; pick the right one at checkout (no refunds)
Data: Level 1 data is included; market depth is extra
Source: Apex help centre, checked 22 Sep 2026.
Tradovate: Web, desktop and mobile; TradingView connection; EUREX futures (extra exchange fees)
WealthCharts: All-in-one charting with a built-in trade copier
Switching: You cannot move an account between platforms; pick the right one at checkout (no refunds)
Data: Level 1 data is included; market depth is extra
Source: Apex help centre, checked 22 Sep 2026.
Markets You Can Trade
Equity index: ES, NQ, YM, RTY, EMD, NKD and micros
Energy & metals: CL, NG, QM, HO, RB, GC, SI, HG, PL, PA and micros
Currencies & ags: 6E, 6B, 6J and others; corn, wheat, soybeans, cattle, hogs
Crypto: Micro Bitcoin and Micro Ether
Hours: Up to 23 hours a day, 6 PM to 4:59 PM ET
Ten micros count as one standard contract toward your limit.
Energy & metals: CL, NG, QM, HO, RB, GC, SI, HG, PL, PA and micros
Currencies & ags: 6E, 6B, 6J and others; corn, wheat, soybeans, cattle, hogs
Crypto: Micro Bitcoin and Micro Ether
Hours: Up to 23 hours a day, 6 PM to 4:59 PM ET
Ten micros count as one standard contract toward your limit.
The Rules That End Accounts
Drawdown: Touching the intraday or EOD threshold closes the evaluation or PA at once
Inactivity: A PA needs 2 days with $50+ profit in every rolling 30 days, or it is closed
Prohibited trading: No hedging across accounts, no trading without a stop, no tiny-target/huge-stop setups, no stockpiling cheap evaluations, no HFT or sim exploits
Household limit: More than 20 PAs across your household means lost payouts and a ban
Source: Apex help centre (“Prohibited Activities”, “Inactivity Policy”), checked 22 Sep 2026.
Inactivity: A PA needs 2 days with $50+ profit in every rolling 30 days, or it is closed
Prohibited trading: No hedging across accounts, no trading without a stop, no tiny-target/huge-stop setups, no stockpiling cheap evaluations, no HFT or sim exploits
Household limit: More than 20 PAs across your household means lost payouts and a ban
Source: Apex help centre (“Prohibited Activities”, “Inactivity Policy”), checked 22 Sep 2026.
Top Apex Alternatives
Topstep
Best for: Traders who want the longest-running US futures evaluation brand.
Topstep changes its prices and payout rules often, so check its site on the day you buy.
Compare Topstep alternatives →
Topstep changes its prices and payout rules often, so check its site on the day you buy.
Compare Topstep alternatives →
BluSky Trading
Best for: Traders who want a choice of monthly or one-time plans.
Monthly Launch and Propel plans plus one-time Orbit and Instant plans; Trustpilot 4.7 (checked 22 Sep 2026).
Read our BluSky review →
Monthly Launch and Propel plans plus one-time Orbit and Instant plans; Trustpilot 4.7 (checked 22 Sep 2026).
Read our BluSky review →
Take Profit Trader
Best for: Traders who want to withdraw from day one of a funded account.
Monthly Test from $150 ($25K), 80% split on PRO and 90% on live PRO+, no cap on the number of payouts (checked 22 Sep 2026).
Read our Take Profit Trader review →
Monthly Test from $150 ($25K), 80% split on PRO and 90% on live PRO+, no cap on the number of payouts (checked 22 Sep 2026).
Read our Take Profit Trader review →
Earn2Trade
Best for: Traders who want an education-led path to funding.
Futures firm with the Gauntlet Mini and Trader Career Path programmes.
Read our Earn2Trade review →
Futures firm with the Gauntlet Mini and Trader Career Path programmes.
Read our Earn2Trade review →
What are Apex’s position limits and drawdown rules?
$25K — 4 Mini / 40 Micro
Profit target: $1,500
Max drawdown: $1,000 (intraday or EOD)
Evaluation contracts: 4 minis or 40 micros
EOD daily loss limit: $500 (pauses the day; intraday evaluations have none)
Funded (PA) contracts: 1 → 2 as your balance grows
Funded daily loss limit: $500 → $1,250
No minimum days: you can pass in one session.
Max drawdown: $1,000 (intraday or EOD)
Evaluation contracts: 4 minis or 40 micros
EOD daily loss limit: $500 (pauses the day; intraday evaluations have none)
Funded (PA) contracts: 1 → 2 as your balance grows
Funded daily loss limit: $500 → $1,250
No minimum days: you can pass in one session.
$50K — 6 Mini / 60 Micro
Profit target: $3,000
Max drawdown: $2,000 (intraday or EOD)
Evaluation contracts: 6 minis or 60 micros
EOD daily loss limit: $1,000 (pauses the day; intraday evaluations have none)
Funded (PA) contracts: 2 → 4 as your balance grows
Funded daily loss limit: $1,000 → $3,000
Max drawdown: $2,000 (intraday or EOD)
Evaluation contracts: 6 minis or 60 micros
EOD daily loss limit: $1,000 (pauses the day; intraday evaluations have none)
Funded (PA) contracts: 2 → 4 as your balance grows
Funded daily loss limit: $1,000 → $3,000
$100K — 8 Mini / 80 Micro
Profit target: $6,000
Max drawdown: $3,000 (intraday or EOD)
Evaluation contracts: 8 minis or 80 micros
EOD daily loss limit: $1,500 (pauses the day; intraday evaluations have none)
Funded (PA) contracts: 3 → 6 as your balance grows
Funded daily loss limit: $1,750 → $3,500
Max drawdown: $3,000 (intraday or EOD)
Evaluation contracts: 8 minis or 80 micros
EOD daily loss limit: $1,500 (pauses the day; intraday evaluations have none)
Funded (PA) contracts: 3 → 6 as your balance grows
Funded daily loss limit: $1,750 → $3,500
$150K — 12 Mini / 120 Micro
Profit target: $9,000
Max drawdown: $4,000 (intraday or EOD)
Evaluation contracts: 12 minis or 120 micros
EOD daily loss limit: $2,000 (pauses the day; intraday evaluations have none)
Funded (PA) contracts: 4 → 10 as your balance grows
Funded daily loss limit: $2,500 → $4,000
Max drawdown: $4,000 (intraday or EOD)
Evaluation contracts: 12 minis or 120 micros
EOD daily loss limit: $2,000 (pauses the day; intraday evaluations have none)
Funded (PA) contracts: 4 → 10 as your balance grows
Funded daily loss limit: $2,500 → $4,000
How do Apex’s drawdown and consistency rules work?
Intraday Trailing Drawdown
How it moves: Follows your highest balance in real time, including open profit, and never moves down
Evaluation: Stops trailing at the profit-target balance on Rithmic and WealthCharts; on Tradovate it keeps trailing
Funded PA: Stops trailing once it reaches your starting balance + $100
Daily loss limit: None in the evaluation
Example: a 50K account starts with a $48,000 floor; an open high of $50,900 lifts it to $48,900.
Evaluation: Stops trailing at the profit-target balance on Rithmic and WealthCharts; on Tradovate it keeps trailing
Funded PA: Stops trailing once it reaches your starting balance + $100
Daily loss limit: None in the evaluation
Example: a 50K account starts with a $48,000 floor; an open high of $50,900 lifts it to $48,900.
End-of-Day (EOD) Drawdown
How it moves: Set once a day at 4:59 PM ET from your closing balance, then enforced in real time the next session
Daily loss limit: Yes: hitting it flattens you and pauses the day, but does not fail the account
Funded PA: Stops trailing at starting balance + $100
Price: EOD evaluations cost more than intraday ones
Source: Apex help centre, “EOD Drawdown Explained”, checked 22 Sep 2026.
Daily loss limit: Yes: hitting it flattens you and pauses the day, but does not fail the account
Funded PA: Stops trailing at starting balance + $100
Price: EOD evaluations cost more than intraday ones
Source: Apex help centre, “EOD Drawdown Explained”, checked 22 Sep 2026.
50% Consistency (PA only)
Rule: Your best day must be under 50% of your net profit since your last payout
If you break it: You do not fail; you just cannot request a payout until it drops under 50%
Evaluation: No consistency rule
Example: best day $1,500 means you need at least $3,000 net profit before requesting.
If you break it: You do not fail; you just cannot request a payout until it drops under 50%
Evaluation: No consistency rule
Example: best day $1,500 means you need at least $3,000 net profit before requesting.
30-Day Access & 7-Day Activation
Access: Each evaluation lasts 30 calendar days and then expires; no extensions or resets
Passing: Hit the target without touching the drawdown; no minimum days
Activation: Pay the PA activation fee within 7 calendar days of passing, or the pass is lost
Source: Apex help centre, checked 22 Sep 2026.
Passing: Hit the target without touching the drawdown; no minimum days
Activation: Pay the PA activation fee within 7 calendar days of passing, or the pass is lost
Source: Apex help centre, checked 22 Sep 2026.
How much does it cost to trade with Apex?
Activation Fees
Intraday PA: $59 one-time, every size
EOD PA: $119 (25K), $139 (50K), $149 (100K), $159 (150K)
No Activation Fee plans: $0 activation, but a higher evaluation price
Refunds: None: evaluation and activation fees are non-refundable
From the apextraderfunding.com product picker and Apex help centre, checked 22 Sep 2026.
EOD PA: $119 (25K), $139 (50K), $149 (100K), $159 (150K)
No Activation Fee plans: $0 activation, but a higher evaluation price
Refunds: None: evaluation and activation fees are non-refundable
From the apextraderfunding.com product picker and Apex help centre, checked 22 Sep 2026.
Data & Platform Costs
Level 1 data: Included in the evaluation fee
Market depth: Extra, bought through Rithmic, Tradovate or WealthCharts
EUREX on Tradovate: Extra exchange subscription
NinjaTrader: Apex lists a free NinjaTrader licence among its benefits
Source: Apex help centre, checked 22 Sep 2026.
Market depth: Extra, bought through Rithmic, Tradovate or WealthCharts
EUREX on Tradovate: Extra exchange subscription
NinjaTrader: Apex lists a free NinjaTrader licence among its benefits
Source: Apex help centre, checked 22 Sep 2026.
Per-Contract Commissions
Rithmic: ES/NQ $3.98 round turn; micros $1.02; CL $3.96; GC $4.62
Tradovate: ES/NQ $3.10 round turn; micros $1.04; CL $3.34; GC $3.54
WealthCharts: ES/NQ $3.10 round turn; micros $1.04; CL $3.34; GC $3.54
Source: Apex help centre commission schedules, checked 22 Sep 2026. Charged on evaluations and PAs.
Tradovate: ES/NQ $3.10 round turn; micros $1.04; CL $3.34; GC $3.54
WealthCharts: ES/NQ $3.10 round turn; micros $1.04; CL $3.34; GC $3.54
Source: Apex help centre commission schedules, checked 22 Sep 2026. Charged on evaluations and PAs.
Which countries cannot use Apex Trader Funding?
Restricted Countries — Official Apex List (87)
Apex cannot open new or additional accounts for people in these countries:
AfghanistanAlgeriaAzerbaijanBahrainBangladeshBelarusBeninBruneiBurkina FasoBurundiCameroonCentral African RepublicChadChinaCongo (DR)CubaCyprusCôte d’IvoireEgyptEritreaGabonGrenadaGuineaGuinea-BissauHaitiIranIraqJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaMadagascarMaldivesMauritaniaMauritiusMoldovaMongoliaMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNew CaledoniaNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorth KoreaOmanPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPapua New GuineaQatarRepublic of the CongoReunionRussiaRwandaSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSri LankaSudanSyriaTanzaniaTogoTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyUgandaUkraineUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabwe
US and Canada: both accepted (Canadians cannot open a live Tradovate account, but Apex accounts are simulated). If you are from a listed country but live elsewhere, you may qualify with an ID, address and bank account from an allowed country.
Source: Apex help centre, “Restricted Countries” (updated 10 Sep 2026, checked 22 Sep 2026). While in a restricted country you cannot buy accounts, request payouts or trade.
Video Guides & Reviews
Watch Before You Buy
📺 Watch before you buy — 4 independent Apex reviews
Apex Trader Funding Pros and Cons
Pros
- 100% of approved payouts on sim-funded Performance Accounts
- Pass in a single day; no consistency rule in the evaluation
- One-time 30-day evaluations; no monthly rebills
- Up to 20 funded accounts per household; unlimited evaluations
- Large promos (SAVENOW took 90% off evaluations on 22 Sep 2026)
- Three platform routes: Rithmic, Tradovate and WealthCharts
- Trustpilot 4.2 from 21,077 reviews (22 Sep 2026)
Cons
- Maximum 6 payouts per PA, with a cap on each request ($1,000 to $5,000)
- $59 to $159 activation fee on standard plans; nothing is refundable
- 50% consistency rule and 5 qualifying days before each payout
- Evaluations expire after 30 days and cannot be reset
- PA closes if you have fewer than 2 days of $50+ profit in any 30 days
- Performance Accounts are simulated; live trading is invitation-only
- 87 restricted countries, including China, Ukraine and Turkey
How much does an Apex prop firm account cost?
Apex sells one-time evaluations that give you 30 days to pass; there is no monthly rebill and no reset. After you pass, standard plans charge a one-time activation fee for the Performance Account. “No Activation Fee” plans cost more upfront but activate for $0. List prices below are from the product picker on apextraderfunding.com, checked 22 Sep 2026; the green columns show the price with the SAVENOW code (90% off evaluations) that was live that day. Codes change often, and activation fees are only discounted during a promotion.
| Size | Intraday | With SAVENOW | Activation | EOD | With SAVENOW | Activation | No-activation Intraday / EOD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25K | $167 | $16.70 | $59 | $450 | $45 | $119 | $690 / $990 |
| 50K | $249 | $24.90 | $59 | $550 | $55 | $139 | $490 / $1,190 |
| 100K | $399 | $39.90 | $59 | $990 | $99 | $149 | $590 / $1,590 |
| 150K | $599 | $59.90 | $59 | $1,890 | $189 | $159 | $1,690 / $2,490 |
Prices are the same on Rithmic, Tradovate and WealthCharts. 5-packs are also sold (for example 5 × 50K intraday for $950 list).
Apex vs BluSky vs Take Profit Trader
All three are US futures prop firms; every figure below was checked on the firms’ own sites and Trustpilot on 22 Sep 2026.
| Apex | BluSky | Take Profit Trader | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluation fee | One-time, 30 days | Monthly (Launch, Propel) or one-time (Orbit, Instant) | Monthly Test |
| Cheapest entry (list) | $167 (25K intraday) + $59 activation | From $59 every 30 days (Launch) + launch fee | $150 a month (25K) + $130 activation |
| Funded split | 100% of approved payouts | Varies by plan | 80% PRO, 90% live PRO+ |
| Payout rules | 5 qualifying days, max 6 payouts | See our review | Day one, above the buffer |
| Max funded accounts | 20 | See our review | 5 |
| Trustpilot | 4.2 (21,077) | 4.7 (897) | 4.4 (10,660) |
Pick Apex for cheap one-time evaluations and up to 20 accounts; Take Profit Trader if you want to withdraw from day one with no payout cap; BluSky if you want monthly or one-time plan choices. Looking at Topstep? See our Topstep alternatives.
Is Apex Trader Funding legit and worth it?
★ Trustpilot 4.2/5 · 21,077 reviews
One-time evals from $167 · 100% payouts
Apex Trader Funding
100% of approved payouts · Up to 20 PAs
★ Trustpilot 4.2 / 5 · 21,077 reviews
$868.75M paid since 2022 (brand claim)
One-time evals from $167 (list)
Try Apex →Yes, Apex Trader Funding is legit. It is a US futures prop firm founded by Darrell Martin, it scores 4.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 21,077 reviews, and its homepage counter shows $868.75M paid to traders since 2022 (a brand claim, checked 22 Sep 2026).
The rules since 1 March 2026 are simpler: one-time 30-day evaluations you can pass in a day, 100% of approved payouts, up to 20 Performance Accounts, and no MAE or 5:1 risk-reward rule. Level 1 data is included, and promos such as SAVENOW (90% off evaluations on 22 Sep 2026) make the entry fee very low.
The trade-offs: Performance Accounts are simulated, standard plans add a $59 to $159 activation fee, each payout needs 5 qualifying days and a 50% consistency check, and each account stops after 6 capped payouts. Nothing is refundable. It suits disciplined futures traders who want many cheap accounts; it suits you less if you want unlimited withdrawals from one account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a real US firm founded by Darrell Martin that says it has paid $868.75M to traders since 2022 (homepage counter, 22 Sep 2026). It holds 4.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 21,077 reviews. It is not a regulated broker, Performance Accounts are simulated, and fees are non-refundable.
On 22 Sep 2026 the Apex site showed SAVENOW, taking 90% off evaluations of any size (a 50K intraday evaluation fell from $249 to $24.90). Apex runs codes like this often but they expire quickly, and activation fees are only discounted while a promotion lasts.
Standard intraday evaluations list at $167 (25K), $249 (50K), $399 (100K) and $599 (150K); EOD evaluations at $450, $550, $990 and $1,890. Each is a one-time fee for 30 days. Passing adds a one-time activation fee unless you bought a No Activation Fee plan.
$59 for any intraday Performance Account, and $119 (25K), $139 (50K), $149 (100K) or $159 (150K) for EOD accounts. You must pay it within 7 calendar days of passing. No Activation Fee evaluations cost more upfront but activate for $0.
You need 5 trading days that each hit a minimum profit ($100 to $350 by size), a balance above the safety net (drawdown + $100) plus $500, and your best day under 50% of profit. Payouts are 100% to you, minimum $500, capped per request, and a Performance Account gets at most 6 payouts.
Reach the profit target (25K $1,500, 50K $3,000, 100K $6,000, 150K $9,000) within 30 days without touching the drawdown ($1,000 to $4,000) or exceeding 4 to 12 contracts. There is no minimum number of days and no consistency rule. EOD evaluations also have a daily loss limit that pauses the day.
On Performance Accounts only, your largest profitable day must be less than 50% of your net profit since your last payout. If it is higher you do not fail; you just cannot request a payout until more profitable days bring it under 50%.
Intraday accounts trail your highest balance in real time, including open profit. EOD accounts set the drawdown once a day at the close and add a daily loss limit that pauses trading. EOD evaluations cost more and carry a higher activation fee.
Apex lists 87 countries where it cannot open accounts, including China, Ukraine, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Nigeria, South Africa and Cyprus (checked 22 Sep 2026). Traders in the US and Canada are accepted.
Up to 20 active Performance Accounts per household, across Rithmic, Tradovate and WealthCharts combined; evaluations are unlimited. You may copy trades across your own accounts, but hedging between them is banned.