Reviewed by PropFirm201 Research Team·At a Glance
Apex Trader Funding Homepage
Pricing & Challenge Types
Full Evaluation (Trailing Drawdown)
1 phase · 100% profit split
| Account Size | Price | Target P1 | Daily Loss | Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $147 | 6% | N/A | 6% |
| $50,000 | $187 | 6% | N/A | 6% |
| $75,000 | $237 | 6% | N/A | 6% |
| $100,000 | $287 | 6% | N/A | 6% |
| $150,000 | $387 | 6% | N/A | 6% |
| $250,000 | $557 | 6% | N/A | 6% |
| $300,000 | $657 | 6% | N/A | 6% |
Static Drawdown Evaluation
1 phase · 100% profit split
| Account Size | Price | Target P1 | Daily Loss | Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $147 | 2% | N/A | 0.625% |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 100% profit split on first $25,000 in profits, then 90/10
- Near-constant 80-90% off sales drop prices to under $30/month
- One-step evaluation with only 1 minimum trading day required
- Largest selection of account sizes up to $300K
- Over $721 million in total payouts reported
Cons
- Trailing drawdown follows intraday equity high and never moves back down
- No overnight or weekend position holding allowed
- News trading restricted within 8 minutes of major events
- Payout amounts are capped, especially for first 3 payouts
- Funded account closed after 6 payouts
- Consistency rule: no single day can exceed 50% of total profits on Performance Account
Trading Rules
About Apex Trader Funding
Apex Trader Funding is one of the most popular and accessible futures prop firms in the world. Founded in 2021 by Darrell Martin, a trader with nearly 20 years of market experience, Apex is headquartered in Austin, Texas. The firm has quickly risen to become one of the industry leaders, reporting over $721 million in payouts and attracting 4.2 million monthly visitors to its website.
What makes Apex stand out is its aggressive pricing strategy. The firm runs near-constant promotional sales offering 80-90% off regular prices, bringing the cost of a $50K evaluation account down to as little as $37. Combined with a one-step evaluation process that requires only a single trading day to pass, Apex has one of the lowest barriers to entry in the prop firm industry.
Apex exclusively focuses on futures trading through CME Group products, offering accounts from $25K up to $300K. The firm supports both mini and micro contracts across popular futures instruments including the E-mini S&P 500, Nasdaq, Crude Oil, and Gold.
Apex is best suited for futures traders looking for the most affordable entry point into funded trading, particularly those in the United States. However, traders should carefully understand the trailing drawdown mechanics and payout limitations before committing.
How Apex Trader Funding Works
- Choose an Account: Select from 7 trailing drawdown account sizes ($25K-$300K) or the $100K Static account. Pay a one-time evaluation fee (or take advantage of frequent sales).
- Pass the Evaluation: Trade in a simulated environment. Hit the profit target while staying within the trailing drawdown limit. Only 1 trading day is required with no maximum time limit.
- Activate Your Performance Account: Once you pass, pay a $99 activation fee (for EOD trailing accounts) and begin trading on the Performance Account.
- Collect Payouts: Request payouts twice per month. The first $25,000 in profits is kept at 100%, with a 90/10 split above that.
As of March 2026, Apex eliminated recurring monthly fees and replaced them with one-time payments. Traders can manage up to 20 evaluation accounts simultaneously.
Pricing & Plans
Regular prices and common sale prices (80% off):
| Account Size | Regular Price | ~Sale Price (80% off) | Profit Target | Trailing Drawdown | Max Contracts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $147 | ~$29 | $1,500 | $1,500 | 4 minis / 40 micros |
| $50,000 | $187 | ~$37 | $3,000 | $2,500 | 8 minis / 80 micros |
| $75,000 | $237 | ~$47 | $4,000 | $3,500 | 12 minis / 120 micros |
| $100,000 | $287 | ~$57 | $6,000 | $5,000 | 16 minis / 160 micros |
| $150,000 | $387 | ~$77 | $8,000 | $7,000 | 20 minis / 200 micros |
| $250,000 | $557 | ~$111 | $12,500 | $11,000 | 25 minis |
| $300,000 | $657 | ~$131 | $15,000 | $13,000 | 35 minis |
| $100K Static | $147 | ~$29 | $2,000 | $625 (fixed) | 2 minis |
An additional $99 activation fee applies when moving to the funded Performance Account (for EOD trailing accounts).
Rules & Restrictions
- Trailing Drawdown (Intraday): The drawdown threshold follows your highest intraday equity point and never moves back down. For example, if your $50K account reaches $53,000 in equity, the drawdown floor moves to $50,500 ($53,000 - $2,500) permanently.
- No Daily Loss Limit: There is no separate daily loss limit during evaluation.
- Minimum Trading Days: 1 day (as of March 2026).
- Maximum Trading Days: Unlimited.
- Trading Hours: All positions must be closed before 3:59 PM CT daily. No holding through the 5:00 PM ET session break.
- Overnight/Weekend Holding: Not permitted. Positions are automatically closed at the session break.
- News Trading: Not allowed within 8 minutes of major economic news releases.
- Consistency Rule (Performance Account): No single trading day can account for more than 50% of total profits when requesting payouts.
- Payout Caps: First 3 payouts are capped (specific amounts vary). Funded account is closed after 6 payouts.
- Maximum Accounts: Up to 20 evaluation accounts simultaneously.
Payouts
- Profit Split: 100% on the first $25,000 in profits, then 90/10 (trader keeps 90%).
- Frequency: Twice per month (bi-monthly).
- Methods: Bank transfer, cryptocurrency.
- Processing Time: 5 business days.
- Payout Caps: Early payouts are capped at limited amounts. The cap increases with each successive payout.
- Account Closure: The funded Performance Account is closed after 6 payouts.
Is Apex Trader Funding Legit?
Apex Trader Funding has established itself as a legitimate prop firm with strong growth metrics:
- Founded in 2021 by Darrell Martin, a veteran trader with nearly 20 years of experience.
- $721M+ in reported payouts, the highest reported figure of any futures prop firm.
- 4.4/5 Trustpilot rating from over 17,860 reviews.
- US-registered company at 2028 E. Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX 78741.
- 6th most searched prop firm globally with 4.2M monthly visitors.
Some traders have raised concerns about the trailing drawdown mechanics being punishing and the payout cap system limiting earnings. The 6-payout account closure policy is also a point of contention. However, the firm's massive payout volume and large user base demonstrate that many traders are successfully earning through the platform.
FAQ
What is Apex Trader Funding?
Apex Trader Funding is a futures-focused proprietary trading evaluation firm founded in 2021 in Austin, Texas. It provides traders with funded accounts from $25,000 to $300,000 to trade CME Group futures products after passing a one-step evaluation.
How much does Apex Trader Funding cost?
Regular prices range from $147 to $657 depending on account size. However, Apex runs near-constant sales of 80-90% off, bringing prices as low as $29-$131. An additional $99 activation fee applies when funded.
What is Apex Trader Funding's profit split?
Apex offers 100% profit retention on the first $25,000 earned, then a 90/10 split (90% to the trader) on profits above that threshold.
Does Apex Trader Funding allow EAs/bots?
Automated trading strategies and bots are generally restricted on Apex accounts. Traders should verify the current policy on the firm's website before using automation.
Is Apex Trader Funding available in the US?
Yes, Apex Trader Funding is a US-based company headquartered in Austin, Texas, and is fully available to US traders.