Apex Trader Funding: Comprehensive 2025 Review

What is Apex Trader Funding?

Apex Trader Funding is a proprietary trading firm that provides traders with access to substantial capital to trade futures markets. Founded in 2021 by a team of experienced traders who were dissatisfied with the restrictive rules and limitations of existing prop firms, Apex set out to create a more trader-centric model that focuses on empowering traders while maintaining reasonable risk controls.

Unlike traditional brokerages where you trade your own capital, Apex allows you to trade the firm's capital after demonstrating your skills through a one-step evaluation process. Their business model follows a straightforward path:

1. Subscribe to an evaluation account with your preferred size ($25K to $300K)
2. Pass the one-step evaluation by reaching the profit target within the risk parameters
3. Receive a funded Performance Account to trade with Apex's capital
4. Keep 100% of your first $25,000 in profits and 90% thereafter
5. Request payouts as frequently as every 8 trading days

The company operates globally, serving traders in over 150 countries, and has developed a reputation for their trader-friendly policies, minimal rules, and generous payout structure. Apex focuses exclusively on futures markets, making them a specialized choice for traders of instruments like E-mini S&P 500, Crude Oil, Treasury bonds, and other popular futures contracts.

What sets Apex apart from many competitors is their commitment to removing unnecessary obstacles for traders. With features like no daily drawdown limits, the ability to trade during news events, and a rapid single-phase evaluation, they've designed their program to align closely with how profitable traders naturally operate in the markets.

The Apex Trader Funding Model

Apex Trader Funding positions itself as a prop firm built "by traders, for traders," with an emphasis on fewer rules, lower costs, and higher contract limits than many competitors. Their mission is to empower traders globally by paying out more than any other futures funding firm.

This combination of high profit retention, minimal rules, and trader-friendly policies has made Apex an increasingly popular choice among futures traders seeking prop firm funding. Let's look more deeply at the specific account options and pricing structure.

Account Options & Pricing

Apex Trader Funding offers two main types of accounts – Standard (Full) accounts and Static accounts – each with different risk parameters and contract limitations:

Apex Trader Funding offers two primary account types, each with different characteristics:

• Standard (Full) Accounts: These accounts use a "trailing drawdown" system that follows your equity high watermark. As you make profits, the drawdown threshold also moves upward. These accounts offer larger position sizing capabilities – for example, a $50K account allows trading up to 10 standard contracts (or 100 micro contracts). Available in sizes from $25K to $300K.
• Static Accounts: These accounts feature a fixed drawdown limit that doesn't change regardless of how much profit you make. The tradeoff is much smaller position size allowances – a $100K Static account permits only 2 standard contracts (20 micros). This option is ideal for more conservative traders who prefer a simple, unchanging risk parameter but are willing to trade smaller size.

All accounts are billed as monthly subscriptions. If you need to reset a failed evaluation, Apex charges a flat $80 fee, regardless of account size. Importantly, your subscription will continue billing monthly until you manually cancel, even if you fail the evaluation.

One-Step Evaluation Process

Apex's evaluation process is remarkably straightforward and trader-friendly, consisting of just one phase. This single-step approach contrasts with many prop firms that require traders to pass multiple evaluation phases before funding.

The key advantage of Apex's one-step evaluation is its simplicity. You don't have to pass multiple consecutive challenges like at many prop firms. Once you reach your profit target and complete 7 trading days (while staying within the drawdown limit), you're eligible for funding.

Another notable feature is the absence of a maximum time limit. While most prop firms give you only 30 or 45 days to pass their challenges, Apex allows you to trade at your own pace. This removes time pressure and lets you wait for quality setups rather than forcing trades to meet a deadline.

If you don't succeed on your first attempt, you can reset your evaluation account as many times as needed for a flat fee of $80 per reset. There's no penalty for multiple attempts beyond the reset fee. This policy allows traders to learn from mistakes and improve their approach without severe financial consequences.

Trading Rules & Restrictions

One of Apex Trader Funding's most appealing features is its minimal ruleset. The company prides itself on having "among the fewest rules" of any funding program, giving traders substantial freedom to trade their way. Here are the key rules and restrictions:

Funded Account Details

After successfully passing the evaluation phase, traders transition to a funded Performance Account (PA). Here's what changes and what stays the same when you become a funded Apex trader:

In funded accounts, the trailing drawdown mechanism works slightly differently than during evaluation. In a Performance Account, the trailing threshold stops rising once it reaches the starting balance plus $100. For example, in a $50,000 PA with a $2,500 drawdown, once you reach $52,600 in equity, the drawdown threshold stops at $50,100. This effectively creates a "floor" just above your starting balance, giving you more breathing room as your profits grow.

Apex's funded accounts are simulated accounts with real profit payouts. This means you're trading on a demo platform, but the profits you generate can be withdrawn as real money. This setup is standard among prop firms and allows them to provide larger account sizes while managing their risk.

Profit Split & Payout System

One of Apex Trader Funding's biggest attractions is its exceptionally favorable profit-sharing arrangement and flexible withdrawal policy:

Apex's 100/90 profit split model is among the most generous in the industry. Most prop firms offer 70-80% profit splits, with only some reaching 90%. Apex's approach of giving traders the full 100% of their first $25,000 in profits (per account) provides a significant advantage, especially for traders just starting their funded journey.

The withdrawal frequency of every 8 trading days (approximately twice monthly) is also more favorable than many competitors that allow only monthly payouts. This gives traders faster access to their earnings.

Platforms & Trading Tools

Apex Trader Funding supports multiple trading platforms, giving traders flexibility in how they interact with the markets:

The platform choice is largely a matter of personal preference. NinjaTrader with the Rithmic data feed is a popular option due to its powerful charting and automation capabilities, while Tradovate appeals to those who prefer a modern, cloud-based approach that works across devices.

All platforms provide the essential functionality for monitoring your account parameters in real-time, including current equity, drawdown status, and trading statistics. This transparency helps you stay aware of your position relative to the account rules.

Apex vs. Other Prop Firms

How does Apex Trader Funding compare to other popular proprietary trading firms? Here's a feature-by-feature comparison:

Beyond these core features, there are several other distinctions between Apex and competitors:

• Focus on Futures Only: Unlike some prop firms that offer forex, stocks, or cryptocurrencies, Apex specializes exclusively in futures markets. This focused approach allows them to develop deeper expertise and more tailored offerings for futures traders.
• Subscription Model: Apex uses a recurring monthly subscription rather than a one-time challenge fee. This can be advantageous for those who pass quickly but may add up for those who take longer to meet the requirements.
• Multiple Account Scaling: While some firms force you to grow one account step by step, Apex allows traders to operate multiple accounts simultaneously (up to 20), providing a different approach to scaling.
• Transparent Communication: Apex publishes statistics on payouts and maintains active communication with traders. The firm regularly updates policies based on trader feedback.
• Global Accessibility: With traders in over 150 countries, Apex has developed systems to support international clients, including various payout options for those outside the US.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict: Is Apex Worth It?

Apex Trader Funding offers an exceptionally trader-friendly approach to prop trading with its generous profit split, minimal ruleset, and flexible evaluation process. Its standout features – the 100/90 profit split, one-step evaluation, absence of daily loss limits, and twice-monthly payouts – position it as one of the most attractive options in the futures prop trading space.

Apex is particularly well-suited for:

• Dedicated Futures Traders: Those who specialize in futures markets and want to leverage more capital without complex restrictions
• Experienced Day Traders: Traders who have developed consistent strategies but need more capital to scale their operations
• Traders Who Value Flexibility: Those who prefer trading at their own pace without arbitrary deadlines or overly strict rules
• Risk Management-Focused Traders: Traders who already practice strong risk discipline and can work effectively with the trailing drawdown model
• Multi-Strategy Traders: Those who want to run multiple accounts with different approaches simultaneously

Apex may not be ideal for:

• Forex or Stock Traders: Those focused on markets other than futures will need to look elsewhere
• Swing Traders: The requirement to close positions daily limits overnight strategies
• Hedging-Dependent Strategies: Traders whose approach relies on offsetting positions will face restrictions
• One-Time Fee Preference: Those who prefer paying a single evaluation fee rather than ongoing subscriptions

The monthly subscription model means that Apex works best for traders who can pass the evaluation relatively efficiently or who value the unlimited time flexibility enough to justify the recurring cost. The $80 reset fee is reasonable compared to many competitors, but does add up if multiple attempts are needed.

Overall, Apex Trader Funding represents one of the most compelling options in the prop trading industry for futures traders. Its combination of high profit retention, minimal rules, and trader-centric policies creates an environment where skilled traders can truly thrive. If you're comfortable with futures markets and can manage within the trailing drawdown framework, Apex offers a path to potentially significant funding with fewer obstacles than many competitors.

Disclaimer: This review is based on information available as of March 2025. Pricing, features, and policies may change over time. Always verify the current terms directly with Apex Trader Funding before making any financial decisions.