Topstep vs Apex Trader Funding (2026): Rules, Drawdown & Pricing

Category: Prop Firms | Date: 2026-09-24

The Two Biggest Names in Futures Prop Trading

Topstep and Apex Trader Funding are two of the largest retail futures prop firms. Both fund traders through a single-phase evaluation with a $3,000 target on a $50K account, but they differ on drawdown, consistency, pricing and — since 2026 — platforms.

Topstep rules below were re-read from Topstep’s help center on 2026-09-24. Apex figures come from recent independent rule guides because Apex runs several evaluation types at once; confirm the exact terms of the account you are buying on Apex’s site. An earlier version of this page quoted Topstep at about $165/month with a 30% consistency rule and Tradovate as its platform; none of that is current.

Quick Comparison

$50K account	Topstep Trading Combine	Apex Trader Funding (per recent rule guides)
Profit target	$3,000	$3,000
Maximum loss	$2,000, end-of-day trailing	$2,500 intraday trailing on the Full evaluation; $2,000 on the EOD evaluation
Daily loss limit	Optional add-on; hitting it is not a violation	None on the Full evaluation; applies on the EOD evaluation
Evaluation consistency	Best day at or below 55% of target, or the target rises	None in the evaluation; 50% on funded Performance Accounts
Evaluation pricing	$49/mo + $149 activation, or $95/mo with no activation fee	One-time fee, frequently discounted
Profit split	90/10 from the first dollar	Reported as 100% of payouts
Platforms	TopstepX for new accounts	Rithmic and Tradovate

Evaluation Rules

Topstep Trading Combine

Profit target: $3,000 on 50K, $6,000 on 100K, $9,000 on 150K
Maximum loss: $2,000, $3,000 and $4,500, end-of-day trailing, monitored in real time including unrealised P&L
Daily loss limit: optional at checkout ($1,000 / $2,000 / $3,000); hitting it flattens you for the day but does not fail the account
Consistency target: best day at or below 55% of the profit target; above that, the target rises to best day ÷ 0.55
Max size: 5 / 10 / 15 minis, or 10× in micros
No time limit

Apex Trader Funding

Profit target: $3,000 on 50K
Full evaluation: $2,500 trailing threshold that follows peak unrealised equity in real time, with no daily loss limit and no consistency rule
EOD evaluation: $2,000 maximum drawdown calculated at the close, plus a daily loss limit
Funded Performance Accounts: 50% consistency rule — no day may exceed half of profit since your last payout
Since March 2026, reviews report every order on Apex accounts must carry an attached stop-loss and take-profit

The Key Difference: Drawdown Mechanics

Topstep’s drawdown trails on end-of-day balances. An intraday run-up that you give back before the close does not move your floor. Apex’s Full evaluation trails your peak unrealised equity in real time, so open profit you give back still raises the floor. That makes the Apex Full evaluation less forgiving for traders who let winners breathe, and its EOD evaluation the closer match to Topstep.

On consistency, the firms swap places depending on the stage. Topstep applies its 55% target in the evaluation; Apex has none in the evaluation but a 50% rule once funded.

Pricing

Topstep’s help center lists the Combine at $49/month for 50K, $99 for 100K and $199 for 150K on the Standard path, plus a one-time $149 activation fee each time you earn an Express Funded Account — or $95, $149 and $229 per month with no activation fee. The monthly fee continues until you pass or cancel.

Apex sells evaluations as one-time purchases and runs deep promotions often. Because the list price and the discount both change frequently, compare the price on the day you buy rather than a number quoted in any article, including this one.

Platforms

Topstep now runs new accounts on TopstepX, its own platform. Independent reviews report that new Combines became TopstepX-only in July 2026 and that Tradovate, NinjaTrader and Rithmic credentials are no longer issued to new traders; older accounts on those platforms can still be traded. TopstepX does not connect to TradingView and does not support custom indicators, according to Topstep’s help center.

Apex accounts run on Rithmic or Tradovate, so you can trade them from NinjaTrader and the other front ends those feeds support.

Payouts

Topstep pays 90/10 from the first dollar. On the Standard path you need five winning days of $150 or more before a request; on the Consistency path, three days with your largest day at or below 40% of net profit. The per-request cap on a 50K is $2,000–$3,000, doubled if you added a daily loss limit, and transfers to a brokerage account go out the same day if requested by noon CT.

Apex is reported to pay 100% of payouts, subject to its Performance Account rules including the 50% consistency rule. Check Apex’s current payout policy for minimum days, caps and schedule.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Topstep if you want an end-of-day drawdown, a 90/10 split from the first dollar, low monthly entry pricing, and are comfortable trading on TopstepX.
Choose Apex if you want to trade from NinjaTrader or another Rithmic or Tradovate front end, prefer a one-time evaluation fee, and are comfortable with its drawdown model and funded consistency rule.
Hold both if you want to diversify across firms with different rules — but note that the firms have very different policies on how you may trade their accounts.

Copy Trading and Trading Tools

Topstep’s help center says all trading activity must originate from your personal device and prohibits VPS, VPNs and remote servers, which rules out cloud copiers; TopstepX includes its own copier for your own Topstep accounts. Signal Trade App does not connect to Topstep or TopstepX accounts.

Apex accounts on Tradovate or Rithmic can be connected to Signal Trade App, which copies one leader to followers across firms on those platforms, each with its own size ratio and daily loss limit. It is also a trading platform: a real TradingView chart with drag-to-modify bracket orders and server-side OCO, an order flow view with absorption, volume profile and an executed-volume heat map, and a multi-account cockpit. Check Apex’s current rules on copied trading before mirroring into funded accounts. Signal Trade App is $30 for the first month, then $15/month, and the 5-day trial requires a card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Topstep or Apex Trader Funding?

It depends on your style. Topstep offers an end-of-day drawdown, a 90/10 split from the first dollar and low monthly pricing, but new accounts are TopstepX-only. Apex runs on Rithmic and Tradovate, sells one-time evaluations, and uses a real-time trailing drawdown on its Full evaluation.

How much does the Topstep Combine cost in 2026?

According to Topstep’s help center: $49, $99 or $199 per month for 50K, 100K and 150K on the Standard path plus a $149 activation fee per funded account, or $95, $149 and $229 per month with no activation fee.

What is Topstep’s consistency rule?

In the Combine your best day should stay at or below 55% of the profit target. If it goes above, the target rises to best day divided by 0.55; the account is not failed.

Does Apex have a consistency rule?

Not in the evaluation, according to recent rule guides. Funded Performance Accounts carry a 50% rule: no single day may exceed half of your profit since the last payout.

How does Apex drawdown compare to Topstep?

Topstep trails on end-of-day balances. Apex’s Full evaluation trails peak unrealised equity in real time ($2,500 on 50K), while its EOD evaluation uses a $2,000 drawdown calculated at the close plus a daily loss limit.

Can I use NinjaTrader with Topstep or Apex?

With Apex, yes — its accounts run on Rithmic and Tradovate. New Topstep accounts are TopstepX-only according to multiple reviews, and TopstepX does not connect to NinjaTrader or TradingView.

What profit split do Topstep and Apex pay?

Topstep pays 90/10 from the first dollar. Apex is reported to pay 100% of payouts, subject to its funded account rules.

Can I copy trades into Topstep accounts?

Only with Topstep’s own tools from your own device. Topstep prohibits VPS, VPNs and remote servers, and TopstepX has a built-in copier for your Topstep accounts. Signal Trade App does not connect to Topstep or TopstepX.

Can Signal Trade App copy Apex accounts?

Apex accounts on Tradovate or Rithmic can be connected and copied alongside accounts at other firms on those platforms. Check Apex’s current copy-trading rules first.

Is Apex Trader Funding legit compared to Topstep?

Both are among the largest retail futures prop firms with long payout histories. Topstep has operated since 2012. As with any firm, read the current rules for the exact account you buy.

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