This Apex Trader Funding review covers one of the biggest names in futures evaluations, a firm founded in 2021 by trader-educator Darrell Martin and based in Austin, Texas. Our verdict: Apex offers low entry prices (especially during its frequent sales), a very wide platform choice and a generous headline profit split, but its trailing drawdown, payout conditions and history of rule changes and payout complaints mean you should read every line of the current terms. Most traders fail evaluations, so treat the fee as money you may not get back.
A note on sourcing: the official Apex help centre would not load for us during this check, so several figures below come from independent directory and review pages dated 2026. We flag them as such; confirm them on apextraderfunding.com before buying.
Apex Trader Funding at a glance
| Item | Details (November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Markets | Futures (CME Group products) |
| Founded / HQ | 2021, Austin, Texas, United States |
| Account sizes | $25K – $150K (current); larger legacy accounts |
| Price | From $118 one-time (list, $25K Intraday) |
| Evaluation | 1-step, Intraday trailing or EOD trailing |
| Profit split | Reported 100% of first $25K, then 90% |
| Platforms | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Rithmic and more |
| Accounts per trader | Up to 20 (reported) |
Challenge types and pricing
Since 1 March 2026, Apex has reportedly sold evaluations for a one-time fee with a 30-day window instead of the monthly subscription it was known for; older subscription accounts were grandfathered. There are two drawdown models. Intraday accounts use a trailing threshold that follows your highest equity in real time, including open profit. EOD accounts recalculate the threshold once at the daily close and cost more.
| Account | Intraday (list) | EOD (list) | Profit target | Trailing drawdown | Max contracts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25K | $118 | $177 | $1,500 | $1,000 | 4 |
| $50K | $132 | $197 | $3,000 | $2,000 | 6 |
| $100K | $198 | $297 | $6,000 | $3,000 | 8 |
| $150K | $265 | $397 | $9,000 | $4,000 | 12 |
Apex is famous for deep, frequent sale prices, so the list price is rarely what people pay; check the official site for any current promotion and its terms. After passing, a non-refundable activation fee (reported at $79 for Intraday and $99 for EOD) applies and is not covered by the sale discounts.
Trading rules
- Drawdown: trailing on both models; real-time on Intraday, end-of-day on EOD. On funded accounts the EOD trailing model is reported to apply.
- Daily loss limit: none on Intraday; EOD accounts have a daily limit that pauses trading for the day.
- Time limit and minimum days: a 30-day window and no minimum trading days in the evaluation.
- Overnight and weekend holding: not allowed; positions must be flat before the daily close (reported as 4:59 PM ET).
- News trading: allowed as part of a normal strategy, but bracketing a release with orders on both sides is reportedly prohibited.
- Automation: sources say bots are allowed in evaluations but fully automated trading is banned on Performance and live accounts.
- Instruments: gold, silver and copper futures were reportedly blocked in early 2026.
Profit split, payouts and scaling
The headline split, as reported by 2026 review sites, is 100% of the first $25,000 withdrawn across Performance Accounts and 90% after that. Getting paid involves several hurdles: a set number of qualifying winning days per payout cycle, a minimum balance buffer above the drawdown (a “safety net”), a minimum request size, a consistency rule limiting how much of your profit can come from one day, and escalating per-payout caps. Sources disagree on the exact consistency percentage (30% and 50% are both quoted), which is a good reason to read the official payout article before you trade. A widely reported cap of six payouts per Performance Account means each account eventually retires, so Apex works less as a long-term funded account and more as a series of payout cycles. We found no balance-based scaling plan; contract limits rise only once profit thresholds are met.
Platforms and instruments
Platform choice is a real strength. Apex accounts run on Rithmic or Tradovate data, and traders can connect NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, R|Trader Pro, Quantower, ATAS, Sierra Chart, MotiveWave, Bookmap, MultiCharts and others, depending on the account type. Instruments are CME Group futures such as equity indices, energy and rates. There is no forex or CFD offering.
Company, trust and payout record
Apex is not regulated; it is a private US company selling simulated evaluations. Directory pages cite a claim of more than $660 million paid since 2022, which we could not confirm on the official site. The firm has a mixed record. In 2024 there were widespread complaints about slow payouts, and trade press reported that some traders were asked for screen and webcam recordings before payouts were approved. The rules have been overhauled repeatedly, most recently with the March 2026 move to one-time fees and no resets, and complaints about forgotten legacy subscriptions are common. Trustpilot scores cited by comparison sites remain fairly high, but this Apex Trader Funding review rates trust lower than for older, more transparent firms.
Who it suits
- Futures day traders who want a cheap entry during sales.
- Traders tied to a specific platform such as NinjaTrader, Sierra Chart or ATAS.
- Disciplined traders comfortable with trailing drawdowns and strict payout conditions.
Apex Trader Funding review: final verdict
Our Apex Trader Funding review comes down to this: the price and platform list are hard to beat, but the payout rules are layered and change often, and we could not verify several of them on the official help centre. If you buy, read the current evaluation and payout articles first, keep records of your trading, and budget for the activation fee and the strong chance of failing.
Compare Apex Trader Funding with the other top prop trading firms, or read our Topstep review and Take Profit Trader review.
FAQ
How much does an Apex Trader Funding evaluation cost?
Listed prices seen in November 2026 were one-time fees of $118 to $265 for Intraday-trailing accounts and $177 to $397 for EOD-trailing accounts, from $25K to $150K. Apex runs frequent discounts, and a separate activation fee of about $79 (Intraday) or $99 (EOD) is reported after passing. Confirm on the official site.
What is the Apex Trader Funding profit split?
Sources we checked describe 100% of the first $25,000 withdrawn across Performance Accounts, then 90%. We could not open the official payout page to confirm this, so check the current terms before buying.
Does Apex have a daily loss limit?
Reported rules say Intraday accounts have no daily loss limit, while EOD accounts have a daily limit of roughly $500 to $2,000 that pauses trading for the day rather than failing the account. Both use a trailing drawdown.
How many payouts can I take from one Apex account?
Several sources describe a limit of six payouts per Performance Account, after which the account is retired and a new evaluation is needed. Payouts require a set number of qualifying days and a consistency rule.
Is Apex Trader Funding regulated?
No. Apex is a US evaluation provider based in Austin, Texas, not a regulated broker or fund. Accounts are simulated futures accounts and the fee is a cost, not a deposit.
Facts compiled on 8 November 2026 from the firm’s published rules and independent reviews listed in the sources. Prop firm rules and prices change often; confirm on the official website before buying a challenge.