Head to head
Apex Trader FundingvsTopstep
The two firms on the same lines, from the same data, checked the same day.
In short Cheaper to start: Topstep, $49 per month against $167 one-time. Topstep bills its cheapest account monthly, Apex Trader Funding charges it once: over two months of evaluation the gap changes. Higher maximum split: Apex Trader Funding, 100% against 90%. Both sell accounts with an end-of-day drawdown. DeepChartsOFF: neither lists it today. First payout: Apex Trader Funding publishes 5 days, Topstep does not state it. Data checked October 14, 2026.
Line by line,
the better side lit.
Like an imbalance on a footprint, the stronger side of each line is lit. No light: a tie, or a matter of taste.
Pick Apex Trader Funding if
- you want to keep more of each payout: up to 100%.
- you want to ask for your first payout sooner: 5 days.
- you would rather pay once than every month.
- you already trade on Tradovate and WealthCharts.
Pick Topstep if
- you want the lower entry price: $49 per month.
- you already trade on Quantower.
Every rule,
line by line.
| Apex Trader Funding | Topstep | |
|---|---|---|
| Price and accounts | ||
| Reference account | Intraday Trail 25K | Trading Combine 50K |
| Cheapest account | $167 one-time | $49 per month |
| Accounts sold | 22 | 6 |
| Profit target | $1,500 | $3,000 |
| Reset | Not stated | $49 |
| Drawdown | ||
| Drawdown types | Intraday trailing, End of day | End of day |
| Max drawdown | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Daily loss limit | Not stated | $1,000 |
| Payout | ||
| Split | 100 % | 90 % |
| First payout | 5 d | Not stated |
| Minimum days | 1 day in evaluation, 5 days funded | 2 days |
| Consistency rule | Not stated in evaluation, 50 % funded | Not stated in evaluation, 55 % funded |
| Payout threshold | $500 | $125 |
| First payout cap | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| Scaling | Not stated | Not stated |
| Trading rules | ||
| News trading | Restricted | Restricted |
| Overnight | Forbidden | Forbidden |
| Platforms and payment | ||
| Platforms | Tradovate, WealthCharts | Quantower |
| Payment methods | Not stated | Not stated |
| The firm | ||
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2021 | 2012 |
| Data checked | October 14, 2026 | October 14, 2026 |
Reference account for each firm: the cheapest that pays a split. Every other account is on the firm page.
Questions traders ask
Is Apex Trader Funding cheaper than Topstep?
Apex Trader Funding: cheapest account $167 one-time (Intraday Trail 25K). Topstep: $49 per month (Trading Combine 50K). Cheaper to start: Topstep, $49 per month against $167 one-time.
Which pays more, Apex Trader Funding or Topstep?
Apex Trader Funding pays up to 100%, Topstep up to 90%. Higher maximum split: Apex Trader Funding, 100% against 90%.
What is the drawdown difference between Apex Trader Funding and Topstep?
Apex Trader Funding uses Intraday trailing and End of day; on its reference account the maximum drawdown is $1,000. Topstep uses End of day; maximum drawdown $2,000.
Can you use DeepCharts at Apex Trader Funding or Topstep?
DeepChartsOFF: neither lists it today. DeepCharts is licensed separately, with code OFF through fillprint's partner link.
Are there discount codes for Apex Trader Funding and Topstep?
Apex Trader Funding: no affiliate program with fillprint. Topstep: no affiliate program with fillprint.