Head-to-head comparison
Topstep vs Apex Trader Funding
Detailed side-by-side breakdown of scores, funding, costs, and payouts. Updated for 2026.
T
Topstep
Most Trusted8.9
out of 10
VS
A
Apex Trader Funding
Most Flexible8.5
out of 10
Verdict
Topstep wins by 0.4 points
Topstep scores 8.9/10 compared to Apex Trader Funding's 8.5/10. The higher score reflects stronger performance across payout history, challenge fairness, Trustpilot ratings, and value for money.
Score breakdown
Payout History
9.8
vs 8.5
Topstep Apex Tra
Challenge Fairness
8.5
vs 8.3
Topstep Apex Tra
Trustpilot Score
8.8
vs 8.8
Topstep Apex Tra
Value for Money
8.7
vs 8.6
Topstep Apex Tra
Full comparison
| Feature | Topstep | Apex Trader Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.9/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Max Funding | $150,000 | $300,000 |
| Profit Split | 100% first $10K, then 90% | 100% first $25K, then 90% |
| 100K Price | $49/mo | From $167 |
| Challenge Type | 1-step (Trading Combine) | 1-step |
| Platforms | TopstepX | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Rithmic, 14+ platforms |
| Trustpilot | 4.5 ★ | 4.5 ★ |
| Established | 2012 | 2021 |
| Jurisdiction | United States (Chicago, IL) | United States (Austin, TX) |
| Total Payouts | $1.1B+ (firm-reported) | $378M+ (firm-reported) |
| Active Traders | 150,000+ | 300,000+ |
| Broker Backing | Direct CME access | Direct CME access via Rithmic/Tradovate |
+ Topstep strengths
- ✓ 14 years of operation — longest track record in the prop firm industry
- ✓ $1.1B+ in total payouts — the most of any prop firm
- ✓ Commission-free execution on TopstepX saves $800-1,200/month for active traders
- ✓ EOD trailing drawdown is more forgiving than intraday trailing models
- ✓ $49/month for 100K evaluation is the cheapest monthly entry in the market
+ Apex Trader Funding strengths
- ✓ 100% profit on first $25K — highest initial retention in the market
- ✓ 14+ platform options including NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Sierra Chart
- ✓ Up to 20 simultaneous funded accounts for scaling
- ✓ Frequent 80-90% discount campaigns on evaluations
- ✓ $378M+ in total payouts — substantial track record