Topstep vs APEX Trader Funding (2025): Which Futures Prop Firm Is Right for You?
If you’re looking to trade futures using prop firm capital, Topstep and APEX Trader Funding are two of the biggest names in the game. Both firms offer $50K evaluation accounts with the potential to scale up, but they take different approaches in pricing, platforms, drawdowns, and user experience.
In this post, we’ll break down both firms side by side — so you can decide which one fits your trading style.
Pricing & Evaluation Structure
| Feature | Topstep (50K) | APEX Trader Funding (50K) |
| Monthly Fee | $49/month | $187/month (when not on promo) |
| Profit Target | $3,000 (6%) | $3,000 (6%) |
| Contracts (Full / Micro) | 5 / 50 | 10 / 100 |
| Max Loss | $2,000 | $2,500 |
| Drawdown Type | End-of-Day Trailing Drawdown | Trailing Drawdown from Equity High |
| Activation Fee (Once Funded) | $149 | $160 (hidden in FAQs) |
💡 Takeaway: Topstep is significantly cheaper on the monthly fee, while APEX costs more but offers more contracts. Both have similar activation fees once funded.
Platform Choices
This is where the firms start to feel different:
- Topstep now only uses the TopstepX platform (a TradingView-based interface). Previously, they supported Tradeovate and other platforms, but they’ve now streamlined everything into their own platform. It’s polished, clean, and very trader-friendly — but if you prefer other trading software, the lack of choice might be limiting.
- APEX wins here on flexibility, offering multiple platforms including:
- WealthCharts
- Rithmic
- Tradeovate (which can be connected directly to TradingView for seamless chart trading)
Dashboard & User Experience
One area where Topstep stands out is the dashboard. It’s modern, clean, and packed with useful data — including a daily/weekly/monthly P&L calendar, trade breakdowns, and clear account status at a glance.
By comparison, APEX’s dashboard is basic. You can see your balance and a simple performance chart, but it lacks the depth and visual clarity that Topstep provides. For traders who value tracking their progress visually, Topstep clearly has the edge.
Drawdown Rules: A Big Difference
- Topstep uses an End-of-Day Trailing Drawdown during the evaluation. Once funded, this converts to a fixed drawdown — giving you breathing room after hitting your targets.
- APEX uses an Equity High Trailing Drawdown, meaning any intraday pullback from your peak equity counts toward the loss limit. This makes trade management more sensitive — you have to lock in gains or risk losing them if your equity falls after reaching a high.
💡 Practical Impact: Many traders prefer the end-of-day trailing model because it’s less restrictive during active trading.
The Bottom Line: Which Should You Choose?
Both Topstep and APEX Trader Funding are reputable, reliable futures prop firms. You’ll get paid if you follow the rules with either one. The choice depends on your priorities:
- Choose Topstep if you want:
- Lower monthly costs
- Cleaner dashboard and analytics
- End-of-day trailing drawdown
- A streamlined, TradingView-based trading platform
- Choose APEX if you want:
- Multiple platform choices (Tradeovate, Rithmic, WealthCharts)
- More contracts available at the same account size
- Are okay with higher monthly costs and equity-high drawdown rules
Final Thoughts
Both firms can work for you if you have a profitable, disciplined strategy. Topstep feels more user-friendly and transparent, while APEX gives you more freedom in platforms and leverage.
💬 Which one would you choose? Let us know in the comments below — and if you’re already funded with either of these firms, share your experience!
Thanks
Stephen V
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