Apex Trader Funding vs Elite Trader Funding
Every rule that actually affects your account — drawdown, daily loss, consistency, payout split, news, platforms — with a clear winner per category.
Rule by rule
Green = winner on that row. Ties show as "—".
| Rule | Apex Trader Funding | Elite Trader Funding | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drawdown type | Trailing | Trailing | Elite Trader Funding |
| Daily loss limit | None | None | — |
| Payout split | 100% (no revenue share). After $25K cumulative: 90/10. | 100% of first $12,500 then 90/10. $25K total sim payout cap per trader. | — |
| Min trading days | 0 | 5 | Apex Trader Funding |
| Consistency rule | 50% on PA payouts only. No single day > 50% of total profit since last payout. | Pre-Aug 2024 accounts: 40%. Post-Aug 2024: no consistency rule. | — |
| News trading | Yes | Yes | — |
| Weekend holding | No | No | — |
| Copy trading | Yes | Yes | — |
| Platforms | Rithmic, Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, WealthCharts, Quantower, Sierra Chart, ATAS, Bookmap, MotiveWave | Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Rithmic, Quantower, Sierra Chart, ATAS, Bookmap | — |
Real talk
What traders actually experience beyond the marketing copy.
Most popular futures prop firm. 100% payout split is unmatched. Constant 90% off sales make evals dirt cheap (~$30). But: automated trading PROHIBITED, PA has monthly fees ($85-105), max 6 payouts then PA closes forever. The 30-day eval window is new under 4.0.
EOD trailing is genuinely forgiving - intraday swings don't count until close. Intraday trailing is much harsher (tracks unrealized P&L tick-by-tick). Most experienced traders pick EOD. Safety net locks drawdown once you hit starting balance + drawdown + $100.
100% payout split is best in industry. BUT: PA closes forever after 6 payouts. $85-105/mo PA fee eats into profits. Payout ladder caps early withdrawals ($1K-$2.5K on first payout). After 6 payouts, buy a new eval to get a new PA.
Automated trading/bots PROHIBITED. PA has $85-105/mo fee. Max 6 payouts then PA closes permanently. No resets under 4.0. 30-day eval window (fail or expire = buy new). Inactivity rule: 2 days with $50+ profit per 30 days or PA closes.
Most plan variety. Static drawdown is unique and valuable. Fast Track at $75 is cheapest entry anywhere. But: $87/mo funded fee, 10-second hold time, $25K total sim cap, and the complexity of 6 plan types can be confusing.
6 plan types give real flexibility. Static drawdown (floor never moves) is genuinely unique. 1-Step intraday trailing is harsh. EOD is more forgiving but adds DLL. Safety Net locks drawdown once you profit enough.
100% on first $12.5K is generous. But $87/mo funded fee eats into profits. $25K total sim cap means you transition to live ($2K-$5K starting capital) relatively quickly. 10-second hold rule is enforced.
$87/mo funded fee (one of few firms charging monthly). 10-second minimum hold on ALL trades. $25K total sim payout cap. Fast Track has NO resets and 14-day time limit. After 20% profit growth, losing 35% triggers disqualification.
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