Futures prop firms let you trade CME contracts such as ES, NQ, CL and GC with the firm’s capital after passing an evaluation. Nearly all of them use a trailing drawdown, so the details of how that drawdown moves matter more than the profit target. This guide compares the two most widely used futures firms, Topstep and Apex Trader Funding, on the rules that decide whether you pass.
Topstep vs Apex: 50K accounts side by side
| Topstep 50K Trading Combine | Apex 50K (EOD) | Apex 50K (Intraday) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profit target | $3,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Max drawdown | $2,000, end-of-day trailing | $2,000, end-of-day trailing | $2,000, intraday trailing |
| Daily loss limit | Optional $1,000 (pauses trading) | $1,000 | None |
| Max size | 5 contracts / 50 micros | 6 contracts | 6 contracts |
| Time limit | None (monthly subscription) | 30 calendar days | 30 calendar days |
| Minimum days | 2 | None | None |
| Consistency in evaluation | Best day under 55% | None | None |
| Profit split | 90% | 100% of approved payouts | 100% of approved payouts |
Checked against each firm’s published rules on November 1, 2026. Read our full Topstep review and Apex review for payout and cost details.
1. Drawdown type decides more than the target
Both firms give a 50K account $2,000 of drawdown. What differs is when that floor moves.
- End-of-day trailing (Topstep, Apex EOD) only updates on the closing balance. A trade that is up $900 and closes at +$300 lifts the floor by $300.
- Intraday trailing (Apex Intraday) follows your peak equity tick by tick. The same trade lifts the floor by $900 while open — and leaves you with $600 less room after the pullback.
If you scale out, trail stops or hold through retracements, an end-of-day drawdown is far more forgiving. If you take quick fixed targets, the cheaper intraday version may cost you little.
2. Sizing within $2,000
| Risk per trade | Losses in a row to fail | ES stop (1 contract) | MES stop (10 contracts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | 20 | 2 points | 2 points |
| $200 | 10 | 4 points | 4 points |
| $250 | 8 | 5 points | 5 points |
| $500 | 4 | 10 points | 10 points |
ES is $50 per point and MES $5 per point, so ten MES contracts carry the same dollar risk as one ES. Micros let you use realistic stops without oversizing — run your own numbers in the futures calculator.
3. Daily loss limits: a rule or a safety net?
Apex EOD accounts have a hard $1,000 daily loss limit on 50K. Topstep’s is optional, and hitting it pauses trading until the next session rather than failing the account. Either way, set a personal daily stop well inside the firm’s limit — for example, stop after two losses — so one bad morning never ends the challenge.
4. Consistency rules
Topstep wants your best day below 55% of profit during the Combine. Apex has no consistency rule in the evaluation, but applies a 50% rule when you request a payout from a Performance Account. In both cases, steady days beat one big day.
5. Cost and payouts
- Topstep charges a monthly subscription until you pass, pays 90%, and requires five winning days of $150+ per Express Funded payout, with per-request caps.
- Apex charges a one-off evaluation fee (frequently discounted) plus an activation fee after passing, and pays 100% of approved payouts, up to six per account.
If you need several months to pass, Topstep’s subscription adds up; if you need several attempts, Apex’s lower fee per attempt helps.
Two more options: Take Profit Trader and MyFundedFutures
| 50K account | Topstep | Apex | Take Profit Trader | MyFundedFutures Rapid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profit target | $3,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Drawdown | $2,000 EOD | $2,000 EOD or intraday | $2,000 EOD (Test) | $2,000 |
| Funded drawdown | EOD | Matches evaluation | Intraday trailing | Intraday trailing |
| Daily loss limit | Optional | On EOD accounts | None | None |
| Pricing | Monthly | Evaluation + activation | Monthly + $130 activation | One-time |
| Payout speed | After 5 winning days | Up to weekly | Day one after buffer | Daily |
Both newer firms trade a stricter funded-account drawdown for faster access to payouts. Read the full Take Profit Trader and MyFundedFutures reviews.
How to choose
- Pick the drawdown type that matches your exits. Hold winners through pullbacks → end-of-day. Quick fixed targets → intraday is acceptable.
- Size first. Decide your risk per trade so at least eight consecutive losses fit inside the drawdown.
- Test your stats. Use the Topstep and Apex presets in the prop firm challenge simulator with your journal’s win rate and average win.
- Compare total cost — subscription months or evaluation plus activation fee — not the headline price.
Want a deeper head-to-head? Read Topstep vs Apex and Apex vs MyFundedFutures. Prefer forex or CFDs? See FTMO vs Apex Trader Funding and our full prop firm comparison. New to futures? Start with futures vs forex.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best prop firm for futures?
There is no single best firm. Topstep suits traders who want an end-of-day loss limit and an established firm; Apex suits traders who want the cheapest entry and 100% payouts and can manage a tight trailing drawdown. Compare the drawdown type first, then cost and payouts.
What is an end-of-day trailing drawdown?
An end-of-day (EOD) trailing drawdown updates once a day from your closing balance. Unrealized gains during the session don't raise the floor, which gives more room to traders who hold winners through pullbacks than an intraday trailing drawdown does.
How much should I risk per trade on a 50K futures prop account?
With a $2,000 drawdown, many traders risk $150 to $250 per trade so that eight to thirteen consecutive losses are needed to fail. Use micro contracts (MES, MNQ) to keep risk small with normal stop distances.
How do Take Profit Trader and MyFundedFutures compare with Topstep and Apex?
All four offer 50K evaluations with a $3,000 target and a $2,000 trailing drawdown. Take Profit Trader allows day-one withdrawals once a buffer is built, and MyFundedFutures pays daily on its Rapid plan with a one-time evaluation fee, but both use intraday trailing drawdown on funded accounts.