Topstep and Apex Trader Funding are the two most searched futures prop firms, and their 50K accounts look almost identical on paper: a $3,000 profit target and $2,000 of drawdown. The differences are in how that drawdown moves, how long you have, what you pay and how you get paid.
At a glance: 50K accounts
| Topstep 50K Trading Combine | Apex 50K (Apex 4.0) | |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | CME futures incl. micros | CME futures incl. micros |
| Profit target | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Drawdown | $2,000, end-of-day trailing | $2,000, end-of-day or intraday trailing |
| Drawdown locks at | Starting balance | Starting balance |
| Daily loss limit | Optional $1,000 — pauses trading | $1,000 on EOD accounts; none on intraday |
| Max size | 5 contracts / 50 micros | 6 contracts |
| Time limit | None (monthly subscription) | 30 calendar days |
| Minimum days | 2 | None |
| Consistency in evaluation | Best day under 55% of profit | None |
| Profit split | 90% | 100% of approved payouts |
| Payouts | After 5 winning days of $150+; capped per request | Up to weekly; 5 qualifying days; max 6 per account |
| Pricing | Monthly subscription | Evaluation fee + activation fee |
Figures from each firm’s published rules, checked November 1, 2026. Full details: Topstep review and Apex review.
Drawdown: the decision that matters most
Both firms give you $2,000 on a 50K account. What differs is when the floor moves.
- Topstep only updates the floor from your end-of-day balance. A trade that is +$900 at its best and closes at +$300 lifts the floor by $300.
- Apex EOD works the same way, and adds a $1,000 daily loss limit.
- Apex intraday follows your peak equity in real time. The same trade lifts the floor by $900 while it is open, then leaves you $600 closer to failing after the pullback.
If you scale out, trail stops or hold winners through retracements, choose an end-of-day drawdown at either firm. If you take quick fixed targets, Apex’s cheaper intraday version may cost you little.
Daily loss limit: pause or fail
Topstep’s daily limit is optional; if you enable it and hit it, positions are flattened and trading resumes next session — the account survives. Apex’s daily limit on EOD accounts is part of the rules. Either way, a personal daily stop of two losses is a good habit inside a $2,000 drawdown.
Time pressure and consistency
Apex gives you 30 calendar days and no minimum days, which suits traders who can reach $3,000 quickly. Topstep has no deadline, but its subscription renews monthly and your best day must stay under 55% of total profit — so one $2,000 day toward a $3,000 target would break it. Apex has no consistency rule in the evaluation, but applies a 50% rule when you request a payout.
Cost
Apex’s evaluation price is low and discount codes are frequent, but you pay an activation fee after passing. Topstep’s monthly subscription keeps running until you pass. A trader who passes in three weeks often pays less at Topstep than they expect; a trader who needs three attempts usually pays less at Apex. Compare total cost to get funded, not the checkout price.
Payouts
Topstep pays 90%. Each Express Funded payout needs five winning days of at least $150, and requests are capped at $2,000 on a 50K account. Apex pays 100% of approved payouts, up to weekly, but each account is limited to six payouts before it closes. Topstep suits slow, steady withdrawals from one account; Apex suits traders comfortable cycling through accounts.
Sizing within $2,000
| Risk per trade | Losses in a row to fail | ES stop (1 contract) | MES stop (10 contracts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150 | 13 | 3 points | 3 points |
| $200 | 10 | 4 points | 4 points |
| $250 | 8 | 5 points | 5 points |
The same table applies at both firms. Convert your own stop into contracts with the futures calculator.
Which should you choose?
Choose Topstep if you hold trades through pullbacks, want a daily limit that pauses rather than fails, and prefer no deadline.
Choose Apex if you want the lowest cost per attempt, 100% of approved payouts, no minimum days, and you can pass within 30 days.
Not sure? Run your win rate and average win through both presets in the prop firm challenge simulator, then see how Take Profit Trader and MyFundedFutures compare, or read Apex vs MyFundedFutures.
Frequently asked questions
Is Topstep or Apex better?
Neither is better for everyone. Topstep suits traders who want an end-of-day drawdown, an optional daily limit that pauses rather than fails, and no deadline. Apex suits traders who want the cheapest entry, 100% of approved payouts and no minimum days, and who can work inside a 30-day window.
Which is cheaper, Topstep or Apex?
Apex usually costs less per attempt because evaluations are heavily discounted, but you pay an activation fee after passing. Topstep charges a monthly subscription until you pass, so it is competitive if you pass within a month and more expensive if it takes several.
Does Apex or Topstep have an end-of-day drawdown?
Topstep's Maximum Loss Limit always trails your end-of-day balance. Apex lets you choose end-of-day or intraday trailing at checkout; the end-of-day version adds a daily loss limit and costs more.
Can I have accounts at both Topstep and Apex?
Yes. They are separate companies, and many futures traders run evaluations at more than one firm. Check each firm's own limits on how many accounts you can hold at once.