Head to head · Updated August 2026
Topstep vs Apex Trader Funding
Across the 16 specs we track, Topstep and Apex Trader Funding differ on 10. Apex Trader Funding leads on 4 of the measurable ones to Topstep's 2 — but read what those are below, because one of them may not matter to you at all.
Topstep
90% split
Founded 2012 · $1.4B+ paid to traders · payouts weekly · Futures
Apex Trader Funding
100% first $25K, then 90% split
Founded 2021 · $8.7M+ paid to traders · payouts weekly · Futures
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Which one fits you
Choose Topstep if…
- you would rather withdraw small amounts than wait to clear a threshold
- you want the longer, more provable payout record
Choose Apex Trader Funding if…
- you want to keep the largest share of what you make
- you want room to scale into a bigger account
- you plan to run several funded accounts at once
- public reputation is part of your decision
Every spec, side by side
16 specs · 10 differ · clear advantages highlighted
| Spec | Topstep | Apex Trader Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Profit split | 90% | 100% first $25K, then 90% |
| Payout speed | Weekly | Weekly |
| Minimum payout | $125 | $500 |
| Funding range | $50K – $150K | $25K – $300K |
| Max funded accounts | 5 | 20 |
| Markets | Futures | Futures |
| Platforms | TopstepXNinjaTraderQuantowerTradingView (charts)R|Trader | NinjaTraderTradovateRithmicTradingViewWealthCharts |
| Paid to traders | $1.4B+ | $8.7M+ |
| Trustpilot | 3.6 | 4.2 |
| Founded | 2012 | 2021 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois, USA | Austin, Texas, USA |
| News trading | Allowed | Allowed |
| Copy trading | Allowed | Allowed |
| EAs allowed | Limited | Limited |
| Weekend holding | Not Allowed | Not Allowed |
| Hedging | Allowed | Not Allowed |
Green marks the stronger value only where a spec has an unambiguous better direction — a higher split, a faster payout, a lower price. Breadth fields like markets and platforms are left unmarked on purpose: more coverage is different, not automatically better.
Topstep vs Apex Trader Funding FAQ
Which has the better profit split, Topstep or Apex Trader Funding?+
Apex Trader Funding tops out higher — 100% first $25K, then 90% versus 90%. Read the full terms though: several firms pay 100% on a first block of profit and a lower rate after it, so the headline number is not always what you end up on.
Can I trade with Topstep and Apex Trader Funding at the same time?+
Generally yes — funded accounts at different firms are separate agreements, and running two is a common way to spread the risk of a single account breaching. Check each firm's rules on copy trading between accounts first; both list their policy in the table above.