Build your comparison
Apex Trader Funding vs FTMOwhich prop firm deserves your challenge fee?
Quick verdict
Safer counterparty
FTMO
Faster payouts
Apex Trader Funding
Better for smaller budgets
FTMO
Rule stability
Too close to call
Feature comparison
| Feature |  Apex Trader Funding |  FTMO | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $118 | $79 | FTMO |
| Challenge model | 1-step | 1-step, 2-step | Tie |
| Max funding | $3M | $2M | Apex Trader Funding |
| Max profit split | 100% | 90% | Apex Trader Funding |
| Payouts | Weekly cycles | On demand | Tie |
| Track record | Established 2021 | Established 2015 | FTMO |
| Trader rating | New — no ratings yet | New — no ratings yet | Tie |
| Headquarters | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | Tie |
| Overall score | 80 | 81 | FTMO |
Both firms are scored from our ongoing research — the score dials above update as new data and trader input land. Read the full breakdowns on the Apex Trader Funding review and the FTMO review.
Apex Trader Funding — strengths & weaknesses
Pros
- Effectively the cheapest entry in futures funding — permanent 80–90% discount codes
- 100% profit split from the first payout under Apex 4.0
- Up to 20 parallel funded accounts with copy trading — the strongest edge-multiplier in the industry
- Optional end-of-day trailing drawdown that ignores intraday unrealized wicks
Cons
- Legacy 2024–2025 payout-denial reputation still rebuilding
- $79–99 activation fee after passing isn't obvious from the cheap-eval marketing
- First five payouts are capped on a ladder; 50% consistency rule on funded accounts
- All metals products suspended indefinitely since March 2026
FTMO — strengths & weaknesses
Pros
- Ten-year payout record, now backed by ownership of the OANDA brokerage group
- On-demand payouts averaging ~8 hours to process, with the challenge fee refunded at first payout
- New 1-Step Challenge pays 90% from the first payout; 2-step rules unchanged and time-unlimited
- Stable, transparent rules that are never applied retroactively — plus the excellent MetriX dashboard
Cons
- Pricing above newer discount-driven rivals
- Standard funded accounts restrict news trading (2-minute window) and weekend holding — you must pick Swing to avoid both
- No futures product, no TradingView or DXtrade; crypto is a handful of CFDs
80
VS81
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