Build your comparison
Apex Trader Funding vs The5erswhich prop firm deserves your challenge fee?
Quick verdict
Safer counterparty
The5ers
Faster payouts
Too close to call
Better for smaller budgets
The5ers
Rule stability
Too close to call
Feature comparison
| Feature |  Apex Trader Funding |  The5ers | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $118 | $19 | The5ers |
| Challenge model | 1-step | 2-step, 3-step, instant | Tie |
| Max funding | $3M | $4M | The5ers |
| Max profit split | 100% | 100% | Tie |
| Payouts | Weekly cycles | Bi-weekly | Tie |
| Track record | Established 2021 | Established 2016 | The5ers |
| Trader rating | New — no ratings yet | New — no ratings yet | Tie |
| Headquarters | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇮🇱 Israel | Tie |
| Overall score | 80 | 80 | The5ers |
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 The5ers 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
The5ers — strengths & weaknesses
Pros
- Operating since 2016 — a decade of bi-weekly payouts with a ~16-day average payout time
- True instant funding on live accounts, doubling at each milestone up to $4M
- High Stakes two-step from just $19; 70% of the fee refunded with the first payout
- CME futures added in 2025 and US access restored via cTrader
Cons
- Low leverage (1:30) and mandatory stop-losses on Hyper Growth and Bootcamp programs
- Budget programs start at a 50/50 split until scaling milestones are hit
- Risk-department reviews at payout time have produced denial complaints from flagged accounts
80
VS80
Not sold on either? Browse every firm ranked by research score and build your own head-to-head.
Compare more firms