Apex Trader Funding vs Topstep: Which Prop Firm Is Better in 2026?
A side-by-side comparison of Apex Trader Funding and Topstep on the FundedEnigma Score, pricing, profit split, drawdown model and payouts. Topstep currently rates higher by best-plan Enigma Rating. Code FE applies each firm’s current discount.
By Steve H — reads every firm’s official rulebook, checks prices and codes daily, and maintains the Enigma Score · Methodology · Editorial policy · Last updated October 4, 2026
| Apex Trader Funding | Topstep | |
|---|---|---|
| Enigma Score (firm) | 69/100 (B) | — |
| Enigma Rating (best plan) | 7.9/10 (Strong) | 8.5/10 (Excellent) |
| Best plan | EOD Trail Evaluation (No Activation Fee) 100K · $159 all-in | Trading Combine (No Activation Fee + DLL) 100K · $129 all-in |
| Net first payout | ≈ $2,000 net | ≈ $5,400 net |
| Days to first payout | ≈ 6 trading days | ≈ 7 trading days |
| Pass Ease | 81/100 | 77/100 |
| From (with code) | $24.90 | $49 |
| FundedEnigma code | FE | FE |
| Current discount | 90% off | — |
| Profit split | 100% payout split | 90/10 |
| Drawdown model | Intraday Trailing or EOD (chosen at purchase) | EOD |
| Payouts | Up to weekly (after 5 qualifying days) | Every 5 winning days (XFA Standard) · every 3 days at 40% consistency (XFA Consistency) · no caps on the Live Funded Account |
| Max allocation | $150K | $150K per account, up to 5 XFAs |
| Type | Futures | Futures |
Why each best plan scores the way it does
Topstep's best plan rates higher (8.5/10 (Excellent)). Reasons come from each plan's own rules and price, judged against plans with the same drawdown type.
Apex Trader FundingEOD Trail Evaluation (No Activation Fee) 100K
- +End-of-day drawdown in eval
- +End-of-day drawdown once funded, locks at the start balance
- +No consistency rule in eval
- +Pass in as little as 1 day
- +Withdraw up to $172,000/month across 20 accounts
- +Reviews praise: Helpful support (12%)
- +Reviews praise: Fast payouts (8%)
- −Daily loss limit $1,500
- −50% consistency rule once funded
- −$3,100 profit buffer before the first withdrawal
- −First payout capped at $2,000
TopstepTrading Combine (No Activation Fee + DLL) 100K
- +End-of-day drawdown in eval
- +End-of-day drawdown once funded, locks at the start balance
- +No consistency rule once funded
- +Higher first-payout return per $ than most plans in this market
- +Bigger usable loss buffer per $ than most plans in this market
- +Reviews praise: Fast payouts (8%)
- +Reviews praise: Helpful support (8%)
- −Daily loss limit $2,000
- −55% consistency rule in eval
Key differences
- Apex Trader Funding is cheaper to start — from $24.90 vs $49 (a $24.10 difference) with code FE.
- Apex Trader Funding has the higher profit split (100% payout split vs 90/10), so you keep more of what you earn.
- Drawdown models differ: Apex Trader Funding uses Intraday Trailing or EOD (chosen at purchase), while Topstep uses EOD — often the deciding factor for active traders.
- Payout schedules differ: Apex Trader Funding — Up to weekly (after 5 qualifying days); Topstep — Every 5 winning days (XFA Standard) · every 3 days at 40% consistency (XFA Consistency) · no caps on the Live Funded Account.
- Apex Trader Funding has the bigger live discount right now — 90% off vs no current discount, via code FE (Apex Trader Funding) / code FE (Topstep).
Our verdict
How you buy and pass
Apex sells a one-time evaluation with 30 days to pass, no resets and no consistency rule — you can pass in a single day, and you choose an intraday-trailing or end-of-day drawdown at purchase. Topstep sells the Trading Combine as a monthly subscription with an end-of-day loss limit that locks at your starting balance, a 55% consistency target and a two-day minimum. Apex is the faster pass; Topstep gives you as long as you keep subscribing.
Platforms and trading rules
Apex runs on Rithmic, Tradovate or WealthCharts and bans automation; Topstep trades only on its own TopstepX platform and allows automation in the Combine, with conditions. Both require you to be flat before the close with no overnight holding, and both ban hedging. If you depend on NinjaTrader or TradingView, Topstep's TopstepX-only rule decides it for you.
Once funded
Apex pays 100% of each approved payout, about weekly, but each funded account pays at most six times — with a cap on every payout — before it closes, and a 50% consistency rule applies to every payout. Topstep pays 90/10 with a cap per request (doubled if you take its daily loss limit option) and no published limit on how many payouts an account can take, then calls its best traders up to a live account with a published reserve structure. Apex lets you run up to 20 funded accounts; Topstep up to five.
Bottom line
Choose Apex to pass quickly and cheaply when its sale is on, on the platform you already use, and to scale across many accounts. Choose Topstep for an end-of-day drawdown at every stage, automation in the Combine, no fixed payout count and a defined road to a live account — if you're happy trading on TopstepX. Our full reviews: Apex Trader Funding and Topstep on the FundedEnigma blog.
Which should you choose?
Choose Apex Trader Funding if you want a lower entry cost, a higher profit split (100% payout split), a bigger current discount (90% off) and a higher overall Enigma Score.
Choose Topstep if you prefer its drawdown model or payout schedule shown in the table above.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Apex Trader Funding or Topstep better?
- By best-plan Enigma Rating, Topstep rates higher (8.5/10 (Excellent)). Both list verified pricing and their FundedEnigma affiliate discount — the better choice depends on your priorities (cost, drawdown model, payout speed).
- Which is cheaper, Apex Trader Funding or Topstep?
- Apex Trader Funding is cheaper to start, from $24.90 with code FE versus $49 for Topstep.
- Which has the higher profit split?
- Apex Trader Funding offers the higher profit split (100% payout split) compared with 90/10 at Topstep.
- How do payouts compare?
- Apex Trader Funding pays out up to weekly (after 5 qualifying days), while Topstep pays out every 5 winning days (xfa standard) · every 3 days at 40% consistency (xfa consistency) · no caps on the live funded account. Check each firm's first-payout rules on its review page before deciding.
Read the full reviews: Apex Trader Funding · Topstep · How the Enigma Score works