Topstep vs Apex Trader Funding: which is easier to pass and pay out?
Topstep and Apex Trader Funding compared on their own published rules: profit targets, loss limits, consistency rules and payouts, plus how each account did in our benchmark, where the same made-up trader is replayed against every account. On our 6 measures there is very little between them.
The verdict, category by category
| Topstep | Apex Trader Funding | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easiest challenge to pass pass chance in our benchmark | Trading Combine 50K: 43% | EOD 50K: 42% | Level |
| Best chance of passing and getting paid passed and reached a first payout, in our benchmark | Trading Combine 50K: 34% | EOD 50K: 32% | Level |
| Most room before failing largest maximum loss; static beats trailing | 4% trailing, locks at start (Trading Combine 50K) | 4% trailing, locks at start (EOD 50K) | Level |
| Highest profit split can't compare: one firm doesn't state it | 90% | Not stated | Level |
| Quickest first payout | 5 days | 5 days | Level |
| Accounts with no consistency rule | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | Level |
Which should you choose?
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Evaluations: Topstep Trading Combine 50K vs Apex Trader Funding EOD 50K
| Topstep | Apex Trader Funding | |
|---|---|---|
| Account | Trading Combine 50K | EOD 50K |
| Profit target | 6% | 6% |
| Daily loss limit | None | None |
| Maximum loss | 4% trailing, locks at start | 4% trailing, locks at start |
| Minimum days | None | None |
| Time limit | None | None |
| Consistency rule | 55% challenge | 50% funded |
| First payout | After 5 days, 1.5%+ profit | After 5 days, 0.1%+ profit |
| Profit split | 90% | Not stated |
| Price | $49 for $50K | $590 for $50K |
| Pass chance (benchmark) | 43% | 42% |
| First payout chance (benchmark) | 34% | 32% |
| Best risk per trade | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Fee spent per first payout, per $100 | $294 | $313 |
| Rules checked | 13 Nov 2026 | 25 Oct 2026 |
Where a firm has more than one account of a type, the one that did best in our benchmark is shown. "Fee spent per first payout" is what every $100 of challenge fee works out at once failed attempts are counted.
Every account at both firms
| Firm | Account | Type | Profit target | Daily loss | Max loss | Consistency | First payout | Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T | Trading Combine 50K | 1-step | 6% | None | 4% trailing, locks at start | 55% challenge | After 5 days, 1.5%+ profit | 90% |
| AT | EOD 50K | 1-step | 6% | None | 4% trailing, locks at start | 50% funded | After 5 days, 0.1%+ profit | Not stated |
About the two firms
Topstep
Topstep is one of the best-known futures firms. The Trading Combine 50K needs $3,000 (6%) with a $2,000 (4%) Maximum Loss Limit that trails your end-of-day balance and locks at your start. The daily loss limit is optional and pauses trading rather than failing you, and the Combine has a best-day consistency target.
Futures
Rules to watch: Futures. Maximum Loss Limit trails the end-of-day balance and locks at the start. Daily loss limit is optional and pauses trading instead of failing. Payouts need 5 winning days of $150+ and are capped at 50% of balance ($2,000 on 50K). The $3,000 target for 50K is Topstep's standard figure; the product page didn't load to confirm it. Sources: help.topstep.com/en/articles/8284204-what-is-the-maximum-loss-limit and help.topstep.com/en/articles/8284233-topstep-payout-policy
Apex Trader Funding
Apex Trader Funding is a futures firm. The EOD 50K account needs $3,000 (6%) with a $2,000 (4%) drawdown that trails your end-of-day balance and stops at your start plus $100, so swings during the day don't move it. There's no daily loss limit that fails the account; hitting the daily limit pauses trading until the next session.
Futures
Rules to watch: Futures. EOD trailing drawdown recalculated at 4:59pm ET; on Performance Accounts it stops at start + $100. Daily loss limit pauses rather than fails. The payout rules page wouldn't load, so payout timing is assumed at 14 days and the profit target is taken from the drawdown example. Source: apextraderfunding.com/help-center/eod-trailing-drawdown-accounts/eod-drawdown-explained/
Questions
Is Topstep or Apex Trader Funding easier to pass?
They are about the same. In our benchmark Topstep's Trading Combine 50K passed 43% of the time and Apex Trader Funding's EOD 50K 42%.
Which is more likely to pay out, Topstep or Apex Trader Funding?
Of their challenges, Topstep's Trading Combine 50K (34%) gave the better chance of passing and reaching a first payout in our benchmark, against 32% for Apex Trader Funding's EOD 50K. This ranks the rules, not the firms' payout records.
Which has the better profit split, Topstep or Apex Trader Funding?
Topstep, with up to 90% against a split not stated.
Which gives more room on drawdown, Topstep or Apex Trader Funding?
Topstep's most forgiving account allows 4% trailing, locks at start (Trading Combine 50K); Apex Trader Funding's allows 4% trailing, locks at start (EOD 50K). A static limit never moves up behind you, so it is worth more than a trailing one of the same size.
Do Topstep and Apex Trader Funding have consistency rules?
Topstep: 1 of 1 accounts do. Apex Trader Funding: 1 of 1 accounts do.
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PropPassCheck isn't paid by either firm and has no affiliate links. The benchmark ranks rules, not your trading. Confirm the rules on each firm's site before you buy.