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Apex Trader Funding vs FTMO Futures
The Ultimate Head-to-Head Showdown
FTMO Futures
4.8
- 1:1 PT:DD Ratio (Pro 50K)
- EOD Trailing Drawdown (Locks at Start)
- Soft DLL on Growth Funded (No Breach)
At a Glance
4.7 / 5.0
Trader Satisfaction
4.8 / 5.0
100%
Profit Split
90%
$0.3M
Max Allocation
$0.1M
$147
Challenge Fee (Starting)
$119
Key Differences
1
Drawdown Type: FTMO utilizes a favorable End-of-Day (EOD) trailing drawdown. Apex uses a highly aggressive Intraday trailing drawdown that tracks open equity highs.
2
Account Limits: Apex allows you to hold up to 20 funded accounts and copy trade them. FTMO Futures caps you at $150k total.
3
Pricing Strategy: Apex relies on 80-90% off sales, making entry extremely cheap. FTMO maintains premium pricing.
Deep Dive: Rules & Policies
News Trading: Apex Trader Funding: One-direction rule during news.. FTMO Futures: Allowed on all CME futures products.. Both firms have nuanced news trading policies — always check the specific rules for your account type before placing trades around major announcements.
Algorithmic Trading (EAs): Both firms permit EAs with conditions. Apex Trader Funding: Allowed (copy trading across own accounts permitted).. FTMO Futures: Allowed (NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic automated strategies).. Always verify that your specific EA complies with the firm's terms of service.
Consistency Rule: Both firms enforce consistency rules but with different thresholds. Apex Trader Funding: 30% rule (PA Account).. FTMO Futures: 40% in Growth Evaluation. None in Pro.. Understand these limits before you trade — exceeding them can invalidate your evaluation.
Payout Processing: Apex Trader Funding processes payouts in 3–5 business days after approval via ACH (US) or Plane (International), while FTMO Futures takes 1–2 business days via Bank Wire, Crypto, or Riseworks (US traders require traditional regulated bank account).. Faster payouts mean quicker access to your hard-earned profits — an important factor for full-time traders who depend on this income.
Scaling Potential: Apex Trader Funding scales up to $300,000 per account (up to $6,000,000 across 20 accounts) (requiring Stack up to 20 concurrent Performance Accounts (PA) simultaneously using a trade copier profit per tier), while FTMO Futures caps at $450,000 (Maximum 3 concurrent Sim-Funded accounts across all sizes) (requiring Accumulate EOD profit above Initial Simulated Capital to advance through contract milestone brackets ($1k, $2k, $3k, $4.5k+). per tier). If your long-term goal is managing large capital, the firm with the higher ceiling offers more growth runway.
Inactivity Policy: Apex Trader Funding: Not specified.. FTMO Futures: Must complete at least 1 trade every 30 days.. Be mindful of these policies — an inactive account can be terminated, and you would forfeit your challenge fee and any unrealized progress.
Active Discount Codes: Apex Trader Funding: Use code "" for a discount. FTMO Futures: Use code "CIRCLE30" for 30% OFF. These codes can significantly reduce your upfront investment — always check for active promotions before purchasing.
Who Should Choose Which?
Budget-Conscious Traders
→ FTMO Futures
Starting at just $119, FTMO Futures offers the lowest barrier to entry — ideal if you want to test the waters without risking a large upfront fee.
Visit FTMO FuturesSafety-First Traders
→ FTMO Futures
With a 4.8/5 TrustPilot rating and 51,151 verified reviews, FTMO Futures offers the strongest track record and payout reliability.
Visit FTMO FuturesProfit Maximizers
→ Apex Trader Funding
Apex Trader Funding's 100%% profit split means you keep more of every dollar you earn — the difference compounds significantly over time.
Visit Apex Trader FundingCapital Scaling Traders
→ Apex Trader Funding
Apex Trader Funding scales up to $300,000 — giving you the highest possible ceiling for growing your funded capital over time.
Visit Apex Trader FundingThe Final Verdict
Our expert conclusion based on the data
When choosing between FTMO Futures and Apex Trader Funding, you must decide what kind of trader you are. Apex is for volume traders who want to buy multiple 50k accounts for under $20 during a sale and copy trade them. However, their intraday trailing drawdown is notoriously difficult and designed to fail traders. FTMO Futures takes the opposite approach: higher upfront cost, but a far superior End-of-Day (EOD) trailing drawdown that actually gives your trades room to breathe. Choose FTMO for a long-term, professional setup; choose Apex for cheap, high-risk churn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which drawdown rule is better?+
FTMO's End-of-Day (EOD) drawdown is objectively better. With EOD, your drawdown limit only moves up at the end of the trading session based on your balance. With Apex's Intraday trailing, if you are up $500 in a trade and it pulls back to break-even, you have lost $500 of your drawdown allowance.
Is Apex Trader Funding better than FTMO Futures in 2026?+
It depends on your priorities. FTMO Futures has a stronger reputation with a 4.8/5 TrustPilot score. However, FTMO Futures is more affordable at $119. For most traders, FTMO Futures is the safer choice, but FTMO Futures offers better value for those on a tight budget.
Which is cheaper, Apex Trader Funding or FTMO Futures?+
FTMO Futures is the more affordable option, with challenges starting at $119 compared to Apex Trader Funding's $147. You can save even more with the discount code "CIRCLE30".
What is the profit split at Apex Trader Funding vs FTMO Futures?+
Apex Trader Funding offers up to 100%% profit split, while FTMO Futures offers up to 90%%. Apex Trader Funding lets you keep more of your earnings.
Can I use Expert Advisors (EAs) with Apex Trader Funding and FTMO Futures?+
Apex Trader Funding: Allowed (copy trading across own accounts permitted).. FTMO Futures: Allowed (NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic automated strategies).. Always verify your specific EA is compliant before purchasing a challenge.
What trading platforms do Apex Trader Funding and FTMO Futures support?+
Apex Trader Funding supports Atas, Bookmap, EdgeProX, Jigsaw, MotiveWave, NinjaTrader, Quantower, Rithmic, Sierra Chart, TradingView, Tradovate, VolFix, WealthCharts. FTMO Futures supports Tradovate, NinjaTrader, Rithmic. Both offer professional-grade execution suitable for serious traders.
Which firm has better payout speeds, Apex Trader Funding or FTMO Futures?+
Both firms process payouts reliably. Apex Trader Funding pays via ACH, Plane. FTMO Futures pays via Bank Transfer, Crypto, Riseworks. Check each firm's payout schedule for the most up-to-date processing times.