Apex Trader Funding vs FTMO: Which Prop Firm Wins in 2026?
Side-by-side breakdown of rules, fees, payouts and who should pick which.
Quick Verdict
Apex Trader Funding and FTMO serve different markets — Apex Trader Funding for futures traders, FTMO for forex/CFD traders. Pick based on what you actually trade, not which firm looks better on paper.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | Apex Trader Funding | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2021 | 2015 |
| HQ | Austin, Texas, USA | Prague, Czech Republic |
| Market | Futures | Forex/CFD |
| Minimum fee | $137 | $89 |
| Account size range | $25,000 – $300,000 | $10,000 – $200,000 |
| Profit split | 100% (first $25K), then 90% thereafter | 80% |
| Payouts | Twice monthly | Monthly (on-demand after first) |
| Challenge model | 1-step Evaluation | 2-step (Challenge + Verification) |
| Platforms | Rithmic, Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView | MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade |
Apex Trader Funding Pros
- 100% profit split on first $25K — best in industry
- No daily drawdown limit — only trailing overall DD
- Up to 20 accounts per trader (stack earnings)
- Allows EAs and automated strategies on eval (not funded)
FTMO Pros
- Longest-running major prop firm — proven track record since 2015
- Strong reputation and reliable payouts (TrustPilot 4.8)
- Generous 80% profit split, scalable to 90%
- Allows EAs, scalping and news trading on most accounts
Who Should Pick Which?
Pick Apex Trader Funding if: Experienced futures scalpers/day traders who want to stack multiple accounts.
Pick FTMO if: Serious traders who value reputation and payout reliability over cheap fees.
Test Both Against Your Strategy — Before You Pay
Run your backtest through JPTradingCapital's Prop Firm Checker — we evaluate your trades against Apex Trader Funding's and FTMO's exact rulesets and tell you which one your strategy would actually pass.
Full Apex Trader Funding and FTMO Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, Apex Trader Funding or FTMO?
FTMO is cheaper to start, with a minimum challenge fee of $89. Apex Trader Funding starts at $137 and FTMO starts at $89. Cheaper entry doesn't always mean better value — check the profit split, account ceiling, and payout reliability before deciding.
Which has the better profit split, Apex Trader Funding or FTMO?
Apex Trader Funding offers 100% (first $25K), then 90% thereafter and FTMO offers 80%. Note: most prop firms scale the split with consecutive payouts, so the headline number is just the starting point.
Can I run the same EA on both Apex Trader Funding and FTMO?
It depends on which platform your EA targets. Apex Trader Funding supports Rithmic, Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView and FTMO supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade. There's no platform overlap, so you'd need to recompile or rewrite the EA.
Which is more reputable, Apex Trader Funding or FTMO?
Apex Trader Funding (founded 2021) has the longer track record. Apex Trader Funding was founded in 2021 and is still building its payout reputation. For larger account sizes the older firm is usually the safer pick.
Which is better for swing traders, Apex Trader Funding or FTMO?
Swing traders need to check two things: (1) whether the firm allows weekend holds, and (2) whether the daily drawdown is static or trailing. Trailing DD is brutal for swing positions because intraday peak equity becomes the new floor. See the Pros/Cons section above for each firm's specifics.
Can I use both Apex Trader Funding and FTMO simultaneously?
Yes — most prop firms allow you to hold multiple accounts at different firms (their rules apply only to their own accounts). Some traders deliberately diversify across 2-3 firms to reduce single-firm risk and stack payouts.