Apex Trader Funding is a US-based prop trading firm that provides one of the best funded trader programs for futures traders, with monthly participation fees of $137 to $657 per month. In this article, you’ll find a comprehensive review with details about Apex Trader Funding rules, challanges and payouts.
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What Is Apex Trader Funding?
Apex Trader Funding is a proprietary trading firm with offices located in the United States (Austin, Texas). The company was founded in 2021 by Darrell Martin.
Is Apex Trader Funding Legit?
Apex Trader Funding officially discloses its company details on its website in the About section:
- Apex Trader Funding Inc.
- 2028 E. Ben White Blvd, Ste 240 -9873, Austin, TX 78741
- Phone: 1-855-273-9873
- No email address was disclosed
On Trustpilot, Apex Trader Funding has an excellent reputation, with an average rating of 4.8/5 based on 4,446 reviews (as of October 2023).
Account Sizes and Trading Options
Apex Trader Funding has options and account sizes for all types of futures traders. We offer access to multiple futures markets, Equity futures, Forex futures, Agricultural futures, Energy futures, Interest rates futures and Metals futures. This gives traders the ability to diversify their portfolios and trade different markets.
As for account sizes, we have options from $25,000 to $300,000. This gives traders the ability to choose an account size that fits their risk management and trading goals. We also have a unique feature that allows traders to manage up to 20 accounts at the same time, so traders can scale their trading.
The evaluation account is the first step in the trader funding process and is designed to test a trader’s risk management and ability to make profits. The evaluation account is available in different sizes from $25,000 to $300,000 and traders can choose the size that fits them best.
Apex Trader Funding’s trading platform is designed to give traders a smooth and easy trading experience. The platform has real-time data, advanced charting tools and user friendly interface so traders can navigate and trade easily. We also support multiple trading platforms, NinjaTrader, Tradovate and TradingView so traders can choose the platform that suits them best.
In the prop trading industry Apex Trader Funding is known for its competitive pricing and flexible account options. Its commitment to fair and transparent trading has earned it a good reputation as a legit company. With its many trading options, flexible account sizes and advanced trading platform Apex Trader Funding is a great choice for futures traders who want to take their trading to the next level.
Apex Trader Funding reviews from traders show that the company is good in providing a supportive trading environment, resources and user friendly platform. Its commitment to risk management and all the rules in place to ensure fair trading has earned it a good reputation as a prop firm.
Overall Apex Trader Funding has options and account sizes for all futures traders. Its fair and transparent trading and advanced platform and flexible account options has earned it a good reputation in the prop trading industry.
What Assets Can You Trade with Apex Trader Funding?
Apex Trader Funding specializes in futures trading, providing access to a diverse futures market which includes 50+ available instruments.
- Equity Futures: 6 major equity futures (ES, NKD, NQ, YM, EMD, RTY)
- Interest Rate Futures: 6 major interest rate futures (10Y, ZT, ZF, ZN, ZB, UB)
- Currency Futures: 7 currency futures (6A, 6B, 6C, 6E, 6J, 6S, 6N)
- Agricultural Futures: 8 agricultural futures (HE, LE, GF, ZC, ZW, ZS, ZM, ZL)
- Energy Futures: 6 energy futures (CL, QM, NG, QG, HO, RB)
- Metal Futures: 7 metal futures (GC, SI, HG, PL, PA, QI, QO)
- Micro Futures: 8 micro futures (MES, MYM, MNQ, M2K, MGC, M6A, M6E, MCL)
- Cryptocurrency Futures: 2 crypto futures (MBT, MET)
Does Apex Trader Funding Offer Instant Funding Accounts?
No, Apex Trader Funding does not offer any no-evaluation or instant funding accounts.
Does Apex Trader Funding Offer One-Step Evaluations?
Yes, Apex Trader Funding offers one-phase evaluations with all of their funded account plans. However, before you start, you have to decide whether to select the Rithmic/NinjaTrader Plan or the Tradovate/NinjaTrader Plan.
Rithmic/NinjaTrader Plans
The Rithmic/NinjaTrader Plan includes a
- NinjaTrader license (worth $75) and a
- Real time data feed ($55 value).
You can choose between the following account sizes (all prices are monthly recurring prices):
- $25,000 account for $147
- $50,000 account for $167
- $75,000 account for $187
- $100,000 account for $207
- $150,000 account for $297
- $250,000 account for $517
- $300,000 account for $657
All of those accounts are flagged as “Full Accounts” by Apex Trader Funding, which means that the accounts trail the trailing threshold. Also, full accounts can be traded with more contracts and larger stops.
There is one static account available, the 100K Static account, for $137 per month.
Account Resets
For all accounts, there is a $80 fee for account resets. So, if you fail the one-step challenge to make it to the funded account, you can reset your account and begin once again. You can reset it as many times as you want as long it is an evaluation account. If you made it to the funded account and failed in the funded account, it is impossible to reset the funded account. Instead, you will then fall back to the challenge account.
Profit Goal
To make it through the 1-step challenge, you need to reach the profit goal of 6% based on your starting capital. So, for the 25K account, you need to reach the profit goal of $1,500 to get funded.
Trailing Stop
All accounts (except the one static account) have a trailing threshold, which is your trailing stop relative to the balance in your account. If you hit the trailing threshold, you failed with your challenge or funded account.
It feels like a disadvantage that the trailing threshold percentage shrinks with bigger accounts. So, for example, with the 25K account, the trailing threshold is $1,500, which equals 6%. If you trade the $150k account, the trailing threshold is $5,000, which is only 3.3%. The 300K full account has a trailing threshold of $7,500, which equals only 2.5%.
Why does it seem like a disadvantage? Because your stop loss level moves tighter the bigger your account is. That leads to the situation that you have to reduce the size of traded contracts the higher your account gets if you want to have a good distance to your stop loss level on the account.
Tradovate/NinjaTrader Plans
In contrast, the Tradovate/NinjaTrader Plan comes with
- NinjaTrader license (worth $75) and a
- Real time data feed ($55 value),
- Compatibility with TradingView and
- More devices (browser, mobile, Mac) and with a
- Free Tradovate license.
You can choose between the following account sizes (all prices are monthly recurring prices):
- $25,000 account for $167
- $50,000 account for $187
- $75,000 account for $207
- $100,000 account for $227
- $150,000 account for $317
- $250,000 account for $537
- $300,000 account for $677
As you can see, the Tradovate/NinjaTrader plan costs $20 more per month than the Rithmic/NinjaTrader plan. The $20 is worth it if you wish to trade via TradingView and from more devices.
Account Resets, Profit Target, Trailing Threshold
The profit target and trailing threshold logic are the same if you choose Rithmic or Tradovate, but the account resets once again cost $20 more with Tradovate, which means $100 for the reset with Tradovate, compared to the $80 for the reset with Rithmic.
Minimum Days to Qualify for a Funded Account
You can qualify for a funded account in as little as 7 business days. A trading day is counted as a trading day from 6 p.m. one day to 5 p.m. the next day. If there is a half trading day due to a holiday, the it counts towards the next day.
Close Your Trades Before Midnight to Avoid Getting Disqualified
All trades must be closed before 4:59 PM ET. If your market closes earlier, you have to close your trades before the trading ends for the day. If there are market holidays with half-days, you have to close your trades before the end of trading on those holidays. Keep that important rule in mind. Otherwise, your account will get disqualified. The CME Group holiday calendar can be of help here.
Does Apex Trader Funding Offer Two-Step Evaluations?
No, Apex Trader Funding does not offer any two-step evaluations or challenges.
Live Accounts with Apex Trader Funding
If you select the Rithmic/NinjaTrader plan, your monthly fees will be $85, which includes access to the NinjaTrader platform and the data feeds. You can have up to 20 accounts simultaneously.
To avoid monthly costs with the Rithmic/NinjaTrader model, you can also decide on a lifetime fee for your time on the funded account, which ranges between $130 and $340, depending on your account size. You never know how long you will be on the live account, so it’s difficult to evaluate if it is worth it to pay the one-time fee instead of the recurring model in the live accounts.
Apex Trader Funding is recognized among prop trading firms for its competitive pricing and flexible account options. If you select the Tradovate/NinjaTrader plan, your monthly fees will be $105, which includes access to the NinjaTrader platform and the data feeds. You can have up to 20 accounts simultaneously.
To avoid monthly costs with the Tradovate/NinjaTrader model, you can also decide on a lifetime fee for your time on the funded account, which ranges between $150 and $360, depending on your account size. You never know how long you will be on the live account, so it’s difficult to evaluate if it is worth it to pay the one-time fee instead of the recurring model in the live accounts.
Payout Options
As of October 2023, payouts via U.S. bank ACH transfers are available. You can use Wise if you are in the U.S., and there are some options for international transfers available to banks outside the U.S.
Does Apex Trader Funding offer Evaluation Fee Refunds?
No, Apex Trader Funding refunds are not available at any time.
Can I Trade the News with Apex Trader Funding?
Yes, you can trade during the news with Apex Trader Funding.
What is Apex Trader Funding’ Partner Broker?
Apex Trader Funding does not disclose its partner brokers. The platforms they use are Rithmic and Tradovate. Both can connect with multiple futures introducing brokers. However, there are no official statements on what company will fund the account with what broker.
What Trading Platforms Does Apex Trader Funding Offer?
Apex Trader Funding lets you choose between NinjaTrader if you choose the Rithmic and Tradovate program or NinjaTrader and TradingView if you choose the Tradovate program. These platforms support a variety of trading strategies, allowing traders to optimize their approach to the market.
Do I Trade with Simulated Funds or Real Money at Apex Trader Funding?
With Apex Trader Funding, you trade under simulated live conditions during the evaluation phase of the challenge. Then, it’s likely that you trade real money accounts. However, I did not find a clear statement about this on their website.
When Can I Start Withdrawing Money from Apex Trader Funding?
Upon passing the Apex Trader Funding challenge, you receive access to the funded account, where you can withdraw real funds based on the profit split conditions to your bank account. Apex Trader Funding pays out two times per month.
What Payment Methods Does Apex Trader Funding offer?
Apex Trader Funding offers payments via ACH transfer in the U.S., Wise and some international payout options.
In What Currency Will My Account Balance Be?
All Apex Trader Funding accounts are held in USD as the base currency.
Am I allowed to use Expert Advisors (EA), Bots and Algos with Apex Trader Funding?
Forex prop firms often allow the use of bots and algos for automated trading, unlike futures trading where Expert Advisors are not available. You can code bots and algos in NinjaScript running on the NinjaTrader platform for automated trading. However, be careful with heavy use of algo trading and ask support about your case to be on the safe side.
TradeDay is an alternative to Apex Trader Funding for futures trading focused traders. Consider reading my TradeDay review for more insights.
Pros
- Excellent review ratings
- Competitive pricing structure
- Great profit split conditions (100% of the first $25k, then 90%)
- Payouts via Wise by ACH – transfers and solutions for international transfers
Cons
- No instant-funded accounts available
Rating: ★★★★
