Always verify before purchasing. Apex Trader Funding updates their rules, account types, and pricing regularly. The information below reflects their documented rules — check the official Apex Trader Funding website for the latest terms.
Apex Trader Funding is one of the largest futures prop firms available to retail traders. They offer a single-phase evaluation model across two drawdown types — EOD Trail and Intraday Trail — with a 100% payout split on approved payouts. Understanding which account type suits your trading style, and exactly how the drawdown is calculated, is critical before you start.
Two Account Types
Apex offers two evaluation types that differ in how drawdown is tracked:
- EOD Trail — drawdown is calculated once per day at market close (4:59:59 PM ET). Your intraday equity can fluctuate freely; only your end-of-day balance determines the floor for the next session.
- Intraday Trail — drawdown trails your intraday equity peak in real time. More restrictive intraday, but the floor locks at starting balance once you've built enough profit (similar to other trailing drawdown models).
Both types are available across three trading platforms: Rithmic, Tradovate, and Wealthcharts. Note that some drawdown lock-in rules differ slightly between platforms — covered below.
EOD Evaluation: Account Parameters
The EOD Evaluation runs for up to 30 days. There is no minimum number of trading days required — you can pass in a single day if you hit the profit target and stay within all rules.
| Account Size | Profit Target | Max Drawdown (EOD) | Daily Loss Limit | Max Contracts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $1,500 | $1,000 | $500 | 4 |
| $50,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 | $1,000 | 6 |
| $100,000 | $6,000 | $3,000 | $1,500 | 8 |
| $150,000 | $9,000 | $4,000 | $2,000 | 12 |
The evaluation has no consistency rule and no scaling — position sizes are fixed. Once you pass, you have 7 calendar days to activate your Performance Account (PA).
How EOD Drawdown Works
The EOD Threshold is the lowest your account balance is allowed to reach. It is calculated once daily at 4:59:59 PM ET based on your closing balance. Once calculated, it is enforced in real time during the next trading session — even though it is only recalculated end-of-day.
The threshold always trails the highest EOD balance achieved and never moves downward. If your balance drops at close, the threshold stays where it was — it only moves up.
Example — $50K EOD Evaluation (Rithmic): You start with $50,000. The initial threshold is $48,000 ($50K − $2,000). You close a session at $52,500. The new threshold moves up to $50,500. Once your EOD balance closes above $55,000, the threshold locks permanently at $53,000 and stops trailing.
When the Threshold Stops Trailing
The lock-in point differs by platform:
- Rithmic and Wealthcharts evaluations — the threshold locks once it reaches the Target Profit balance. For a $50K account, it locks at $53,000 once your EOD balance reaches $55,000.
- Tradovate evaluations — the threshold trails indefinitely with the peak EOD balance. No lock-in during eval.
- Performance Accounts (all platforms) — the threshold locks once it reaches Starting Balance + $100. For a $50K PA, it locks at $50,100 once your EOD balance reaches $52,100.
Performance Account Rules
Once you pass the evaluation and pay the $79 one-time activation fee, you receive your PA. The PA has no profit target — your goal is to trade it, stay within the drawdown rules, and request payouts.
Key differences from the eval: the PA has tier-based scaling (you can trade more contracts as your balance grows), a daily loss limit that is also tier-based, and an inactivity rule. The max contracts at PA activation is lower than during eval (e.g. 2 mini / 20 micro on a $25K PA vs 4 mini / 40 micro during eval).
Payout Structure
Approved payouts are paid at a 100% split — you keep the full approved amount. To request a payout, all of the following must be met:
- Minimum 5 qualifying trading days (each day must meet the minimum daily profit for your account size)
- 50% consistency rule — no single profitable day can be 50% or more of your total profit since last payout
- Account balance above the Safety Net (drawdown limit + $100)
- Minimum payout request of $500
Each PA has a maximum of 6 payouts. After 6 approved payouts, the PA is closed and you would need to pass a new evaluation to continue. The maximum payout per request increases with each payout number:
| Payout # | $25K PA | $50K PA | $100K PA | $150K PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 | $2,500 |
| 2 | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $3,000 |
| 3 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,500 | $3,000 |
| 4 | $1,000 | $2,500 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| 5 | $1,000 | $2,500 | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| 6 | $1,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 | $5,000 |
Key Things to Know Before You Start
- The EOD drawdown is enforced intraday even though it's calculated at close — a bad trade during the session can still breach it
- No minimum trading days on the evaluation — you can pass in one day if you hit the target
- The 50% consistency rule applies to PA payouts, not just the evaluation
- Each PA has a hard limit of 6 payouts — plan accordingly
- The $79 PA activation fee is a one-time charge, not a monthly subscription
- Apex runs frequent promotions — evaluation fees are often heavily discounted
Tools to Help
Use these to plan your Apex evaluation and PA strategy:
- Drawdown Calculator — track where your EOD threshold sits and how much buffer you have left.
- Max Daily Loss Calculator — calculate your exact daily loss limit so you never accidentally breach it.
- Consistency Rule Calculator — check whether any single day is approaching 50% of your total profit before requesting a payout.