Apex Trader Funding vs Tradeify: Which Prop Firm Is Best?

If you're deciding between Apex Trader Funding and Tradeify, the choice depends on your trading style and priorities. Here's the quick breakdown:

• Apex Trader Funding: Established in 2021, it’s ideal for traders managing multiple accounts or those who prefer structured payouts. Apex offers up to 20 accounts, a 100% profit split on the first $25,000, and a real-time intraday trailing drawdown. However, it has activation fees, bi-monthly payouts, and stricter rules like the 30% consistency rule.
• Tradeify: Launched in 2024, it focuses on speed and simplicity. With no activation fees, faster evaluations (some in 1 day), and an end-of-day trailing drawdown, Tradeify caters to traders who want quicker payouts (within 24 hours). It offers a flat 90% profit split but has stricter consistency rules during evaluations and a smaller account limit (up to 5 accounts).

Quick Comparison

Feature	Apex Trader Funding	Tradeify
Founded	2021	2024
Profit Split	100% on first $25k, then 90%	90% flat
Drawdown Type	Intraday Trailing	End-of-Day (EOD)
Payout Speed	Bi-monthly	24–48 hours
Activation Fee	$130–$160	$0 (Select/Growth plans)
Evaluation Time	7–8 days minimum	1–3 days or instant funding
Max Accounts	20	5
Reviews (Trustpilot)	4.5/5 (15,900+ reviews)	4.7/5 (1,250+ reviews)

Apex offers scalability and flexibility for experienced traders, while Tradeify is better for fast payouts and cost-efficient accounts. Choose the one that aligns with your trading goals.

Apex Trader Funding vs Tradeify: Complete Prop Firm Comparison 2024

Apex Trader Funding Overview

Apex Trader Funding uses a straightforward single-phase evaluation model designed to make the funding process more efficient. Traders must meet a profit target while following specific risk rules, with a minimum of seven to eight trading days required before the first payout. Account sizes range from $25,000 to $300,000, with profit targets adjusted according to the account size. For instance, a $50,000 account requires $3,000 in profits, while a $300,000 account requires $20,000.

The firm's drawdown system is built on precise technical guidelines. Apex employs an intraday trailing drawdown that adjusts in real time based on peak unrealized profits. For example, if a $50,000 account has a $2,500 drawdown and gains $1,000, the drawdown increases to $3,500. Apex also offers a "Static" account option for $100,000 accounts, featuring a fixed $625 drawdown, which appeals to traders who prefer a fixed-risk structure.

Apex ensures compatibility with various trading platforms. It provides a free NinjaTrader 8 license and supports other platforms like Rithmic, Tradovate, TradingView, and WealthCharts. Traders gain access to over 40 futures markets, including CME, CBOT, COMEX, and NYMEX, covering everything from equity indices to micro-crypto futures. While Level 1 market data is included, Level 2 data (CME Bundle) is available for around $41 per month.

Key Features and Offerings

Apex's profit-sharing model is particularly appealing. Traders keep 100% of their first $25,000 in profits per account, after which a 90/10 split applies. This structure is especially beneficial for traders managing multiple accounts, as they can operate up to 20 funded accounts simultaneously. Apex also allows the use of futures trade copiers, enabling traders to replicate successful strategies across accounts.

One standout feature is the absence of a daily loss limit, giving traders more flexibility during intraday market swings. Contract limits depend on the account size - for example, a $50,000 account allows up to 10 mini contracts (or 100 micros), while a $300,000 account permits 35 mini contracts (350 micros). Initially, traders are restricted to half the maximum allowable contracts until they reach a "safety net" threshold. For a $50,000 account, this threshold equals the starting balance, the drawdown amount, and $100 - totaling $52,600.

Apex charges monthly evaluation fees, which vary by account size. A $25,000 account costs about $147 per month, a $50,000 account costs $177, and a $300,000 account costs up to $677 at standard rates. However, discounts of up to 80% are frequently available. After completing the evaluation, traders pay a Performance Account activation fee - $85 monthly or a one-time fee ranging from $130 to $340 for Rithmic accounts, and $105 monthly or $150 to $360 for Tradovate accounts. Reset fees for evaluations typically fall between $80 and $100 if needed.

Payouts follow a structured process, occurring twice monthly. However, traders must comply with a 30% consistency rule, meaning no single trading day can account for more than 30% of the total profit balance. If a trader has a highly profitable day, additional trading is required to reduce that day's profit percentage before withdrawals can be made. During the initial payout cycles, traders must maintain a minimum balance - equal to the drawdown amount plus $100 - to keep their account active.

The table below highlights the main advantages and drawbacks of Apex Trader Funding.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
100% profit split on the first $25,000 per account	Real-time updates to the intraday trailing drawdown can make risk management more complex
No daily loss limit, offering flexibility for intraday trading	Activation fees add ongoing costs
Manage up to 20 funded accounts with trade copier support	The 30% consistency rule may delay payouts after high-profit days
Single-phase evaluation simplifies the funding process	Minimum of seven to eight trading days required before the first payout
Free NinjaTrader 8 license and support for multiple platforms	Initial contract limits are tied to the safety net threshold
High Trustpilot rating (4.5/5 from over 15,000 reviews)	Level 2 market data costs extra (approximately $41/month)

"Apex Trader Funding stands out for its accessibility, structured rules, and educational value." – Darrell Martin, Founder and CEO, Apex Trader Funding

"Apex Trader Funding stands out for its accessibility, structured rules, and educational value." – Darrell Martin, Founder and CEO, Apex Trader Funding

Tradeify Overview

Tradeify is all about speed and simplicity. They’ve streamlined their process with a single-phase evaluation requiring traders to hit a 6% profit target. Profit goals depend on the account size, and there's a three-day evaluation period that enforces a consistency rule - ensuring no single day contributes excessively toward the profit target.

One standout feature is their end-of-day (EOD) trailing drawdown. Unlike real-time drawdowns that adjust during the trading day, Tradeify calculates the drawdown limit based on the highest closing balance at the end of each session (5:00 PM ET). For example, a $50,000 account starts with a $2,000 drawdown, which only adjusts upward with end-of-day balances. This approach is more forgiving compared to Apex's real-time model.

Tradeify's success speaks for itself: they’ve paid out over $110 million to more than 80,000 traders and boast a 4.7/5 rating on Trustpilot from over 1,900 reviews. Payouts are processed quickly - most requests are completed in 60 minutes to 24 hours.

"The best affordable futures prop firm going into 2026 is Tradeify. By eliminating the Activation Fee and utilizing a trader-friendly EOD Drawdown, Tradeify offers the best Total Cost of Funding." – Brett Simba, CEO of Tradeify

"The best affordable futures prop firm going into 2026 is Tradeify. By eliminating the Activation Fee and utilizing a trader-friendly EOD Drawdown, Tradeify offers the best Total Cost of Funding." – Brett Simba, CEO of Tradeify

On top of their quick payouts and stellar reviews, Tradeify stands out with flexible funding models designed to cater to trader preferences.

Key Features and Offerings

Tradeify’s Select Flex model is a game-changer. After passing the evaluation, traders can choose between two funding options:

• Select Flex: Offers a 5-day payout cycle with no daily loss limits.
• Select Daily: Allows daily payouts but includes structured daily loss limits.

Another major perk? No activation fees once you pass the evaluation - this sets Tradeify apart from competitors that often charge hefty activation fees. Monthly evaluation costs are also competitive:

• $50,000 account: $159/month (or $111 with promo codes)
• $100,000 account: $259/month (or $181 with discounts)
• $150,000 account: $359/month (or $251 with discounts)

Tradeify uses the Tradovate platform, integrated with NinjaTrader and TradingView, and offers a 90/10 profit split starting from day one. For those looking to skip evaluations, the Lightning Funded option lets traders bypass the process for a one-time fee, allowing them to keep 100% of the first $15,000 in profits. However, this path comes with progressive consistency rules.

After five successful payouts, traders can move to Tradeify Elite, where they trade real capital on live CME exchanges instead of simulated funds. These options, combined with competitive pricing and flexible features, make Tradeify a streamlined choice for futures traders.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
No activation fees on Select and Growth plans	Stricter consistency rules on Lightning Funded accounts (20–30% progressive)
End-of-day trailing drawdown is less restrictive than real-time models	Daily payout path requires a profit buffer before withdrawals
Fast payouts (often within 60 minutes to 24 hours)	Limited to futures trading (no Forex or crypto CFDs)
Flexible payout options (Flex vs. Daily) after passing evaluation	Minimum five winning days required for Flex payouts
Tier 1 news trading is allowed without restrictions	Micro-scalping rule requires 50% of trades or profits from positions held over 10 seconds
90/10 profit split from day one	Positions must be closed by 4:59 PM ET daily

"Tradeify Select stands apart from other prop firm evaluations with one critical differentiator: you don't choose your funded account structure until after you pass." – Save On Prop Firms

"Tradeify Select stands apart from other prop firm evaluations with one critical differentiator: you don't choose your funded account structure until after you pass." – Save On Prop Firms

Side-by-Side Comparison

Comparison Table

Both Apex Trader Funding and Tradeify have competitive pricing and profit-sharing models, though they approach these differently. Apex features a tiered profit split: traders keep 100% of the first $25,000 in profits per account, after which the split moves to 90/10. Tradeify, on the other hand, offers a flat 90% profit split across all account types. Activation fees also differ - Apex charges between $130 and $160 after passing the evaluation, while Tradeify’s Select and Growth plans come with no activation fees.

Feature	Apex Trader Funding	Tradeify
Evaluation Fee ($50k)	~$37.40 (with 80% discount)	~$97–$103
Activation Fee	$130–$160	$0 (Select/Growth)
Profit Split	100% for first $25k, then 90%	90% flat
Drawdown Type	Live Trailing (Intraday)	End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing
Daily Loss Limit	Not applicable	None on Select Flex; Soft Breach on others
Payout Frequency	Twice per month	On-Demand / Daily (Select Daily)
Max Accounts	Up to 20	Up to 5 simulated funded accounts
Scaling Plan	Automatic (balance-based)	Progressive (milestone-based)

Apex requires at least 7 days to pass an evaluation and 8 days to qualify for payouts. Tradeify offers faster options: Growth accounts can pass in just 1 day, Select accounts in 3 days, and Lightning accounts provide instant funding. For traders managing multiple accounts, Apex supports up to 20 accounts with copy trading, while Tradeify limits users to 5 simulated funded accounts.

This table outlines the key differences, which are further clarified in each firm's trading rules.

Trading Rules and Flexibility

Apex enforces a 30% consistency rule for payouts, meaning no single trading day can account for more than 30% of total profits. Tradeify’s consistency rules vary by account type. Select accounts start with a 40% rule during evaluation, which drops to 0% once funded. Growth and Lightning accounts maintain rules ranging from 20% to 35%.

Both firms allow news trading but caution against volatility during Tier 1 events. Neither permits overnight or weekend positions, requiring all trades to close by 4:59 PM ET. Apex imposes no daily loss limits, while Tradeify’s Select Flex plan also lacks a daily limit. However, other Tradeify plans have a "Soft Breach" mechanism that halts trading for the day if violated. Apex’s automatic scaling unlocks full contract limits once the account balance surpasses the starting balance plus the drawdown and $100. Tradeify employs a progressive scaling system, increasing contract limits as traders hit profit milestones.

Next, let’s explore the platforms and data feeds that set these firms apart.

Platforms and Data Feeds

The choice of trading platform can be a game-changer. Apex supports platforms like NinjaTrader (with a free license), Rithmic, Tradovate, WealthCharts, and TradingView. Tradeify, meanwhile, offers Tradovate, NinjaTrader 8, Quantower, and its proprietary ProjectX platform, which includes integrated TradingView charts. For data execution, Apex primarily uses Rithmic and Tradovate, while Tradeify relies on Tradovate without additional data feed charges.

"Apex is ideal for dedicated futures traders... If your strategy uses NinjaTrader or depends on Rithmic's data feed, Apex is practically built for you." – Ngan Pham, Senior Financial Analyst, H2T Funding

"Apex is ideal for dedicated futures traders... If your strategy uses NinjaTrader or depends on Rithmic's data feed, Apex is practically built for you." – Ngan Pham, Senior Financial Analyst, H2T Funding

For traders relying on automated strategies or requiring low-latency execution, QuantVPS ensures minimal slippage and high uptime. This is especially important for those managing multiple accounts or engaging in high-frequency trading, where every millisecond can make a difference.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Let’s break down the key strengths and weaknesses of each firm based on the comparisons made earlier.

Strengths of Each Firm

Apex Trader Funding shines when it comes to flexibility and scalability. For starters, there’s no daily loss limit, which means traders avoid mid-session stop-outs - a huge plus for those who need time to recover from intraday dips. Another standout feature is the profit-sharing structure: traders keep 100% of their first $25,000 in profits per account before moving to a 90/10 split. Apex also supports up to 20 accounts with copy-trading functionality, giving traders plenty of room to scale. Its intraday trailing drawdown adjusts based on peak unrealized profits, adding another layer of flexibility. With over $600 million paid out and a 4.5/5 rating on Trustpilot, Apex has built strong credibility in the industry.

Tradeify, on the other hand, is all about speed and affordability. Payouts are processed on-demand, typically within 24–48 hours, which is ideal for traders who value quick access to their earnings. The firm eliminates activation fees for its Growth and Select accounts, significantly lowering the cost of entry. Its end-of-day (EOD) drawdown model provides a safety net by allowing unrealized profits to fluctuate without tightening risk limits. For those who want to skip the evaluation phase, Lightning accounts offer instant funding for a one-time fee between $349 and $729. With a 4.7/5 Trustpilot rating and being named the "Highest Rated Prop Firm" by Prop Firm Match in 2025, Tradeify has quickly earned a solid reputation.

While these strengths highlight what each firm does well, it’s also important to consider their limitations.

Weaknesses of Each Firm

Apex’s main drawback lies in its fee structure. Traders face a one-time activation fee ranging from $130 to $160 or monthly fees between $85 and $105, which can make the cost of funding higher overall. Additionally, Apex enforces a 30% consistency rule for payouts - no single trading day can account for more than 30% of total profits. This rule can penalize traders who have exceptionally profitable days, as it requires them to spread earnings across multiple sessions. Another limitation is the safety net buffer requirement, which equals the drawdown limit plus $100 for the first three payouts, delaying access to early profits.

Tradeify’s biggest limitation is its payout buffer requirement. For instance, to withdraw from a $50,000 "Select Daily" account, traders need a balance of at least $52,100, which restricts access to profits until this threshold is met. The firm also has stricter consistency rules during the evaluation phase - Select accounts enforce a 40% rule, while Lightning accounts gradually tighten from 20% to 30%. Daily loss limits (typically $1,000–$1,250 on a $50,000 account) further restrict aggressive trading styles and can halt trading for the day if exceeded. Lastly, as a newer firm founded in 2024 with approximately $10 million in total payouts, Tradeify doesn’t yet have the long-term track record that Apex boasts.

Which Prop Firm Is Best?

Final Recommendation

Choosing the best prop firm depends entirely on your trading approach and what matters most to you.

Apex Trader Funding stands out for aggressive scalpers who thrive on flexibility. With no daily loss limits, traders can use their entire drawdown in a single session without worrying about mid-day stops. Plus, Apex is one of the best prop firms for copy trading, supporting up to 20 accounts, making it a great fit for high-volume traders. Since 2022, Apex has paid out over $676 million, showcasing its strong appeal for those who trade at scale.

On the other hand, Tradeify is a better fit for day or swing traders who value affordability and quick payouts. Its End-of-Day (EOD) drawdown model on Select and Growth accounts allows trades to ride out intraday volatility without penalty. With $0 activation fees, Tradeify makes it easy to start earning fast. Its reputation is further cemented by a 4.7/5 Trustpilot rating and being named the "Highest Rated Prop Firm" by Prop Firm Match in 2025.

Beyond choosing the right firm, having a reliable trading setup is just as important. Seamless execution, especially during evaluations or live trading, relies on a strong VPS (Virtual Private Server). Both Apex and Tradeify support platforms like NinjaTrader and Tradovate, which demand ultra-low latency and constant uptime. Using a high-performance QuantVPS ensures near-zero latency (0–1 ms to hubs like Chicago CME) and almost 100% uptime. This setup keeps your trades running smoothly, even if your local internet or power goes out.

For beginners, pairing QuantVPS with trading Micro contracts (like MNQ or MES) is a smart way to build a $1,500 profit buffer and improve evaluation success. Whether you're scaling up with Apex or focusing on fast payouts with Tradeify, combining the right firm with a robust VPS gives you the technical advantage needed to excel in today’s competitive trading environment.

FAQs

Which drawdown type is safer for my strategy?

The type of drawdown that's "safer" really comes down to your personal risk tolerance and how you approach trading. Tradeify uses an End-of-Day (EOD) trailing drawdown. This means losses are calculated only at the end of the trading day, giving you more breathing room during intraday trading.

In contrast, Apex Trader Funding relies on a live trailing drawdown. This method tracks losses in real-time, which can feel more restrictive and might result in your account being terminated sooner if there are sharp intraday fluctuations.

How do the consistency rules affect payouts?

Consistency rules play a key role in helping traders maintain steady performance, directly affecting their eligibility for payouts. Take Apex Trader Funding’s 30% Consistency Rule as an example: it ensures that no single day's profit exceeds 30% of the total profits at the time of payout. Additionally, these rules often include requirements like completing a minimum number of trading days. By setting these standards, traders are encouraged to adopt disciplined, steady trading habits instead of relying on risky, one-off gains.

What’s the true all-in cost to get paid?

The total cost of getting paid varies depending on the prop firm you choose. For instance, Apex Trader Funding offers its lowest account for about $39.20 with an 80% discount. However, when you factor in evaluation and activation fees, the total comes to roughly $329. On the other hand, Tradeify starts its cheapest account at $97, with additional fees bringing the overall cost to around $194. These amounts can differ based on the type of account and associated fees.

The type of drawdown that's "safer" really comes down to your personal risk tolerance and how you approach trading. Tradeify uses an End-of-Day (EOD) trailing drawdown. This means losses are calculated only at the end of the trading day, giving you more breathing room during intraday trading.

In contrast, Apex Trader Funding relies on a live trailing drawdown. This method tracks losses in real-time, which can feel more restrictive and might result in your account being terminated sooner if there are sharp intraday fluctuations.

Consistency rules play a key role in helping traders maintain steady performance, directly affecting their eligibility for payouts. Take Apex Trader Funding’s 30% Consistency Rule as an example: it ensures that no single day's profit exceeds 30% of the total profits at the time of payout. Additionally, these rules often include requirements like completing a minimum number of trading days. By setting these standards, traders are encouraged to adopt disciplined, steady trading habits instead of relying on risky, one-off gains.

The total cost of getting paid varies depending on the prop firm you choose. For instance, Apex Trader Funding offers its lowest account for about $39.20 with an 80% discount. However, when you factor in evaluation and activation fees, the total comes to roughly $329. On the other hand, Tradeify starts its cheapest account at $97, with additional fees bringing the overall cost to around $194. These amounts can differ based on the type of account and associated fees.

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