Apex Trader Funding, Topstep, Earn2Trade and Take Profit Trader all let you trade Gold (GC) and Silver (SI) futures, but only Topstep and Earn2Trade allow Micro Silver (SIL), checked on each firm's own site on 10 Oct 2026. Micro Gold (MGC) is allowed at Topstep, Earn2Trade and Take Profit Trader, not at Apex. Futures prop firms let you trade with their capital after you pass an evaluation, so check the product list before you buy. This article compares Apex Trader Funding, Topstep, Earn2Trade and Take Profit Trader for metals traders. Here's a quick summary:
- Apex Trader Funding: GC and SI only, with fixed contract limits by account size and a choice of end-of-day or intraday trailing drawdown model. Supports Rithmic, Tradovate and WealthCharts accounts.
- Topstep: GC, SI, MGC and SIL, on a monthly Trading Combine subscription. New accounts trade on TopstepX only.
- Earn2Trade: All CME Group futures, including GC, SI, MGC and SIL, on monthly Trader Career Path and Gauntlet Mini plans. Supports Rithmic, Tradovate, NinjaTrader and TradingView. If a metals strategy uses TradingView alerts, a VPS for TradingView alerts can host its execution bridge.
- Take Profit Trader: GC, SI and MGC (SIL is not on its permitted list), with day-one withdrawals from a PRO account and CQG or Rithmic platforms.
Each firm caters to different trading styles and experience levels, so understanding their rules, fees, and platform compatibility is key to choosing the right one.
Gold and Silver Access by Prop Firm
Topstep and Earn2Trade allow all four gold and silver contracts; Apex allows only the full-size GC and SI, and Take Profit Trader adds MGC but not SIL. Product lists, fees and limits below were checked on each firm's own site on 10 Oct 2026.
| Firm | GC | SI | MGC | SIL | Max position (largest account) | Fees | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apex Trader Funding | Yes | Yes | Not listed | Not listed | 12 contracts or 120 micros (150K) | One-time evaluation, from $167 list (25K Intraday Trail) | Rithmic, Tradovate, WealthCharts |
| Topstep | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 15 contracts or 150 micros (150K) | $49, $99 or $199 a month plus $149 activation; or $95, $149 or $229 a month with no activation fee | TopstepX only |
| Earn2Trade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 16 contracts (Gauntlet Mini 200K) | Monthly, from $150 (TCP25) or $170 (GAU50) | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, R|Trader Pro, Finamark and more |
| Take Profit Trader | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not listed | 15 contracts or 150 micros (150K) | Monthly Test fee; one-time $130 PRO fee | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Quantower and more (CQG and Rithmic) |
GC, SI, MGC and SIL Contract Specs
A one-tick move is worth $10 on Gold (GC), $1 on Micro Gold (MGC), $25 on Silver (SI) and $5 on Micro Silver (SIL). All four trade on COMEX; specs checked against CME Group on 10 Oct 2026.
| Contract | Symbol | Size | Tick size | Tick value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | GC | 100 troy oz | $0.10 | $10.00 |
| Micro Gold | MGC | 10 troy oz | $0.10 | $1.00 |
| Silver | SI | 5,000 troy oz | $0.005 | $25.00 |
| Micro Silver | SIL | 1,000 troy oz | $0.005 | $5.00 |
For full details, see our Micro Silver contract specs. The Micro Gold tick value guide covers the COMEX Micro Gold contract specs.
1. Apex Trader Funding
Apex Trader Funding lists Gold (GC) and Silver (SI) among its permitted COMEX products. Micro Gold (MGC) and Micro Silver (SIL) are not on its product list, so Apex suits traders who size in full contracts. Here's a closer look at its limits, fees and platforms.
Metal Futures Access
Apex evaluations come in 25K, 50K, 100K and 150K sizes. The maximum position is 4, 6, 8 or 12 contracts, or ten times that in micros (for example 40 micros on 25K), checked on 10 Oct 2026. All trades must be closed before 4:59 PM ET.
Leverage and Margin Policies
Apex Trader Funding does not quote margin on evaluation accounts; your size is capped by the contract limit instead. You choose an end-of-day or intraday trailing drawdown, and end-of-day accounts also carry an Apex daily loss limit of $500 to $2,000 depending on size.
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Fees and Profit Sharing
Apex charges a one-time evaluation fee with no recurring billing, starting at a $167 list price for a 25K Intraday Trail evaluation before coupons. Apex often runs coupon codes, so check the current price on its site. Real-time data is included.
Trading Platforms
Apex Trader Funding offers Rithmic, Tradovate and WealthCharts accounts, all with real-time COMEX data for charting, order flow analysis and depth of market. A NinjaTrader license is included on Rithmic and Tradovate accounts, and Tradovate accounts also work with TradingView, in a browser and on mobile.
2. Topstep
Topstep permits all four gold and silver contracts: Gold (GC), Silver (SI), Micro Gold (MGC) and Micro Silver (SIL). New accounts trade on TopstepX only; Topstep's help center says "TopstepX™ is the only available trading platform."
Metal Futures Access
Topstep offers 50K, 100K and 150K Trading Combine accounts with a maximum of 5, 10 or 15 contracts (50, 100 or 150 micros), checked on 10 Oct 2026. Micro Silver (SIL) is weighted differently: it counts 5:1 against Silver (SI), not 10:1, and as 2 of any other micro. Topstep marks MGC and SIL with an asterisk that points to product rules in its Prohibited Conduct page.
Leverage and Margin Policies
The Trading Combine has one rule, the Maximum Loss Limit, plus a profit target and a consistency target. Optional daily loss limits of $1,000, $2,000 or $3,000 can be added at checkout. Topstep is a day trading program: all positions must be flat by 3:10 PM CT, and trading resumes at 5:00 PM CT.
Fees and Profit Sharing
Topstep charges a monthly subscription: $49, $99 or $199 for 50K, 100K or 150K on the Standard path, with a $149 activation fee per Express Funded Account, or $95, $149 or $229 with no activation fee (checked on 10 Oct 2026). A reset costs the same as the monthly price. On TopstepX, round-turn costs including exchange fees are $4.32 for GC and SI, $1.92 for MGC and $2.72 for SIL.
Trading Platforms
TopstepX is Topstep's own platform for execution, risk management and performance tracking, in a browser or from your dashboard. If you plan to run automated trading strategies, read Topstep's automation FAQ first, since every order goes through TopstepX.
3. Earn2Trade
Earn2Trade runs two evaluation programs, the Trader Career Path and the Gauntlet Mini, and allows all CME Group futures, including micros. That covers Gold (GC), Silver (SI), Micro Gold (MGC) and Micro Silver (SIL), so Earn2Trade and Topstep are the two firms here with every gold and silver contract.
Metal Futures Support
The Trader Career Path starts at $25,000, $50,000 or $100,000, and the Gauntlet Mini at $50,000 to $200,000 (checked on 10 Oct 2026). Contract limits follow a progression ladder up to 3, 6 or 12 contracts on the Trader Career Path and 6, 12, 15 or 16 on the Gauntlet Mini. Up to ten micro contracts, including MGC, count as one standard contract; SIL is not on that micro list.
The evaluation prioritizes consistency over aggressive profit-seeking. Traders must hit a profit target while staying within an end-of-day drawdown, a daily loss limit and a 30% consistency rule. News trading is allowed, which matters for metals around economic reports and central bank decisions.
Leverage and Margin Requirements
Earn2Trade evaluation and LiveSim accounts are simulated, so you don't post exchange margin; position size is capped by the progression ladder instead. You can trade until 15:50 CT each day.
Risk management is a cornerstone of Earn2Trade’s approach. Each account comes with a daily loss limit and an end-of-day drawdown, and both grow with account size, which teaches traders to size positions before they manage a funded account.
Fee Structures
Earn2Trade charges a monthly subscription, starting at $150 a month for the Trader Career Path (TCP25) and $170 a month for the Gauntlet Mini (GAU50), checked on 10 Oct 2026. Funded traders keep an 80% profit split.
Live commission rates apply from the evaluation onward and vary by asset; Earn2Trade lists micro contracts at $0.82 to $1.08 per contract per side.
Platform Compatibility
Earn2Trade supports many platforms on Rithmic and Tradovate. NinjaTrader, Finamark, R|Trader Pro, Tradovate and TradingView are free during the evaluation, and Quantower, Bookmap, ATAS, MultiCharts and Sierra Chart also connect (Earn2Trade notes Sierra Chart no longer officially supports Rithmic). Rithmic routes orders to COMEX with low-latency execution, which helps during fast metals moves.
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4. Take Profit Trader
Take Profit Trader allows Gold (GC), Silver (SI) and Micro Gold (MGC), but Micro Silver (SIL) is not on its permitted products list. It is a one-step firm: pass the Test, then trade a PRO account with withdrawals from day one.
Contract Limits and Trading Hours
Take Profit Trader sets a static maximum position by account size: 3 contracts (30 micros) on $25,000, 6 on $50,000, 9 on $75,000, 12 on $100,000 and 15 on $150,000, checked on 10 Oct 2026. Positions can't be held overnight: open positions close automatically at 4:55 PM ET, and trading reopens at 6 PM ET.
Fees and Profit Sharing
The Test is a monthly fee by account size, and the PRO account costs a one-time $130 fee. PRO accounts pay an 80/20 split and PRO+ accounts 90/10. Commissions are $4.50 round turn on standard contracts and $1.50 on micros.
Trading Platforms
Take Profit Trader offers CQG and Rithmic data feeds and 15+ platforms, including NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Quantower and MotiveWave.
Comparison of Features
Account sizes and contract limits differ a lot between firms, and prop firm evaluation accounts are simulated, so the firm caps your size with contract limits and loss limits rather than exchange margin. Here's how Apex Trader Funding, Topstep, Earn2Trade and Take Profit Trader compare.
Apex Trader Funding sets contract limits by account size: 4 contracts (40 micros) on 25K, 6 (60) on 50K, 8 (80) on 100K and 12 (120) on 150K.
Topstep offers $50,000, $100,000 and $150,000 accounts with limits of 5, 10 and 15 contracts (50, 100 and 150 micros), with SIL weighted at 5:1 against SI.
Earn2Trade includes metal futures as part of all CME Group futures, with evaluations from $25,000 to $200,000 and limits of 3 to 16 contracts. Take Profit Trader runs from $25,000 to $150,000 with 3 to 15 contracts.
These differences are crucial for traders tailoring their strategies to specific account sizes or trading volumes. The table below highlights the key features of each firm for better clarity.
| Feature | Apex Trader Funding | Topstep | Earn2Trade | Take Profit Trader |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Account sizes | $25K to $150K | $50K, $100K, $150K | $25K to $200K | $25K to $150K |
| Contract limits | 4, 6, 8, 12 (10 micros per contract) | 5, 10, 15 (10 micros per contract; SIL 5:1) | 3 to 16 by plan (10 micros per contract) | 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 (10 micros per contract) |
| Gold and silver contracts | GC, SI | GC, SI, MGC, SIL | GC, SI, MGC, SIL | GC, SI, MGC |
| Daily close | 4:59 PM ET | 3:10 PM CT | 15:50 CT | 4:55 PM ET (auto close) |
| Metal Futures Support | Yes (COMEX) | Yes (via CME Group) | Yes (all CME Group futures) | Yes (COMEX) |
Checked on 10 Oct 2026 on each firm's own site.
Conclusion
Choosing the best prop firm comes down to your trading experience, capital requirements, and how much transparency you’re looking for. Each firm is designed with a specific type of trader in mind.
Apex Trader Funding offers a simple structure with one-time fees, which can suit metals traders who size in full GC or SI contracts. Its straightforward contract limits make it easy to plan positions.
Topstep suits traders who want all four gold and silver contracts, including Micro Silver (SIL), and are happy to trade on TopstepX. Pay attention to how SIL counts against your contract limit, since it doesn't follow the usual 10:1 micro ratio.
Earn2Trade appeals to traders who want every gold and silver contract and a wide choice of platforms, with evaluations up to $200,000. Take Profit Trader suits GC, SI and MGC traders who want day-one withdrawals from a PRO account.
FAQs
What should I know about trading metal futures like Silver (SI), Micro Silver (SIL), and Gold (GC) with futures prop firms?
Futures prop firms that cater to traders in metals like Silver (SI), Micro Silver (SIL), and Gold (GC) often provide funding programs for those specializing in these markets. When evaluating these firms, it's crucial to pay attention to features such as leverage options, trading platform compatibility, and fee structures, as these can greatly influence your overall trading experience.
Other important factors include the firm's evaluation process, access to real-time market data, and support for your preferred trading strategies. If you're focused on specific contracts, like micros or full-sized contracts, make sure the funding program aligns with your trading goals. Taking the time to understand these details can help you choose a firm that fits your needs as a metal futures trader.
What are the margin requirements and leverage options for trading metals like Silver and Gold with futures prop firms?
When trading metals like Silver (SI), Micro Silver (SIL), and Gold (GC), margin requirements and leverage options can differ widely across futures prop firms. These firms typically offer leverage to help traders take larger positions, but the specific ratios depend on the firm's rules and the funding program you select.
For instance, most firms let you trade ten micro contracts for every standard contract in your limit, which makes Micro Gold (MGC) a better fit for smaller accounts. Topstep counts Micro Silver (SIL) at 5:1 against Silver (SI) instead. It's crucial to carefully examine each firm's policies to ensure they align with your trading strategy and risk tolerance.
What should traders look for when selecting a prop firm to trade metal futures like Silver (SI), Micro Silver (SIL), and Gold (GC)?
When deciding on a prop firm for trading metal futures, it’s essential to weigh several critical factors to ensure the firm aligns with your trading objectives. Start by checking the trading platform compatibility - does it support the tools and strategies you rely on? This can make or break your trading experience.
Next, look into the funding program structure. Pay close attention to profit splits, fees, and any restrictions, like daily profit caps or consistency rules, that could impact your earning potential. Equally important is the payout frequency - how often can you withdraw your profits? And don’t forget to verify the firm’s market access to ensure they offer the specific metals you’re looking to trade.
Finally, take a close look at the challenge requirements. These often include profit targets and time limits, so make sure they align with your trading style and capabilities. By carefully considering these elements, you’ll be better positioned to choose a firm that supports your growth as a metal futures trader.
