Looking for a prop firm that actually lets you trade futures? Here’s a breakdown of what Apex Trader Funding brings to the table, what it’ll cost you, and whether it’s worth your time. Let’s see if this platform fits your trading style before you jump in.

Features

Apex Trader Funding launched in 2021, zeroing in on futures trading. They offer funded accounts ranging from $25,000 up to $300,000.

You can access these accounts through a single-step evaluation. The process is pretty straightforward.

Instead of daily drawdowns, Apex uses a trailing threshold system for most accounts. Your max loss limit shifts as you make profits, so you get more wiggle room as your account grows.

To pass the evaluation, you just need 7 minimum trading days. That’s not bad compared to some other firms.

Apex offers three main platform options:

  • Tradovate accounts work with TradingView, browsers, mobile, and Mac. Handy if you like switching devices.
  • Rithmic accounts cater to folks who want fast execution with NinjaTrader 8. If you need speed and advanced tools, this one’s for you.
  • WealthCharts accounts come with their own platform and include data.

Contract limits depend on account size. The $25,000 account lets you trade 4 standard contracts (or 40 micro), while the $300,000 account allows up to 35 standard contracts (or 350 micro contracts).

You can trade a pretty wide variety of futures markets, like:

  • Equity futures (E-mini S&P 500, NASDAQ, Dow)
  • Currency futures (Euro FX, British Pound, Japanese Yen)
  • Agricultural futures (Corn, Wheat, Soybeans)
  • Energy futures (Crude Oil, Natural Gas)
  • Metal futures (Gold, Silver, Copper)
  • Cryptocurrency futures (Micro Bitcoin, Micro Ethereum)

The profit-sharing setup is pretty generous. You keep 100% of your first $25,000 in profits, then 90% after that.

Payouts go out twice a month. Once approved, they usually arrive in 3-4 business days.

You can actually hold up to 20 funded accounts at once, so there’s room to try different strategies. Apex says it’s paid out over $479 million to traders since 2022, with monthly payouts lately averaging $14.4 million.

Costs

Let’s talk numbers. Apex Trader Funding charges several fees you’ll want to know about:

Evaluation Account Monthly Fees:

  • $25,000 Full account: $147 per month
  • $50,000 Full account: $167 per month
  • $100,000 Full account: $207 per month
  • $100,000 Static account: $137 per month
  • $150,000 Full account: $297 per month
  • $250,000 Full account: $297 for WealthCharts/Rithmic ($517 reported by third-party)
  • $300,000 Full account: $297 for WealthCharts/Rithmic ($657 reported by third-party)

Tradovate accounts tend to cost a bit more, with some review sites noting:

  • $100 for evaluation resets (versus $80 elsewhere)
  • $105 per month for funded accounts (versus $85 elsewhere)

Funded Account Fees:

  • Monthly: $85-$105 per account, depending on the platform
  • Lifetime: $130-$360 one-time, depending on account size and platform

Trading Commissions:

  • Rithmic: Starts at $1.99 per side ($3.98 round-turn) for E-mini futures
  • Tradovate: Starts at $1.55 per side ($3.10 round-turn) for equity futures

Extra Data Fees:

  • Level 1: Included in your monthly fee
  • Level 2: $41 per month plus a $2 processing fee for the CME Bundle

All accounts include real-time data, which they value at $55. Tradovate and Rithmic accounts also come with NinjaTrader platform access, supposedly a $75 value.

Evaluation resets run $80-$100, depending on your platform. There’s no cap on how many times you can reset.

Summary

Apex Trader Funding gives futures traders a streamlined way to get funded. Account sizes run from $25,000 to $300,000, and you get a choice of platforms plus an easy one-step evaluation.

The high profit split, 100% on your first $25,000, definitely stands out. There’s no daily drawdown on full accounts, and you’re allowed to trade during news events.

You can access 46 futures markets, and contract sizes match your account level. Monthly fees range from $137 to $297, or more for bigger accounts if you believe third-party reports.

Those fees can add up, especially if you’re not hitting consistent profits right away. Apex is based in Austin, Texas, but they serve traders in over 150 countries. Their payout stats suggest a busy, active community that’s actually getting paid.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • High profit split 100% of your first $25,000, then 90% after that.
  • No daily drawdowns on full accounts.
  • The evaluation process is simple and just one step.
  • You can trade during news events, which is a plus.
  • Monthly fees include real-time data.
  • You only need seven trading days to pass the evaluation.
  • Account sizes go up to $300,000.
  • There’s a wide range of futures markets, 46 in total.
  • Plenty of platform choices: Tradovate, Rithmic, WealthCharts.
  • You get two payouts per month.
  • You can have up to 20 funded accounts per trader. That’s a lot of flexibility.

Cons:

  • Monthly fees are higher than some competitors.
  • Level 2 market data costs extra.
  • Educational resources for traders are pretty limited.
  • Static accounts have low contract limits, just 2 for $100K accounts.
  • Monthly fees stick around even after you get funded.
  • Some third-party reviews mention slow support responses.
  • Tradovate accounts and resets come with higher fees.
  • There are reviews about payout delays and worries over account terminations.