Vigil/Apex Trader Funding vs Blue Guardian/-- Cheapest Option
Tier 1Tier 2Cheapest Option

Apex Trader Funding vs Blue Guardian -- Cheapest Option

Apex Trader Funding offers better value per dollar of trading capital. At $147 for a $25,000 account, you pay less per $10K of buying power than Blue Guardian's $99 for $10,000. Over 3 attempts, that saves you 144 in fees. Updated March 2026.

Verdict -- Cheapest Option

Recommendation: Apex Trader Funding is the better choice -- cheapest option.

Apex Trader Funding offers better value per dollar of trading capital. At $147 for a $25,000 account, you pay less per $10K of buying power than Blue Guardian's $99 for $10,000. Over 3 attempts, that saves you 144 in fees.

Apex Trader FundingBlue Guardian
Cheapest Account Fee$147$99
Cheapest Account Size$25,000$10,000
Fee per $10K Capital$59$99
Cost of 3 Attempts$441$297
Profit Split (start)100%85%
Profit Split (max)90%85%
Payout FrequencyMonthly (after first month)Bi-weekly
Cost Analysis

The sticker price is not the real cost of a prop firm challenge. Most traders need 3-5 attempts to pass, so multiply the fee accordingly. Apex Trader Funding's cheapest account ($25,000) costs $147 per attempt. Blue Guardian's cheapest ($10,000) costs $99.

Cost per dollar of capital is a better metric than raw fee. Apex Trader Funding charges 59 per $10K of capital. Blue Guardian charges 99 per $10K. The firm with the lower ratio gives you more buying power for your money.

Profit splits determine your long-term earnings. Apex Trader Funding starts at 100% (up to 90%), while Blue Guardian starts at 85% (up to 85%). A 10% difference in profit split matters far more than a $50 difference in challenge fees over a year of funded trading.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Apex Trader Funding or Blue Guardian?

Blue Guardian starts at $99, making it the cheaper option. However, compare the cost per dollar of trading capital: Apex Trader Funding gives you $25,000 for that fee, while Blue Guardian gives you $10,000 for $99.

How much do multiple attempts cost for Apex Trader Funding vs Blue Guardian?

If it takes 3 attempts (industry average), Apex Trader Funding costs $441 total, while Blue Guardian costs $297. At 5 attempts, Apex Trader Funding costs $735 vs $495 for Blue Guardian.

Which firm has the better profit split, Apex Trader Funding or Blue Guardian?

Apex Trader Funding offers 100-90% profit split. Blue Guardian offers 85-85%. Apex Trader Funding has a higher maximum split. The profit split matters more than fees over time, since you will earn from it every month once funded.

Other Comparisons: Apex Trader Funding vs Blue Guardian