FTMO vs Apex Trader Funding
The main difference between FTMO and Apex Trader Funding is drawdown type: FTMO uses static (floor never moves) while Apex Trader Funding uses trailing intraday (floor moves with every tick). FTMO charges from €155, Apex Trader Funding from $147. Profit splits: 80-90% vs 100-90%. Updated March 2026.
FTMO uses static (floor never moves) with a 5% daily loss limit and 80-90% profit split. Apex Trader Funding uses trailing intraday (floor moves with every tick) with a no daily loss limit and 100-90% profit split. FTMO starts from €155; Apex Trader Funding from $147.
If you want more forgiving drawdown rules, FTMO is the better choice. Static drawdown means your profits create genuine breathing room, while Apex Trader Funding's trailing intraday (floor moves with every tick) raises the floor as you profit. Both offer the same maximum profit split of 90%.
| FTMO | Apex Trader Funding | |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation Type | 2-step | 1-step |
| Drawdown Type | Static (floor never moves) | Trailing Intraday (floor moves with every tick) |
| Daily Loss Limit | 5% | None |
| Max Drawdown | 10% | Fixed $ |
| Profit Target | 10% | None |
| Min Trading Days | 4 | 7 |
| Profit Split | 80-90% | 100-90% |
| Payout Frequency | Every 14 days | Monthly (after first month) |
| News Trading | allowed | restricted |
| Overnight Holding | Yes | No |
| Weekend Holding | Yes | No |
| EA / Bots | Allowed | Allowed |
| Markets | forex, indices, commodities, stocks, crypto | futures |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic, TradingView |
| Cheapest Account | €155 ($10,000) | $147 ($25,000) |
Scalping / Day Trading
FTMO allows overnight holding, giving more flexibility. FTMO's static drawdown is more forgiving for scalpers.
Swing Trading
FTMO is better — allows weekend holding. Apex Trader Funding requires you to flatten before close.
Budget-Conscious
Apex Trader Funding is cheaper to start ($147 vs €155).
FTMO is the better fit if you focus on forex and CFDs. The static drawdown means every dollar of profit adds to your safety cushion, making it ideal for traders who build equity gradually and want protection from losing streaks.
- +Static drawdown — floor never moves up
- +No time limit to pass challenge
- +Allows overnight and weekend holding
- +Most trusted brand in the industry
FTMO supports MT4, MT5, cTrader and processes payouts every 14 days. News trading is fully allowed, so you can trade NFP, FOMC, and CPI without restrictions. Both overnight and weekend holding are permitted, giving swing traders full flexibility. Automated trading with EAs is permitted.
Apex Trader Funding is the better fit if you trade futures exclusively. The intraday trailing drawdown demands tight risk management, but rewards disciplined scalpers who rarely give back large unrealized gains.
- +No daily loss limit in evaluation
- +100% of first $25K profit, then 90%
- +Frequent 80-90% off sales — cheapest entry point
- +Multiple platform options including TradingView
Apex Trader Funding supports NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic, TradingView and processes payouts monthly (after first month). Automated trading with EAs is permitted.
Choosing between FTMO and Apex Trader Funding comes down to three things: the markets you trade, how much drawdown flexibility you need, and your budget. If you trade forex or indices or commodities or stocks or crypto, FTMO is your only option here. If you trade futures, go with Apex Trader Funding. Apex Trader Funding is cheaper to get started at $147 vs €155.
The biggest structural difference is drawdown type: FTMO uses static (floor never moves) while Apex Trader Funding uses trailing intraday (floor moves with every tick). Static drawdown is objectively more forgiving because profits create a permanent cushion. Trailing drawdown follows your equity peaks, meaning you can lose an account even while net profitable. If you are still undecided, take the firm finder quiz for a personalized recommendation based on your trading style, risk tolerance, and budget.