Understanding Funded Futures Approaches: Apex vs. Topstep

When entering the futures prop trading game, particularly if you're transitioning from forex trading, it can be confusing to understand how the funded approaches work. Key questions traders often have include:

• What are the evaluation rules?
• How do consistency rules differ?
• What is needed to get a payout?

This article covers everything you need to know to get started with Apex and Topstep funded accounts.

Apex Evaluation and Funded Account RulesApex 50K Account Evaluation

• Profit Target: To pass the evaluation, you need to reach a profit of $3,000.
• No Consistency Rule: You can hit the $3,000 target in a single day if possible—there are no restrictions on daily profit limits.

Apex Funded Account Requirements

• Profit Threshold for Payout: After you’re funded, you need to achieve a $2,600 profit threshold to be eligible for a payout. This means your account balance must reach $52,600.
• Minimum Trading Days: A total of 8 trading days is required before you can request a payout.
  • 5 out of these 8 days must generate a profit of at least $50 to count as valid trading days.
  • For the remaining 3 days, you can simply “flip” a micro lot (i.e., open and immediately close a trade) to count them as trading days.
• Initial Withdrawal: Once you hit the $2,600 profit mark, you can withdraw a maximum of $2,000.
  • Remaining Balance: After the withdrawal, your account balance will be reduced to $600 (i.e., $52,600 - $2,000).
  • Risk of Account Blowout: If your account balance falls below $600, even due to floating losses, the account will be terminated.

Strategy Approach for Apex

• To adhere to Apex’s rules, aim for $550 profit per day for 5 consecutive days. This approach ensures you reach the $2,750 profit needed while complying with the 30% consistency rule:
  • Your best trading day’s profit must not exceed 30% of your total profit ($2,600 in this case).
• You can request a payout every 8 days after meeting the consistency and profit rules.

Topstep Evaluation and Funded Account RulesTopstep 50K Account Evaluation

• Consistency Rule: For Topstep, the focus is on consistency. You must follow a 50% consistency rule, meaning:
  • You cannot earn more than $1,500 in one day while aiming for the $3,000 profit target.
  • You need to achieve the $1,500 profit twice to pass the evaluation.

Topstep Funded Account Requirements

• No Profit Threshold: Unlike Apex, Topstep does not have a specific profit threshold requirement after getting funded.
• Minimum Trading Days: You need to trade for at least 5 days, with each day generating a minimum of $200 profit to count.
  • After meeting this requirement, you can withdraw 50% of your profit.
  • For instance, if you earn $200 daily over 5 days, you can withdraw $500.
• Suggested Strategy: It’s advisable to aim for a higher daily profit (e.g., $400 to $500) to maximize your withdrawal potential.

Comparison of ROI: Apex vs. Topstep

• Apex: With lower costs (evaluation often discounted to $33 and activation fee of $85), the ROI is significantly higher since you can withdraw up to $2,000.
• Topstep: More expensive, with the challenge costing $50 and an activation fee of around $150. Thus, aiming for higher profits in the evaluation phase is necessary to justify the costs.

Recommended Strategies for SuccessApex Approach

• Focus on targeting $550 to $600 daily for 5 days. This will allow you to satisfy both the profit and consistency rules efficiently.
• Use a reliable strategy that can maintain a steady profit rate without exceeding the 30% rule for your best trading day.

Topstep Approach

• Instead of just aiming for the minimum of $200 per day, target $400 or more. This will increase your potential payout and make the challenge costs worthwhile.
• Consistency is key—ensure you don’t exceed the daily limit of $1,500 during the evaluation phase.

New Leaderboard Feature

Blue Edge Financial has introduced a new, customizable leaderboard to help you find strategies tailored to your profit goals. This tool allows you to filter strategies by daily targets, pass rates, and more, making it easier to choose a plan that aligns with your funded account objectives.

If you have any further questions or need assistance:

• Join the Futures Chat: Discuss strategies and clarify rules with other traders.
• Contact Support: Our support team will soon be trained to handle all futures-related queries directly on our website.

Thank you for reading! We hope this guide clarifies the differences between Apex and Topstep funded accounts and helps you achieve your trading goals. For any additional questions, feel free to reach out to our support team or join the community chat. Happy trading!