Highlights
- A side-by-side breakdown of Topstep® vs Apex and how each of their trading rules impacts real-world performance.
- Why intraday trailing drawdowns at Apex can end accounts on normal pullbacks.
- How Topstep’s end-of-day drawdown allows trades to play out without constant pressure.
- A straightforward comparison of payout timelines, including days required to request your first withdrawal.
- How Apex’s 30% consistency rule can delay payouts after a single strong trading day.
- Why Topstep does not use payout consistency caps on funded accounts.
- The hidden impact of payout buffers and withdrawal restrictions at Apex.
- Which prop firm offers a more realistic path to skill development, payouts, and long-term trading success.
Choosing a prop firm should feel like picking a partner in your trading journey. The rules you trade under either help you grow into a stronger trader or quietly work against you.
When choosing a prop firm, it’s important to understand the main differences before jumping in.
What We’ll Cover
This guide walks through the four biggest differences between Topstep and Apex, why they matter, and how they impact your day-to-day trading.
- Intraday Trailing Drawdown vs End-of-Day Drawdown
- Payout Consistency Requirements
- Days Required to Earn a Payout
- Payout Buffers and Withdrawal Restrictions
Apex's intradray trailing drawdown vs Topstep's end-of-day drawdown
Imagine this. You finally catch the setup you have been waiting for. The market moves in your favor. You are green. You are doing everything right. Then the market pulls back like it always does. Not a reversal. Not a mistake. Just a normal pullback (a quick dip) before the next move.
At Apex, this is often where the intraday trailing drawdown comes into play. Even when a trade follows the plan and risk is managed, a routine pullback can reach the Maximum Loss Limit and result in the entire account being closed.
Here’s how the intraday trailing drawdown works:
- As your unrealized Profit & Loss (P&L) rises, your Maximum Loss Limit is pulled up behind it.
- But when the market pulls back, the trailing limit does not move back down. It only moves in one direction.
- Which means every uptick permanently tightens the space between your position and your liquidation point.
- A completely normal pullback can hit your trailing limit and close your account even when your idea is still valid.
This rule isn’t designed to build discipline or trade management and can leave traders with less room to manage positions through normal price action.
At Topstep, your Maximum Loss Limit does not trail intraday. It does not tighten behind every tick. It is calculated at the end of the trading day, not during it.
That means:
- You can let trades play out.
- You can survive the pullbacks that markets naturally make.
- You can trade your plan without panicking every time a trade moves against you.
If your trade is valid and your discipline is real, you shouldn’t lose an account because of a normal intraday pullback.That’s why serious traders should choose a program built for real conditions. This focus on clear, fair, and flexible rules is also why Topstep was awarded Best Rules among futures firms in the 2025 Prop Firm Match Awards.
Topstep vs Apex payout guidelines
You passed the evaluation process. You’re funded. Now it’s time to work towards that first payout, right?
Well, at Apex, you must complete a minimum of 8 winning trading days before you’re allowed to request your first payout.
For a new trader, that may sound simple, but here’s what it actually means:
- You need to have 8 separate days where you close the day with profits.
- Losing days don’t count. Break-even days don’t count.
- And because things don’t always go as planned, hitting 8 solid winning days may take longer than you expect.
This can push your first payout out several weeks, even if you're trading well.
At Topstep, your payout path can be much faster and more realistic.You only need 5 winning days of $150 or more to request your first payout.
Here’s why that difference matters:
- It could take nearly half the time to qualify for a payout at Topstep.
- You can turn good trading into real money sooner.
- Your payout timeline reflects real trading conditions, not an arbitrary hurdle.
Topstep rewards progress, not perfection.
Topstep’s & Apex’s payout consistency requirements
Apex has a 30% consistency rule for funded accounts. This means your biggest winning day cannot be more than 30% of your total profit. If it is, you cannot take a payout until your other days are large enough to “average it out.”
Here is what that looks like in real life. Let’s say you had 3 winning days:
- Day 1: $200
- Day 2: $150
- Day 3: $1,000
- Total profit: $1,350
In the real world, your $1,000 day would be something to celebrate. At Apex, this means you would need to make an additional $1,983 before you are even eligible to request a payout. This is on top of completing the required 8 winning days and other payout rules.
Here is why.
- Your biggest day: $1,000
- For $1,000 to equal 30% of your total profit, your total must reach $3,333
- Your current total: $1,350
- Amount still needed: $3,333 minus $1,350 = $1,983
The market does not hand out perfectly even wins. Traders catch big moves one day and grind the next. Apex’s rule can make it harder for larger winning days to translate into an immediate payout, even when profits have already been earned.
Topstep does not use a consistency rule in its funded accounts. When you’re profitable and hit five winning days of $150 or more, you can request a payout.
Payout buffers and restrictions: Topstep vs Apex
At Apex, your first three payouts require you to build a buffer equal to your entire drawdown plus one hundred dollars. No buffer means no payout. Many traders do not realize this until they are already in the program.
At Topstep, there is no payout buffer required for Express Funded Accounts. If you hit your five winning days, you can request a payout. Simple.
The only requirement beyond that is one used by real traders everywhere. You must be profitable since your last payout to take your next one. That is how responsible trading works in every real trading environment. It protects good habits, not the firm’s bottom line.
Final word
When comparing prop firms, the real difference shows up in the rules. They shape how a trading program functions day to day. At Apex, intraday trailing drawdown can crush traders. Funded consistency rules restrict payouts. Buffer requirements can delay withdrawals. Every piece can add distance between you and your trading goals.
Topstep puts its energy into trader development. Real rules. Real risk. Real payouts. Everything is built around helping you become a trader who can succeed in live markets.
Topstep vs Apex comparison chart
| Category | Topstep | Apex |
| Drawdown type | End-of-day drawdown | Intraday trailing drawdown |
| Funded consistency rule | None | 30% consistency cap |
| Days required for payout | 5 winning days of $150 or more | Minimum of 8 winning days |
| Payout buffer requirement | None (must be profitable since last payout) | Must rebuild buffer equal to drawdown + $100 before first 3 payouts |
| Best for | Traders who want a real path to trading like a professional | Traders who want low entry costs but restrictive rules |
Before choosing a prop firm, ask yourself one question.
Are the rules designed to help me grow or designed to take my account?
Topstep gives traders the program to learn to trade like a professional and gives traders a clear path to develop skills, trade with confidence, and work toward real payouts.
If you’re ready to trade in an environment designed to support long-term growth, you can start your trading journey today.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Topstep vs Apex?
The biggest difference between Topstep vs Apex is how drawdowns and payouts are handled. Topstep uses an end-of-day drawdown that gives trades room to breathe, while Apex uses an intraday trailing drawdown that can close accounts during normal market pullbacks.
How does Apex Trader Funding’s intraday trailing drawdown work?
At Apex Trader Funding, the drawdown moves up as unrealized profits increase, but never moves back down. This means a routine pullback can violate the maximum loss limit even if the trade idea is still valid, making risk management more difficult during futures trading.
Does Topstep use profit targets or consistency rules?
Topstep uses clear profit targets during the evaluation phase but does not enforce payout consistency rules on funded accounts. Once funded, traders only need to meet the required number of winning days and remain profitable to request a payout.
How do payout requirements compare between Topstep and Apex?
Topstep requires 5 winning days of $150 or more to request a payout. Apex requires a minimum of 8 winning days and enforces a 30% consistency rule, which can delay withdrawals even after strong performance.
What role does risk management play in these prop firm rules?
Risk management is built directly into both firms’ rule structures. Topstep’s rules are designed to reinforce disciplined trading without punishing normal price movement, while Apex’s intraday trailing drawdown can force traders to exit trades early to avoid account violations.
How does account size affect profit potential at Topstep vs Apex?
Account size determines drawdown limits, profit targets, and overall risk exposure. While Apex often promotes low entry costs for larger account sizes, the restrictive rules can make it harder to actually access profits. Topstep focuses on realistic account structures that align with professional trading behavior.
Are different trading styles supported by each firm?
Topstep supports a wide range of trading styles, including scalping, day trading, and swing-style intraday strategies. Apex’s rules can lead to quicker exits, limiting flexibility for certain trading styles.
How does the profit split work at Topstep vs Apex?
Topstep offers a straightforward profit split once traders are funded and eligible for payouts. Apex also offers a profit split, but withdrawals are subject to additional rules such as consistency limits and payout buffers that can restrict access to earned profits.
Which firm is better for long-term futures trading development?
For traders focused on building sustainable skills in futures trading, Topstep offers clearer rules, faster payout access, and fewer restrictions that interfere with execution. Apex may appeal to traders seeking low upfront costs, but its rules can work against long-term consistency.
