Apex Trader Funding vs. FTMO

Proprietary trading, more commonly referred to as “prop trading,” has become popular among new and experienced traders. While prop trading isn’t explicitly regulated, the trading platforms that facilitate it fall under the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). If you want to engage in prop trading, you’ll need a reputable platform. Apex Trader Funding and FTMO have emerged as two of the top options. 

This Apex Trader Funding vs. FTMO head-to-head comparison will help you explore these two popular options and decide which one is best for your goals. 

What Is Apex Trader Funding?

Apex Trader Funding is a prop firm that allows you to trade with significant amounts of capital without risking your funds. The platform offers an engaging environment with straightforward evaluations and flexible trading instruments. You’ll have to undergo an evaluation period where you exclusively trade mini or micro contracts. If you pass that, you can upgrade to a funded account. 

What Is FTMO?

FTMO is one of the most well-known prop trading firms. It allows you to manage large amounts of capital through a structured evaluation process. The FTMO prop firm even allows news trading, which has become a popular prop trading strategy. 

Apex Trader Funding vs. FTMO

Apex and FTMO are popular choices but cater to different audiences. Apex might be better if you want more flexibility and lower fees. FTMO can be a great choice if you want a more user-friendly experience and don’t mind the strict evaluation criteria.

Here’s a closer look at how Apex Trader Funding and FTMO compare along several key areas, including:  

Profit-Sharing

Profit-sharing refers to the amount of profits you keep from your deals. While it’s not the only criterion to consider, it can greatly impact your experience. 

Apex: 

Apex provides you with a 90/10 profit split. You’ll keep 90% of the profits and Apex keeps 10%. Apex payout rules also mention a 100% profit split on your first $25,000 in profit per account. 

There are a few caveats. Apex generally provides lower funding amounts compared to FTMO. The learning curve can also be very steep, which may be a barrier for less experienced traders. 

FTMO: 

FTMO offers a 70/30 split. While you won’t hold onto as high of a percentage, you could potentially manage larger capital, meaning that your absolute profit could still be high. FTMO also has a more rigorous two-step evaluation process that you’ll have to pass before earning any profits. 

Cost

Both platforms charge an evaluation fee for participating in the vetting process. Most prop trading brokers adhere to this practice. While you shouldn’t let the fee discourage you from trying a prop trading platform, it’s important to weigh your options to ensure you are getting your money’s worth.  

Apex:

Apex has a relatively low evaluation fee. However, you’ll have to complete the sign-up process to determine precisely what that fee will be. The fee is nonrefundable, so you’ll lose your investment if you fail the evaluation. 

FTMO:

FTMO uses a variable fee schedule that increases based on your account size. The more capital you want to manage during the evaluation process, the higher your startup fee. FTMO fees are also nonrefundable. 

Flexibility

Each prop trading platform offers unique profit split structures and maximum funding amounts. Lower funding amounts mean less risk but could limit your returns. Higher limits may encourage more risk-taking. 

Apex: 

Apex offers funding up to $50,000. You can keep up to 90% of your profits but, due to the limited account size, those margins might be smaller. 

FTMO:

FTMO offers account sizes up to $400,000. They keep more profits but you could generate a healthy amount of revenue if you make a few savvy trades. Be mindful of your risk tolerances though. 

Risk Management

All prop trading platforms implement rules and limitations to mitigate risk. It’s important to consider how much freedom each option provides to ensure it aligns with your trading goals. 

Apex:

Apex is more lenient compared to FTMO. They have rules to reduce the risk of huge losses. However, you will enjoy more flexibility to manage risks as you see fit. If you are accustomed to using volatile trading strategies, you might favor Apex. 

FTMO:

FTMO has strict rules regarding trade limits and what types of investments you can make. The vetting process is also very stringent. You’ll have to complete the FTMO challenge and perform well during verification to showcase your trading consistency. 

Educational Resources

Both platforms offer educational tools to help you learn new strategies and expand your skills. 

Apex:

Apex Trader Funding will provide you with training materials and community resources. The platform’s offerings aren’t as extensive as FTMO, but it can be a good launching point for your trading journey. 

FTMO:

FTMO shines in terms of user education. You’ll have access to plenty of great resources to help you explore different strategies. FTMO provides technical analysis tools, articles and more. 

Trading Platform

The best prop trading solutions integrate with platforms like MetaTrader4, MetaTrader 5 and other solutions. Here’s a glimpse at the platforms that Apex and FTMO support. 

Apex:

Apex Trader Funding supports NinjaTrader 8. It doesn’t support MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader5, which is a huge drawback if you are interested in exploring different platforms. 

FTMO:

FTMO supports MT4, MT5, cTrader and several other platforms. It provides much more flexibility in terms of trading applications, allowing you to choose your preferred platform. 

Apex Trader Funding vs. FTMO: Winner

The winner of the Apex Trader Funding vs. FTMO head-to-head comes down to your specific trading style and needs. Apex offers more flexibility and lower fees making it more accessible. FTMO offers larger funding amounts and a rigorous evaluation process, which you may prefer if you thrive under structure. 

Ultimately, the best choice is the one that aligns with your trading goals and risk tolerances. 

Frequently Asked Questions