Take Profit Trader vs Apex Trader Funding (2026): Payouts vs Price
Take Profit Trader pays on day one; Apex offers the cheapest one-time entries. Both use intraday trailing drawdown — so the real choice is between payout speed and account cost.
Take Profit Trader
CME futuresBest for Traders who want to withdraw profit on day one, uncapped, and don't mind a recurring test fee
The fastest payout in futures — day one, no cap, no minimum profitable days. You pay for it with a monthly test fee and, on PRO, intraday trailing drawdown.
Visit Take Profit Trader →Apex Trader Funding
CME futuresBest for Traders who want cheap one-time entries, no daily loss limit on evaluation, and the ability to stack up to 20 funded accounts
The cheapest realistic route into funded futures thanks to constant 50–90% off promos. Trailing drawdown is strict, but the one-time fee model wins on total spend if you need several attempts.
Visit Apex Trader Funding →| Factor | Take Profit Trader | Apex Trader Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Market | CME futures (ES, NQ, CL, GC, etc.) | CME futures (ES, NQ, CL, GC, etc.) |
| Fee model | Monthly test fee (from ~$150) + one-time $130 PRO activation | One-time fee per evaluation (frequent 50–90% off promos) |
| Evaluation | One-step Test, 6% profit target | Single-step evaluation |
| Drawdown model (funded) | Intraday trailing on PRO; EOD trailing on PRO+ | Intraday trailing (EOD option added in 2026) |
| Daily loss limit | None on Test (evaluation) | None on evaluation |
| Profit split | PRO 80/20; PRO+ 90/10 | 100% on first $25K, then 90/10 |
| Payout timing | Day one, no cap, no minimum profitable days (above buffer) | On-demand, typically after 8 winning days |
| Buffer rule | Must clear starting balance + drawdown before full-split withdrawals on PRO | None on the payout, but drawdown floor moves with peak equity |
| Max funded accounts | Up to 5 PRO accounts | Up to 20 |
| Reset fees | ~$100 to reset failed Test | Included in one-time fee (buy again on promo) |
Take Profit Trader and Apex Trader Funding are both one-step futures firms with a strong reputation, but they win on different metrics. Take Profit Trader is the fastest payout in the industry — day one, no cap. Apex is the cheapest, thanks to constant 50–90% off promos on one-time fees.
This side-by-side is for traders trying to decide which model actually costs less over a realistic run of evaluations, and which drawdown model they can live with.
Educational content only, not financial advice. Confirm current pricing and rules on each firm’s official site before paying.
Fee model: Recurring vs one-time
The core split is how you pay. Take Profit Trader charges a monthly test fee starting around $150 for a $25K account, plus a one-time $130 PRO activation. The monthly fee keeps charging until you pass, so slow passes cost more.
Apex charges a one-time fee per evaluation — no monthly bill. And Apex runs near-constant 50–90% off promotions, so a listed $167 evaluation often sells for under $100. Failed evaluations don’t reset like Take Profit Trader — you buy a new one, usually on promo.
Total spend usually favors Apex if you need more than one attempt. See prop firm fees compared for a full breakdown.
Drawdown: Both intraday trailing (mostly)
This is where these two look similar on paper and cause the same complaints in practice.
Take Profit Trader uses intraday trailing drawdown on its PRO accounts — the loss floor follows your equity tick-by-tick. The PRO+ upgrade switches to end-of-day drawdown, which is more forgiving.
Apex has historically used intraday trailing drawdown, and in 2026 added an end-of-day drawdown account option. Check which type your account uses before trading.
If intraday trailing catches you off guard, that’s the single biggest cause of blown accounts at both firms. See EOD vs trailing drawdown explained before you pay.
Payouts: Speed vs winning days
Take Profit Trader pays on day one with no cap and no minimum profitable days, as long as you’re above the buffer (starting balance + max drawdown). PRO+ removes the buffer.
Apex payouts are on-demand, but the first one typically requires 8 winning days on the funded account. Split is 100% on the first $25K, then 90/10 — a genuinely high split.
Take Profit Trader is faster to first payout. Apex has a slightly higher initial-band split.
The bottom line
Pick Take Profit Trader if payout speed is your top priority and you can accept a recurring monthly fee. Pick Apex if you want the cheapest total cost per attempt, expect to need several evaluations, and want to stack multiple funded accounts. Both require respect for intraday trailing drawdown on their main funded stages. For the full breakdown of TPT’s fees, buffer rule and Trustpilot track record, read our Take Profit Trader review — and confirm current terms on the official site before paying.
Ready to decide?
Check current pricing and rules on each firm's official site before you commit.