Apex Trader Funding vs Take Profit Trader: Futures Prop Firm Comparison

Apex Trader Funding and Take Profit Trader are both US-based futures-only prop firms running 1-step evaluations, but they solve the funded-trader problem very differently. Apex leans on a sprawling menu of 22 account variants and a 100% profit split, while Take Profit Trader keeps five accounts, an 80% split, and a documented consistency rule. The right pick depends on whether you value fee simplicity and payout flexibility, or split size and account-scaling volume.

Apex Trader Funding vs Take Profit Trader at a Glance

Both firms trade exclusively in futures and run 1-step evaluations, meaning there's a single funded-eligibility test rather than a two-phase structure. Apex has been operating since 2020, Take Profit Trader since 2021, and both are headquartered in the United States with USD-denominated accounts.

Where they diverge is structure. Apex offers 22 account variants split across Standard, No Act Fee, Intraday Trail, and EOD Trail types, each with its own fee, and pays a 100% profit split. Take Profit Trader keeps things simple: five account sizes, one fee per size, and an 80% split in its PRO tier (with a PRO+ account upgrade tier for traders who want a higher split). Apex Trader Funding is built for traders who want to shop between fee tiers and stack multiple accounts; Take Profit Trader is built for traders who want one clear price and a defined path to withdrawals.

Evaluation Pricing & Challenge Fees

Apex's pricing spans $85 to $799 depending on account size and which of its four variant types you choose. At the low end, the $25,000 5x Standard Intraday Trail runs $85; at the high end, the $150,000 EOD Trail costs $799. In between, each account size (25K, 50K, 100K, 150K) has up to four fee tiers: a cheaper "Standard" version, a version without an activation fee ("No Act Fee"), and a split between Intraday Trail and EOD Trail rule sets. That's a genuinely wide fee grid to compare against, and traders need to know which variant they're buying before assuming they've found the cheapest option.

Take Profit Trader is simpler: one fee per account size, ranging from $150 on the $25,000 account to $360 on the $150,000 account. There's no variant-shopping required, just a single price point per size, including a $75,000 option Apex doesn't offer.

Both firms list a PFT coupon code. Apex shows 90% off; Take Profit Trader shows 40% off. Treat both as listed promotions only and confirm the current discount at checkout, since coupon terms can change.

Because Apex layers variant type on top of account size, its fee structure is inherently more complex to compare than Take Profit Trader's single-fee-per-size model. That complexity can work in a trader's favor if the cheapest Standard Intraday Trail variant fits their strategy, but it also means more decisions before funding a purchase.

Profit Targets, Drawdown & Consistency Rules

At $25,000, both firms set the same $1,500 profit target, but the trailing drawdown mechanics differ. Apex's max loss on its $25,000 accounts is $1,000, while Take Profit Trader's max loss on its $25,000 account is $1,500. Apex's EOD Trail variants add a separate daily loss limit on top of the max loss (for example, $500 daily loss on the $25,000 EOD Trail), while its Intraday Trail variants carry no daily loss field at all, meaning the trailing max loss is the only ceiling to manage intraday.

Take Profit Trader folds its max loss into what it calls the "buffer zone." On a $50,000 account, that buffer zone is $2,000, meaning a trader's balance needs to reach $52,000 before day-one profit withdrawals become eligible under the 80% split. Buffer zones scale with account size across Take Profit Trader's five offerings.

Take Profit Trader also runs a documented consistency rule that Apex doesn't publish an equivalent for. Traders must log a minimum of 5 active trading days (any day with at least one trade counts), and no single day's profit can exceed 50% of total net profit. If a trader breaches the 50% threshold, they haven't failed, but their profit goal automatically recalculates to twice their net P/L before they can pass to PRO.

Whether you're building toward Take Profit Trader's consistency threshold or managing Apex's trailing max-loss requirements, the underlying skill is the same: disciplined position sizing and drawdown control. Traders preparing for either evaluation can build that discipline for free through Chart Academy's risk-management masterclasses before putting money into an evaluation fee.

Profit Split & Payout Mechanics

Apex pays a 100% profit split and processes payouts on a weekly schedule via ACH for US traders or Plane for international traders. Each Apex Performance Account is subject to a Safety Net requirement before any payout can be requested, and accounts have a lifetime limit on how many payouts they can process before closing, though traders can open additional performance accounts to keep scaling.

Take Profit Trader pays 80% in PRO, with a PRO+ account tier available for traders who want a profit split higher than the standard 80%. Payouts process only after the buffer zone clears, but once it does, withdrawal requests are available from day one rather than requiring a waiting period. Take Profit Trader's payout method options are PayPal, Wise, or bank transfer.

One notable mechanic unique to Take Profit Trader: withdrawing profits from inside the buffer zone itself (rather than above it) can only happen once an account is terminated, and the split on those buffer profits depends on timing. If the account is closed within 60 trading days of opening, the trader receives 50% of buffer profits; if closed after 60 trading days, that rises to 80%. This time-based buffer withdrawal structure has no direct equivalent in Apex's payout policy.

Platforms, Brokers & Payment Methods

Apex routes through Rithmic or Tradovate as brokers and layers NinjaTrader, WealthCharts, and TradingView on top for charting and execution. Take Profit Trader routes through Tradovate, Rithmic, or CQG, and supports Quantower, NinjaTrader, and TradingView.

Payment and payout methods are where the two firms diverge most for logistics. Apex accepts card payments for challenge fees and pays out via ACH or Plane only. Take Profit Trader accepts cards, Wise, and PayPal for challenge fees, and pays out via PayPal, Wise, or bank transfer. Traders who rely on PayPal or Wise for international transfers or currency flexibility have more built-in options with Take Profit Trader; traders comfortable with standard ACH transfers won't find Apex's narrower payout list limiting.

Which Trader Fits Each Firm

Apex Trader Funding suits traders who want a 100% profit split, are comfortable comparing multiple account-type fee tiers to find the best entry price, and want the option to run several performance accounts at once as part of a scaling strategy. The tradeoff is a more complex fee grid and a Safety Net requirement to clear before requesting a payout.

Take Profit Trader suits traders who prioritize a single, transparent fee per account size, want payout access from day one once the buffer zone clears, and prefer a clearly written consistency framework rather than guessing at unpublished rules. The tradeoff is a lower baseline profit split (80% versus Apex's 100%) unless upgrading to PRO+.

Traders who depend on PayPal or Wise for withdrawals, or who want a documented consistency rule to build a repeatable process around, will likely lean toward Take Profit Trader. Traders chasing the highest possible split and the flexibility of running multiple concurrent accounts through ACH or Plane payouts will likely lean toward Apex.

Quick FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Which firm has cheaper entry fees?

Apex Trader Funding's lowest listed fee is $85 for the $25,000 5x Standard Intraday Trail account, which undercuts Take Profit Trader's lowest listed fee of $150 for its $25,000 offering. Apex's top fee reaches $799 on its $150,000 EOD Trail, while Take Profit Trader tops out at $360 for its $150,000 account.

Which firm has the higher profit split?

Apex Trader Funding lists a 100% profit split across all 22 account variants. Take Profit Trader pays 80% in its PRO tier, with a PRO+ account tier offering a higher split than the standard 80%.

Which firm pays out faster after starting?

Take Profit Trader allows withdrawal requests from day one in PRO once the account balance clears its buffer zone. Apex requires meeting its Safety Net requirement before a payout can be requested, and processes payouts on a weekly schedule.

Does either firm publish a consistency rule?

Take Profit Trader publishes a consistency rule requiring a minimum of 5 active trading days and no single day exceeding 50% of total net profit, with an automatic profit-goal adjustment (net P/L multiplied by two) if that threshold is breached. Apex does not publish an equivalent consistency rule in its account terms.

What is the buffer zone at Take Profit Trader?

The buffer zone equals the account's maximum drawdown amount. On a $50,000 account, the buffer zone is $2,000, meaning the balance must reach $52,000 before day-one profit withdrawals at the 80% split become available.

What platforms and brokers does each firm support?

Apex Trader Funding routes through Rithmic or Tradovate and supports NinjaTrader, WealthCharts, and TradingView. Take Profit Trader routes through Tradovate, Rithmic, or CQG and supports Quantower, NinjaTrader, and TradingView.

Data as of 2026-08-12.

Risk disclaimer: Trading carries a substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone. Prop-firm evaluations charge fees and most traders do not pass. Nothing here is financial advice; figures can change, so verify current terms with the firm before purchasing.

Affiliate disclosure: propfirmtrader may earn a commission if you sign up through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This never affects our assessments.