Apex Trader Scaling Plan

Known as the Apex Trader Scaling Plan, this framework is part of the firm’s approach to disciplined trading. Based entirely on official resources, this article outlines how scaling works, when it activates, and what traders need to maintain in order to access larger contract sizes. No assumptions are made—only policy-backed information is used.

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What Is the Apex Trader Scaling Plan?

The Apex Trader Scaling Plan is a set of rules that determine how many contracts a trader is allowed to use at any given time in a funded account. Initially, traders are limited to a reduced number of contracts. This limit is in place until the account reaches a minimum equity threshold defined by the scaling model.

Key Points

The scaling plan only applies to funded (PA) accounts, not evaluations.
Traders start with half the allowed contracts based on their account size.
Full contract usage becomes available only when the account balance exceeds the trailing drawdown + $100.
Scaling thresholds are specific to each account level.

This plan is designed to ensure that increased trading size is earned through proven account growth, not speculation or short-term gains.

Contract Scaling Limits by Account Size

The table below outlines how many contracts can be used at each phase, depending on account size:

Account Size	Initial Contracts	Max Contracts	Scaling Threshold (Balance Required)
$25,000	2	4	$26,600
$50,000	5	10	$53,300
$100,000	7	14	$103,100
$150,000	8	17	$155,600
$250,000	13	27	$256,600
$300,000	15	30	$308,100

How the Scaling Threshold Works

The scaling threshold is calculated using the trailing drawdown level set for the account. Traders may only access the full number of contracts once the account balance exceeds:

(Trailing Drawdown) + $100

For example:

A $50,000 account has a trailing drawdown of $2,500.
To unlock 10 contracts, the trader must grow the account above $50,000 + $2,500 + $100 = $52,600.

Until this amount is met, the trader must stick to the reduced contract limit (in this case, 5).

Scaling Plan Enforcement

Apex monitors contract usage and balance thresholds automatically. Violating the scaling plan has consequences:

First Violation: Warning and denied payout.
Repeated Violations: Reset of the payout cycle or account suspension.
Consistent Breaches: Permanent disqualification from funding eligibility.

There is no leeway for misunderstanding the rules. All active traders are expected to remain under their assigned contract caps unless the system confirms that the scaling threshold has been surpassed.

Comparison with Other Trading Rules

The scaling plan works in tandem with Apex Trader’s broader set of trading conditions. Below is a summary comparison to help clarify how it fits in:

Rule Type	Applies To	Purpose	Violation Result
Scaling Plan	Funded Accounts	Control contract usage until proven growth	Payout denial or reset
30% Consistency	Funded Accounts	Limit reliance on a single high-profit day	Payout delay
Max Drawdown	All Accounts	Protect against excessive risk	Account termination
Stop Loss Required	All Accounts	Ensure risk control on every trade	Warning or disqualification

Supported Platforms and Limitations

The Apex Trader Scaling Plan is enforced across all supported trading platforms. These include:

NinjaTrader 8
Tradovate
Rithmic (via R|Trader Pro)
WealthCharts

Does Scaling Apply in Evaluations?

No. Evaluation accounts have fixed contract allocations. For example:

$50K evaluation = 10 contracts
$100K evaluation = 14 contracts

Traders can use all allotted contracts during the evaluation phase. However, once funded, they must revert to the scaled contract limits until their balance meets the scaling threshold.

Apex also supports connections to compatible platforms such as Sierra Chart, Jigsaw, and Quantower via Rithmic.

However, MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and cTrader are not supported. These platforms are mainly used for Forex and CFDs, which Apex does not offer.

Platform Support Summary

Platform	Supported	Scaling Applied	Notes
NinjaTrader	Yes	Yes	Licensed via Apex
Tradovate	Yes	Yes	Web/mobile compatible
Rithmic	Yes	Yes	Primary data feed provider
MT5	No	Not applicable	Not supported
cTrader	No	Not applicable	Not supported

Final Notes on Trading Discipline

The Apex Trader Scaling Plan is not optional or advisory—it is a binding rule for all funded traders. Understanding how scaling ties into your account size, drawdown, and contract management is essential. Mismanaging this structure will result in payout denials and potential account termination. There are no exceptions or one-time forgiveness policies once a trader enters the funded phase.

This rule isn’t about restricting growth—it’s about proving that your trading behavior is consistent and scalable. And only then does Apex allow traders to increase exposure.

Conclusion

The Apex Trader Scaling Plan is a structured rule that connects contract permissions to real account growth. With initial limits set at 50% of the maximum contracts and unlocks triggered by balance thresholds, it ensures disciplined trading. It’s enforced across all compatible platforms, and violations lead to financial and access penalties.

For any trader entering a funded account with Apex, understanding the scaling plan is non-negotiable. It’s the line between payout eligibility and delay. Familiarizing yourself with your account size, scaling threshold, and contract rules should be part of your day-one checklist.