Apex Trader Funding Challenge
The Apex Trader Funding Challenge offers traders an opportunity to prove their skills and gain access to substantial trading capital. This article outlines the challenge process, rules, and requirements for success.
Challenge Overview
Our challenge consists of a single-step evaluation process designed to identify skilled traders:
- Choose account size
- Trade for minimum 7 days
- Reach profit target
- Maintain trailing threshold
- Receive funded account upon success
Account Options
Select from various account sizes to match your trading style:
| Account Size | Max Contracts | Profit Target | Trailing Threshold |
| $25,000 | 4 (40 micros) | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| $50,000 | 10 (100 micros) | $3,000 | $2,500 |
| $75,000 | 12 (120 micros) | $4,250 | $2,750 |
| $100,000 | 14 (140 micros) | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| $150,000 | 17 (170 micros) | $9,000 | $5,000 |
| $250,000 | 27 (270 micros) | $15,000 | $6,500 |
| $300,000 | 35 (350 micros) | $20,000 | $7,500 |
Static account option:
- $100,000 balance
- 2 contracts (20 micros)
- $2,000 profit target
- $625 maximum drawdown
Challenge Rules
- Minimum Trading Days
- Trade at least 7 days
- Days need not be consecutive
- Maximum Duration
- No time limit to complete challenge
- Profit Target
- Reach specified target for chosen account size
- Trailing Threshold
- Maintain equity above specified threshold
- Threshold trails highest account balance
- Trading Hours
- Trade from 6 PM ET to 4:59 PM ET
- Close all positions by 4:59 PM ET daily
- Instruments
- Trade only approved futures contracts
- News Trading
- Trading during news events allowed
- Specific news trading strategies prohibited
- Overnight Positions
- Not permitted
Getting Started
- Choose account size
- Select platform (Rithmic or Tradovate)
- Complete registration
- Pay evaluation fee
- Receive login credentials
- Begin trading
Evaluation Fees
Monthly fees vary based on account size and platform:
| Account Size | Rithmic | Tradovate |
| $25,000 | $147 | $167 |
| $50,000 | $167 | $187 |
| $75,000 | $187 | $207 |
| $100,000 | $207 | $227 |
| $150,000 | $297 | $317 |
| $250,000 | $517 | $537 |
| $300,000 | $657 | $677 |
| $100,000 (Static) | $137 | $157 |
Trading Platforms
Choose from multiple supported platforms:
- NinjaTrader
- Tradovate
- TradingView
- Rithmic
- Sierra Chart
- ATAS
- Quantower
Each platform includes:
- Real-time data
- Account monitoring tools
- Automated contract limit enforcement
Tradable Instruments
Access a wide range of futures contracts:
- Interest Rate Futures
- 10-Year T-Note
- 30-Year T-Bond
- Micro Futures
- Micro E-mini S&P 500
- Micro E-mini NASDAQ 100
- Cryptocurrency Futures
- Micro Bitcoin
- Micro Ethereum
- Equity Futures
- E-mini S&P 500
- E-mini NASDAQ 100
- E-mini Dow Jones
- Currency Futures
- Euro FX
- Japanese Yen
- British Pound
- Commodity Futures
- Crude Oil
- Natural Gas
- Gold
- Corn
- Soybeans
Successful Challenge Completion
Upon reaching the profit target and maintaining the trailing threshold:
- Challenge account automatically paused
- Account reviewed by our team
- Approval notification sent via email
- Funded account credentials provided
Monitoring Progress
Track your challenge performance:
- Trading platform position monitor
- Apex Trader Funding dashboard
- Daily account statements
Key metrics to monitor:
- Current balance
- Highest balance reached
- Distance from trailing threshold
- Progress towards profit target
Risk Management
Challenge incorporates risk management features:
- Contract limits
- Prevent overtrading
- Automatically enforced by platform
- Trailing threshold
- Protects accumulated profits
- Adjusts with account balance increases
- No overnight positions
- Reduces exposure to gap risk
Funded Account Benefits
Successfully complete the challenge to access:
- Larger trading capital
- Profit split: 100% of first $25,000, 90% thereafter
- Two payouts per month
- No daily drawdown limits
- Trading during news events allowed
Reset Options
If unsuccessful, reset your challenge:
- Rithmic: $80 per reset
- Tradovate: $100 per reset
No limit on number of resets allowed.
Educational Resources
Enhance your challenge performance with:
- Video tutorials
- Trading webinars
- Risk management guides
- Market analysis tools
- One-on-one mentoring (additional fee may apply)
Challenge vs. Funded Account
| Feature | Challenge | Funded Account |
| Capital | Simulated | Real |
| Profit Target | Required | Not applicable |
| Trailing Threshold | Enforced | Flexible |
| Payout | Not available | Bi-monthly option |
| Duration | Unlimited | Ongoing |
Multiple Account Management
Maximize opportunity by managing up to 20 accounts simultaneously:
- Diversify trading strategies
- Increase overall trading capacity
- Manage risk across multiple accounts
Challenge Tips
- Start with smaller account size
- Focus on consistency over large gains
- Utilize all trading days
- Monitor trailing threshold closely
- Practice proper risk management
- Use platform tools effectively
- Review daily performance
User Reviews
- Mark S., Experienced Futures Trader:
“The Apex Trader Funding challenge stands out for its simplicity. The single-step process and clear rules allowed me to focus on trading rather than navigating complex evaluation stages. I appreciated the flexibility in trading style and the absence of daily drawdown limits.” - Emily R., Transitioning from Forex:
“As someone new to futures, I found the Apex challenge to be an excellent learning experience. The contract-based system helped me understand position sizing better, and the trailing threshold concept encouraged me to protect my profits. The educational resources provided were invaluable in preparing for the challenge.” - David L., Full-time Trader:
“What impressed me most about the Apex challenge was the realistic trading conditions. Being able to trade during news events and having access to a wide range of futures contracts made the evaluation feel like actual funded trading. The absence of time pressure to complete the challenge allowed me to trade comfortably and consistently.”
Emerging Issues
- Trailing Threshold Management
Some traders have reported difficulty in understanding and managing the trailing threshold, particularly during volatile market conditions.
Solution: We’ve created an in-depth guide explaining the trailing threshold concept with practical examples. This guide is available in our learning center. Additionally, we’re developing a real-time trailing threshold tracker for our dashboard to help traders visualize this metric more easily.
- Platform Transition
A few users have experienced challenges when switching between different supported platforms during the evaluation.
Solution: We now offer platform-specific orientation sessions for traders. These sessions cover the nuances of each platform and how they integrate with our challenge rules. Traders can schedule these sessions through their dashboard.
- News Trading Clarification
There has been some confusion regarding permissible trading strategies during news events.
Solution: We’ve updated our rules page with a clear distinction between allowed and prohibited news trading practices. We’ve also added a section in our FAQ specifically addressing news trading scenarios with concrete examples.
FAQ
Can I change my account size during the challenge?
No, the account size cannot be changed once the challenge begins. However, you can reset your challenge and select a different account size for a new attempt.
How does the trailing threshold work in practice?
The trailing threshold starts at your initial account balance minus the specified threshold amount. As your account balance increases, the threshold moves up, always maintaining the specified distance from your highest achieved balance. If your account equity drops below this moving threshold, the challenge ends.
What happens if I accidentally exceed the maximum number of contracts?
Our system is designed to prevent exceeding contract limits automatically. If you attempt to place an order that would exceed your limit, the order will be rejected. This ensures you stay within the challenge parameters without risking disqualification.