Apex Trader vs Tradeify - Prop Firm Comparison
Introduction
Apex Trader and Tradeify are both US futures prop firms, but they take different routes to a funded account. Apex Trader, founded in Austin in 2021, is an evaluation-first firm built for intraday traders, with accounts up to $250,000, 100% of your first $25,000 in profits, EAs permitted, and frequent deep discounts. Tradeify, founded in 2022 by professional trader Brett Simba, stands out for its Lightning Funded instant accounts (live from day one with no evaluation), a class-leading 100% of your first $15,000, daily payouts on the Select plan, and an unusually broad market list that even includes BTC and ETH futures. Both are CME-centric futures firms. The choice is between Apex’s larger accounts, EA support and discounts, and Tradeify’s instant funding, top profit terms and platform breadth.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Apex Trader Funding | Tradeify |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Founded | 2021 | 2022 |
| Profit Split | 100% first $25,000, then 90/10 | 100% of first $15,000, then 90/10 |
| Maximum Account Size | $300,000 | — |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 1-step |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.4 | 4.7 |
| Expert Grade | 8.8 | 7.4 |
Program Types
| Program | Apex Trader Funding | Tradeify |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Growth |
| Advanced Program | Yes | Select |
| Scaling Options | Yes | Lightning Funded |
| Demo Account | — | — |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Apex Trader Funding | Tradeify |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 5-6% | — |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing drawdown (locks at starting balance) | EOD trailing or trailing |
| Minimum Trading Days | — | — |
| News Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Apex Trader Funding | Tradeify |
|---|---|---|
| $10K Account | — | $139 |
| $25K Account | $47 | $159 |
| $50K Account | $67 | $339 |
| $100K Account | $97 | $359 |
| $200K Account | — | — |
| Refund Policy | — | Non-refundable evaluation fees |
| Coupons / Discount | Apex Trader Funding discount | Tradeify discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Apex Trader Funding | Tradeify |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | Tradovate, Rithmic, WealthCharts | Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Quantower, WealthCharts |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | — | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | No |
Payout
| Feature | Apex Trader Funding | Tradeify |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly (min 8 trading days between requests, 5 days with $50+ profit) | Rise or Plane; 24-48 hours to wallet, 1-3 business days to bank |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Apex Trader Funding | Tradeify |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | $378M+ payouts verified, 17,800+ Trustpilot reviews, 20 simultaneous accounts, No daily loss limit, 100% profit on first $25K per account | 100% profit on first $15K, Lightning Funded instant access, Daily payouts available, Five platform options, News trading allowed, $125M+ paid out, 4.7/5 Trustpilot |
| Weaknesses | 4:59 PM ET close requirement, 5:1 max risk-to-reward ratio, 30% consistency rule at payout, Learning curve for beginners | Monthly subscription billing, No EAs in funded phase, No weekend trading, 35% consistency rule on Growth, Founded 2022 shorter track record |
| Best For | Serious futures day traders seeking scalability and capital protection | Active intraday futures traders seeking fast payouts and platform flexibility |
FAQ
Are Apex Trader and Tradeify both futures-only?
Yes, both are futures specialists on CME Group markets. Tradeify additionally lists crypto futures (BTC and ETH) alongside the usual index, energy, metals and currency contracts.
Does either offer instant funding without an evaluation?
Tradeify does, through its Lightning Funded accounts that are live from day one. Apex Trader requires you to pass its 1-step evaluation before reaching a funded account.
Which firm has the better profit split?
Apex Trader keeps 100% of your first $25,000 then 90/10, while Tradeify keeps 100% of your first $15,000 then 90/10. Apex has the larger fully-paid window, but both are among the most generous in futures prop.
Can I use EAs or automated strategies?
On Apex Trader, automated trading is permitted within the firm rules. On Tradeify, EAs and copy trading are prohibited in the funded phase, so algo-focused traders should default to Apex between these two.
How do payouts compare?
Tradeify offers daily payouts on its Select plan, one of the rarest features in futures prop. Apex Trader processes bi-weekly payouts within 24 hours of request.
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
This comparison was compiled using the published review data on JoinProp for each firm. All figures – account sizes, profit splits, drawdown rules, platforms and payout structures – are taken from each firm’s review page. Where a detail is not publicly disclosed, the cell reads “Not specified.” Verify current terms directly with Apex Trader and Tradeify before purchasing a challenge.
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