Top One Futures vs Apex Trader - Prop Firm Comparison

Introduction

Top One Futures has built its reputation on one number: payouts that land in under an hour. That speed, plus a 4.8/5 Trustpilot score and 100% of your first $20,000 in profit, has made the Cheyenne-based firm (founded 2023) one of the fastest-growing futures shops around. Apex Trader, the Austin giant founded in 2021, answers with scale that Top One cannot match yet, more than 17,800 reviews and over $378 million paid out to traders.

On the mechanics they are closely matched. Both are US futures-only firms running a 1-step, 6% evaluation, both let you keep 100% of early profits (Apex on the first $25,000, Top One on the first $20,000), both permit EAs, and both top out near $250K-$300K on their largest standard accounts. The differences are in the details. Top One pays on demand through Riseworks, averaging under an hour, offers instant-funded routes that skip the challenge, uses a softer 2.5% daily-loss pause rather than a hard limit, and sets no minimum trading days, so you can pass in a single session. Apex pays bi-weekly within 24 hours, requires a 7-day minimum, has no daily loss limit at all, and leans on frequent steep discounts.

So it comes down to maturity versus momentum. Choose Apex if you want the biggest, most battle-tested futures firm, a larger 100% window, and regular discounts. Choose Top One Futures if you want the fastest payouts in the category, instant-funding options, the highest Trustpilot rating, and a softer daily-loss rule, bearing in mind its track record only goes back to 2023.

Quick Comparison
Feature	Top One Futures	Apex Trader
Founded	2023 (Cheyenne, WY)	2021 (Austin, TX)
Trustpilot Rating	4.8/5 (4,017 reviews, June 2026)	4.4/5 (17,800+ reviews, June 2026)
Account Sizes	$25K to $300K	$25K to $250K
Profit Split	100% of first $20,000, then 90/10	Up to 100% (100% of first $25,000, then 90/10)
Evaluation Style	1-step Elite Challenge plus instant-funded options	1-step evaluation
Review	Read full review	Read full review

Key Differences Between Top One Futures and Apex Trader

• Payout speed: Top One Futures pays on demand, averaging under an hour via Riseworks; Apex pays bi-weekly, processed within 24 hours.
• Instant funding: Top One offers instant-funded routes (Instant Sim, S2F PRO, Ignite) that skip the challenge; Apex requires passing its 1-step evaluation.
• Track record vs rating: Apex is the established giant ($378M+ paid out, 17,800+ reviews at 4.4/5); Top One is newer (founded 2023, $21M+ paid out) but higher-rated at 4.8/5.
• Profit window: Apex pays 100% of your first $25,000; Top One pays 100% of your first $20,000. Both move to 90/10 after.
• Daily loss rule: Top One uses a softer 2.5% daily-loss pause (resumes next day, no termination); Apex has no daily loss limit, only a trailing drawdown.
• Minimum trading days: Top One has none, so you can pass in a day; Apex requires 7.
• Account ceiling: Top One offers up to $300K standard and scales to $2.5M+ across accounts; Apex offers up to $250K.
• Shared ground: Both are US futures-only, run a 1-step 6% evaluation, permit EAs, and do not allow weekend holding.

FAQ

Are Top One Futures and Apex Trader both futures-only?

Yes. Both fund traders exclusively on CME Group futures – index, energy, metals and currency contracts. Neither offers forex or CFD funded accounts.

Which firm pays out faster?

Top One Futures is the faster of the two, with on-demand withdrawals that average under an hour through Riseworks. Apex Trader processes bi-weekly payouts within 24 hours of request.

Which firm has the better profit split?

Both reach 100% on early profits. Apex Trader keeps 100% of your first $25,000, while Top One Futures keeps 100% of your first $20,000. Apex has the slightly larger fully-paid window; both move to 90/10 afterward.

Does either offer instant funding without an evaluation?

Top One Futures does, through its Instant Sim Funded, S2F Sim PRO and Ignite accounts. Apex Trader requires you to pass its 1-step evaluation first.

Can I use EAs, and what about account sizes?

Apex Trader permits automated trading within its rules and offers accounts up to $250,000. Top One Futures also permits EAs on all account types and scales to $2.5M+ across multiple accounts, with a 2.5% soft daily-loss pause.

Which firm has the more forgiving daily-loss rule?

Top One Futures. It uses a 2.5% soft daily-loss pause that simply stops you for the day and resumes the next session rather than ending the account. Apex has no daily loss limit at all, relying solely on a trailing drawdown, so a sharp intraday move can still breach your threshold. Both freeze the trailing drawdown once it reaches your starting balance.

Is Apex or Top One Futures the safer choice on track record?

Apex has the longer, larger record, founded in 2021 with more than $378 million paid out and over 17,800 Trustpilot reviews. Top One Futures launched in 2023 and has paid out $21 million-plus so far, with a higher 4.8/5 rating but a shorter history. Traders who weight longevity heavily may prefer Apex; those prioritising payout speed and current sentiment may prefer Top One.

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 Top One Futures and Apex Trader before purchasing a challenge.

Related comparison: Topstep vs Top One Futures – Prop Firm Comparison