Apex Trader vs The5ers - Prop Firm Comparison
Introduction
The choice between Apex Trader and The5ers usually comes down to one question: do you trade futures or forex? Apex Trader is a CME futures specialist, founded in Austin in 2021, that funds traders on contracts like ES, NQ, CL and GC through platforms such as Tradovate, Rithmic and NinjaTrader. The5ers, running out of Israel since 2016, is a forex and CFD house built on MetaTrader and cTrader, covering currencies, indices and commodities. That split shapes everything else. Apex keeps things intraday only, with no overnight or weekend holding, a single 1-Step evaluation at a 6% target, and a trailing drawdown that carries no daily loss limit but locks at your starting balance once you bank enough profit. The5ers takes the opposite stance on time: positions can be held overnight and over weekends, there is no time limit on the evaluation, and risk is governed by a 4% daily and 5% overall loss cap rather than a trailing threshold. Pricing and structure differ too. Apex runs on a monthly subscription from around $85, with account sizes from $25K up to $250K and a profit split that can reach 100%. The5ers starts lower at about $75 for entry, offers both a 2-Step route and a 1-Step Hyper Growth path, scales accounts through its growth plan, and pays up to an 80% split. A futures scalper who closes flat every night will feel at home with Apex Trader; a swing trader who wants to hold forex positions through the weekend will lean toward The5ers.
When comparing prop trading firms, Apex Trader and The5ers each offer distinct paths to funded trading. Apex Trader is Austin, Texas, USA-based, founded in 2021, and is known for 100% profit split on first $25K earned, $378M+ paid out to traders. It holds a 4.4/5 (17,800+ reviews) Trustpilot rating. The5ers, based in Israel, was founded in 2016 and stands out for Established since 2016 – strongest track record, Scales up to $4M, holding a 4.7/5 (4,500+ reviews) Trustpilot rating. Both firms provide paths to funded accounts, but their evaluation structures, pricing, and trader benefits differ in key ways that may suit different trader profiles.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Apex Trader Funding | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Founded | 2021 | 2016 |
| Profit Split | 100% first $25,000, then 90/10 | 80-100% |
| Maximum Account Size | $300,000 | $4,000,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 3 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.4 | 4.8 |
| Expert Grade | 8.8 | 9 |
Program Types
| Program | Apex Trader Funding | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | High Stakes (2-Step) |
| Advanced Program | Yes | Hyper Growth (1-Step) |
| Scaling Options | Yes | Bootcamp (3-Step) |
| Demo Account | — | Available |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Apex Trader Funding | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 5-6% | 5-10% |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing drawdown (locks at starting balance) | 10% |
| Minimum Trading Days | — | 3 |
| News Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Apex Trader Funding | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| $10K Account | — | $39 |
| $25K Account | $47 | $176 |
| $50K Account | $67 | $278 |
| $100K Account | $97 | $545 |
| $200K Account | — | Not available |
| Refund Policy | — | No |
| Coupons / Discount | Apex Trader Funding discount | The5ers discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Apex Trader Funding | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | Tradovate, Rithmic, WealthCharts | MetaTrader 5, cTrader |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | — | No |
| Bonds | Yes | Not available |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | Yes |
Payout
| Feature | Apex Trader Funding | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly (min 8 trading days between requests, 5 days with $50+ profit) | Bi-weekly; minimum $150 threshold; bank 3%, Wise/crypto 2%, Hub Credits 0% |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Apex Trader Funding | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | $378M+ payouts verified, 17,800+ Trustpilot reviews, 20 simultaneous accounts, No daily loss limit, 100% profit on first $25K per account | Established 2016, 30,000+ verified payouts, Profit scales to 100%, No time limits, Multiple program options |
| Weaknesses | 4:59 PM ET close requirement, 5:1 max risk-to-reward ratio, 30% consistency rule at payout, Learning curve for beginners | Non-refundable fees, Strict drawdown rules, US traders restricted, Withdrawal fees (2-3%), News trading prohibited on High Stakes |
| Best For | Serious futures day traders seeking scalability and capital protection | Structured traders seeking established firm with clear scaling path |
FAQ
What makes Apex Trader stand out among prop firms?
Apex Trader, based in Austin, Texas, USA, was founded in 2021 and is best known for 100% profit split on first $25k earned, $378m+ paid out to traders. With a minimum evaluation cost of $85/mo and a up to 100% profit split, it offers a developing value proposition for futures traders seeking high profit splits and no daily loss limit.
How does The5ers differ from other prop firms?
The5ers, based in Israel and founded in 2016, differentiates itself through Established since 2016 – strongest track record, Scales up to $4M. With a up to 80% profit split and 2-Step, 1-Step (Hyper Growth) evaluation, it is particularly suited to conservative traders who prioritise firm stability.
Which firm offers better payouts – Apex Trader or The5ers?
Apex Trader offers a up to 100% profit split with Bi-weekly payouts processed in Within 24 hours. The5ers offers a up to 80% profit split with Monthly payouts in 1-3 days. The better choice depends on whether you prioritise split percentage or payout frequency.
Are these prop firms suitable for beginners?
Both firms can accommodate beginners, but with different considerations. Apex Trader is best suited to Futures traders seeking high profit splits and no daily loss limit, while The5ers is better aligned with conservative traders who prioritise firm stability. New traders should start with the smallest available account size and thoroughly review all rules before committing.
What happens if I fail the evaluation at either firm?
Most prop firms allow traders to purchase a reset to restart their evaluation phase, typically at 40-50% of the original fee. Neither firm penalises future attempts based on previous failures. Check each firm’s official site for current reset pricing and terms.
Can I hold trades overnight with Apex Trader or The5ers?
Only with The5ers. The5ers allows positions to be held overnight and over weekends, which suits swing traders. Apex Trader is intraday only, so all futures positions must be closed before the session ends, with no overnight or weekend exposure.
Which firm suits futures traders versus forex traders?
Apex Trader is the futures choice, funding CME contracts such as ES, NQ, CL and GC on platforms like Tradovate and Rithmic. The5ers is the forex and CFD choice, covering currencies, indices and commodities on MetaTrader and cTrader. Your primary market should decide which one you pick.
How was this Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
Our research team gathered data directly from the official websites, terms of service documents, and public communications of both Apex Trader and The5ers. We supplemented this with verified user reviews on Trustpilot and trading community forums, and consulted active traders with first-hand experience at each firm.
2. We Examine
Our team of professional traders verified all information, cross-checking accuracy against each firm’s current platform, evaluation parameters, and pricing pages. Special attention was paid to profit split structures, drawdown rules, and payout conditions to ensure our assessment reflects the real trader experience.
3. We Score
We apply a scoring methodology across seven key categories: evaluation structure, trading conditions, costs and fees, platform quality, profit potential, customer support, and educational resources. Each category is weighted by importance to traders at different experience levels.
4. You Choose
This comparison is designed to help you identify which firm better aligns with your trading style, experience level, and goals. Consider your priorities – evaluation flexibility, profit split, platform preference, and firm track record – then visit each firm’s full review on JoinProp for the complete picture. Read the Apex Trader review or read the The5ers review to go deeper.
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