Apex Trader Funding Review and Analysis
Overview
Apex Trader Funding (ATF) is a proprietary trading firm established in 2021 by Darrell Martin in Austin, Texas. The firm is backed by over 6,000 global day traders, known for its prompt payouts and exceptional customer service. ATF supports multiple accounts and allows traders to use a trading copier tool. The firm offers eight account options at various price points and provides access to popular platforms such as NinjaTrader, Rithmic, and Tradovate. Traders must complete an evaluation to qualify for funded accounts, with a key rule of not breaching the trailing threshold. Apex Trader Funding focuses on futures trading, offering opportunities to trade across various markets, including foreign exchange, interest rates, and commodities.
Funded Accounts
Member Accounts
When you first sign up with Apex Trader Funding, you create a Member Account. This account is essential for managing your subscription, purchasing evaluations, and accessing affiliate information. Each individual is allowed one personal Member Account and, if applicable, one additional Member Account for a business entity, provided you supply the business’s EIN and relevant documents. Any extra personal or business Member Accounts will be closed, and associated profits or affiliate commissions will be forfeited. This policy ensures that each user operates within the guidelines, maintaining a single personal and one business account.
Trading Accounts
Trading Accounts are purchased and subscribed to through your Member Account and are used for placing trades. These accounts, identifiable by prefixes like APEX- or PA-APEX, and platforms such as Rithmic or Tradovate, are where you track your trading performance. You may have multiple Trading Accounts for evaluations or funded accounts. These account numbers are generally only shared when necessary for specific inquiries or issues, along with Member Account identifiers for context.
Once you successfully complete the evaluation challenge, you are issued a Funded Account within a few business days. The balance and conditions of this account reflect those of the evaluation you passed. If you wish to upgrade to a higher-tier funded account, you will need to retake the evaluation process to qualify for the new balance.
Apex Trader Funding offers a favorable profit split. Traders keep 100% of the first $25,000 in profits from their Funded Account, and thereafter, they retain 90% of the profits, with 10% going to Apex Trader Funding.
Payouts can be requested twice a month: from the 1st to the 5th and from the 15th to the 20th. Payments are generally made on the 15th and the last day of the month, respectively. After approval, it typically takes 3-7 business days for funds to reach your account. For U.S. traders, withdrawals are processed via ACH payments, while non-U.S. traders should use the 'INTERNATIONAL OPTION' to prevent delays. The minimum withdrawal amount is $500, and while there are limits on withdrawals for the first three months, there are no maximum limits thereafter as long as the account meets the minimum balance requirements.
Challenge Overview
How Apex Trader Funding Works
Apex Trader Funding operates with a clear and efficient 7-stage process designed to simplify the trading experience for its users. The journey begins when traders purchase an evaluation account, after which they receive login details to access their chosen trading platform. Traders then need to meet specific trading targets while adhering to the firm’s guidelines. Upon successful completion of these targets, traders are awarded a funded account, typically within two days. This transition allows them to start generating profits.
Traders can withdraw their share of the profits once they have traded with their funded accounts. Apex Trader Funding stands out for its straightforward evaluation process, where traders can withdraw 100% of the first $25,000 earned and 90% of any additional profits. Recent improvements include an automated system that ensures positions are flattened and closed at 4:59 PM ET, minimizing the risk of evaluation failures due to open positions.
Apex Trader Funding Evaluation
The evaluation process at Apex Trader Funding is designed to be user-friendly, providing a transparent pathway to funded accounts. It is particularly suitable for new traders looking to build experience, experienced traders seeking to expand their trading activities, and day traders who need flexibility in their strategies and risk management. The firm supports traders with consistent payouts and a straightforward approach to trading, making it an attractive option for those who value efficiency and reliability.
Apex Trader is Ideal For New traders aiming to gain experience and access valuable resources, experienced traders looking for additional capital to enhance profitability in futures trading, and active day traders who require flexible strategies and risk management. Additionally, it caters well to futures day traders who prefer a streamlined approach to risk management and those seeking a reliable income stream with consistent payouts.
Apex Trader Funding emphasizes adherence to several key rules to ensure disciplined trading practices. Traders must avoid breaching the trailing threshold, prevent unauthorized access to their accounts, trade for a minimum of seven days, adhere to specified trading hours, and trade only the permitted instruments. These rules are designed to promote fair, responsible trading, focusing on risk management, security, and consistency.
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Pros and Cons
Let’s talk about the good stuff …
Pros of Apex Trader Funding:
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Live Account Profit Retention: Traders keep 100% of profits during the 7-day challenge conducted on a live account.
- Diverse Funding Plans: Apex offers 8 different plans, allowing traders to choose capital sizes up to $300,000, suiting various trading needs.
- Favorable Profit Sharing: Traders enjoy 100% profit up to $25,000, and a generous 90% profit share thereafter.
- Wide Range of Tradable Assets: Access to futures, stocks, interest rates, agricultural products, energies, metals, and cryptocurrencies.
- Micro-futures Trading: Reduced risk through micro-futures trading options for practice and risk management.
- Flexible Trading Platforms: Access to four trading platforms with no restrictions on strategies or methods.
- 24/7 Support: Customer support is available around the clock via phone and live chat for assistance.
...and the bad
While Apex Trader Funding offers numerous advantages, there are a few limitations that potential traders should be aware of. Despite its strong reputation and a wide range of features, some aspects of the firm's offerings may not suit every trader's needs or expectations.
- Futures-Only Trading: Apex Trader Funding focuses solely on futures contracts, limiting opportunities for those interested in other asset classes like stocks or forex.
- Lack of Capital Scaling: Once a trader selects a funding plan (e.g., $25,000), there is no option to scale up the capital unless it’s earned through trading profits, restricting growth potential.
- Geographic Restrictions: Traders from countries such as Iran, Iraq, Indonesia, South Africa, and others are unable to cooperate with the firm, limiting accessibility for some regions.
- Difficult Path to Funded Status: The process of becoming a fully funded trader can be challenging, with stringent rules and evaluations in place.
- Non-Refundable Fees: Evaluation fees are non-refundable, which can be a drawback for traders who fail to pass the challenge or wish to exit the program early.
Evaluation Metrics
Overall metrics
- Challenge difficulty: Apex Trader Funding’s one-week evaluation process highlights its commitment to fast-tracking traders' development and success. This rapid assessment sets the firm apart from competitors, allowing traders to showcase their skills and secure funded accounts in a notably short timeframe.
- Customer support: Apex Trader Funding provides customer support through two primary channels: live chat and online ticketing. The online ticketing system involves submitting a form with your email address, inquiry subject, and a summary of the issue, with the option to include a file. While this method ensures detailed communication, responses typically take 48 to 72 hours, which may be considered slow by some users. For quicker assistance, the live chat feature is available and offers responses within approximately two minutes after providing basic contact details. The firm also has a comprehensive FAQ section, which resolves around 97% of inquiries, encouraging users to consult it before reaching out directly. Apex Trader Funding is active on major social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn, although direct messaging through these channels is not supported for customer support.
- Fee: Apex Trader Funding's fees and commissions vary depending on the trading program. For the starter $25k program, traders are required to pay a monthly fee of $137. At the higher end, the $300k program costs around $675 per month.
- Payout scheme: Apex Trader Funding offers a competitive payout scheme where traders receive 100% of the first $25,000 in profits per account, followed by a 90% profit share on earnings beyond that. Traders are eligible to request payouts twice per month, with request windows open from the 1st to the 5th of each month. Approved payouts are processed on the 15th, with approvals occurring anytime between the 1st and 14th. This structure allows for regular and significant profit withdrawals while offering a high percentage of profit retention.
Meet the CEO
Darrell Martin, founder of Apex Trader Funding, began his trading career as a self-taught trader, inspired by the birth of his first child and the need to generate additional income. Attending motivational seminars sparked his interest in market dynamics, and despite lacking initial knowledge, he committed to learning the craft. Through courses and mentorship from experienced traders, Martin became a profitable trader. His struggles with funding led him to establish Apex Trader Funding, providing opportunities to traders like himself. Martin also founded ApexInvesting.com, a trading community with over 30,000 members globally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How long does it take to receive funding from Apex Trader Funding?
Once your evaluation is submitted and approved, your account will be funded within seven days.
How many times can I withdraw money from Apex Trader Funding?
Traders are allowed to request payouts twice per month.
Can I create multiple accounts on Apex Trader Funding?
Yes, you can create up to 20 accounts on Apex Trader Funding. Each account requires either a monthly fee or a one-time payment.
How trusted is Apex Trader Funding?
The trusted source of information on fintech matters SBO, gave Apex Trader Funding a 2.5/ 5.00 rating based on analysing 20+ criteria and testing. Apex Trader Funding is currently in 0th place in this ranking.
