Quick Answer — YRM Prop vs Apex vs Topstep — Pricing Quick Facts
- • YRM Prop Starter: $149 / $249 / $349 one-time fees, no monthly, no recurring
- • Apex 4.0 EOD: $177 / $197 / $297 / $397 one-time fees, 90% promos common
- • Topstep Combine: $49 / $99 / $149 per month Standard plus $149 activation; or $109 / $159 / $209 per month No-Activation Path
- • First-payout cap: YRM Prime $50K = $1,500. Apex 100K PA cycle 1 = $1,500 floor. Topstep XFA = $5,000 per request
- • All three run 90/10 profit split on the funded stage with $0 monthly recurring
Tested firsthand: I've passed two Starter Challenge $50K evaluations and taken those accounts to Prime, pulling four $1,500 payouts via Rise so far (~$6K total). What you're reading on the Starter Challenge and Prime account specs comes from real evaluation runs and live payout cycles. Instant Prime and Live Account specs are verified against YRM's published Help Center documentation.
For the full breakdown of every YRM Prop account — Starter Challenge ($149/$249/$349 one-time across $50K/$100K/$150K), Prime (earned post-Starter, 35% consistency, 6 qualifying days), and Instant Prime ($399 to $899 one-time across $25K/$50K/$100K/$150K, 20% consistency, 8 days) — read my YRM Prop accounts overview, plus the full YRM Prop review. Sign up via YRM Prop, or check the help center for current pricing.
YRM Prop charges a one-time evaluation fee. Apex Trader Funding charges a one-time evaluation fee. Topstep charges a monthly subscription on the Trading Combine plus a one-time activation fee at the end. Three of the most-traded futures prop firms in 2026, three structurally different pricing models. The cheapest one for you depends on which path you actually walk: fast-pass first attempt, multi-month grind, or scaling to multiple funded accounts.
This breakdown puts YRM Prop, Apex, and Topstep side by side at the three common account sizes ($50K, $100K, $150K), runs the cost-to-first-payout math, and shows where each firm wins. For YRM specifics, see the YRM Prop pricing and discount guide and the YRM Prop main review. For head-to-head against just one competitor, see YRM Prop vs Topstep.
Three pricing models, one decision
Before any number, understand the structural difference. It is the most important thing on this page.
YRM Prop runs one-time fees. You buy a Starter Challenge for $149 / $249 / $349 depending on size. Pass it, you get a Prime account. Trade Prime indefinitely until you breach. Activation fee is $99, currently waived. As of April 2026, no monthly subscription, no resets, no renewal billing. Breach means buying a new Starter.
Apex runs one-time fees since 4.0. Apex shifted to one-time evaluation fees with the 4.0 system rolled out in March 2026. Sticker prices: $177 / $197 / $297 / $397 for the EOD plans at $25K / $50K / $100K / $150K. Apex runs frequent 90% off promotions (code SAVENOW at the time of writing) that drop those to roughly $18 / $20 / $30 / $40. Pre-2026 Apex monthly accounts exist as legacy but cannot be bought new. Performance Account post-pass charges no monthly fee.
Topstep runs a monthly subscription on the Combine, no monthly post-pass. The Trading Combine bills $49 / $99 / $149 per month on the Standard Path for $50K / $100K / $150K. When you pass, you pay a $149 activation fee once and the Express Funded Account starts with no recurring billing. There is also a No-Activation Path at $109 / $159 / $209 per month that skips the activation fee. Reset on the Combine costs the same as one month's fee.
The takeaway: YRM and Apex compete on flat sticker price. Topstep competes on cancel-anytime flexibility. If you pass quickly, all three are cheap. If you grind for months, the math diverges sharply.
Side-by-side pricing at $50K accounts
The $50K is the most common entry size at all three firms. Here is the head-to-head.
| Cost Component | YRM Prop $50K Starter | Apex $50K EOD | Topstep $50K Combine (Standard) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluation fee | $149 one-time | $197 one-time ($20 on 90% promo) | $49 per month |
| Activation fee | $99 (currently waived) | $0 | $149 (post-pass) |
| Reset / retry cost | New $149 Starter | New $197 evaluation | $49 reset |
| Recurring on funded | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Drawdown | $2,000 trailing EOD | $2,500 trailing EOD | $2,000 trailing EOD |
| Profit target | $3,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Daily loss limit | None | $1,250 (pauses) | None |
| Consistency | 50% (Starter) | 30% (PA only) | 50% (Combine + XFA) |
| First-payout cap | $1,500 (Prime cycle 1) | ~$1,500 PA cycle 1 | $5,000 per XFA request |
Cheapest sticker entry: Apex on promo at ~$20, only when a 90% code is active. Cheapest sticker entry without promos: YRM Prop $149. Topstep at $49 per month is cheapest if you pass in month one ($49 + $149 = $198). Two months and you are at $247, already above YRM's $149. All three converge on a $1,500-ish first payout, except Topstep, which lets you withdraw up to $5,000 in a single XFA request.
For deeper detail on the YRM $50K, see the Starter Challenge guide and YRM Prop account types.
Side-by-side pricing at $100K accounts
The $100K is where most traders end up after passing once. The cost gap widens here because Topstep's monthly fee scales.
| Cost Component | YRM Prop $100K Starter | Apex $100K EOD | Topstep $100K Combine (Standard) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluation fee | $249 one-time | $297 one-time ($30 on promo) | $99 per month |
| Activation fee | $99 (waived) | $0 | $149 (post-pass) |
| Drawdown | $3,000 trailing EOD | $3,000 trailing EOD | $3,000 trailing EOD |
| Profit target | $6,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| Position limit | 10 minis | 8 eval / 6 PA | 10 contracts |
| Daily loss limit | None | $2,500 | None |
| Consistency | 50% / 35% (Prime) | 30% (PA) | 50% |
| First-payout cap | $2,000 (Prime cycle 1) | ~$1,500 PA cycle 1 | $5,000 per XFA |
One-month pass at Topstep Standard Path: $99 + $149 = $248 total. Three-month pass: $297 + $149 = $446, already above YRM's flat $249. Apex retail $297 is comparable to YRM. Apex on promo at ~$30 wins the sticker. The $100K is where Topstep's monthly model starts hurting slow passers most.
Side-by-side pricing at $150K accounts
At $150K, monthly subscription compounding hits hardest. Pass speed dominates cost at Topstep.
| Cost Component | YRM Prop $150K Starter | Apex $150K EOD | Topstep $150K Combine (Standard) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluation fee | $349 one-time | $397 one-time ($40 on promo) | $149 per month |
| Activation fee | $99 (waived) | $0 | $149 (post-pass) |
| Drawdown | $4,500 trailing EOD | $4,000 trailing EOD | $4,500 trailing EOD |
| Profit target | $9,000 | $9,000 | $9,000 |
| Position limit | 15 minis | 12 eval / 9 PA | 15 contracts |
| Daily loss limit | None | $3,750 | None |
| First-payout cap | $2,500 (Prime cycle 1) | ~$1,500 PA cycle 1 | $5,000 per XFA |
One-month pass at Topstep: $149 + $149 = $298 total, narrowly beats YRM's $349. Three-month pass: $447 + $149 = $596, significantly above YRM. The $150K Apex is structurally tightest: only $4,000 drawdown for a $9,000 target (2.25:1 ratio). YRM's $4,500 drawdown is the most permissive at this size.
Cost-to-first-payout math (12-week scenario)
Sticker price does not tell you the real cost. What matters is what you spend to make your first dollar back. Here is the 12-week scenario at $50K, assuming you pass and meet first-payout requirements.
| Firm | Entry Cost | Time to First Payout | First Payout | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YRM Prop $50K | $149 | ~3-4 weeks (6 qualifying days) | $1,500 | +$1,351 |
| Apex $50K (90% promo) | ~$20 | ~3-5 weeks | ~$1,500 | +$1,480 |
| Apex $50K (retail) | $197 | ~3-5 weeks | ~$1,500 | +$1,303 |
| Topstep $50K Standard | $198 ($49 + $149) | ~4-6 weeks | up to $5,000 | up to +$4,802 |
| Topstep $50K No-Act | $109 month 1 | ~4-6 weeks | up to $5,000 | up to +$4,891 |
Topstep's first-payout dollar amount is the largest because the XFA cap is $5,000 versus YRM's $1,500 Prime cycle 1 and Apex's $1,500 PA cycle 1 floor. YRM and Apex use progressive payout caps that build over multiple cycles. Topstep's cap is flat per request.
But $5,000 is a ceiling, not a guarantee. The actual payout is whatever you have made minus any required buffer. If you only made $1,500 in profit at all three firms, all three pay out $1,500 (or close to it). The cap difference matters when you make $3,000 or more in your first cycle.
For YRM payout cycle structure, see the payout rules guide.
Cost over 12 months funded, per firm
Once past evaluation, the ongoing cost picture changes. None of the three firms charge monthly subscriptions on the funded account.
| Firm | Funded Stage Monthly Fee | Annual Recurring Cost |
|---|---|---|
| YRM Prop Prime / Instant Prime | $0 | $0 |
| Apex Performance Account | $0 | $0 |
| Topstep Express Funded Account | $0 | $0 |
As of March 2026, all three firms run zero recurring on funded accounts. What matters for long-term funded trading: payout caps, consistency rules, and how many funded accounts you can run simultaneously.
| Firm | Max Simultaneous Funded | Profit Split | Funded Consistency |
|---|---|---|---|
| YRM Prop | 3 (Prime + Instant Prime) | 90/10 | 35% Prime / 20% Instant Prime |
| Apex Trader Funding | 20 Performance Accounts | 90/10 | 30% |
| Topstep | 5 Express Funded Accounts | 90/10 | 50% |
Apex's 20-account ceiling is structurally aggressive. YRM's 3-account cap is the tightest. Topstep sits in the middle at 5.
Beyond price: what each firm gives you
Pricing is only one input. Each firm has structural advantages that do not show up on a fee sheet.
YRM Prop strengths. One-time fee, no monthly clock pressure. No daily loss limit on Starter, the most permissive eval rule among the three. 35% consistency on Prime is the loosest funded consistency rule of the three. Volumetrica plus Quantower plus ATAS for order-flow traders. Rise withdrawals (Wise, USDC, bank globally). Trailing EOD drawdown locks at starting balance once profitable.
Apex Trader Funding strengths. Frequent 90% off promos give the cheapest sticker entry. Six broker platforms for the most flexibility. Up to 20 Performance Accounts simultaneously. EOD or Intraday trailing as a choice (rare among prop firms). Daily loss limit pauses, does not fail, on EOD plans.
Topstep strengths. $5,000 per-request payout cap on XFA, the highest first-payout ceiling in this group. Cancel-anytime monthly model with no sunk cost if you walk away mid-evaluation. TopstepX proprietary platform plus four broker integrations. 12-plus years of brand reputation and CFTC-registered brokerage. 90/10 split with a path to a Live Funded Account at real-capital execution.
Drawdown comparison: same size, different mechanics
All three firms use trailing drawdown at $50K. The exact mechanics differ.
| Account | Drawdown | Type | Locks at Starting Balance? |
|---|---|---|---|
| YRM Prop $50K Starter | $2,000 | Trailing EOD | Yes |
| Apex $50K EOD | $2,500 | Trailing EOD | No (continues to trail) |
| Apex $50K Intraday | $2,500 | Trailing intraday | No |
| Topstep $50K Combine | $2,000 | Trailing EOD | Yes |
| Topstep $50K XFA | $2,000 | Trailing EOD | Yes |
Key mechanic difference: YRM and Topstep both lock the trailing drawdown at the starting balance once your profits push it that far. Apex's trailing drawdown continues to trail past starting balance, meaning a tighter ongoing leash. The Apex Intraday model is the harshest at $50K: real-time tracking of peak equity, no relief from unrealized gains. Most Apex traders pick EOD for this reason. For YRM's drawdown mechanics, see the static vs trailing drawdown guide.
Who wins on pure pricing depends on path
- Cheapest sticker entry: Apex on promo at ~$20. Without a promo, YRM Prop $149.
- Cheapest if you pass in month one: Apex on promo at ~$20.
- Cheapest if you grind 3-plus months: YRM. Fixed $149 regardless of how long you take.
- Cheapest if you breach and re-buy: Apex on rotating promos.
- Highest first-payout dollar amount: Topstep XFA at $5,000 per request.
- Most platforms: Apex with six broker integrations.
- Strictest drawdown: Apex Intraday with real-time peak equity tracking and no DLL relief.
When to pick each firm
Pick YRM Prop if you want a flat $149 budget with no monthly clock, prefer order-flow platforms (Volumetrica, ATAS), want loose consistency on funded (35% Prime is the loosest of the three), and like the Trailing EOD drawdown that locks at starting balance. Rise withdrawals work for most geographies. For the YRM evaluation breakdown, start with the Starter Challenge guide or read about Instant Prime if you want to skip evaluation.
Pick Apex Trader Funding if you are patient enough to wait for promo windows, want maximum platform flexibility (NinjaTrader, Quantower, Tradovate, others), plan to scale to many simultaneous Performance Accounts, are comfortable with 30% funded consistency, and want the choice of EOD or Intraday drawdown.
Pick Topstep if you want the highest first-payout dollar amount ($5,000 XFA), value brand reputation and CFTC-registered brokerage, can pass in 1-2 months (otherwise the monthly subscription gets expensive), want the option of pursuing a Live Funded Account, and like the cancel-anytime flexibility of monthly subscription.
Personal experience: testing across firms
I have passed two YRM Prop $50K Starter Challenges and pulled four $1,500 Prime payouts via Rise, about $6,000 total over four cycles, on the grandfathered (pre-Feb 1, 2026) Prime payout structure. The flat $149 entry and zero-recurring funded stage made YRM the cheapest path to my first cash withdrawal of any firm I have used. Six qualifying days, 35% consistency, no profit target on Prime.
For Apex and Topstep, I am referencing PTV's published reviews rather than first-person trades on every size. The Apex 4.0 numbers above come from the PTV Apex Trader Funding main review and the account types breakdown. Topstep figures track the Topstep Trading Combine guide and the dual-pricing structure introduced February 5, 2026.
The honest framing: YRM was the cheapest first-payout path for me because I caught Prime on the grandfathered structure. If you are entering today on the new Prime payout caps, the math still favors YRM at sticker, but Topstep's $5,000 XFA cap can win on first-payout dollar amount if you pass quickly.
The bottom line
Three pricing models, three winners depending on path. YRM is cheapest if you want a flat, predictable budget with no monthly clock: $149 to enter $50K Starter, $0 recurring on Prime, 90/10 split, Trailing EOD drawdown that locks at starting balance. Apex is cheapest when a 90% promo is active, with ~$20 entry on the $50K EOD evaluation and six broker platforms plus 20 simultaneous Performance Accounts. Topstep wins on first-payout dollar amount with the $5,000 XFA cap per request, but monthly subscription on the Combine compounds against you if you grind for months.
For cost-conscious traders new to futures props, YRM Prop's $149 Starter is the lowest-commitment way to find out if futures trading works for you. For traders who pass quickly and want the largest first-payout, Topstep wins. For traders who want maximum scaling, Apex wins. The price tag is not the decision. The path is.
For verified YRM specifics, cross-reference the main review, the Rules pillar, and the best account for beginners guide. For pricing-first decision-making, see YRM Prop pricing and discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheapest overall — YRM Prop, Apex, or Topstep?
It depends on path. On a 90% promo, Apex's $50K EOD evaluation drops to roughly $20, the cheapest sticker entry anywhere. At full retail without a promo, YRM Prop wins at $149 one-time for the $50K Starter. Topstep's Standard Path looks cheap at $49 per month for $50K, but if you need three months plus the $149 activation, you are at $296, almost double YRM's one-time fee. The break-even depends on how fast you pass.
Which firm is cheapest for beginners?
YRM Prop's $50K Starter at $149 one-time is the lowest-commitment entry for a beginner who wants a flat budget. There is no monthly clock running. If you fail, you bought one shot and you reassess. Apex on promo is cheaper in dollar terms but adds the EOD-vs-Intraday decision. Topstep's monthly subscription is fine for fast passers but punishes traders who need months to find their footing.
Which evaluation is easiest to pass?
All three evaluations have the same headline target shape, 6% profit at $50K, $100K, and $150K. YRM Prop has no daily loss limit on Starter, the most permissive single rule among the three. Apex's EOD trailing drawdown gives breathing room similar to YRM. Topstep's EOD trailing drawdown is the same mechanic, but Topstep's 50% consistency rule on the Combine and the Flat-by-Close requirement add friction. Only 16.8% of Topstep Combines passed in 2025.
Can I run accounts at multiple firms simultaneously?
Yes. None of the three firms restrict you from holding evaluations or funded accounts at competitors. YRM Prop and Apex both ban cross-firm hedging on the same instrument. Topstep does not police external accounts. Many traders run all three to spread risk across pricing models.
How does drawdown compare across the three firms at $50K?
YRM Prop $50K Starter: $2,000 trailing EOD, no daily loss. Apex $50K EOD: $2,500 trailing EOD plus a $1,250 daily loss limit that pauses the day. Apex $50K Intraday: $2,500 trailing intraday with no DLL. Topstep $50K Combine: $2,000 trailing EOD with no daily loss. YRM and Topstep have the same headline drawdown number. Apex EOD has a tighter $2,500 drawdown but adds DLL protection.
What's the consistency rule on each firm?
YRM Prop: 50% on Starter, 35% on Prime, 20% on Instant Prime. Apex: 30% on the funded Performance Account, no eval consistency. Topstep: 50% on the Combine and on the Express Funded Account. YRM's tiered structure means tighter consistency only kicks in once you are funded.
What's the first-payout cap at each firm?
YRM Prop Prime $50K (grandfathered, pre-Feb 1, 2026): $1,500 first cycle. New Prime $50K: $1,500 first cycle, then $2,000 / $2,500 / $2,750 on cycles 2-4 with a 50% cycle-profit cap. Apex Performance Account: $1,500 minimum balance retention rule on first payout. Topstep Express Funded Account: $5,000 per request, no progressive cap. Topstep has the highest sticker cap on payout one.
Can I cancel my Topstep monthly subscription anytime?
Yes. Topstep's Combine is cancel-anytime, you stop paying when you cancel, no further charges. Same for the No-Activation Fee Path. The Express Funded Account post-pass has zero monthly fees. With a one-time-fee firm like YRM, you have already spent the $149 even if you walk away. With Topstep, you can stop the bleed mid-evaluation.
Does Apex really have monthly subscriptions?
Not since the 4.0 update in March 2026. Apex now runs on one-time evaluation fees: $177 / $197 / $297 / $397 retail for the four sizes (EOD), with frequent 90% promotions. The pre-2026 Apex monthly model is legacy. Old accounts retain old rules but no new accounts can be purchased on subscription terms. The Performance Account post-pass also has no monthly fee.
Which firm is best for long-term funded trading?
All three firms eliminate ongoing fees once you are funded. The differentiator is payout caps and platform mix. Topstep wins on first-payout cap ($5,000 per request). YRM wins on consistency tiering (35% on Prime is loose). Apex wins on number of simultaneous Performance Accounts (up to 20).
What platforms does each firm support?
YRM Prop: Volumetrica, Quantower, ATAS, Tradesea. Apex Trader Funding: NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, Rithmic, Sierra Chart, R Trader Pro. Topstep: TopstepX (proprietary, July 2025+), NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, TradingView. Apex has the broadest platform support. YRM's Volumetrica/ATAS combination is the most order-flow-focused.
What's the cost-to-first-payout math at $50K?
Assume you pass each evaluation in roughly one month. YRM Prop $50K: $149 entry, hit 6 qualifying days, pull $1,500 first Prime payout via Rise. Apex $50K EOD on 90% promo: ~$20 entry, withdraw under Safety Net rules, first payout typically $1,500. Topstep $50K Standard Path: $49 month one of Combine plus $149 activation = $198, then withdraw up to $5,000 in your first XFA payout. Topstep wins on first-payout dollar amount; YRM wins on cheapest path to cash without an Apex promo.