Home Compare Apex Trader Funding vs The5ers
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Apex Trader Funding
⚔ Head-to-Head Updated 2026-05-22 · Both firms reviewed by Paul

Apex Trader Funding vs The5ers (2026)

Side-by-side: drawdown, payouts, pricing, platforms. Apex Trader Funding uses EOD-trailing + lock, The5ers uses EOD-trailing (no lock) — these are different beasts.

Quick verdict
Entry price
The5ers
Drawdown protection
Apex Trader Funding
Paul-tested
Both
Profit split
Toss-up
Plans on offer
Apex Trader Funding

Side-by-Side Specs

Dimension Apex Trader Funding The5ers
Drawdown mechanicEOD-trailing + lockEOD-trailing (no lock)
Cheapest eval$100$22
Profit split100%100%
Payout frequency24-48 HoursBi-weekly
Max funding$3,000,000$4,000,000
Max payout$3,000,000
AssetsFuturesForex, Futures
PlatformsRithmic, Tradovate, WealthChartscTrader, MT5, BlackArrow
Payout methodsACH, PlaneCrypto, Rise
Promo code7QHKBHSAQV
Paul-testedYesYes

Drawdown — The Single Most Important Difference

Apex Trader Funding uses EOD-trailing + lock while The5ers uses EOD-trailing (no lock). Your risk approach needs to adjust when switching.

Apex Trader Funding

EOD-trailing + lock

MLL trails up at end-of-day until it reaches starting balance, then locks permanently. Intraday drops don't reset. Most-protective futures mechanic.

The5ers

EOD-trailing (no lock)

MLL trails end-of-day equity-high with no lock. Pure trailing-up.

Account Plans Compared

Apex Trader Funding offers 4 plans. The5ers offers 4 plans.

Apex Trader Funding plans

  • Apex $25K
    Starting $25,000 · $167 · 8d cycle
  • Apex $50K
    Starting $50,000 · $167 · 8d cycle
  • Apex $100K
    Starting $100,000 · $207 · 8d cycle
  • Apex $150K
    Starting $150,000 · $297 · 8d cycle

The5ers plans

  • High Stakes $50K (New)
    Starting $50,000 · $250 · 14d cycle
  • Hyper Growth $10K
    Starting $10,000 · $74 · 14d cycle
  • Bootcamp $20K
    Starting $20,000 · $22 · 14d cycle
  • Futures Basecamp $50K (Black Arrow)
    Starting $50,000 · $50 · 14d cycle

Who Fits Which Firm

→ Pick Apex Trader Funding if

  • You want a EOD-trailing + lock mechanic
  • You value firms personally tested with documented payouts
  • Your strategy fits this firm's drawdown profile

→ Pick The5ers if

  • You want a EOD-trailing (no lock) mechanic
  • Entry price matters — $22 beats $100
  • You trade Forex — broader asset coverage
  • You want to diversify firm-risk alongside Apex Trader Funding

FAQ — Apex Trader Funding vs The5ers

Is Apex Trader Funding or The5ers cheaper to start?

Apex Trader Funding's cheapest evaluation is $100. The5ers's cheapest is $22. The5ers wins on entry price by $78.

What's the drawdown difference between Apex Trader Funding and The5ers?

Apex Trader Funding uses EOD-trailing + lock. The5ers uses EOD-trailing (no lock). These are fundamentally different — your risk model needs to change when switching between them.

Which firm has the better profit split?

Apex Trader Funding: 100%. The5ers: 100%.

Has Paul personally tested both firms?

Yes for Apex Trader Funding — documented payouts on the main review page. The5ers also Paul-tested with documented payouts.

Can I run both Apex Trader Funding and The5ers accounts simultaneously?

Yes. Different prop firms have no shared compliance — running them in parallel is the standard playbook for funded traders looking to diversify firm-risk. Track each firm's rule changes independently.

Which firm pays out faster?

Apex Trader Funding payout cadence: 24-48 Hours. The5ers: Bi-weekly. Method matters too — Wise and Plaid typically beat ACH and wire by 1-2 days.

Are there overlap restrictions if I trade both?

No cross-firm compliance overlap. Each firm 1099s independently for US residents. Cross-firm copy-trading rules only matter inside a single firm's account family.

If I had to pick one, what's the deciding factor?

Drawdown mechanic comes first. Apex Trader Funding offers lock-protection on first profits — favors traders who scale slow. After mechanic, evaluate payout speed and your strategy's drawdown profile.