The short answer
Apex Trader Funding vs Take Profit Trader, side by side
| Feature |  Apex Trader Funding |  Take Profit Trader |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation model | One-step evaluation — hit the profit target, no minimum days on the standard path | Single-step evaluation, then progress to a funded PRO account |
| Account sizes | Commonly $50k, $100k, $150k (and other tiers) | Around $25k to $150k |
| Profit target | Roughly 6% of account (e.g. $6,000 on a $100k plan) | Plan-dependent — check current rules for the size you buy |
| Drawdown type | Trailing threshold that follows peak unrealised equity, then locks | Clearly defined daily loss limit plus a maximum loss limit |
| Profit split | Keep 100% of your first $25,000, then 90% thereafter | Starts around 80% and improves to roughly 90% on later payouts |
| Payout style | Fast, frequent payouts; large reported community payout volume | Trader-friendly — request payouts early and often once funded on PRO |
| Platforms | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic | Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView |
| Pricing | Monthly subscription; near-constant deep discounts (often up to ~90% off) | Mid-priced monthly subscription; frequent promo codes |
| Number of accounts | Allows a large number of accounts at once (commonly cited around 20) | More conservative — check current per-trader limits |
| Best for | Cost-conscious, high-volume traders who exploit discounts and scale accounts | Traders who prioritise fast, frequent payouts and a simple route to funding |
Pricing: Apex usually wins on cost
On raw cost, Apex Trader Funding is hard to beat. It runs deep discounts so often that paying full price is the exception, not the rule — its promotions are frequently advertised at up to ~90% off, which dramatically lowers the real cost of an evaluation. Wait a few days and a large coupon is usually available.
Take Profit Trader is mid-priced for the category and also runs frequent promo codes, so you should rarely pay sticker price there either. The key difference is degree: Apex’s discounting is more aggressive and near-constant. With both firms you pay a monthly subscription during the evaluation, so factor in that you may pay for a month or two before passing. Always check current pricing on both, because promotions change often.
Evaluation and drawdown: how easy each is to pass
Both firms use a single-step evaluation, so neither buries you in a two-phase gauntlet. Apex funds you once you hit the profit target on the standard path with no rigid minimum-days requirement; Take Profit Trader passes you through a single evaluation and then onto a funded PRO account.
The real difficulty is the drawdown mechanics, and this is where they differ most. Apex uses a trailing threshold that follows your peak unrealised equity and then locks — give back a strong open profit and you can breach it even while net positive, which is the single most common reason traders fail Apex. Take Profit Trader instead enforces a clearly defined daily loss limit and maximum loss limit, which some traders find easier to reason about. Read the current rulebook for the exact plan you buy, because the mechanics matter far more than the profit target.
Profit split and payouts
On split, Apex is generous up front: you keep 100% of your first $25,000 in profit, then 90%. Take Profit Trader starts lower, at around 80%, and improves to roughly 90% on later payouts as you build history with the firm. If day-one split is your deciding factor, Apex has the edge.
On payout *feel*, Take Profit Trader is built around its headline strength: on a funded PRO account you can request withdrawals early and frequently once you meet the threshold, rather than waiting for a long fixed cycle. Apex is also known for fast, frequent payouts and a very large reported community payout volume. Funded traders report no systemic payout problems at either firm — but as always, follow the consistency and minimum-trading-day rules exactly, since those trip up more traders than the split percentage ever will.
Platforms, scaling and who each firm suits
Both plug into the standard futures stack. Apex runs on NinjaTrader, Tradovate and Rithmic; Take Profit Trader supports Tradovate, NinjaTrader and TradingView, so chart-focused traders who like TradingView get first-class support there. Most strategies transfer either way.
The clearest structural difference is account count. Apex famously lets you run a large number of accounts simultaneously (commonly cited around 20), which suits copy-style scaling and many small shots on goal; Take Profit Trader is more conservative. Pick Apex for the lowest cost, simple one-step rules and aggressive scaling. Pick Take Profit Trader if fast, frequent payouts and a clear route to a funded account matter more than raw price. Risk note: evaluation accounts are simulated until you are funded and paid; trading CME futures carries substantial risk of loss; this comparison is educational and not financial advice; and both firms change their terms, so verify the current rules, split and pricing on each firm’s site before committing.