The short answer
Elite Trader Funding vs Apex Trader Funding, side by side
| Feature |  Elite Trader Funding |  Apex Trader Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Asset class | Futures — open to US traders | Futures — open to US traders |
| Evaluation model | Six models (1-Step, EOD, Static, Fast Track, Diamond Hands, DTF) | Simple one-step evaluation |
| Entry price | Among the cheapest; frequent discounts | Cheap with very steep discounts (often up to ~90% off) |
| Profit split | 100% of first $12,500, then 90% | 100% of first $25,000, then 90% |
| Payout cap before live | $25,000 sim cap, then a live 80/20 account | No equivalent sim cap — stays on the funded model |
| Drawdown options | Trailing, end-of-day or static — depends on model | Trailing threshold (one model) |
| Notable rule | Consistency-style loss limit (~20% profit) is stricter than many | Trailing threshold can catch out unprepared traders |
| Platforms | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic, TradingView, Quantower | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic |
| Track record | Established, large user base | Founded 2021; bigger scale and proven payouts |
| Best for | Matching the rules to your exact style; TradingView users | A simple eval, a higher early-payout cap and multiple accounts |
Evaluation and price
Apex keeps it simple: a one-step evaluation with frequent, very steep discounts (often advertised at up to ~90% off), so timing a code makes it one of the cheapest realistic routes into funded futures. It also allows trading many accounts at once.
Elite Trader Funding competes on choice rather than simplicity — six models let you pick trailing, end-of-day or static drawdown, a fast cheap shot (Fast Track), overnight holds (Diamond Hands) or a no-evaluation route (Direct to Funded). For traders who know their style, that flexibility is a genuine advantage; for those who just want a clear path in, Apex is more straightforward.
Split, payout caps and rules
Both pay 100% early then 90%, but the early band differs: Apex covers your first $25,000, ETF only your first $12,500. ETF also imposes a $25,000 lifetime sim payout cap, after which you graduate to a live Elite account on an 80/20 split — Apex has no equivalent cap on its funded model.
On rules, ETF’s consistency-style loss limit (triggering around 20% profit) is stricter than many rivals and rewards steady trading over one big day, while Apex’s main pitfall is its trailing threshold. Neither rulebook is hard to follow once you read it, but ETF’s extra constraints mean more to learn before you trade.
Platforms, and who each suits
Platform support favours ETF, which adds TradingView and Quantower to the standard NinjaTrader, Tradovate and Rithmic stack that both firms share. If you trade from TradingView, that may settle it.
Pick Apex for a simple one-step eval, the higher early-payout cap, steep discounts and a proven, large-scale firm. Pick Elite Trader Funding if you want to match the drawdown model to your style (especially a forgiving Static account) or you need TradingView. Both are open to US traders.