Earn2Trade vs Topstep vs Apex Trader Funding: Best Futures Prop Firm 2026

Choosing a futures prop firm is one of the most important decisions a trader can make. With the CFTC continuing to monitor the proprietary trading landscape, understanding the differences between leading firms is more important than ever. Three names dominate the conversation in 2026: Earn2Trade, Topstep, and Apex Trader Funding. Each one offers funded accounts, real payouts, and a path to trading capital — but they differ sharply on pricing, rules, profit splits, and the kind of trader they serve best.

This guide puts all three under a microscope. We compare every meaningful factor so you can stop second-guessing and start trading with the firm that actually fits your style.

• Quick Overview


• Side-by-Side Comparison Table


• Pricing & Discount Comparison


• Profit Split Analysis


• Trading Platforms


• Rules & Flexibility


• Who Should Choose Which Firm?


• Verdict


• FAQ

Quick Overview of Each Firm

Earn2Trade

Founded in 2016, Earn2Trade has built a reputation as the most education-focused futures prop firm on the market. Their flagship program — the Trader Career Path (TCP) — is structured as a single-step evaluation that doubles as a professional trading curriculum. Account sizes range from $25K to $100K during evaluation, with funded accounts scaling to $400K. The firm consistently earns top marks for transparency, customer support, and trader development resources.

Trustpilot rating: 4.7/5 from over 4,573 verified reviews — the highest in this comparison.

Topstep

Topstep is the oldest name in futures prop trading, having launched the "Trading Combine" concept that many competitors now replicate. They offer three funded account sizes ($50K, $100K, $150K) with a competitive entry price and a generous 90% profit split on the first $10,000 earned. Topstep appeals strongly to traders who want low monthly fees and a well-established brand with years of payout history.

Trustpilot rating: ~4.3/5

Apex Trader Funding

Apex entered the scene more aggressively with the industry's most generous profit split structure and frequent promotional sales that can cut prices by 80–90%. Their account range spans $25K to $300K, and their 100% profit split on the first $25,000 per account — with 90% thereafter — is unmatched. If raw earnings potential is your priority, Apex makes a compelling case.

Trustpilot rating: ~4.5/5

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Pricing & Discount Comparison

Price is often the first filter traders use, and each firm takes a very different approach.

Earn2Trade Pricing

The standard monthly fee for Earn2Trade's TCP starts at $150/month for the $50K account. At first glance that looks steep — but there is an important caveat: PropFirmKey readers get 50% OFF with code PFK, which brings the cost down to $75/month. Combined with the free monthly reset (if you blow the account, you start over at no extra cost within the same billing period) and no upfront activation fee, the true cost of attempting Earn2Trade is among the lowest in this comparison once discounts are applied.

The $25K TCP starts at $75/mo standard, or $37.50/mo with PFK — making it an exceptional entry point for traders new to funded accounts.

Topstep Pricing

Topstep's pricing is genuinely the lowest at the advertised rate, starting at $49/month for a $50K combine. This makes it the most accessible firm for traders on a strict budget. However, Topstep does not offer a free monthly reset, so a failed attempt requires starting over with a new subscription fee. Over multiple attempts, the cumulative cost can approach or exceed competitors.

Apex Trader Funding Pricing

Apex lists prices starting from $147/month, which is comparable to standard Earn2Trade rates. The real draw is their promotional pricing: Apex runs frequent sales offering 80–90% discounts on monthly fees. During these promotions, a $100K account can cost as little as $17–30/month. If you time your entry during a sale, Apex can be the most cost-effective option by a large margin — but sale timing is unpredictable.

True Cost Analysis

For traders who want consistent, predictable pricing, Earn2Trade with code PFK delivers genuine value every single month without waiting for a sale. For traders willing to monitor promotions and act fast, Apex sales are exceptional. Topstep holds the advantage for those who need the lowest barrier to entry with no discount needed.

Profit Split Analysis

Profit splits determine how much of your funded account earnings you actually keep. This is where the three firms diverge most dramatically.

Earn2Trade: 80% Profit Split

Earn2Trade offers a straightforward 80% profit split from the first payout. There are no tiers or thresholds — every dollar you make is split 80/20 in your favor. Combined with their scaling plan that takes funded accounts up to $400K, the absolute earning potential is very high even at 80%. A trader managing $400K with a modest 2% monthly gain would keep $6,400 per month after the split.

Topstep: 90% Then 80%

Topstep's tiered system is genuinely attractive at the start: 90% of the first $10,000 you earn goes directly to you. After that threshold is crossed, the split drops to 80% — matching Earn2Trade's flat rate. For traders who expect to earn $10K or less per funded cycle before scaling or resetting, Topstep's split is effectively the best in this group. For consistent high earners, the advantage disappears quickly.

Apex Trader Funding: 100% Then 90%

On paper, Apex has the most aggressive profit structure: 100% of the first $25,000 per funded account, then 90% afterward. Note the "per account" qualifier — this incentivizes traders to hold multiple Apex accounts simultaneously, which the firm explicitly permits. An Apex trader running three accounts simultaneously can earn $75,000 at 100% split before any reduction kicks in. For high-volume, disciplined traders, this structure is extraordinary.

Which Split Wins in Practice?

For most retail traders earning $1,000–$5,000/month from their funded account, the practical difference between 80%, 90%, and 100% is smaller than it appears once you factor in monthly fees and consistency. The best split is worthless if the firm's rules, drawdown limits, or platform restrictions cause you to fail frequently. Evaluate profit splits in context, not isolation.

Trading Platforms

The platform you trade on affects your execution, charting tools, automation capabilities, and overall comfort. As Investopedia explains, your trading platform directly impacts order fill quality and the analytical tools available to you. Platform compatibility is a practical dealbreaker for many traders.

Earn2Trade: Widest Platform Selection

Earn2Trade supports over 12 platforms, including NinjaTrader, Sierra Chart, MultiCharts, and nine additional integrations. This is by far the widest selection of the three firms and makes Earn2Trade the only viable choice for traders already committed to niche or specialized platforms. Sierra Chart users in particular will find few alternatives in the funded space.

Topstep: Standard Coverage

Topstep supports NinjaTrader and Quantower, among others. Coverage is adequate for the majority of futures traders whose workflow centers on these mainstream tools. Traders requiring more exotic platforms will find the selection limiting.

Apex Trader Funding: TradingView Integration

Apex supports NinjaTrader, Rithmic, and TradingView. The TradingView support is significant — TradingView has become the dominant charting and analysis environment for a large segment of newer traders. If you live in TradingView and want a futures prop firm, Apex is a natural fit.

Platform Verdict

• Most platforms: Earn2Trade (12+)
• Best for TradingView users: Apex Trader Funding
• Standard mainstream coverage: All three firms via NinjaTrader

Rules & Flexibility

Evaluation and funded account rules determine how easy or difficult it is to pass and stay funded. Stricter rules mean more failed attempts and more fees paid over time.

Earn2Trade Rules

Earn2Trade's TCP is known for being fair and clearly documented. Key rules include a trailing maximum drawdown (which locks in as your account grows), a minimum number of trading days, and a profit target. The standout feature is the free monthly reset: if you violate the rules during your evaluation month, you get a reset at no extra charge. This alone dramatically lowers the real cost of failure and removes a major source of frustration common with other firms.

Earn2Trade does not allow news trading during major economic releases on all account types — a restriction worth reviewing if you are a news-driven trader.

Topstep Rules

Topstep uses a trailing drawdown model during the combine, which some traders find more restrictive than static drawdown models. Once funded, the rules become more relaxed, and the firm is generally flexible about trading style. Topstep does not offer a free reset — a failed combine requires purchasing a new subscription. Their consistency rules (requiring traders to demonstrate repeatable performance rather than one big winning day) add an additional layer of evaluation that some traders dislike but professionals appreciate.

Apex Trader Funding Rules

Apex is widely considered the most permissive firm of the three. They allow trading through news events, permit holding positions overnight, and support multiple simultaneous funded accounts. Their evaluation uses a static trailing drawdown during the evaluation phase only — once funded, the trailing drawdown locks in permanently at the starting balance level, which gives traders significant buffer room as their account grows. This rule set is particularly attractive for swing traders and those with higher-volatility strategies.

Rules Summary

• Most forgiving evaluation: Apex Trader Funding
• Best safety net for beginners: Earn2Trade (free monthly reset)
• Most professional discipline structure: Topstep (consistency rules)

Who Should Choose Which Firm?

Choose Earn2Trade if you:

• Are newer to futures trading and want structured education alongside evaluation
• Want the most platforms and tools available, including Sierra Chart and MultiCharts
• Value a free monthly reset as a safety net during your evaluation period
• Want a long-term scaling path to a $400K funded account
• Can use the PFK discount code to cut monthly costs in half immediately
• Prioritize a firm with the highest Trustpilot score (4.7/5 from 4,573+ reviews)

Choose Topstep if you:

• Need the absolute lowest entry price without relying on a discount code or sale
• Expect to earn under $10K per funded cycle and want to maximize the 90% initial split
• Appreciate a long-standing, well-documented payout history from the firm that invented the trading combine
• Trade primarily on NinjaTrader or Quantower

Choose Apex Trader Funding if you:

• Are an experienced, profitable trader whose priority is maximizing payout percentage
• Want to run multiple funded accounts simultaneously to compound your edge
• Trade through news events and need maximum rule flexibility
• Use TradingView as your primary charting environment
• Are ready to monitor Apex's frequent promotional sales for dramatically reduced entry costs
• Are a swing trader or hold positions overnight

Verdict: The Best Futures Prop Firm in 2026

There is no single winner — each firm is genuinely best for a different type of trader. Here is how we summarize the competitive landscape:

• Best overall value for developing traders: Earn2Trade with code PFK — 50% off, free monthly reset, 12+ platforms, education, and the highest community trust score make it the most complete package for traders who are still sharpening their edge.
• Best low-cost entry: Topstep at $49/month with no discount needed is hard to beat as a starting point for budget-constrained traders.
• Best for experienced, high-earning traders: Apex Trader Funding's 100% split, permissive rules, and multi-account capability create the highest earnings ceiling of any firm in this comparison — for traders who can consistently pass evaluations and stay funded.

If we had to recommend one firm for the broadest audience — traders at different stages, different platforms, and different risk tolerances — Earn2Trade with the PFK discount code delivers the most well-rounded experience. The combination of educational resources, free monthly resets, platform flexibility, and a demonstrated payout track record with 4,573+ verified Trustpilot reviews makes it the safest and most sustainable choice for most traders entering or growing in funded futures trading.

Frequently Asked Questions