Apex vs Topstep vs MyFundedFutures (2026)

If you're trading futures and looking for funding, three firms dominate the conversation: Apex Trader Funding, Topstep, and MyFundedFutures. They all fund futures traders. They all have legit payout histories. They have very different rules, costs, and scaling models.

Here's how they actually compare in 2026.

Quick verdict

The three firms in one paragraph each

Apex Trader Funding

Founded 2021. Currently scored 88/100. Subscription model — you pay monthly until you pass ($147-$267/mo depending on account size). Trailing drawdown. 100/90 profit split (100% of first $25k profits, 90% after). Monthly payouts on the 15th. The flagship strength is the profit split — no other major futures firm gives 100% on the first $25k. The flagship weakness is the recurring subscription — long evaluations get expensive.

Topstep

Founded 2012 — the longest-running futures prop firm. Currently scored 84/100. Two-step Trading Combine. Has scaled to over $1.1B in cumulative payouts. The brand is the most established in futures. The PTV affiliate program was paused in April 2026, but the $50/$50 referral program still operates. Stricter consistency rules than Apex.

MyFundedFutures

Founded 2023. Currently scored 79/100. Single-step evaluation. Newer than Apex/Topstep but operationally clean — cleanest affiliate paperwork in the futures space, 12% commission, no surprise rule changes in the last 12 months. Best entry point if you want to skip the multi-step challenge complexity.

Cost comparison ($50k account, mid-tier)

All three end up in roughly the same cost range when you assume realistic 1-3 attempt outcomes. The MFFU advantage is psychological — paying once feels different from paying monthly even if total spend is comparable.

Profit split breakdown

• Apex: 100% of first $25k in profits per account, 90% after
• Topstep: 100% of first $10k per account, 90% after
• MyFundedFutures: 90% from the first dollar

For traders who plan to scale beyond $25k profit on a single account, Apex wins on absolute split. For traders who'll cash out at $5-10k each cycle, MFFU's straight 90% is competitive because you never have to clear a threshold.

Drawdown models — the real differentiator

This is where the firms most differ, and where most traders blow accounts because they don't understand the model.

Apex: trailing drawdown that locks

Your max drawdown trails your equity UP until you hit a profit threshold (usually starting balance + $2,600 for $50k accounts). Then it locks at the starting balance. Before that lock, every dollar of giveback counts against your buffer. After the lock, you have a fixed floor.

The trap: traders see equity rise to peak and assume the cushion is permanent. Then they take a loss and find their drawdown buffer was riding right behind their equity the whole time.

Topstep: static daily loss + trailing max

Combine accounts have a daily loss limit AND a trailing max drawdown. Strict on the daily — hit it once and the day is over. The trailing max is similar to Apex's pre-lock behavior.

MFFU: trailing with EOD calculation

Trailing drawdown recalculated at end of day. Slightly more forgiving intraday because intraday equity peaks don't immediately update the trailing floor.

None of these are "easy." All three reward traders who understand them and punish traders who don't. Read each firm's documentation carefully — the difference between a 79 and an 88 score from us is partially about how clearly each firm explains its drawdown model.

Affiliate revenue (if you're planning to refer)

• Apex: 15% lifetime recurring on evaluations AND resets. Selective approval. Best-in-class for indie operators with crypto/futures audiences. Monthly payouts on the 15th.
• Topstep: PTV program paused April 2026. $50/$50 referral program still active but much smaller scale.
• MyFundedFutures: 12% commission. Cleanest affiliate paperwork — fastest approval and most transparent payout reporting of the three.

How to pick

If you're new to futures prop firms, start with MFFU. Single-step eval, transparent rules, low psychological friction.

If you're experienced and trying to maximize profit split on bigger accounts, go Apex.

If you specifically want the most established brand and don't care about the recently-paused affiliate program, Topstep.

If you're choosing primarily based on affiliate potential, Apex wins by a wide margin — but only if you have an audience and can get approved.