Apex Trader Funding Reviews: A Comprehensive Analysis and Evaluation

Day trading, the adrenaline-pumping world of buying and selling securities within a single day, beckons with the allure of quick profits and market mastery. But let's be honest, the barrier to entry can feel like Fort Knox. Between the hefty capital requirements and the constant gnawing doubt of "am I good enough?" Getting started can be a daunting task.

 

But before diving headfirst, a critical review is crucial. Can Apex Trader Funding (ATF) be trusted? Is it a legitimate steppingstone to success, or a potential pitfall?

 

This review delves into the nitty-gritty of Apex Trader Funding, scrutinizing the evaluation process, potential bonuses, and the inherent risks of day trading. We'll address your concerns:

 

• Is Apex Trader Funding reliable, or should you be wary?
• Do you need specific qualifications like licenses or degrees?
• Are strong math skills essential, or can you succeed with a different skill set?
• Should your focus be solely on avoiding losses, or is there more to the game?
• How do you navigate the complex world of buying, selling, entries, and exits in the market?

 

By dissecting the realities of Apex Trader Funding, this review empowers you to make informed decisions as you navigate the often-uncertain waters of day trading.

What is Apex Trader Funding?

Apex Trader Funding is a prop trading firm, meaning they provide capital to day traders in exchange for a share of the profits. It's a company that specializes in funding evaluations for futures markets, not stocks or other financial instruments. They offer traders the opportunity to trade with a funded account, meaning they are given capital to trade with, in exchange for a share of the profits generated.

 

ATF don't directly "teach" traders, but they do offer funded accounts that allow traders to demonstrate their skills and potentially gain access to larger amounts of capital.
 

How does ATF evaluate traders?

 

• Focus: Making money while minimizing losses. They emphasize risk management rather than simply aiming for high profits.
• Process: They offer a one-step evaluation process where you trade with simulated capital and need to meet specific profit and risk management goals.

 

Promo Code for Evaluation:

Use the coupon code NRWRQEYW during checkout to claim the current discount.
 

Do you need a license or degree?

No, you don't need a license or college degree to participate in Apex Trader Funding's program.

 

Do you need to be good at math?

While basic math skills are helpful, strong analytical and risk management skills are more crucial for success in day trading.

 

Focus on play, not losing the game:

This statement highlights the importance of risk management in day trading. While aiming for profits is important, prioritizing avoiding significant losses is essential for long-term success.

 

Buying, Selling, Entry, and Exit:

These are fundamental concepts in any type of trading and understanding them is essential for effective market participation. However, mastering these concepts requires dedicated study and practice beyond the scope of this summary.

Apex Trader Funding: Benefits Breakdown

Apex Trader Funding boasts several benefits designed to appeal to aspiring and experienced day traders. Here's a breakdown of their key offerings:

 

Reduced Evaluation Time: You can qualify for a funded account in as few as 7 trading days (compared to the standard 10 days) by meeting their profit and risk management goals.

 

Flexible Risk Management: They offer a "trailing threshold" which eliminates the stress of daily drawdowns. This dynamic limit automatically adjusts based on your account equity, allowing you to manage risk more effectively.
 

Extended Trading Hours: You can trade 23 hours a day, including holidays and during news events (between 6 PM ET and 4:59 PM ET). This provides greater flexibility to align your trading schedule with your preferences.

 

Uncapped Position Sizing: Unlike some prop firms, Apex doesn't limit your position size. However, their system automatically caps your positions to prevent exceeding risk parameters.

 

News Trading Freedom: They allow you to trade your normal strategy even during news releases if it doesn't involve specific prohibited tactics like directional news trading or pre-news entries.

 

Simplified Qualification Process: The evaluation process is streamlined: achieve your profit target before reaching the maximum drawdown within 7 days, and you qualify for a funded account.

Apex Trader Funding Account Reset Policy

Have you encountered the need for an account reset following a failed evaluation? Apex Trader Funding (ATF) introduced a new policy effective from 5/1/22. In cases where your account renews but remains in a failed status, ATF will automatically reset the balance and trading days to their original values. This proactive policy ensures that if your account renews while still in a failed state, you are only required to cover the renewal cost without facing additional reset charges. This user-centric approach aims to streamline the process for traders facing account challenges, offering a seamless experience within the ATF ecosystem.

Apex Trader Funding: Activation Fees

In order to provide clarity regarding the activation fees associated with Apex Trader Funding's Performance Accounts (PA), we have outlined the key points below:

 

Key Points:

• Activation Fee: A fee required for accessing the Performance Account. The fee varies based on the chosen account size, payment plan, and platform.
• Fee Options: Choose between a monthly or lifetime payment plan. The Rithmic PA Fee for the monthly option is $85, while the Tradovate PA Fee for the monthly option is $105. The following table illustrates the fee structure for the lifetime payment plan:

• Platform Options: Select either Rithmic or Tradovate as your trading platform.
• Fee Variations: The fee depends on the chosen account size and payment plan.

Difference between Rithmic and Tradovate Plan

The main difference between the Rithmic and Tradovate plans offered by Apex Trader Funding lies in the platform used and the associated monthly fee.

 

Platform:

• Rithmic: Offers more advanced features and customization options for experienced traders, potentially requiring a steeper learning curve.
• Tradovate: Presents a user-friendly, web-based interface, making it easier to navigate for beginners.

 

Monthly Fee:

• Rithmic: Generally, slightly cheaper than Tradovate for all account sizes.
   

Other Similarities:

• Both platforms offer access to the same account sizes and lifetime activation fee structure.
• They both connect to the same exchanges for futures trading.
• Neither platform offers access to spot currencies, CFDs, stocks, options, or cryptocurrencies.

 

Choosing Between Rithmic and Tradovate:

• Experience Level: If you're a beginner, Tradovate's user-friendly interface might be preferable. If you're an experienced trader comfortable with more complex platforms, Rithmic could be a better fit.
• Budget: If cost is a major concern, Rithmic offers slight monthly savings.

Visionary Leadership and Empowerment at Apex Trader Funding

The foundation of Apex Trader Funding (ATF) is deeply rooted in the visionary leadership of Darrell Martin, the CEO. Martin's passion for creating a world where trade can occur seamlessly, coupled with his dedication to providing essential guidelines for risk management and startup funding, has been instrumental in ATF's growth. As a self-taught trader driven by a strong sense of responsibility towards his family, Martin's journey from diligently studying and seeking mentorship to overcoming challenges in scaling his trading endeavors embodies the spirit of empowerment that defines ATF. His aspiration to provide aspiring traders with opportunities reflects ATF's commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive trading environment.

Apex Trader Funding: Evaluation vs. Funded Account Rules

This section clarifies the key differences between the rules for the evaluation and the funded account at Apex Trader Funding, focusing on the 50k Tradovate plan:

 

Evaluation Rules:

• Profit Goal: $3,000
• Trailing Drawdown: $2,500 (calculated in real-time, including unrealized profits)
• Minimum Trading Days: 7
• Other Rules: No overnight positions, Day trading only
   

Funded Account Rules:

• Trailing Drawdown: $2,500 (freezes once reaching the profit threshold)
• News Trading: Not allowed.
• Minimum Trading Days for Payout: 10
• Profit Threshold for Payout: $2,600 (account balance must reach $52,500)
   

Payout Rules:

• Maximum of 2 payouts per month
• Maximum of $2,000 per payout (for the first 3 months)
• Minimum account balance of $500 always
• Profit split: 100% for the first $25k, then 90% to trader, 10% to Apex
   

Additional Notes:

• It's recommended to build an account balance beyond the profit threshold to maintain a larger buffer for the trailing drawdown.
• The consistency rule (no winning day exceeding 30% of total profits) might have some flexibility.
   

Key Strategies for Passing the Evaluation:

• Risk management is important, using a 1:3 risk-to-reward ratio, tight stop-losses, and achievable price targets.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• High profit split: You keep 100% of the first $25,000 in profits per account and 90% thereafter.
• Multiple accounts: You can open and manage multiple funded accounts simultaneously.
• Flexibility: Choose your trading platform and trade mini or micro futures contracts.
• No-questions-asked funding is offered through a progression of trading difficulties for traders.
• Great technical support, research provision, and real-time data for trading are given to traders.
• Quick payout once the benefit target is reached.
• A full suite of advanced trading indicators and tools is provided for easier trading.

 

Cons:

• Limited asset classes: Only futures contracts are allowed, not stocks or other options.
• Strict rules: The evaluation process has specific rules regarding maximum drawdowns and daily profit targets.
• Not for everyone: Day trading is inherently risky, and the evaluation process can be challenging.
• A technical trading program that is difficult for unprofessional traders.
• Seven days to hit profit targets, which can be exceptionally short in modern-day trading, is given.
• Limited trading hours that automatically close open orders outside these hours.

Apex Trader Funding Rules

Important points to understand:

• This is not an investment opportunity. You don't risk your own capital, and there are no promises of returns.
• Results are hypothetical. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
• Limited instrument selection. Only futures products on specific exchanges are allowed.
• Evaluation is challenging. Passing the evaluation doesn't guarantee success in a live account.
• Compensation is not guaranteed. Testimonials and payouts are not representative of typical results.

 

Key rules:

• You must pass an evaluation before accessing a Performance Account (PA).
• PA requires an activation fee, with monthly and lifetime options.
• Only futures trading is allowed on specific exchanges.
• The evaluation is challenging and not intended for beginners.

Comparison with Competitors: Apex Trader Funding Alternative

In the realm of proprietary trading firms, looking for an alternative to Apex Trader Funding can lead you to discover various options. Here's a comparison showcasing how these alternatives fare against Apex Trader Funding:

• Profit Split & Account Balance Evaluation:

• Apex Trader Funding: Empowers traders with profit splits of up to 90%, coupled with the potential for account sizes reaching $300,000.
• TradeDay: Similarly renowned for offering up to 90% profit splits, yet capping account balances at a maximum of $250,000 for exceptionally successful traders.
• My Funded Futures: This contender also provides profit splits of up to 90%, supporting maximum account balances up to $600,000.

This comparison highlights the competitive landscape and presents alternative options to consider when exploring proprietary trading firms beyond Apex Trader Funding.

Is Apex Trader Funding Legit?

Determining whether Apex Trader Funding is "legit" depends on your specific definition of the term. Here's what you need to consider:

 

Legality:

• Apex Trader Funding appears to be a legitimate company operating within the financial services industry. They have a registered business address, clear terms and conditions, and a customer service department.

 

Reputation:

• Apex Trader Funding has a positive reputation online, with high ratings on review platforms like Trustpilot. However, it's important to be aware that online reviews can be subjective and potentially influenced by various factors.

 

Risks:

• Day trading: Regardless of the platform, day trading itself is inherently risky. Even with a funded account, you can still lose significant amounts of money.
• Fees: Apex Trader Funding charges fees for various aspects of their service, such as evaluation and profit-sharing. Be sure to understand their fee structure before participating.
• Suitability: Prop trading programs like Apex Trader Funding might not be suitable for everyone, especially those with low risk tolerance or limited trading experience.

 

Therefore, while Apex Trader Funding might be a legitimate company, it's crucial to approach it with caution.

 

Here are some resources to help you make an informed decision:

• Apex Trader Funding website: ATF.com
• Financial advisor: Consult with a qualified financial advisor who can assess your financial goals and risk tolerance and advise you on the suitability of day trading and prop firms.
• Independent research: Conduct your own research on day trading, prop firms, and Apex Trader Funding specifically, including both positive and negative reviews.

Conclusion

Apex Trader Funding offers a prop trading program with several benefits, including a potentially faster qualification process, flexible risk management tools, and extended trading hours. However, it's crucial to understand that these benefits come with significant risks. Day trading itself is inherently risky, and participating in a prop firm amplifies that risk as you're trading with borrowed capital.
 

While Apex Trader Funding appears to be a legitimate company, it's essential to conduct your own research, understand your risk tolerance, and consult with a financial advisor before making any financial decisions. Remember, day trading and prop firms are not suitable for everyone, and only invest what you can afford to lose.