For CME and CBOT futures traders, retail prop trading revolves around two powerhouses: Apex Trader Funding and Topstep. If you scalp index futures like the E-mini Nasdaq (NQ) or S&P 500 (ES), understanding how their account limits and data feed costs interact is crucial for long-term survival.
Apex Trader Funding
Trade Up to 20 Accounts • Tradovate & NinjaTrader • Flash Sales Up to 90% Off
TRENDS
1. The 20-Account Trade Copier Multiplier
The single greatest structural advantage of Apex Trader Funding is the ability to operate up to 20 simultaneous active funded accounts under a single username. Using tools like the NinjaTrader or Replikanto Trade Copier, an entry executed on your master account instantly duplicates across all 20 accounts.
A modest 10-point scalping gain on the Nasdaq mini (NQ) that produces $200 on a single contract turns into a $4,000 cash realization across a 20-account Apex fleet. Topstep imposes stricter account limits, severely capping multi-account capital scaling.
2. Comprehensive Futures Benchmark Comparison
3. Quant Verdict
If you execute high-frequency order flow or volume profile scalping on futures and wish to scale via automated trade copiers across multiple accounts, Apex Trader Funding is the undisputed leader. By applying promo code TRENDS, you acquire accounts at up to 90% off standard retail pricing.
Interactive Cost-Per-$1,000-Drawdown Account Filter & Head-to-Head Compare
Filter all 24 prop firm account tiers by capital size, drawdown model, or compare any two evaluations side-by-side.
| Program Tier | Drawdown Model | True Risk Buffer | Net Fee (With Code) | Cost / $1k Drawdown | Split & Refund | Verified Rebate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apex Trader Funding CME Futures $150k | 1-Step Futures (3.3%) | $5,000 | $297 $59.40 | $11.88 / $1k DD | 100% Split | |
| Apex Trader Funding CME Futures $50k | 1-Step Futures (5%) | $2,500 | $167 $33.40 | $13.36 / $1k DD | 100% Split | |
| Apex Trader Funding CME Futures $100k | 1-Step Futures (3%) | $3,000 | $207 $41.40 | $13.80 / $1k DD | 100% Split | |
| Apex Trader Funding CME Futures $300k | 1-Step Futures (2.5%) | $7,500 | $657 $131.40 | $17.52 / $1k DD | 100% Split | |
| The 5%ers Bootcamp $250k | True Static (5%) | $12,500 | $225 $225.00 | $18.00 / $1k DD | 100% Split | |
| The 5%ers Bootcamp $100k | True Static (5%) | $5,000 | $95 $95.00 | $19.00 / $1k DD | 100% Split | |
| Apex Trader Funding CME Futures $25k | 1-Step Futures (6%) | $1,500 | $147 $29.40 | $19.60 / $1k DD | 100% Split | |
| Topstep (Benchmark) Trading Combine $50k | EOD Futures (4%) | $2,000 | $49 $49.00 | $24.50 / $1k DD | 90% Split | |
| FundedNext Stellar 2-Step $200k | Balance-Based (10%) | $20,000 | $999 $899.10 | $44.95 / $1k DD | 95% Split • 150% Refund | |
| FundedNext Stellar 2-Step $100k | Balance-Based (10%) | $10,000 | $549 $494.10 | $49.41 / $1k DD | 95% Split • 150% Refund | |
| Instant Funding Instant Direct $100k | Smart Drawdown (10%) | $10,000 | $549 $494.10 | $49.41 / $1k DD | 90% Split | |
| The 5%ers High Stakes $100k | True Static (10%) | $10,000 | $495 $495.00 | $49.50 / $1k DD | 100% Split • 100% Refund | |
| The 5%ers High Stakes $60k | True Static (10%) | $6,000 | $300 $300.00 | $50.00 / $1k DD | 100% Split • 100% Refund | |
| Instant Funding Instant Direct $50k | Smart Drawdown (10%) | $5,000 | $279 $251.10 | $50.22 / $1k DD | 90% Split | |
| Instant Funding Instant Direct $25k | Smart Drawdown (10%) | $2,500 | $149 $134.10 | $53.64 / $1k DD | 90% Split | |
| FundedNext Stellar 2-Step $50k | Balance-Based (10%) | $5,000 | $299 $269.10 | $53.82 / $1k DD | 95% Split • 150% Refund | |
| Instant Funding Instant Direct $12.5k | Smart Drawdown (10%) | $1,250 | $79 $71.10 | $56.88 / $1k DD | 90% Split | |
| FTMO (Benchmark) FTMO 2-Step $100k | Standard 2-Step (10%) | $10,000 | $595 $595.00 | $59.50 / $1k DD | 80% Split • 100% Refund | |
| FundedNext Stellar Lite $6k | Balance-Based (8%) | $480 | $32 $28.80 | $60.00 / $1k DD | 80% Split • 100% Refund | |
| FundedNext Stellar 2-Step $15k | Balance-Based (10%) | $1,500 | $119 $107.10 | $71.40 / $1k DD | 95% Split • 150% Refund | |
| FundedNext Stellar 2-Step $25k | Balance-Based (10%) | $2,500 | $199 $179.10 | $71.64 / $1k DD | 95% Split • 150% Refund | |
| The 5%ers High Stakes $5k | True Static (10%) | $500 | $39 $39.00 | $78.00 / $1k DD | 100% Split • 100% Refund | |
| The 5%ers High Stakes $20k | True Static (10%) | $2,000 | $165 $165.00 | $82.50 / $1k DD | 100% Split • 100% Refund | |
| FundedNext Stellar 1-Step $100k | Balance-Based (6%) | $6,000 | $569 $512.10 | $85.35 / $1k DD | 95% Split • 150% Refund |
Prop Challenge Pass Probability & Firm Selector
Calculate your mathematical passing expectancy based on win rate and risk parameters, audited against trailing drawdown rules and payout speed SLAs.
- 15% Profit Share during challenge phases
- 150% Refund credited on first withdrawal
- Balance Drawdown: No trailing equity traps
- <24h Payout SLA with $1,000 guarantee
- News & Weekend Holding: 100% permitted
- True Static Drawdown Floor: Never trails up
- Scale to $4M: Industry-leading career ladder
- 100% Profit Split: At top scaling tiers
- Bootcamp Model: Low-cost 3-step qualification
- Overnight & Weekend: Fully supported
- Zero Evaluation Targets: Trade live Day 1
- First Payout on Day 14: Fast cash turnover
- Keep Up to 90%: Transparent profit splits
- No Pass/Fail Anxiety: Eliminate 10% deadlines
- Multiple Assets: FX, Indices, Crypto, Metals
- CME, CBOT, NYMEX: Scalp NQ, ES, CL, GC
- Tradovate & NinjaTrader: Direct platform link
- Hold Up to 20 Accounts: Massive trade copy scale
- 1-Step Evaluation: Pass in as few as 1 day
- Flash Sales: Up to 80-90% discount pricing
Interactive Lot Size & Daily Drawdown Guard Calculator
Calculate your exact maximum lot size before entering a trade so a losing streak never breaches your 5% daily limit.
CFTC RULE 4.41 NOTICE: HYPOTHETICAL OR SIMULATED PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE CERTAIN LIMITATIONS. UNLIKE AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RECORD, SIMULATED RESULTS DO NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL TRADING. ALSO, SINCE THE TRADES HAVE NOT BEEN EXECUTED, THE RESULTS MAY HAVE UNDER- OR OVER-COMPENSATED FOR THE IMPACT, IF ANY, OF CERTAIN MARKET FACTORS, SUCH AS LACK OF LIQUIDITY. SIMULATED TRADING PROGRAMS IN GENERAL ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFIT OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN.
FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY (FCA) & GENERAL DISCLAIMER: PropPassCalculator is an independent quantitative evaluation benchmark and education engine. We are NOT an investment advisor, financial broker, or fund manager, and we do not provide retail investment advice. Prop challenge evaluations are conducted within simulated software demo environments. Trading futures, forex, and derivatives involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for every investor.
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