APEX or Topstep? With each firm's 50K evaluation rules (checked in October 2026) and 3,000 simulated evaluations per trader, Topstep passes more often for 4 of the 5 traders we simulated, and 1 is a tie. The difference is the time limit: APEX gives you 30 days to pass and many traders run out of time (up to 83% in the simulation); Topstep has no time limit.
The rules side by side
| APEX 50K — end-of-day trailing | APEX 50K — intraday trailing | Topstep 50K Trading Combine | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profit target | $3,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Drawdown | $2,000 · end of day | $2,000 · intraday | $2,000 · end of day |
| Stops trailing at | starting balance + $100 | starting balance + $100 | starting balance |
| Daily loss limit | $1,000 | none | $1,000 |
| Consistency (best day) | none | none | 55% of profit |
| Minimum days | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Time limit | 30 days | 30 days | none |
- APEX 50K — end-of-day trailing: Apex 4.0 rules. The floor is recalculated at the close (4:59:59 PM ET). $1,000 daily loss limit (including unrealized): it closes positions and pauses the day, it does not fail the account. The help center is not clear on where the floor stops rising: $50,100 is assumed.
- APEX 50K — intraday trailing: Apex 4.0 rules (accounts bought from March 2026). The floor follows the unrealized high and locks at $50,100. No daily loss limit or minimum days; 30 days to pass.
- Topstep 50K Trading Combine: Topstep help center (Oct 16, 2026): $2,000 maximum loss limit that rises at each day's close and locks at the starting balance; monitored in real time. $1,000 daily loss limit (Responsible Trading Program: ends the session, does not fail the account). Consistency: best day at most 55% of the target; if exceeded, the target rises.
The same five traders in each account
Five fictional traders with real costs, from the high win-rate scalper to the big-day hunter. Green marks the account where each one passes most often.
| Trader | APEX 50K — end-of-day trailing | APEX 50K — intraday trailing | Topstep 50K Trading Combine |
|---|---|---|---|
| High win-rate scalper 62% win rate, +90 / −110 $, 6 trades/day | 17% pass 1% blow up · 83% run out of time | 17% pass 1% blow up · 82% run out of time | 98% pass 2% blow up |
| Balanced trader 45% win rate, +300 / −200 $, 2 trades/day | 16% pass 17% blow up · 66% run out of time | 16% pass 23% blow up · 61% run out of time | 60% pass 40% blow up |
| Low win-rate trend follower 38% win rate, +450 / −180 $, 1.5 trades/day | 33% pass 9% blow up · 58% run out of time | 33% pass 13% blow up · 54% run out of time | 81% pass 19% blow up |
| One big trade a day 50% win rate, +600 / −400 $, 1 trades/day | 45% pass 28% blow up · 26% run out of time | 44% pass 34% blow up · 22% run out of time | 64% pass 36% blow up |
| Big-day hunter 25% win rate, +1800 / −300 $, 1 trades/day | 63% pass 34% blow up · 3% run out of time | 51% pass 49% blow up · 1% run out of time | 62% pass 38% blow up |
Which one to choose
- High win-rate scalper: Topstep 50K Trading Combine
- Balanced trader: Topstep 50K Trading Combine
- Low win-rate trend follower: Topstep 50K Trading Combine
- One big trade a day: Topstep 50K Trading Combine
- Big-day hunter: tie
Prices change every week with discount codes, so they are left out. To compare cost, divide the price you pay by the pass rate: an evaluation that costs $100 and passes 25% of the time costs $400 per passed account.
News and bots
- APEX: No orders on both sides of price around news and no directionless brackets
- Topstep: Check the firm's help center.
Sources
- APEX 50K — end-of-day trailing · checked oct-2026
- APEX 50K — intraday trailing · checked oct-2026
- Topstep 50K Trading Combine · checked oct-2026
- Simulation: the FondeoReal engine (the same as the web simulator), 3,000 evaluations per trader and account, fixed seed.
Simulated and hypothetical results, with the limitations that implies. Not investment advice. Firm rules change: check them on each firm's website. This article contains no affiliate links.