RISK

Trading carries substantial risk of loss. Prop evaluation fees are typically non-refundable and the majority of traders do not pass first attempts. This comparison is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Read full risk warning

HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON · 2026

BuoyTrade vs Apex Trader Funding

Side-by-side comparison of trust scores, profit splits, payout speed, and real trader reviews. Independent data — no sponsored rankings.

BUOY

BuoyTrade

APEX

Apex Trader Funding

✓ VERIFIEDEST. 2021

BUOYTRADE

METRIC

APEX TRADER FUNDING

53/100—

TRUST SCORE

BETTER59/100

3.8/5BETTER

RATING

—2.75/5

80%—

PROFIT SPLIT

BETTER90%

$1,024,000BETTER

MAX FUNDING

—$300,000

$50—

MIN COST

BETTER$35

14d—

PAYOUT DAYS

BETTER8d

—

PASS RATE

31%

2—

REVIEW COUNT

BETTER3

BUOYTRADE DETAILS

STEPS: 1-phase
DRAWDOWN: Static
MARKETS: Forex
PLATFORMS: MT4

APEX TRADER FUNDING DETAILS

STEPS: 1-phase
DRAWDOWN: Trailing EOD
MARKETS: Futures
PLATFORMS: MT4, MT5
TYPES: futures, large-cap

BuoyTrade PROS

+Min challenge cost of $50 is well below the industry average of $186.7, making entry highly affordable.
+Single-step funding is better than the industry average of 1.6 steps, offering a faster path to funded status.
+Max funding of $1,024,000 is above the industry average of $839,272.7, providing above-average scaling potential.
+Profit target of 5% is well below the industry average of 7.9%, making the evaluation stage easier to pass.

BuoyTrade CONS

−Profit split of 80% is below the industry average of 84.7%, reducing the trader's share of earnings.
−Overall drawdown of 5% is well below the industry average of 7.9%, offering significantly less margin before breach.
−EA/automated trading is not allowed, restricting algorithmic traders from participating with this firm.

Apex Trader Funding PROS

+Min challenge cost of $35 is among the lowest and far below the industry average of $186.7
+Profit split of 90% is well above the industry average of 84.7%
+Fee refund is available, reducing the financial risk of the evaluation process
+Single-step funding is faster than the industry average of 1.6 steps

Apex Trader Funding CONS

−Futures firm uses a dollar-based drawdown structure; overall drawdown percentage is not directly comparable to the 7.9% CFD average
−Days to first payout of 8 is slightly above the industry average of 6.5 days
−Trailing EOD drawdown type is more restrictive than a fixed drawdown structure

PROPDNA VERDICT

BuoyTrade

Lower trust score (53/100). Slower payouts at 14d. 80% profit split.

START WITH BUOY