FTMO vs Apex: Which Prop Firm Should You Choose?
Last updated: July 2026 | 6 min read
FTMO is the king of forex prop firms. Apex is the king of futures. I passed both. Here's the honest comparison.
| Rule | FTMO () | Apex ( PA) |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 10% + 5% ( + .5K) | ,000 |
| Max Daily Loss | 5% (,500) | None |
| Max Total Loss | 10% (,000) | ,000 trailing |
| Time Limit | 30 days | None |
| Min Trading Days | 4 days | 0 |
| Weekend Holding | No | Yes |
| Instruments | Forex, indices, crypto | Futures (ES, NQ, CL) |
| Cost |
Winner for Freedom: Apex
No daily loss rule. No time limit. Can pass in 1 day if you hit target. Apex offers way more flexibility.
Winner for Safety: FTMO
The 5% daily loss rule stops you from blowing up. If you're prone to revenge trading, FTMO's guardrails will save you.
Which Made Me More Money? Apex
Futures move faster. One good ES trade = -1,000 profit. But the lack of daily loss rules means you can destroy yourself faster too.
Choose FTMO if:
- You trade forex, indices, or crypto
- You want daily loss guardrails
- You use MT4/MT5
Choose Apex if:
- You trade futures (ES, NQ, YM)
- You have strong discipline
- You want no time limit