Apex Trader Funding vs City Traders Imperium: Head-to-Head Comparison (2026)
Verdict: Who Wins?
Apex Trader Funding
0 wins
Best For:
Visual Comparison
Save 90% on Apex Trader Funding today
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Apex Trader Funding | Metric | City Traders Imperium |
|---|---|---|
| 7.6/10 | PFM Score | 8.2/10 ★ |
| 4.2/5 (20,839) | TrustPilot | 4.2/5 (1,625) |
| B+ | Safety Grade | A ★ |
| 60 B | Trust Score | 89.1 A ★ |
| 100% | Profit Split | 80% - 100% ★ |
| Trailing drawdown only; no fixed daily loss limit. Two account types: Intraday Trail (drawdown trails the intraday high of each day) or EOD Trail (adjusts at end of day). 25K max drawdown $1,000; 50K $1,500; 100K $2,500; 150K $3,000. | Daily Drawdown | None disclosed (1-Step); 5% of account size (2-Step); 6% (Instant Funding and Instant Funding Pro) |
| Every 5 trading days | Payout Frequency | On-demand (Bronze VIP tier: weekly; Silver VIP tier and above: any time) |
| $ | Starting Price | $29 |
| Proprietary | Technology | White-Label |
| Tradovate, Rithmic, WealthCharts | Platforms | Match Trader, MT5 |
| No | Direct Path to Funded | No |
| United States | Country | Comoros |
| - | Established | Jan 2018 |
| 4 options | Challenge Options | 23 options |
Price Comparison by Account Size
Cheapest challenge price at each account size (where both firms offer the same size)
| Account Size | Apex Trader Funding | City Traders Imperium | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25K | $199 | $159 ★ | Save $40 |
Apex Trader Funding vs City Traders Imperium: Detailed Analysis
Apex Trader Funding and City Traders Imperium are both Futures firms.
Account Sizes
On account sizing, Apex Trader Funding offers account sizes from $25 to $150 across 4 funding tiers, while City Traders Imperium offers account sizes from $5 to $100 across 8 funding tiers. Picking the right tier matters because both the entry cost and the maximum capital you can scale to are tied to the account size you start with.
Trading Platforms
For trading platforms, Apex Trader Funding supports Tradovate, Rithmic and WealthCharts, while City Traders Imperium runs on Match Trader and MT5. If you already trade on a specific platform, this can be the deciding factor between the two.
Profit Split & Payouts
Apex Trader Funding offers 100% profit split, while City Traders Imperium offers 80% - 100%. Apex Trader Funding pays out Every 5 trading days, and City Traders Imperium pays out On-demand (Bronze VIP tier: weekly; Silver VIP tier and above: any time).
Risk & Drawdown Rules
Risk rules are a key difference for funded traders: Apex Trader Funding lists its daily drawdown as "Trailing drawdown only; no fixed daily loss limit. Two account types: Intraday Trail (drawdown trails the intraday high of each day) or EOD Trail (adjusts at end of day). 25K max drawdown $1,000; 50K $1,500; 100K $2,500; 150K $3,000.", while City Traders Imperium lists "None disclosed (1-Step); 5% of account size (2-Step); 6% (Instant Funding and Instant Funding Pro)". Always confirm the drawdown type before buying, since a trailing rule behaves very differently from a static end-of-day one.
Trust & Safety
For trust and reputation, Apex Trader Funding has a 4.2/5 TrustPilot rating with 20,839 reviews, while City Traders Imperium has 4.2/5 with 1,625 reviews. Safety grades: Apex Trader Funding B+, City Traders Imperium A.
Who Should Choose Which
Across the use cases we scored, City Traders Imperium is the stronger choice for trust & reputation and fast payouts.
Overall, City Traders Imperium edges ahead winning 4 out of 4 categories we compared. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs - both firms have their strengths.
Pros & Cons
Apex Trader Funding
Pros
Cons
Pros
Cons
Active Deals & Promo Codes
Apex Trader Funding
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Apex Trader Funding or City Traders Imperium?
City Traders Imperium scores higher overall, winning 4 out of 4 comparison categories including Overall Rating, Safety Grade, Trust Score. However, the best choice depends on your trading goals and priorities.
Which has better reviews, Apex Trader Funding or City Traders Imperium?
Apex Trader Funding has a higher TrustPilot rating of 4.2/5. Apex Trader Funding has 20,839 reviews while City Traders Imperium has 1,625.
Which offers a higher profit split, Apex Trader Funding or City Traders Imperium?
Apex Trader Funding offers a higher maximum profit split. Apex Trader Funding offers 100% while City Traders Imperium offers 80% - 100%.
How fast do Apex Trader Funding and City Traders Imperium pay out?
Apex Trader Funding has Every 5 trading days payouts while City Traders Imperium offers On-demand (Bronze VIP tier: weekly; Silver VIP tier and above: any time) payouts. Payout speed can be an important factor when choosing a prop firm.
Are Apex Trader Funding and City Traders Imperium legit?
Both firms have been independently verified by PropFirmMap. Apex Trader Funding holds a B+ safety grade and a 4.2/5 TrustPilot rating. City Traders Imperium holds a A safety grade and a 4.2/5 TrustPilot rating. Safety grades are based on payout history, community trust signals, and regulatory transparency.
Which is better for beginners, Apex Trader Funding or City Traders Imperium?
When starting out, consider challenge cost, drawdown rules, and profit split. Use the comparison table above to find which firm fits your experience level and risk tolerance.
More Comparisons
Where these two rank in the wider market
A head-to-head answers "which of these two". These lists answer "is either one actually the best choice" - every firm we track, ranked side by side.
Browse every best-of prop firm listNot sold on either? Explore alternatives
See the closest-matched prop firms ranked head-to-head against each contender, with live 2026 prices and safety grades.