Apex Trader Funding vs Imperial Trader Funding: Head-to-Head Comparison (2026)
Verdict: Who Wins?
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Head-to-Head Comparison
| Apex Trader Funding | Metric | Imperial Trader Funding |
|---|---|---|
| 7.7/10 ★ | PFM Score | 4.9/10 |
| 4.2/5 (20,931) ★ | TrustPilot | 3.3/5 (49) |
| B+ ★ | Safety Grade | C |
| 65 B ★ | Trust Score | 42 D |
| 100% | Profit Split | 90% (Elite), 80% (Foundation and Instant) ★ |
| 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 | Elite: none, the plan card states Daily Loss Limit N/A. Foundation and Instant: 50% of the account's max drawdown. Drawdown is EOD trailing on Elite and Instant, Static on Foundation. |
| Every 5 trading days | Payout Frequency | Every 3 valid trading days (Sim-Funded) |
| $167 | Starting Price | $122 ★ |
| Proprietary | Technology | Proprietary |
| Tradovate, Rithmic, WealthCharts | Platforms | Rithmic |
| No | Direct Path to Funded | No |
| United States | Country | United States |
| - | Established | - |
| 4 options | Challenge Options | 14 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 | Imperial Trader Funding | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25K | $167 | $122 ★ | Save $45 |
| $50K | $249 | $230 ★ | Save $19 |
| $100K | $399 | $382 ★ | Save $17 |
Apex Trader Funding vs Imperial Trader Funding: Detailed Analysis
Apex Trader Funding and Imperial Trader Funding are both Futures firms.
Pricing
In terms of pricing, Imperial Trader Funding is more affordable with challenges starting at $122, which is $45 less than Apex Trader Funding's starting price of $167. Apex Trader Funding offers 4 challenge options, while Imperial Trader Funding offers 14.
Account Sizes
On account sizing, Apex Trader Funding offers account sizes from $25 to $150 across 4 funding tiers, while Imperial Trader Funding offers account sizes from $1 to $500 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 Imperial Trader Funding runs on Rithmic. 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 Imperial Trader Funding offers 90% (Elite), 80% (Foundation and Instant). Apex Trader Funding pays out Every 5 trading days, and Imperial Trader Funding pays out Every 3 valid trading days (Sim-Funded).
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 Imperial Trader Funding lists "Elite: none, the plan card states Daily Loss Limit N/A. Foundation and Instant: 50% of the account's max drawdown. Drawdown is EOD trailing on Elite and Instant, Static on Foundation.". Always confirm the drawdown type before buying, since a trailing rule behaves very differently from a static end-of-day one.
Payout Methods
Imperial Trader Funding supports withdrawals via Rise and Wire Transfer.
Trust & Safety
For trust and reputation, Apex Trader Funding has a 4.2/5 TrustPilot rating with 20,931 reviews, while Imperial Trader Funding has 3.3/5 with 49 reviews. Safety grades: Apex Trader Funding B+, Imperial Trader Funding C.
Who Should Choose Which
So who should pick which? Apex Trader Funding is the stronger choice for maximum profit potential and trust & reputation, while Imperial Trader Funding is the better fit for budget-conscious traders.
Overall, Apex Trader Funding edges ahead winning 6 out of 8 categories we compared. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs - both firms have their strengths.
Pros & Cons
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Apex Trader Funding or Imperial Trader Funding?
Apex Trader Funding scores higher overall, winning 6 out of 8 comparison categories including Overall Rating, TrustPilot, Profit Split. However, the best choice depends on your trading goals and priorities.
Which is cheaper, Apex Trader Funding or Imperial Trader Funding?
Imperial Trader Funding has the lower starting price at $122. Apex Trader Funding offers 4 challenge options starting from $167, while Imperial Trader Funding offers 14 options starting from $122.
Which has better reviews, Apex Trader Funding or Imperial Trader Funding?
Apex Trader Funding has a higher TrustPilot rating of 4.2/5. Apex Trader Funding has 20,931 reviews while Imperial Trader Funding has 49.
Which offers a higher profit split, Apex Trader Funding or Imperial Trader Funding?
Apex Trader Funding offers a higher maximum profit split. Apex Trader Funding offers 100% while Imperial Trader Funding offers 90% (Elite), 80% (Foundation and Instant).
How fast do Apex Trader Funding and Imperial Trader Funding pay out?
Apex Trader Funding has Every 5 trading days payouts while Imperial Trader Funding offers Every 3 valid trading days (Sim-Funded) payouts. Payout speed can be an important factor when choosing a prop firm.
Are Apex Trader Funding and Imperial Trader Funding legit?
Both firms have been independently verified by PropFirmMap. Apex Trader Funding holds a B+ safety grade and a 4.2/5 TrustPilot rating. Imperial Trader Funding holds a C safety grade and a 3.3/5 TrustPilot rating. Safety grades are based on payout history, community trust signals, and regulatory transparency.
Which is better for beginners, Apex Trader Funding or Imperial Trader Funding?
Imperial Trader Funding may be more accessible for beginners due to its lower entry price. 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.
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