Futures Prop Firm Comparison 2026: Apex vs. Topstep vs. MyFundedFutures vs. Bulenox vs. TradeDay

All six firms let a trader work the same instruments — but their rule sets shape which kind of strategy actually survives. Here's the full side-by-side, plus which firm fits which kind of trader.

Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-07-26

Apex Trader Funding, Topstep, MyFundedFutures, Bulenox, TradeDay, and FTMO all let a trader work familiar instruments, but the fine print on drawdown, daily limits, and automation policy decides which one actually fits a given strategy. For a deeper look at the two most popular firms, see the dedicated Apex vs. Topstep comparison.

50k account, side by side

Rule	Apex Trader Funding	Topstep	MyFundedFutures	Bulenox	TradeDay	FTMO
Profit target	$3,000	$3,000	$3,000	$3,000	$3,000	10% Challenge (~$5,000 on 50k)
Drawdown type	Intraday trailing	EOD trailing	Static	EOD trailing	Trailing (EOD/intraday unspecified)	Static (10%)
Max drawdown	$2,500	$2,000	$2,000	$2,000	$2,000	$5,000
Daily loss limit	None on eval	$1,000	$1,250	None	$500	$2,500 (5%)
Min trading days	1	10 (incl. 5 winning days $200+)	None	5	10	4/phase
Time limit	None	None	None	None	None	None
Cost (typical promo)	~$33–80/mo	$165 one-time	$80–110	~$50–80	~$50–80	€155 (~$170)
Automation on eval	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Automation on funded	No — manual only	Restricted	Yes	Permitted, verify current terms	Permitted, verify current terms	Yes, trader's own code
Instruments	Futures	Futures	Futures	Futures	Futures	Forex / CFD / crypto

What each firm rewards

Apex — fastest realistic pass

No daily loss limit and no time limit make Apex the easiest firm to pass quickly with a strategy that has a clean edge. The trade-off is the intraday trailing drawdown, which locks in every equity peak in real time — winning big and giving it back still costs the cushion. Automation is restricted to manual confirmation once funded, so this is a firm where a script helps pass the eval, and discretion takes over afterward.

Topstep — built for a grind-it-out pace

The requirement for at least 5 winning days of $200 or more means even a strategy that reaches the profit target in two big sessions still needs three more solid days logged. That fits traders whose edge produces many small green days rather than a few large ones. The EOD trailing drawdown is meaningfully more forgiving than Apex's intraday version — see the full Topstep evaluation rules breakdown.

MyFundedFutures — the cleanest automation path

A static drawdown means the safety margin doesn't shrink as equity grows, which suits a systematic strategy with predictable risk-per-trade. Automation is explicitly permitted on both the evaluation and the funded account, making this the most complete end-to-end automation story of the six.

Bulenox — a low-cost alternative

Bulenox runs aggressive promotions similar to Apex, and its EOD trailing drawdown with no daily loss limit gives a strategy real room to operate. Its published minimum of 5 trading days keeps the pace reasonable without an Apex-style same-day sprint.

TradeDay — conservative sizing rewarded

TradeDay runs frequent promotions and a trailing drawdown that its own rules page doesn't specify as strictly EOD or intraday — worth confirming directly before assuming it behaves exactly like Topstep's. A 10-day minimum paces the evaluation, and a daily loss limit around $500 on the 50k tier means a hard kill switch in the script is required either way.

FTMO — for forex and CFD traders

FTMO isn't a futures firm — it trades forex, CFD indices, and crypto. If a strategy trades an index as a CFD rather than the underlying futures contract, FTMO is the most established name in that space: static drawdown at 10% of balance, a 4-day minimum per phase, and no maximum time limit on either phase. Automation is permitted for a trader's own coded strategy. Not the first choice for anyone already trading MES/MNQ futures, since the instrument microstructure differs.

Which firm to pick

New to prop firms

Start with MyFundedFutures at 50k. A static drawdown is the most forgiving environment to learn the rules without the floor tightening as progress is made.

Confident in the edge

Apex at 100k. Loose rules, no daily limit, and a fast pass — the larger trail leaves room for one bad trade without ending the evaluation.

Want predictable funded automation

MyFundedFutures. Topstep's funded automation policy has shifted repeatedly; Apex disallows it outright. MyFundedFutures is the one that lets the exact script that passed the eval keep running on the funded account.

A discretionary trader

Topstep. The winning-day requirement enforces patience, which suits a trader prone to overtrading.

Cost-effectiveness

Apex, Bulenox, and TradeDay all discount aggressively — often 70–85% off list price during a sale. Topstep's one-time flat fee beats a subscription if passing takes more than a couple of months. MyFundedFutures runs sales on a roughly two-week cycle. Shopping on price alone, Apex tends to be cheapest per attempt in absolute dollars, though Topstep's no-monthly-fee structure wins for a slower pass.

FAQ

Which futures prop firm has the lowest fees?

Apex, Bulenox, and TradeDay all run frequent promotions, often 70–85% off list price, bringing a 50k evaluation down to roughly $20–60 during a sale. Topstep charges a one-time flat fee rather than a monthly subscription, which works out cheaper if a Combine takes more than a couple of months. Always check for an active promo code before paying full price.

Which prop firm allows automated trading?

Every firm in this comparison permits automated strategies during the evaluation. MyFundedFutures is the most permissive end-to-end, explicitly allowing automation on funded accounts as well. Apex disallows commercial automation once funded — an account has to switch to manual, hand-confirmed execution. Bulenox and TradeDay allow automation on the eval and generally on funded accounts too, but their own pages ask traders to verify current policy rather than treating it as a fixed guarantee.

Is Apex or Topstep better for algo traders?

It depends on the strategy's drawdown profile. Topstep's EOD trailing drawdown only moves at the close of each day, which is more forgiving for strategies with wide intraday swings. Apex's intraday trail is stricter — but Apex has no daily loss limit on the evaluation, which can make it faster to pass with a high-volatility strategy. For ongoing funded automation, MyFundedFutures is the more permissive of the two.

What is the difference between trailing and static drawdown?

Trailing drawdown rises as an account's equity rises — intraday for Apex, only at end-of-day for Topstep. Static drawdown, used by MyFundedFutures, never moves once set; the cushion stays the same size regardless of how much profit accumulates. Static is generally more forgiving for a systematic strategy, since the floor can't shrink on the back of an earlier winning streak.

Which prop firm is best for beginners?

MyFundedFutures tends to suit beginners well: static drawdown means the safety margin never shrinks, there's no minimum trading-day requirement, and automation is allowed on funded accounts. Bulenox is also a reasonable starting point with an EOD trailing floor and regular discount pricing. Apex's looser eval rules are appealing, but its intraday trailing drawdown can catch a newer trader off guard during a winning streak that reverses.