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Pricing is nearly identical between these two firms. IQ Capital edges ahead by just $6 ($49 vs $55 for the $50K account). At this margin, the difference is negligible over one attempt — though if you plan on multiple resets, even small savings compound. Check available Apex Trader Funding discount codes and IQ Capital discount codes for additional savings.
The profit split gap is notable. Apex Trader Funding returns 100% of your profits, putting $1000 in your pocket for every $1,000 earned. The other firm's 90% split means you would receive $900 on that same amount — a $100 per-thousand difference that scales with every payout.
IQ Capital provides $3,000 of drawdown room compared to $2,000 — an extra $1,000 buffer that can be the difference between surviving a losing streak and blowing an account.
IQ Capital has no minimum day requirement — you can pass as fast as you trade — whereas Apex Trader Funding mandates at least 1 days.
IQ Capital has no daily loss limit, whereas Apex Trader Funding restricts daily losses to $1,000. These operational differences can shape your day-to-day experience, particularly if your strategy depends on volatility around economic releases or requires more intraday flexibility.
View the full details on each firm's page: Apex Trader Funding rules & pricing and IQ Capital rules & pricing.
We have conducted full, first-person reviews of Apex Trader Funding and IQ Capital.
| Rule | Apex Trader Funding | IQ Capital |
|---|---|---|
| News Trading | Allowed | Allowed |
| Weekend Holding | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Overnight Holding | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Hedging | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Copy Trading | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | Not allowed | Allowed |
Rules shown reflect the $50K challenge account. Some rules may differ by account size or type.
The best prop firm depends on your experience level, trading style, and priorities. Here is how Apex Trader Funding and IQ Capital stack up for different types of traders.
New to prop firms and want to minimize risk while learning the ropes.
IQ Capital
Consistent track record, focused on maximizing earnings and scaling capital.
Apex Trader Funding
Prefer wider stops, lower risk, and the flexibility to hold positions longer.
IQ Capital
IQ Capital is the more affordable choice at $49 (plus a $129 activation fee once funded) for their $50K challenge, versus $55 at Apex Trader Funding (plus a $139 activation fee once funded). The IQ Capital price reflects their 80% discount.
Apex Trader Funding gives you 100% of your trading profits versus 90% at IQ Capital. In practice, if you earn $2,000 in a payout cycle, you would receive $2000 from Apex Trader Funding and $1800 from IQ Capital — a $200 difference per $2,000 earned.
IQ Capital gives you $3,000 of max drawdown versus $2,000 at Apex Trader Funding.
Both Apex Trader Funding and IQ Capital allow news trading. This is particularly valuable for traders who capitalize on volatility around FOMC announcements, NFP releases, and CPI data drops.
Apex Trader Funding offers a faster path to your first payout, with a minimum of 2 trading days required versus 4 at IQ Capital. After that, Apex Trader Funding processes payouts via Plane, Plaid, ACH.
Yes, both firms enforce a consistency rule. Apex Trader Funding requires 50% and IQ Capital requires 30%. This means no single trading day's profit can exceed 50% of your total profits. The higher threshold at Apex Trader Funding is actually more lenient — a higher percentage means each day can contribute a larger share of total profit.
For beginners, IQ Capital has an edge thanks to lower challenge fee, more forgiving drawdown, no minimum day requirement. These features reduce the pressure while you are still developing consistency. That said, both firms are viable — the best choice depends on your specific trading approach and budget.
Data is updated regularly but may not reflect the latest changes. Always verify current pricing and rules on each firm's official website before making a decision.
Detailed side-by-side comparison of Apex Trader Funding and IQ Capital $50K challenge accounts. Compare fees, profit splits, drawdown rules, and more.
