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Head-to-head comparison

Apex Trader Funding vs The Futures Desk

Two futures prop firms compared on pricing, challenge rules, funded-account terms, and trust, using live PropScorer data.

Apex Trader Funding vs The Futures Desk is a strong decision-stage comparison. On current PropScorer data, Apex Trader Funding is the stronger overall pick, The Futures Desk is the cheaper way to start, and The Futures Desk has the cleaner rules angle for some traders.

Last updated: April 8, 2026, data refreshed daily

Apex Trader Funding logo
Apex Trader Funding
Est. 2021 ยท Tradovate ยท Rithmic ยท WealthCharts
89
PropScore
Trustpilot 4.4 ยท Health 77
90% off with SAVENOW
View full profile โ†’
VS
The Futures Desk logo
The Futures Desk
Est. 2024 ยท Rithmic
65
PropScore
Trustpilot 4.7 ยท Health 59
75% off with MOT
View full profile โ†’
Apex Trader Funding leads overall with a PropScore of 89/100. The starting-cost gap on the reference plan is $29.88. Apex Trader Funding wins on the broad data set, but category winners below show where The Futures Desk still has an edge.
Best on price
๐Ÿ† The Futures Desk

The Futures Desk has the lower start cost on the reference Standard.

Best for scaling
๐Ÿ† Apex Trader Funding

Apex Trader Funding allows more simultaneous accounts, which matters if you stack evaluations or funded accounts.

Best trust profile
๐Ÿ† Apex Trader Funding

Higher Health Score plus current review data gives Apex Trader Funding the edge on reliability.

Best payout entry
๐Ÿ† Apex Trader Funding

Lower minimum payout threshold makes Apex Trader Funding easier to monetize earlier.

Pricing, 50K-style plans

MetricApex Trader FundingThe Futures Desk
50K plan price$13.13$62.25
Activation fee$79$0
Cost to start$92.13$62.25
Best promo90% off (SAVENOW)75% off (MOT)

Challenge rules

MetricApex Trader FundingThe Futures Desk
Profit target$3,000$3,500
Max drawdown$2,000$2,000
Drawdown typeTrailingEnd-of-Day
Min trading days00
One-day passYesNo
Max accounts203
PlatformsTradovate ยท Rithmic ยท WealthChartsRithmic

Funded-account terms

MetricApex Trader FundingThe Futures Desk
Profit split100%90%
Min payout$500N/A
Max early payout$3,000N/A
Daily loss limit ruleYesNo
Max total funded$3,000,000$600,000

Trust and reputation

MetricApex Trader FundingThe Futures Desk
PropScore89/10065/100
Health Score77/10059/100
Trustpilot4.4/54.7/5
Founded20212024

Our take

Apex Trader Funding is the better default choice on PropScorer right now because it offers the stronger overall mix of price, rules, trust, and trader value.

Apex Trader Funding is strongest for traders who care most about speed to funding, multi-account scaling, and a current PropScore of 89/100.

The Futures Desk is strongest for traders who care most about end-of-day drawdown structure, fewer funded-account restrictions, and a current PropScore of 65/100.

In plain English, pick Apex Trader Funding if you want the stronger overall package today. Pick the other one only if its specific rule advantage matches your exact trading style better than the raw overall score does.

Quick verdict

Best on price
The Futures Desk
Best for scaling
Apex Trader Funding
Best trust profile
Apex Trader Funding
Best default pick
Apex Trader Funding

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, Apex Trader Funding or The Futures Desk?

Apex Trader Funding starts at $13.13 plus a $79 activation fee, while The Futures Desk starts at $62.25.

Which firm has the higher PropScore?

Apex Trader Funding currently leads with a PropScore of 89/100.

Which firm is better for scaling multiple accounts?

Apex Trader Funding allows more accounts (20 vs 3).

Who should pick which firm?

Best overall
Apex Trader Funding

Pick Apex Trader Funding if you want the strongest all-around mix of score, reliability, and trader value.

Best lower-cost option
The Futures Desk

Pick The Futures Desk if your main goal is minimizing the cost to get started.

Best rules angle
The Futures Desk

Pick The Futures Desk if the account structure and funded rules fit your trading style better.

Go one step deeper

Want alerts if this decision changes next week?

PropScorer Pro watches trust signals, payout behavior, and rule updates so you are not relying on a one-time snapshot when choosing between firms.

Trust alertsPayout monitoringRule-change monitoring
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Apex Trader Funding
90% off with SAVENOW
View full profile โ†’
The Futures Desk
75% off with MOT
View full profile โ†’

More comparisons

Keep comparing nearby alternatives if you are still deciding between Apex Trader Funding, The Futures Desk, and similar firms.