50K trail
Topstep$2,000 Maximum Loss Limit
Apex$2,000 on the intraday evaluation table
Compare firms
Apex vs Topstep
Apex and Topstep both trail a futures account. The trail is not the same rule. The 50K distance is $2,000 on both of the tables quoted here, and the thing that moves is different.
Last reviewed Oct 2026.
The comparison
| Topstep | Apex | |
|---|---|---|
| 50K trail | $2,000 Maximum Loss Limit | $2,000 on the intraday evaluation table |
| What it follows | End-of-day balance | Intraday: highest balance, including unrealized gains. End-of-day accounts use the close. |
| 50K lock | Combine locks at the starting balance | Performance account stops at $50,100 |
| 100K / 150K | $3,000 and $4,500 | Intraday evaluation: $3,000 and $4,000 |
| Payout | 90/10, $125 minimum | On Apex’s payout rules |
| Journal file | TopstepX CSV or a read-only key | Tradovate or Rithmic CSV |
What it follows
TopstepEnd-of-day balance
ApexIntraday: highest balance, including unrealized gains. End-of-day accounts use the close.
50K lock
TopstepCombine locks at the starting balance
ApexPerformance account stops at $50,100
100K / 150K
Topstep$3,000 and $4,500
ApexIntraday evaluation: $3,000 and $4,000
Payout
Topstep90/10, $125 minimum
ApexOn Apex’s payout rules
Journal file
TopstepTopstepX CSV or a read-only key
ApexTradovate or Rithmic CSV
Topstep
End of day
The Maximum Loss Limit trails the end-of-day balance and locks at the starting balance. A 50K Combine starts at $50,000 with the limit at $48,000.
Consistency and payout
The Consistency path uses 40%. Payouts are 90/10 with a $125 minimum. Topstep Maximum Loss Limit.
Apex
Intraday
The threshold follows the highest balance, including unrealized gains, and never moves down. A 50K evaluation starts at $50,000 with the threshold at $48,000.
End of day and the lock
End-of-day accounts set the threshold at 4:59:59 PM ET. A 50K performance account stops trailing at $50,100. Apex intraday trailing drawdown.
How a shared $2,000 trail diverges
Same distance, different peak
The 50K distance is $2,000 on both tables above. The peak each firm follows is not the same.
Topstep’s Maximum Loss Limit follows the end-of-day balance and locks at the starting balance.
Apex’s intraday threshold follows the highest balance, including unrealized gains, and can move while a trade is open. Apex’s end-of-day account sets the threshold at the close and enforces it the next session.
Same open, different lock
A 50K Topstep Combine starts at $50,000. The limit opens at $48,000 and locks at the starting balance.
A 50K Apex intraday evaluation also starts at $50,000 with the threshold at $48,000. An unrealized high of $50,900 moves that threshold to $48,900 immediately.
Apex’s 50K performance account stops trailing at $50,100. Topstep’s 50K Express Funded Account starts at $0 and locks at $0.
Payout and the file
Topstep pays 90/10 with a $125 minimum.
Apex’s payout split is on Apex’s payout rules, linked from the Apex firm page.
Tiedbook imports a supported CSV. It does not auto-sync Apex. The optional TopstepX key is read-only and cannot place orders.
One winning day, two floors
Both 50K accounts start at $50,000, so both floors open at $48,000.
Open profit touches $50,900, then the trade closes at $50,200.
- Apex’s intraday threshold moves to $48,900 when that unrealized high prints. Giving the profit back does not move it down.
- Topstep waits for the $50,200 close. The $50,900 that never settled does not move the limit.
The next morning the floors differ. Both firms published a $2,000 distance.
Presets
The trailing drawdown calculator has a preset for each 50K example, with the source link and the Oct 2026 review date.
Pick the preset that names the firm, or type the numbers from the account you hold. The calculator uses the peak you type.
Journaling either account
Tiedbook imports a supported CSV. It does not auto-sync Apex. The optional TopstepX key is read-only and cannot place orders. Room on the payout screen is derived from the fills you imported.
Questions
Which 50K trail is intraday?
Apex’s intraday evaluation. Topstep’s Maximum Loss Limit trails the end-of-day balance, while open profit and loss still count during the day.
Can I journal both firms in one book?
Yes, as separate accounts, from the files each platform exports. The rule preset on the account should match the firm. The sample presets are illustrations.
Start the 7-day trial. No card.
Firm distances on this site are dated notes. The firm’s dashboard stays the official number.