Head-to-Head Comparison

City Traders Imperium vs Apex Trader Funding

An honest, data-driven comparison to help you pick the right prop firm. We compare drawdown rules, challenge costs, profit splits, trading conditions, and more — no bias, just facts.

City Traders Imperium

4.3

Dubai-based prop firm established in 2018 offering evaluation and instant funding with static drawdown. Features a monthly salary option and scaling to $4M.

Visit City Traders Imperium

Apex Trader Funding

4.4

Leading futures prop trading firm with simple rules and frequent promotions. Best choice for futures traders looking for straightforward evaluations.

Visit Apex Trader Funding

Side-by-Side Comparison: City Traders Imperium vs Apex Trader Funding

Metric

City Traders Imperium

Apex Trader Funding

Max Drawdown

10%

Daily Drawdown

None

Profit Target

10%

Profit Split

80/20 → 100%

100% (first $25K), then 90/10

Challenge Cost

$39 - $549

$18 - $397

Trading Period

Unlimited

30 days

Min Trading Days

Leverage

1:30

Full contract leverage

Instruments

Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Metals

Futures (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX)

Account Sizes

$2.5K, $5K, $10K, $20K, $50K, $100K

$25K, $50K, $100K, $150K

Scaling

Scale up to $4M with 10% profit milestones

Trade up to 20 funded accounts simultaneously

News Trading

Allowed

Not Allowed

Weekend Holding

Allowed

Not Allowed

EA / Bots

Allowed

Rating

4.3/5

4.4/5

The Verdict: City Traders Imperium vs Apex Trader Funding

The best choice depends on your trading style, risk tolerance, and goals. Here's our breakdown by trader profile:

Best for Beginners

City Traders Imperium

City Traders Imperium offers more forgiving drawdown rules, making it easier for newer traders to get started.

Best for Aggressive Traders

City Traders Imperium

City Traders Imperium provides 10% max drawdown allowance, giving aggressive trading styles more breathing room.

Best for Long-term Scaling

City Traders Imperium

City Traders Imperium offers better scaling potential: Scale up to $4M with 10% profit milestones.

Best for Overall Value

Apex Trader Funding

Apex Trader Funding earns 4.4/5 in our analysis, with a strong balance of rules, cost, and trader experience.

City Traders Imperium Pros & Cons

Static drawdown (does not trail)

Monthly salary up to $500 per account

Profit split scales to 100%

Low entry from just $2.5K accounts

Weekend and overnight holding allowed

Lower leverage (1:30)

Smaller starting accounts compared to rivals

Must prove EA ownership on some plans

KYC process can be slow

Limited to traders from 60+ countries

Apex Trader Funding Pros & Cons

No daily drawdown limit

100% of first $25K profit

Simple one-step evaluation

Frequent discount promotions

Multiple funded accounts allowed

Futures only (no forex)

Trailing drawdown can be tricky

Monthly subscription after eval

No weekend holding

Higher min trading days

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, City Traders Imperium or Apex Trader Funding?

It depends on your trading style. City Traders Imperium offers 10% max drawdown and a 80/20 → 100% profit split, while Apex Trader Funding offers 6% max drawdown and a 100% (first $25K), then 90/10 split. Apex Trader Funding has a higher overall rating at 4.4/5.

What is the cheapest option between City Traders Imperium and Apex Trader Funding?

City Traders Imperium challenges start at $39 - $549, while Apex Trader Funding starts at $18 - $397. Compare account sizes and what's included before choosing based on price alone.

Can I use EAs or trading bots with City Traders Imperium and Apex Trader Funding?

City Traders Imperium allows EAs/bots. Apex Trader Funding allows them. Always verify the latest rules on each firm's website.

What are the drawdown rules for City Traders Imperium vs Apex Trader Funding?

City Traders Imperium has a 10% max drawdown and 5% daily drawdown. Apex Trader Funding has a 6% max drawdown and no daily drawdown limit. Use our free Drawdown Calculator to find your safe lot size for either firm.

How long do I have to pass the City Traders Imperium vs Apex Trader Funding challenge?

City Traders Imperium gives you Unlimited. Apex Trader Funding gives you 30 days. Both require a minimum of 0 and 0 trading days respectively.

Which firm has a better profit split, City Traders Imperium or Apex Trader Funding?

City Traders Imperium offers a 80/20 → 100% profit split, while Apex Trader Funding offers 100% (first $25K), then 90/10. Higher profit splits mean more of your trading profits go to you.