If you're trading with Apex Trader Funding, this is the only guide you need.
This is not a surface-level overview. This is a complete breakdown of every rule, every structure, and every requirement across:
EOD Drawdown Accounts (Evaluation + Performance)
Intraday Trailing Drawdown Accounts (Evaluation + Performance)
Scaling, drawdown mechanics, and risk rules
Daily Loss Limits (DLL)
Payout system (including consistency rules)
If you're serious about passing, getting funded, and actually withdrawing profits, this guide will save you from blowing accounts.
SECTION 1: EOD (END-OF-DAY) DRAWDOWN ACCOUNTS
What Is an EOD Drawdown Account?
An End-of-Day (EOD) Drawdown account calculates your maximum allowed drawdown once per day at market close, then enforces it during the next trading session.
Unlike intraday trailing:
It does NOT move during the day
It ONLY updates at market close
But it IS enforced in real time
EOD PERFORMANCE ACCOUNT (FUNDED ACCOUNT)
Once you pass an EOD evaluation, you receive a Simulated Funded Performance Account (PA) with the same size and structure.
Core Rules
No intraday trailing drawdown
EOD drawdown updates once daily
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) enforced intraday
Tier-based scaling system
100% payout split (after eligibility)
Inactivity rule applies
EOD Performance Account Parameters (ALL SIZES)
EOD Drawdown — FULL EXPLANATION
The EOD drawdown defines the lowest your account balance is allowed to reach.
Key Mechanics:
Calculated daily at 4:59:59 PM ET
Based on closing balance
Enforced intraday the next session
Always trails upward only
Never moves down
If You Hit It:
Positions are automatically liquidated
Evaluation = failed
Performance Account = closed permanently
When EOD Stops Trailing
Performance Accounts:
Stops at: Starting Balance + $100
Example (50K):
Stops at: $50,100
Occurs when balance hits: $52,100
Evaluations:
Rithmic / WealthCharts:
Stops at profit target level
Tradovate:
Trails indefinitely
EOD vs Daily Loss Limit (DLL)
This is where most traders mess up.
DLL = daily protection
EOD = total account protection
Simple:
Hit DLL → you stop trading for the day
Hit EOD → your account is gone
SCALING SYSTEM (PERFORMANCE ACCOUNT)
Your account grows into higher tiers based on your end-of-day balance.
Important Rules:
Updated once daily (after market close)
Applies next session
Never changes mid-session
What Changes With Scaling:
Max contracts
Daily Loss Limit
Position Size Rules
Orders exceeding max size → automatically rejected
No penalties for rejection
Applies across ALL instruments combined
Micro contracts:
10 micros = 1 standard
DAILY LOSS LIMIT (DLL) — FULL BREAKDOWN
What It Does:
Caps how much you can lose in one day
Includes realized + unrealized losses
Enforced in real time
If Hit:
All positions liquidated
Trading paused for the day
Account remains active
Reset:
Daily at 6:00 PM ET
DLL FOR EOD EVALUATIONS (ALL SIZES)
Account Size | Daily Loss Limit
--------------------------------
25K | $500
50K | $1,000
100K | $1,500
150K | $2,000DLL IN PERFORMANCE ACCOUNTS (SCALING MODEL)
DLL increases as your account grows.
Example (50K account progression):
Tier | Balance Range | Max Contracts | Daily Loss Limit
-----------------------------------------------------
Level 1 | Start | 2 | $1,000
Level 2 | Higher | 3 | $1,000
Level 3 | Higher | 4 | $2,000
Level 4 | Max Tier | Max Size | Max DLL (fixed)Key rule:
DLL never drops below Level 1
DLL increases with growth
Stops increasing at max tier
INACTIVITY RULE (VERY IMPORTANT)
To keep your Performance Account active:
You must have 2 trading days with $50+ profit
Within a rolling 30-day period
If Not:
Day 15 → account becomes dormant
Day 30 → account is closed permanently
No reinstatement. No payout recovery.
EOD EVALUATION (PASSING PHASE)
Core Rules
No intraday trailing drawdown
Fixed position size
DLL enforced
No minimum trading days
Can pass in 1 day
30-day access period
EOD Evaluation Parameters (ALL SIZES)
Passing Rules
To pass:
Hit profit target
Never touch EOD drawdown
That’s it.
Activation Window
After passing:
You have 7 days to activate your PA
Miss it → must re-pass evaluation
SECTION 2: INTRADAY TRAILING DRAWDOWN ACCOUNTS
What Makes Intraday Different?
This is where things get more aggressive.
The drawdown:
Moves in real time
Tracks your highest balance (including unrealized gains)
Tightens as you profit
INTRADAY PERFORMANCE ACCOUNT
Core Rules
Real-time trailing drawdown
Stops trailing at profit threshold
DLL enforced
Scaling system
100% payout
Intraday Performance Account Parameters
Account | Max Drawdown | Max Contracts | Scaling | DLL
---------------------------------------------------------
25K | $1,000 | 2 | Yes | Yes
50K | $2,000 | 4 | Yes | Yes
100K | $3,000 | 6 | Yes | Yes
150K | $4,000 | 10 | Yes | YesIntraday Trailing Drawdown Explained
Follows peak balance
Moves instantly
Includes unrealized profit
Never moves down
Example (50K):
Start: $50,000
Drawdown: $2,000
Threshold: $48,000
If account hits $50,900:
New threshold: $48,900
When Trailing Stops
Performance Accounts:
Stops at Starting Balance + $100
Example:
50K → stops at $50,100
INTRADAY EVALUATION
Key Differences
NO Daily Loss Limit
ONLY trailing drawdown
Fixed position size
30-day access
Intraday Evaluation Parameters
SECTION 3: PAYOUT SYSTEM (EOD ACCOUNTS)
This is where traders either win — or get denied.
Payout Requirements (ALL SIZES)
50% CONSISTENCY RULE
This rule blocks most payouts.
Formula:
Highest Day ÷ Total Profit < 50%
Example:
Best day = $1,500
Required total = $3,000
If not met:
You cannot request payout
Account remains active
Payout Limits Per Account
50K Example:
Payout 1: $1,500
Payout 2: $1,500
Payout 3: $2,000
Payout 4: $2,500
Payout 5: $2,500
Payout 6: $3,000(All account sizes follow structured payout caps.)
FINAL THOUGHTS (READ THIS IF YOU WANT TO PASS)
Most traders fail not because they can’t trade, but because they don’t understand the rules.
If you take anything from this guide:
EOD = slower, more forgiving
Intraday = faster, stricter
DLL protects your day
Drawdown rules protect the account
Consistency determines if you get paid
HOW TO GET STARTED
If you're planning to start with Apex, use affiliate code:
This ensures you're set up correctly from the start and aligned with the latest rules outlined above.