No Activation Fee or Standard? The Real Cost at Apex and Topstep
Paying more up front to skip the activation fee only pays off if you pass fast. Here is where the line falls at Topstep and Apex.
Apex vs Topstep activation fees can make a significant difference to the total cost of a futures prop firm challenge. Both firms offer Standard and No Activation Fee options, but the cheaper choice depends on how quickly you pass and how many attempts you need. Topstep charges a higher monthly subscription for its no-fee option, while Apex uses one-time evaluation payments. Here’s how the costs compare using November 2026 prices and when each option offers better value.
The rule of thumb
The activation fee is only charged when you pass. So the standard path is cheaper for anyone who takes a long time or never passes, and the no activation fee path is cheaper for anyone who passes quickly. The question is where the line falls.
Topstep: it depends on how many months you pay
Topstep’s Trading Combine is a monthly subscription. On the Standard path you pay a $149 activation fee for each Express Funded Account you earn. On the No Activation Fee path the monthly price is higher and there is no fee. Topstep says you cannot change path after you buy.
| Topstep | Standard | No Activation Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 50K | $49 a month + $149 when you pass | $95 a month |
| 100K | $99 a month + $149 when you pass | $149 a month |
| 150K | $199 a month + $149 when you pass | $229 a month |
Here is the total cost of a 50K if you pass after a given number of months:
| Months paid before you pass | Standard | No Activation Fee | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $198 | $95 | No fee, by $103 |
| 2 | $247 | $190 | No fee, by $57 |
| 3 | $296 | $285 | No fee, by $11 |
| 4 | $345 | $380 | Standard, by $35 |
| Never pass, 3 months | $147 | $285 | Standard, by $138 |
The same maths on the other sizes: the no activation fee path wins if you pass within 3 months on the 50K, 2 months on the 100K and 4 months on the 150K. After that, Standard is cheaper, and it is always cheaper for the months you pay without passing.
Apex: Standard wins at list price
Apex evaluations are a one time payment, not a subscription. Its pricing picker showed these 50K prices on 5 November 2026:
| Apex 50K | Standard | No Activation Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Intraday trailing drawdown | $249 + $99 when you pass | $799 |
| End of day drawdown | $590, plus the activation fee when you pass | $1,190 |
At those prices, Standard is cheaper however many attempts you need. Pass first time and the intraday Standard account costs $348, against $799 with no activation fee. Need two attempts and it is $597 against $1,598, because every failed no fee evaluation costs another $799. On the end of day version the gap is $600 before the activation fee, far more than the fee itself.
Codes change the maths
Apex and Topstep both run frequent discounts, so check whether a code applies to both versions before you decide. If a code takes the same percentage off both, the activation fee matters more. Take an Apex sale at 90% off: the intraday Standard account would be $24.90 plus the $99 fee, and the no fee version $79.90. Then the no fee version is cheaper if you pass first time, and Standard is cheaper from your second attempt. You can see current codes on our Apex promo code page.
How to decide
- Be honest about your pass rate. Most traders take more than one attempt. Our look at what prop firm payout numbers really tell you shows how few accounts reach a payout.
- At Topstep, the no activation fee path suits traders who expect to pass within a couple of months. Everyone else saves with Standard.
- At Apex, Standard is cheaper at list price for everyone. Only a code that cuts both prices by the same large share changes that.
- Remember resets. Failing and starting again costs money on both paths. Our guide to resets and free retries covers the options.
Plenty of futures firms charge no activation fee at all. Our guide to what a prop firm challenge really costs covers the other fees to watch for.
When comparing Apex vs Topstep activation fees, traders should consider more than the initial evaluation price. The number of attempts, monthly subscription costs and activation charges all affect the total amount spent before reaching a funded account. Therefore, calculate the full cost based on your expected pass rate rather than choosing the cheapest advertised price.
Key takeaways
- The activation fee is only charged when you pass, so the standard path protects you if you fail.
- At Topstep, no activation fee is cheaper if you pass within 3 months on a 50K, 2 on a 100K or 4 on a 150K.
- At Apex list prices, the Standard 50K is cheaper however many attempts you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Topstep's No Activation Fee path worth it?
Only if you pass quickly. On a 50K Combine it is cheaper if you pass within three months of paying. After that, the Standard path at $49 a month plus a $149 activation fee costs less, and it always costs less while you have not passed.
Is the Apex no activation fee account cheaper?
Not at list price. In November 2026 the 50K intraday Standard evaluation was $249 plus a $99 activation fee when you pass, against $799 for the no activation fee version. Standard stays cheaper for any number of attempts, because each failed no fee evaluation costs another $799.
Can I switch Topstep paths after buying?
No. Topstep says paths cannot be changed after purchase.
