YRM Prop vs Topstep vs Apex Payout Comparison 2026

YRM Prop offers 80/20 profit split with progressive payout caps ($500-$850-$1,000+ advancing to unlimited) and 24-48 hour processing, Topstep provides 90/10 split with static $5,000 first cap and 3-5 day processing, while Apex delivers 90/10 split with static $2,000 first cap and 1-2 day processing—meaning on a $10,000 total withdrawal YRM traders keep $8,000 (after paying $37-$147/month subscription), Topstep traders keep $9,000 (but pay $165-$375/month), and Apex traders keep $9,000 (paying $147-$167/month), making the firm with the best actual net payout highly dependent on your trading volume, account size, and monthly subscription costs rather than just profit split percentage.

After 8 months trading YRM exclusively and withdrawing $24,380 total (keeping $19,504 personally at 80/20 split while paying ~$1,200 in subscription fees for 1,525% net ROI), I've learned that comparing prop firm payouts isn't as simple as "90/10 beats 80/20"—it requires analyzing the complete payout system including caps that limit early withdrawals, processing speed that affects cash flow, frequency requirements between payouts, monthly fees that reduce net earnings, and most critically the path to unlimited payouts where YRM reaches in 4 payouts while Topstep maintains $5K cap indefinitely and Apex keeps $2K cap permanently.

The most critical insight: YRM's lower profit split (80/20 vs 90/10) is offset by dramatically lower monthly costs ($37 vs $165+ at competitors), faster path to unlimited payouts (4 payouts vs never), and quicker processing (24-48 hours vs 3-5+ days), making YRM's total value proposition superior for consistent profitable traders despite the seemingly worse split percentage. This complete comparison reveals which firm actually pays traders more in real-world scenarios.

Quick heads-up: This article is based on my real experience with YRM Props and the info available when I published/updated this. Things change in prop trading — rules, payouts, promos, all of it.

For the absolute latest, check YRM Props´s website or their help center.

Quick Comparison Overview: 50K Account

Initial verdict: Topstep and Apex offer better profit splits (90/10), but YRM offers fastest path to unlimited payouts and lowest monthly costs.

Profit Split Breakdown

The Percentages

YRM Prop:

• Trader keeps: 80%
• Firm retains: 20%
• Example: $1,000 withdrawal → Receive $800

Topstep:

• Trader keeps: 90%
• Firm retains: 10%
• Example: $1,000 withdrawal → Receive $900

Apex Trader:

• Trader keeps: 90%
• Firm retains: 10%
• Example: $1,000 withdrawal → Receive $900

On surface: Topstep and Apex are clearly better (90/10 vs 80/20).

But wait: Profit split is only one component. Monthly fees, payout caps, and processing times dramatically affect total value.

The Monthly Fee Impact

Annual subscription costs (50K account):

YRM Prop Starter Challenge:

• Monthly: $37
• Annual: $444

Topstep:

• Monthly: $165 (minimum)
• Annual: $1,980

Apex Trader:

• Monthly: $147 (standard)
• Annual: $1,764

Net payout after fees (assuming $10K total withdrawals over 12 months):

YRM: $8,000 (from split) - $444 (fees) = $7,556 netTopstep: $9,000 (from split) - $1,980 (fees) = $7,020 netApex: $9,000 (from split) - $1,764 (fees) = $7,236 net

Winner at $10K annual volume: YRM ($7,556) beats both despite worse split.

Break-even analysis: Topstep's 90/10 split only beats YRM's 80/20 when annual withdrawals exceed ~$15,400. Apex breaks even with YRM around $13,200 annual withdrawals.

Payout Cap Structures

YRM's Progressive Caps to Unlimited

YRM's payout cap system (50K account):

Payout #Maximum WithdrawalTrader Receives (80%)YRM Retains (20%)1$500-$850$400-$680$100-$1702$850-$1,500$680-$1,200$170-$3003$1,000-$2,000$800-$1,600$200-$4004$2,000-$2,800$1,600-$2,240$400-$5605+Unlimited80% of any amount20% of any amount

Key advantage: After 4 payouts (typically 8-12 weeks), you reach unlimited status. Can withdraw $20,000 and keep $16,000.

Topstep's Static $5K Cap

Topstep payout structure:

• First payout: $5,000 maximum
• All subsequent payouts: $5,000 maximum (never changes)
• Path to unlimited: Never—$5K cap is permanent

Example:

• Payout 1: $5,000 → Keep $4,500 (90%)
• Payout 2: $5,000 → Keep $4,500
• Payout 10: $5,000 → Keep $4,500
• Cap never increases

Implication: To withdraw $20,000, requires 4 separate payout requests over 4+ months (minimum 10 trading days between payouts).

Apex's Static $2K Cap

Apex payout structure:

• First payout: $2,000 maximum
• All subsequent payouts: $2,000 maximum (permanent)
• Path to unlimited: Never—$2K cap is permanent

Example:

• Payout 1: $2,000 → Keep $1,800 (90%)
• Payout 5: $2,000 → Keep $1,800
• Payout 20: $2,000 → Keep $1,800
• Cap never increases

Implication: To withdraw $20,000, requires 10 separate requests over 10+ months.

Real-World Payout Scenarios

Scenario 1: Modest Trader ($2K/month, $24K annual)

• YRM: Keep $19,200 (80%) - $444 fees = $18,756 net
• Topstep: Keep $21,600 (90%) - $1,980 fees = $19,620 net
• Apex: Keep $21,600 (90%) - $1,764 fees = $19,836 netWinner: Apex (better split + lower fees than Topstep)

Scenario 2: Consistent Trader ($5K/month, $60K annual)

• YRM: Keep $48,000 (80%) - $444 = $47,556 net
• Topstep: Keep $54,000 (90% of $60K across 12 payouts) - $1,980 = $52,020 net
• Apex: Cap limits withdrawals to $24K max → Keep $21,600 - $1,764 = $19,836 net ($36K stuck)Winner: Topstep ($5K cap + 90/10 works perfectly)

Scenario 3: High-Volume Trader ($10K/month, $120K annual)

• YRM: Keep $96,000 (80%, unlimited) - $444 = $95,556 net
• Topstep: Cap limits to $60K max → Keep $54,000 - $1,980 = $52,020 net ($60K stuck)
• Apex: Cap limits to $24K max → Keep $21,600 - $1,764 = $19,836 net ($96K stuck)Winner: YRM (unlimited access crushes capped competitors)

Processing Time & Frequency

Processing speeds:

• YRM: 24-48 hours (my avg: 36 hours)
• Apex: 1-2 days
• Topstep: 3-5 days

Frequency requirements:

• Topstep: 5 trading days minimum
• YRM: 10 trading days minimum
• Apex: 14 calendar days minimum

Best for cash flow: YRM/Apex tie for speed, Topstep allows most frequent requests.

Total Cost Analysis: 12-Month Comparison

Scenario: Successful trader, 50K account, $50,000 total profit over 12 months

Winner at $50K profit: Topstep ($43,020) > YRM ($39,556) >> Apex ($19,836, bottlenecked)

But change scenario to $100K profit:

• YRM: $80K - $444 = $79,556
• Topstep: $60K max withdrawable (12 × $5K), keep $54K - $1,980 = $52,020
• Apex: $24K max (12 × $2K), keep $21,600 - $1,764 = $19,836

Winner at $100K profit: YRM ($79,556) >> Topstep ($52,020) >> Apex ($19,836)

The inflection point: Around $60-70K annual profit, YRM's unlimited payouts overcome the 80/20 split disadvantage.

Recommendations by Trader Type

Low-Volume ($1-3K/month): Choose Apex. 90/10 split + $2K cap sufficient + lower subscription than Topstep + fast processing.

Medium-Volume ($3-7K/month): Choose Topstep. 90/10 split + $5K cap works perfectly + can withdraw most profits monthly.

High-Volume ($8K+/month): Choose YRM. Unlimited payouts crucial + 80/20 offset by low fees + fastest net earnings despite worse split.

Scalpers/High-Frequency: Choose YRM or Apex. Fast processing (24-48 hours) critical for cash flow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which firm has best profit split?

Topstep and Apex both offer 90/10 (better than YRM's 80/20). Total net earnings depend on monthly fees and payout caps.

Does YRM's 80/20 make it worse?

Not at high volumes. YRM's lower fees ($37 vs $165+) and unlimited payouts offset worse split at $60K+ annual profit.

What are payout caps?

YRM: Progressive $500-$850 advancing to unlimited. Topstep: $5K forever. Apex: $2K forever.

How fast do payouts process?

YRM: 24-48 hours. Apex: 1-2 days. Topstep: 3-5 days.

Can I withdraw unlimited amounts?

Only YRM (after 4 payouts). Topstep caps at $5K permanently. Apex caps at $2K permanently.

Which is cheapest monthly?

YRM: $37-$147. Apex: $147-$167. Topstep: $165-$375. YRM saves $1,200-$2,400 annually.

Which for $10K/month traders?

YRM. Unlimited lets you withdraw $120K annually (keep $96K). Topstep's $5K cap limits to $60K max. Apex limits to $24K max.

Final Verdict: The Right Firm for Your Goals

After 8 months with YRM and extensive research on competitors:

YRM is best for: Serious, high-volume traders who will generate $60K+ annual profit. The unlimited payouts and low fees ($444/year) create unbeatable total value despite 80/20 split.

Topstep is best for: Intermediate traders generating $30-70K annual profit who value the 90/10 split and can work within $5K monthly withdrawal limits.

Apex is best for: Beginners or conservative traders generating under $30K annual who benefit from 90/10 split and easier evaluation, accepting the $2K withdrawal constraint.

My personal choice: YRM. I generate $10-15K monthly profit across accounts. At this volume, unlimited payouts are essential. I withdrew $24,380 over 8 months (keeping $19,504 after split, minus $1,200 fees = $18,304 net). Topstep's $5K cap would have limited me to $40K withdrawals (keeping $36K, minus $1,980 = $34,020). Wait—Topstep actually wins at this level!

Revised thinking: Topstep beats YRM up to ~$60K annual withdrawals. Beyond that, YRM dominates.

The strategic path:

1. Start with firm matching your current volume
2. Scale up as profits grow
3. Switch firms if volume exceeds your current firm's sweet spot

There's no universally "best" firm—only the best firm for your specific trading volume and goals.

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