Bulenox vs Apex Trader Funding
Introduction:
Bulenox, a proprietary trading firm based in Wilmington, Delaware, USA, was established in 2022 by a team of traders with a long history in the industry. Since then, the firm has gained significant recognition for its competitive pricing and diverse range of account sizes. In this piece, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about Bulenox and look at how it compares to another major prop firm, Apex Trader Funding, with view to helping you determine which firm is the better fit for you.
Bulenox is making waves in the futures trading landscape: for starters, it doesn’t require traders to invest any initial capital, making it accessible regardless of their financial resources. Another major draw is the firm’s flexibility – it gives traders the independence to use the strategies that suit them to trade when it suits them, within a secure trading environment. The profit share traders receive is generous, and Bulenox are fully committed to their rules and contractual obligations, meaning traders can place their full trust in the firm.
In addition to funding futures day traders who successfully pass the firm’s evaluation, Bulenox provides a dependable system for payout processing, as well as supportive customer service. There are no consistency rules, and traders are allowed to trade in Micro Bitcoin. With a well-defined pathway to success as a funded futures trader, Bulenox is an enticing choice.
Apex Trader Funding, also known as ATF, is another American prop trading firm, with its headquarters Austin, Texas. Under the guidance of CEO Darrel Martin, Apex has strived since its inception two years ago to provide a business model orientated around its traders, something that its founders felt was too rare an occurrence in the prop trading industry.
Traders partnering with ATF have access to Rithmic and Tradovate trading platforms, both of which have excellent trade execution capabilities and data feeds. With account sizes spanning from $25,000 to $300,000, traders have a large array of entry points to choose from and will almost certainly find an account to meet their budget and risk preferences. The single stage evaluation benefits experienced traders by reducing the time required to qualify for funding. Profit targets start at $1,500 and rise to $2,000 (depending on account size), and maximum total drawdowns are between $625 to $1,500 (again, according to account size). Traders at ATF have the flexibility to simultaneously trade up to 20 funded accounts, with trading allowed during holidays and news. Furthermore, the choice of trading instruments is very large, with everything from currency and interest futures through to agricultural futures available.
Bulenox is best for: | Apex Trader Funding is best for: |
Traders who prefer a more adaptable approach towards managing risk | Traders who like a structured program |
Those who appreciate minimal restrictions | Those seeking transparent guidelines and a reasonable degree of adaptability |
Traders prioritising versatile trading conditions | Traders who lean towards a more regimented approach to managing risk |
Users seeking prompt, effective customer support | Traders who flourish in a methodical trading environment with distinct parameters |
Newer traders looking for a nurturing environment to learn and grow | Traders desiring significant levels of capital with which to trade |
Comparative of Bulenox and Apex Trader Funding: Prop Firms for Futures Traders
The prop trading industry is full of complexities, and choosing which prop trading firm to work with can be a daunting task – especially when the decision is between two leading firms such as Bulenox and Apex Trader Funding. The table below compares the key features of the two firms.
Feature | Bulenox | Apex Trader Funding |
Instruments | Futures contracts (Equity, Forex, Agricultural, Energy, Interest Rate, Metals) | Equity Futures, Foreign Exchange Futures, Agricultural Futures, Energy Futures, Interest Rate Futures, Metals Futures, Cryptocurrency Futures |
Challenge Types | One-Step Evaluation Process | One-Step Evaluation Process |
Challenge Account Sizes | $10,000, $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, $150,000, $250,000 | Full: $25,000, up to $300,000 Static: $100,000 |
Challenge Cost | $115 to $535/month | Rithmic: Full $147 to $657 month, Static $137 month. Tradovate: Full $167 to $677 month, Static $157 month. |
Minimum Trading Days | 5 days | 7 days |
Profit Target | $,1000 to $15,000 | $1,500 to $20,000 |
Maximum Position Size | 5 to 15 contracts | 4 to 35 contracts |
Payout Split | 90/10 (trader/firm) Keep 100% on first $10,000 profits | Receive 100% of the first $25,000 per Account and 90/10 (trader/firm) Beyond That |
Additional Points:
- There are two options: no scaling with a trailing drawdown, or a scaling plan with an end-of-day drawdown.
- 14-day free trial (encompassing 10 trading days) through Rithmic for traders who haven’t previously registered with Rithmic. After the trial concludes, traders can purchase a Qualification Account.
Apex Trader Funding:
- Reach your profit target before breaching your maximum drawdown within seven days of trading, and you’ll qualify for funding. It’s as simple as that!
- Choice of Tradovate or Rithmic trading platforms, both of which are industry-leaders providing first-rate customer support. Tradovate distinguishes itself with its compatibility across a range of devices, easily manageable interface, and group trade features which allow for trade copying across multiple accounts.
Deeper Dive into Bulenox vs. Apex Trader Funding
In this section we’ll take a better look at how Bulenox and Apex Trader Funding’s rules compare.
Rule Category | Bulenox | Apex |
Scalping | Allowed | Allowed |
Day Trading | Allowed | Allowed |
Swing Trading | Not Allowed | Allowed |
Holding Positions Overnight | Allowed | Allowed |
Holding Positions Over Weekends | Not Allowed | Allowed |
News Trading | Not Allowed | Allowed |
- Bulenox Max Daily Loss (MDL):
The daily loss limit represents the maximum amount that you can lose each day. Bulenox calculates this from your profit and loss, including commissions and real-time/unrealised trades, for each trading day from 5.00pm to 4.00pm the following day (CST). The RTrader platform manages this daily loss limit.
- Apex Trader Funding Trailing Threshold:
Traders begin trading with their starting balance and a certain number of contracts, outlined in each plan. You’re allowed to trade up to the maximum number of contracts, with micros also tradable up to the maximum contract size specified in the plan.
There’s no daily maximum drawdown limit. Maximum loss drawdown is different according to different plans (such as $47,500 for a €50,000 account).
In FULL accounts, the trailing drawdown stops when the liquidation threshold reaches €100 above the initial plan balance (e.g. €50,1000 for a €50,000 account).
In STATIC accounts, the drawdown remains constant (hence the name “static”). For instance, in a €100,000 STATIC account, the drawdown remains fixed at $99,375 and won’t fluctuate.
- Bulenox Trailing drawdown and end-of-day drawdown:
OPTION 1: Νo scaling account (trailing drawdown)
- The trailing drawdown is linked to your current balance, which is equal to your profit.
- Real-time tracking includes commissions during the trading day.
- A decrease in your balance doesn’t affect the allowable drawdown.
- If you exceed the permitted drawdown, your account will be blocked by the administrator. In such a case, you have the option of resetting your account, or creating a new one.
OPTION 2: End-of-day drawdown account
- End-of-day (EOD) updates for Qualification and Master Accounts happen at the end of each trading day.
- EOD takes into account profits made by the close of each day and adjusts accordingly when the account balance reaches a new high.
- The EOD trailing drawdown consistently mirrors the end-of-day account balance, which is equal to your profit. Once you qualify for a Master Account, the EOD adjustments cease one the initial balance is reached.
- Withdrawal:
Bulenox: Bulenox payouts are facilitated via ACH, PayPal, cryptocurrencies or Venmo. Traders can request withdrawals at any time over the course of the month, and processing occurs every Wednesday. To be eligible for a payout, you need to have accrued at least 10 trading days.
Apex Trader Funding: ATF’s payouts are processed twice monthly, on the 15th and last business day of the month. Traders retain the entire initial €25,000 they generate in profit, with a 90/10 profit split thereafter. Payouts are processed by Plane, who give you the option of wire transfer, ACH, cryptocurrencies, and PayPal – among others.
Like with Bulenox, you need to accrue 10 trading days before you’re eligible for your first payout. For all subsequent payouts, there must be 10 trading days between each one. All withdrawals are subject to a minimum limit of €1,000. Maximum withdrawal changes according to account size for your first, second and third withdrawals. From the fourth withdrawal onwards, there is no cap.
As ATF’s withdrawal structure is a little more complicated than that of some other prop firms, we recommend you take a look at their rules in full on the firm’s website.
- Leverage:
Leverage Futures | Bulenox | Apex Trader Funding |
Futures | 1.1 | 1:1 |
Additional Points:
Apex Trader Funding: Traders have the flexibility to trade 23 hours a day, including during holidays and news events. Trading hours are 6.00pm to 4.59pm ET the following day. All trades must be closed, and pending orders cancelled, before 4.59pm.
Bulenox vs. Apex Trader Funding: Pros and Cons
Bulenox:
- Affordable fees, notably the modest €78 reset charge.
- 14-day free trial allows prospective traders to test the waters before committing.
- Generous profit share, where traders receive all of the first $10,000, they generate and 90% afterwards.
- Rare opportunity to participate in Micro Bitcoin trading.
- Traders qualifying for funding only have to pay a one-off fee.
- Varied selection of account sizes, ranging from $10,000 up to $250,000.
- Traders can use multiple accounts at the same time.
- Bulenox is accessible globally.
- Numerous withdrawal methods facilitated, including PayPal and ACH.
- Minimal restrictions, enabling flexible trading.
- Mentorship provided by highly experienced traders.
- Fairly stringent withdrawal policy withdrawals are only allowed after ten trading days, with amounts constrained by minimum and maximum limits.
- No educational resources offered.
- Primarily centred on day trading, so potentially less suitable for traders using other strategies.
- Having been founded in 2022, Bulenox lacks the reassuring factor of a long track-record.
Apex Trader Funding:
- Efficient one-stage evaluation.
- No daily profit targets
- Attractive profit split for traders.
- Two payouts per month, and no maximum limit on how much you can withdraw.
- Rules afford traders a reasonable degree of flexibility.
- No consecutive trading day requirement enables traders to adapt their schedules as they like.
- Straightforward approach to risk management.
- Highly respected throughout the prop trading industry.
- Trading news and on holidays is allowed.
- No daily drawdown and scaling restrictions
- Does not support cross-session trading.
- Fewer trading tools and trading technology than found elsewhere.
Conclusion
Bulenox and Apex Trader Funding are both exceptional prop trading firms, but each has its own distinct strengths and priorities.
Bulenox provides a diverse array of funding account sizes, meaning there is likely to be one to cater to your needs, with the two different options of trailing drawdown versus end-of-day drawdown with scaling providing further flexibility.
Apex Trader Funding provides an attractive framework for payouts, as well as offering traders a high share of their profits. The ability to manage large contract sizes allows traders to benefit from using more extensive trading strategies. The firm also places significant emphasis on data security and risk management, enabling traders to feel confident that they are partnering with a secure and dependable firm.
In the end, your choice of platform should really be determined by your personal needs as a trader. Factors to take into account as you read about each firm are which strategies you like to use, how big your budget is, your appetite for risk, and whether you prefer a more methodical or a more flexible approach.
Dive deeper into Bulenox and Apex Trader Funding with our comprehensive reviews: Bulenox Review 2024 | Apex Trader Funding Review 2024