Does Apex Allow Bots? Apex Trader Funding Automation Rules (2026)

No. Apex Trader Funding's prohibited activities page says the use of automation is strictly prohibited on all account types. It names AI, autobots, algorithms, fully automated trading systems and high-frequency trading, as well as "set-and-forget" and 24-hour systems, and says the penalty is closure of the Performance or Live account and forfeiture of funds. Trade copiers that copy your own manual trades across your own Apex accounts are allowed, as long as all accounts trade in the same direction.

This is as of 12 November 2026. Apex's help centre blocked our direct requests, so we read the official wording through search snapshots of its prohibited activities page; check it directly before you trade.

If you run a bot, Apex is not the firm for it under its current rules. Leveraged trading carries a high risk of loss.

What Apex bans

• Any form of automation: AI, autobots, algorithms and fully automated trading systems.
• High-frequency trading.
• Set-and-forget or 24-hour systems.
• Copying trades with other people.

One Apex help page says semi-automated tools should only assist with the speed and accuracy of placing trades you decide on, which leaves very little room for anything rule-driven. The Live program FAQ repeats that automation and algorithms are not allowed.

We couldn't find the date the automation wording took effect. The only dated change we found is Apex's March 2026 overhaul, which retired legacy accounts and moved the consistency rule from 30% to 50%.

What Apex allows: copying your own trades

Copying trades across your own Performance Accounts, in your personal or business name, is allowed, but every account has to trade the same direction (no hedging between them). Apex's user agreement allows it only when the lead account is traded manually and every account is yours. Tradovate's Group Trade is officially supported, without bracket orders (ATMs), according to Apex's Tradovate group copier page.

Apex's consistency rule

Current Performance Accounts can request a payout only when the largest profitable day is under 50% of net profit since the last approved payout. Accounts bought before March 2026 keep 30%. It isn't a breach, just a payout gate. You can check your numbers with the consistency calculator, which has Apex presets.

Futures prop firms that do allow bots

• Topstep allows automated trading through the TopstepX API, not from a VPS and not on Live Funded accounts. See Topstep's algo trading rules.
• Other futures firms have their own limits. See futures prop firms that allow algo trading.
• Forex and CFD firms such as FTMO, The5ers and E8 Markets allow EAs. See forex prop firms that allow EAs and bots.

If you want an algo on a prop account

Pick a firm whose rules allow it, then test the strategy against that firm's rules before you buy the challenge. The prop firm challenge simulator in Strategy Lab replays a strategy's backtest from every week or month start with limits checked inside every candle, using presets for FTMO, The5ers and Topstep or custom rules for any firm.