Topstep Review
Data verified 2026-04-11
Topstep Review 2026: The Original Futures Prop Firm: Still the Gold Standard?
Rating: 4.3/5 | Futures-Only | Chicago, IL | Founded 2012
Topstep is the granddaddy of futures prop trading firms. Founded in 2012 in Chicago, the heart of futures trading in the US, Topstep has been funding traders for over a decade. While newer competitors have rushed in with flashier discounts and looser rules, Topstep has maintained a reputation for reliability, transparency, and solid trader outcomes. Over 10,000 traders have been funded and $20M+ in payouts have been processed.
But does a 13-year track record make Topstep the right choice for you in 2026? Not necessarily. Let’s look at every angle.
What Is Topstep?
Topstep is a Chicago-based futures proprietary trading firm that gives traders access to simulated funded accounts ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. You pay a monthly subscription to access their evaluation program, called the Trading Combine: and once you pass, you get a funded account to trade with real profit-sharing.
Unlike most other prop firms, Topstep uses a subscription model rather than a one-time fee. You pay $49–$149/month until you pass. This can be cheaper than a one-time challenge fee if you pass quickly, but if you take three months, you’ve paid $147–$447 total.
Key facts:
- Account sizes: $50K, $100K, $150K
- Evaluation type: 1-step subscription (Trading Combine)
- Profit split: 100% of first $10K earned, then 90/10
- Platforms: TopstepX (primary), NinjaTrader, TradingView
- Based in Chicago, IL, USA, operating since 2012
The Trading Combine: How Evaluation Works
Topstep’s evaluation is called the Trading Combine. It’s simpler than most, just one phase, no verification step required. You subscribe, pass the rules, and get funded.
The rules are:
Hit the profit target: You need to earn a specified dollar amount to pass. For the $50K account, that’s $3,000 (6% of account size). There’s no time limit, take as long as you need.
Stay above the trailing maximum drawdown: This is Topstep’s defining rule, and it’s the one that trips up the most traders. The drawdown follows your highest account equity: meaning every time you make a new high, your floor rises with it.
Here’s what that means in practice: If you’re trading the $50K account with a $2,000 trailing drawdown, your floor starts at $48,000. If you grow your account to $52,000, your floor rises to $50,000. If you then have a losing streak back to $49,500, you’re fine. But your floor is now $50,000, so you only have $500 of breathing room. Many traders who build up a big cushion then give it all back because they don’t realize how little room they have left.
Respect the daily loss limit: Unlike Apex, Topstep has a daily loss limit during the Trading Combine. Hit your daily limit and you’re locked out for the rest of that trading day. The limits are $1,000 (for $50K accounts), $2,000 ($100K), and $3,000 ($150K).
No time limit: Take as many days as you need to pass. Some traders pass in 5 days; others take 6 months.
Account Pricing
| Account Size | Monthly Fee | Profit Target | Daily Loss Limit | Trailing Drawdown | Reset Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49/month | $3,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $49 |
| $100,000 | $99/month | $6,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $99 |
| $150,000 | $149/month | $9,000 | $3,000 | $4,500 | $149 |
The $50K account is where most beginners should start. It’s the most affordable, the profit target is achievable, and if you violate rules and need to reset, it’s the cheapest to restart.
Promo codes exist that discount the monthly subscription by up to 70%, bringing the $50K account down to around $15/month. Check Topstep’s website regularly or search for current codes.
Funded Account: What Happens After You Pass
Once you pass the Trading Combine, Topstep activates an Express Funded Account. There’s a $149 activation fee (as of February 2026). The funded account has similar rules to the combine, with some additions:
- No overnight positions: You must close all trades by market close each day
- Position size limits: Match what you traded in the combine
- Drawdown still applies: The same trailing drawdown logic continues
Profit split structure:
- First $10,000 earned in your funded account: 100% goes to you
- Every dollar after that: 90% to you, 10% to Topstep
This opening 100% split is the best in the industry. Competitors like FTMO start at 80%, and Apex’s 100% split applies to $25K across all accounts. For traders who can consistently extract a few thousand dollars per month, the Topstep structure is very favorable.
Payout schedule: Payouts can be requested after your first trading day in a funded account and are processed within 7 days. Topstep pays via check, ACH bank transfer, or PayPal.
Platform Access
Topstep’s primary platform is TopstepX, their in-house trading interface built on top of Rithmic data feeds. It’s modern and functional, though not as feature-rich as NinjaTrader or TradingView.
For funded accounts, Topstep also supports:
- NinjaTrader (desktop, most popular among experienced traders)
- TradingView (web-based, great for beginners)
Traders can access most CME futures contracts: ES (S&P 500), NQ (Nasdaq), YM (Dow Jones), CL (Crude Oil), GC (Gold), SI (Silver), 6E (Euro FX), and more.
Scaling Program
Topstep offers a scaling program for successful funded traders. After you’ve established a track record of profitable trading, Topstep will increase your maximum position size and potentially your account size. The specifics depend on your individual performance history and are discussed with Topstep’s risk team.
Community Reputation
Topstep’s long track record makes them the most discussed futures prop firm in trading communities. On Trustpilot and Reddit’s r/FuturesTrading, the reviews are predominantly positive, particularly around payout reliability and rule transparency.
The most common frustration? The trailing drawdown. Traders who don’t fully understand how it works often feel burned when they lose their funded account after what felt like a profitable month. The rule is clearly documented, but the emotional reality of watching your floor creep up catches many traders off-guard.
Trustpilot rating: Consistently 4.0–4.5 stars with thousands of reviews.
Who Should Use Topstep?
Topstep is ideal for:
- Futures traders with a consistent intraday strategy in ES, NQ, or CL
- Traders who value stability and want the most trusted name in the industry
- Traders who can pass the combine quickly (subscription model rewards fast passers)
- Anyone who wants maximum profit split, the 100% first $10K is unmatched for getting started
Topstep may not be ideal for:
- Swing traders or anyone who needs to hold overnight positions
- Traders who struggle with discipline around daily loss limits
- Traders who take months to pass evaluations (subscription costs add up)
- Anyone wanting to trade forex, crypto CFDs, or stocks
Comparison to Competitors
vs. Apex Trader Funding: Apex has no daily loss limit during evaluation and more aggressive discounting. Topstep has a longer track record and the best profit split opening. Both are legitimate, your choice depends on whether you prioritize low evaluation cost (Apex) or maximum first-payout profit share (Topstep).
vs. FTMO: FTMO offers more asset classes (forex, crypto, indices) and a two-phase evaluation. Topstep is futures-only and simpler. For futures traders, Topstep wins on specialization and track record.
Final Verdict
Topstep earns its reputation. A 13-year track record, over $20M paid to traders, and a genuinely fair profit split structure make it one of the best options for futures traders. The 100% first-$10K profit split is exceptional. The monthly subscription model is affordable, especially with promo codes.
The trailing maximum drawdown is the biggest hurdle and eliminates more traders than the profit target ever does. Study it carefully, paper trade with it in mind, and make sure your strategy can handle the constraint before you subscribe.
For experienced futures traders with a proven intraday strategy, Topstep remains the benchmark against which all competitors are measured.
Overall Score: 4.3/5
Data current as of March 2026. Pricing and rules subject to change, always verify on the official Topstep website before subscribing.
Scores
Account Plans
| Account | Price | Max Drawdown | Profit Target | Profit Split | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000Trading Combine $50K | $49 | n/a | 6% | 90% | Daily after 3 winning days |
| $50,00050K Standard Path | $49 | n/a | n/a | 90% | Daily after 3 winning days |
| $50,000Trading Combine Standard | $49 | 4% | 6% | 90% | Daily after 3 winning days |
| $50,000Trading Combine No Activation Fee | $109 | 4% | 6% | 90% | Daily after 3 winning days |
| $100,000Trading Combine $100K | $99 | n/a | 6% | 90% | Daily after 3 winning days |
| $100,000100K Standard Path | $99 | n/a | n/a | 90% | Daily after 3 winning days |
| $100,000Trading Combine Standard | $99 | 3% | 6% | 90% | Daily after 3 winning days |
| $100,000Trading Combine No Activation Fee | $159 | 3% | 6% | 90% | Daily after 3 winning days |
| $150,000Trading Combine $150K | $149 | n/a | 6% | 90% | Daily after 3 winning days |
| $150,000150K Standard Path | $149 | n/a | n/a | 90% | Daily after 3 winning days |
| $150,000Trading Combine Standard | $149 | 3% | 6% | 90% | Daily after 3 winning days |
| $150,000Trading Combine No Activation Fee | $209 | 3% | 6% | 90% | Daily after 3 winning days |
Pricing data last verified 2026-04-11. See methodology.