Topstep at a Glance
| Methodology score | 83 / 100 |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, United States |
| Markets | Futures (CME Group) |
| Platforms | TopstepX, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Quantower |
| Challenge types | Trading Combine (one-step, monthly subscription) |
| Account sizes | $50,000, $100,000, $150,000 |
| Profit split | 100% of the first $10,000, then 90% |
| Drawdown type | Trailing (end of day) |
| Payouts | On request after five winning days, up to a cap per period |
What Is Topstep?
Topstep has funded futures traders from Chicago since 2012, which makes it the longest-running firm on this site. Its Trading Combine is a monthly subscription rather than a one-off fee: trade a simulated futures account to the profit target without breaching the trailing maximum loss and move to a funded Express account.
The firm removed its daily loss limit in 2024, simplified its rules and built its own platform, TopstepX, alongside NinjaTrader and TradingView. Its payout record is long and public.
How the Topstep Challenge Works
- Subscribe to a Trading Combine at $50,000, $100,000 or $150,000.
- Reach the dollar profit target with at least two winning days without breaching the trailing maximum loss.
- Move to an Express Funded account; keep 100% of the first $10,000 and 90% after.
- Request payouts after five winning days.
Challenge Options
- Trading Combine (one-step, monthly subscription)
Challenge Fees
Monthly subscription from about $49 for $50,000 to about $149 for $150,000, with frequent first-month discounts. Discounts are common across the industry; the fee guide explains how to compare them, and FrugalFX tracks current offers.
Profit Targets
$3,000, $6,000 or $9,000 by account size. The ratio between the target and the maximum loss is the best single measure of how hard a challenge is; the profit targets lesson explains why.
Drawdown Rules
Daily loss limit: None since 2024; a daily loss limit was removed. Maximum loss: $2,000, $3,000 or $4,500 trailing on end-of-day balance. Drawdown type: Trailing (end of day). A trailing drawdown follows your equity peak, so profit raises the floor; the guide on static versus trailing drawdown explains what that does to a strategy with wide open swings. Read the drawdown rules guide before paying for any evaluation.
Trading Rules
| Profit targets | $3,000, $6,000 or $9,000 by account size |
| Daily loss limit | None since 2024; a daily loss limit was removed |
| Maximum loss | $2,000, $3,000 or $4,500 trailing on end-of-day balance |
| Drawdown type | Trailing (end of day) |
| Minimum trading days | 2 winning days of $150 or more |
| Maximum trading days | None while the subscription continues |
| News trading | Allowed |
| Weekend holding | Not applicable; futures accounts are flat daily |
| EA and automated trading | Automation allowed within rules |
Platforms and Markets
Topstep offers TopstepX, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Quantower for trading futures (cme group). The platform reference pages compare the major platforms.
Funded Account
After passing, the funded account keeps the same loss limits and drops the profit target. Topstep does not offer a free trial on record, so the first evaluation is the first contact with its rules. The funded accounts lesson explains what a funded account is and is not.
Profit Split
100% of the first $10,000, then 90%.
Payouts
On request after five winning days, up to a cap per period. Payout terms decide how much of the split you actually see; the payouts guide lists what to check.
Scaling
Contract limits rise with profit.
Methodology Scores
| Challenge cost | 80 |
| Trading rules | 84 |
| Drawdown | 66 |
| Profit targets | 78 |
| Profit split | 92 |
| Payouts | 90 |
| Platforms | 88 |
| Markets | 55 |
| Company transparency | 95 |
Key Strengths
- Twelve years of operation
- No daily loss limit
- 100% of the first $10,000 in profit
- Own platform plus NinjaTrader and TradingView
- Frequent first-month discounts
Important Considerations
- Futures only
- Trailing drawdown, though end-of-day
- Subscription continues until you pass or cancel
- Winning-day requirements before payouts
Who Is Topstep Suitable For?
Futures traders, including beginners, who want an established firm with simple rules and are comfortable with a trailing drawdown.
Compare Topstep
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Topstep legitimate?
Topstep has operated since 2012 from Chicago, United States as Topstep LLC. Like almost all online prop firms it is not a regulated financial firm; its reliability rests on its record of paying traders, which our transparency score (95/100) reflects.
How much does the Topstep challenge cost?
Monthly subscription from about $49 for $50,000 to about $149 for $150,000, with frequent first-month discounts.
What is the Topstep profit split?
100% of the first $10,000, then 90%.
What drawdown rules does Topstep use?
Daily loss limit: None since 2024; a daily loss limit was removed. Maximum loss: $2,000, $3,000 or $4,500 trailing on end-of-day balance. Drawdown type: Trailing (end of day). See the drawdown lesson for what each measurement means.
Does Topstep have a daily loss limit?
No. Topstep removed its daily loss limit in 2024; the Trading Combine is governed by the profit target and the trailing maximum loss limit.
Visit Topstep
Check the current fees and rules on the firm's own site before buying an evaluation.
Visit Topstep (opens in a new tab)Prop firm evaluations are paid tests; most attempts fail and fees are usually not refunded. Funded accounts are generally simulated and profit is real only when paid. Terms are the firm's at the last check and change without notice. We may earn a commission when you buy an evaluation through a link. Affiliate disclosure.