Topstep at a glance
An established prop trading firm, reviewed by the Tradelytic team and rated by traders.
Topstep is a US-based futures proprietary trading firm offering simulated evaluations through its Trading Combine programme. Traders choose $50,000, $100,000 or $150,000 in buying power and trade CME Group futures using the proprietary TopstepX platform. Successful participants can progress to an Express Funded Account and potentially a Live Funded Account.
Trading Combine profit targets range from $3,000 to $9,000, with trailing maximum loss limits of $2,000 to $4,500. There is no evaluation deadline, although monthly subscriptions start at $49. Funded traders generally retain 90% of eligible profits, with payouts available after meeting programme-specific requirements.
Topstep offers educational resources, built-in risk controls and a structured progression towards live trading. However, trailing drawdown, payout caps, recurring fees and country-specific eligibility restrictions are important considerations. The programme focuses exclusively on intraday futures trading, not forex CFDs or overnight positions.
Our verdict
The Tradelytic editorial assessment — independent of any commercial relationship.
Topstep is a compelling choice for disciplined futures traders seeking a structured route from simulated evaluation to live capital. Its established Trading Combine, competitive $49 entry price, dedicated TopstepX platform and 90% profit split are attractive. Education, risk controls and multiple payout paths further strengthen the offering.
The main drawbacks are recurring subscription costs, trailing drawdown rules and payout restrictions. Standard Express Funded Accounts require five qualifying winning days, while Consistency accounts apply a 40% consistency objective. Live funding is discretionary and unavailable to traders in certain countries.
Our take: Topstep is a strong option for experienced intraday futures traders, particularly those who prioritise risk management and structured progression over unrestricted withdrawals or platform flexibility.
Pros & cons
The honest summary, weighed from our testing and trader feedback.
- Established futures prop firm with structured funding progression
- $50K Trading Combine starts at $49 monthly
- 90% standard profit split on funded accounts
- No maximum time limit for evaluations
- Dedicated TopstepX platform with built-in risk controls
- Multiple Express Funded Account payout paths
- Extensive trading education, coaching and community resources
- Monthly subscriptions continue until passing or cancellation
- Trailing drawdown limits require strict risk management
- Express Funded Account payouts have eligibility requirements and caps
- TopstepX only; no MT4, MT5 or cTrader
- Live account eligibility is restricted in several countries
Who it's for
Here's how to tell if this prop firm is right for you.
- Trade Micro E-mini or standard futures contracts
- Prefer structured evaluations with clear profit targets
- Want a 90% profit split on funded accounts
- Value educational resources and risk management tools
- Focus on intraday rather than overnight trading
- Primarily trade spot forex, CFDs or individual stocks
- Need MT4, MT5 or cTrader integration
- Want to hold futures positions overnight
- Prefer fixed drawdown limits over trailing drawdown
- Live in a country restricted from your desired funding stage
Fees & platforms
What it costs to trade, and what you'll trade on.
Topstep uses a subscription-based evaluation model with three Trading Combine account sizes. Costs depend on the selected subscription path, while funded accounts have separate activation, trading and payout conditions. Understanding the Maximum Loss Limit, consistency objectives and payout eligibility is essential when calculating the total cost of trading with Topstep.
Topstep Trading Combine Pricing & Account Sizes
Topstep offers three standard Trading Combine account sizes, each with two subscription options.
$50,000 Trading Combine
- Standard Path: $49 per month
- No Activation Fee Path: $95 per month
- Profit Target: $3,000
- Maximum Loss Limit: $2,000
- Maximum Position Size: 5 mini contracts
$100,000 Trading Combine
- Standard Path: $99 per month
- No Activation Fee Path: $149 per month
- Profit Target: $6,000
- Maximum Loss Limit: $3,000
- Maximum Position Size: 10 mini contracts
$150,000 Trading Combine
- Standard Path: $199 per month
- No Activation Fee Path: $229 per month
- Profit Target: $9,000
- Maximum Loss Limit: $4,500
- Maximum Position Size: 15 mini contracts
The Standard Path carries a $149 activation fee after passing, while the No Activation Fee Path includes activation in its higher monthly price.
Subscriptions renew every 30 days until the trader passes or cancels. Each renewal provides a Reset Credit, although additional resets can also be purchased.
The lowest advertised entry price is therefore not necessarily the total cost of obtaining a funded account.
Topstep Drawdown & Risk Management Rules
Topstep's main risk restriction is its Maximum Loss Limit (MLL), which uses an end-of-day trailing calculation. The loss allowance is $2,000 on a $50K account, $3,000 on a $100K account and $4,500 on a $150K account.
For example, a $50K Trading Combine starts with a loss threshold of $48,000. If the end-of-day account balance rises to $50,500, the threshold moves to $48,500. It never moves downward and eventually locks at the initial $50,000 balance.
Although the limit moves using end-of-day balances, breaching the threshold through intraday unrealised losses can still trigger liquidation.
The Trading Combine also applies a 55% consistency target. If the best trading day represents too much of the required profit, the target increases. On a $50K account, traders should keep their best day below $1,650 to avoid raising the original $3,000 target.
Express Funded Accounts follow similar trailing risk rules, alongside account scaling limits. Once a payout is requested, the funded account's Maximum Loss Limit resets to zero permanently.
Topstep also offers optional Daily Loss Limits and risk-management tools. Traders should consider the trailing drawdown and payout-related balance changes when planning position sizes.
Topstep Profit Split & Funded Account Progression
Topstep offers a standard 90/10 profit split, allowing eligible funded traders to retain 90% of trading profits.
The funding process has three main stages:
- Trading Combine: A simulated evaluation requiring a profit target and consistency objective.
- Express Funded Account: A simulated funded environment where eligible traders can request payouts.
- Live Funded Account: Trading with real capital after selection by Topstep's Risk Team.
Express Funded Accounts do not require monthly evaluation subscriptions, although trading commissions and applicable account costs remain.
Progression to Live is discretionary and depends on Topstep's assessment of trading behaviour. Passing the Trading Combine does not automatically guarantee a Live Funded Account.
Traders who joined the new Topstep dashboard before January 12, 2026 may qualify for a legacy arrangement allowing them to retain their first $10,000 in lifetime profits before the standard 90/10 split applies.
Live Funded Accounts offer additional payout flexibility. After 30 qualifying winning days, traders can unlock daily payout requests against their eligible unlocked balance.
Country restrictions are especially important: not every trader eligible for an Express Funded Account can progress to Live.
Topstep Payout Policy & Withdrawal Fees
Topstep offers different payout requirements for Express Funded Account Standard, Express Funded Account Consistency and Live Funded Accounts.
Express Funded Account Standard
- Five winning days generating at least $150 net profit each
- Winning days do not need to be consecutive
- Positive net profit required since the previous payout
- Maximum request of 50% of the eligible balance
Standard payout caps are $2,000 for $50K accounts, $3,000 for $100K accounts and $5,000 for $150K accounts.
Express Funded Account Consistency
- At least three trading days with one or more trades per day
- Largest winning day must not exceed 40% of total net profit
- Maximum request of 50% of the eligible balance
Consistency payout caps are $3,000 for $50K accounts, $4,000 for $100K accounts and $6,000 for $150K accounts.
Live Funded Account
Live traders initially require five winning days generating at least $150 each per payout cycle. There is no fixed dollar payout cap, although withdrawals are normally limited to 50% of the balance until additional eligibility is unlocked.
After 30 qualifying winning days, eligible Live traders may request daily payouts of up to their unlocked balance.
The minimum payout request is $125. International wire withdrawals cost $30, while processing generally takes five to ten business days after approval. Other methods, including Wise and Aeropay, are restricted to specific countries.
A limited-time enhancement can increase Express Funded Account payout caps for eligible traders who select an optional Daily Loss Limit when purchasing their Trading Combine.
Topstep Trading Rules & Restrictions
Topstep is designed for intraday futures trading. All positions must be closed before the daily session deadline, normally 3:10 PM Central Time. Overnight and weekend holding are prohibited.
Traders can access eligible CME Group futures contracts, including stock indices, energy, metals, interest rates, agricultural products and currency futures. Spot forex and CFD trading are not supported.
Key trading restrictions include:
- No overnight or weekend position holding
- Maximum contract sizes based on account size and scaling level
- Restrictions around specified high-impact economic announcements
- No prohibited market manipulation or abusive trading strategies
- Compliance with the Maximum Loss Limit at all times
Automated strategies and trade copying may be permitted, subject to Topstep's trading policies and platform limitations.
The company also monitors prohibited conduct and risk-taking behaviour. Trading during restricted news windows, using prohibited strategies or exceeding account limits can result in trading restrictions or account closure.
Traders should review the latest product-specific and high-volatility restrictions before entering positions, particularly around CPI, employment data and major Federal Reserve announcements.
TopstepX Trading Platform & Futures Markets
TopstepX is Topstep's proprietary trading platform, designed for futures traders participating in the Trading Combine and funded account programmes.
The platform provides real-time charting, order execution, account performance tracking, position management and integrated risk controls.
TopstepX supports eligible CME Group futures across several markets:
- Equity indices: E-mini and Micro E-mini S&P 500, Nasdaq-100 and Dow futures
- Metals: Gold, silver, copper and Micro contracts
- Energy: Crude oil, natural gas and related futures
- Currency futures: Euro, British pound, Japanese yen and others
- Interest rates: US Treasury futures
- Agriculture: Corn, wheat, soybeans and livestock
Topstep includes Level I market data with Trading Combine subscriptions. Level II depth-of-market data can require an additional upgrade.
Published TopstepX round-turn costs include approximately $3.78 for one ES contract and $1.22 for one MES contract, combining exchange, regulatory and commission charges.
TopstepX is currently the only available platform for new Topstep participants. Traders requiring MetaTrader 5, cTrader or external futures terminals should consider this limitation before purchasing an evaluation.