At a Glance · Who Should Use Topstep? · Pros & Cons · How We Tested · Is Topstep Legit? · Trading Combine · Pricing · Trading Rules · Payouts · Platforms · For ICT Traders · vs Competitors · User Reviews · Final Verdict · FAQs
Topstep is the original futures prop firm. Founded in 2012 in Chicago by Michael Patak, Topstep created the “funded trader evaluation” model that every other prop firm has since copied. In 2026, Topstep remains the most established name in futures prop trading with over 10,000 funded traders, a simple one-step evaluation (the Trading Combine), and a profit split structure where you keep 100% of your first $10,000 in profits. Unlike CFD-focused prop firms, Topstep operates exclusively on regulated CME futures markets. I tested their $100K Trading Combine and evaluated the new TopstepX platform, the end-of-day trailing drawdown, and the two funded account paths. My verdict: Topstep earns an 8.0/10 for serious futures traders who value structure, education, and payout reliability above all else.
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Topstep at a Glance
| Detail | Topstep |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Type | Futures-only prop firm (CME regulated markets) |
| Account Sizes | $50,000 / $100,000 / $150,000 |
| Evaluation | One-step Trading Combine (6% profit target) |
| Profit Split | 100% of first $10,000, then 90/10 |
| Monthly Fee | $49 / $99 / $149 (subscription-based) |
| Activation Fee | $149 (one-time for Express Funded Account) |
| Platforms | TopstepX, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Tradovate, Quantower |
| Instruments | CME futures: ES, NQ, CL, GC, 6E, ZB, etc. |
| Drawdown | End-of-day trailing (locks at profit target) |
| Payouts | Weekly (after 5 winning days of $200+) |
| Trustpilot | Strong ratings, longest track record in futures prop |
| Our Rating | 8.0 / 10 |
Last updated and verified: June 2026
Who Should Use Topstep?
| Trader Type | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ES / NQ Day Traders | ✅ Ideal | Built for CME index futures, one-step evaluation |
| Disciplined Risk Managers | ✅ Excellent | Rules reward consistency, not aggressive profit chasing |
| Futures Beginners | ✅ Good | TopstepTV coaching, educational content, structured path |
| Algo / EA Traders | ✅ Strong | NinjaTrader support, automated strategies permitted |
| Forex Traders | ❌ Not Available | Futures only. No spot forex, CFDs, or stocks. |
| Swing / Position Traders | ⚠️ Limited | EOD trailing drawdown can be restrictive for multi-day holds |
Topstep Pros and Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| 100% of first $10,000 in profits (best in futures) | Monthly subscription fees ($49-$149) add up |
| One-step evaluation (simple, clear rules) | Trailing drawdown eliminates many traders |
| Founded 2012, longest track record in futures prop | $149 activation fee for Express Funded Account |
| Excellent education (TopstepTV, coaching, analytics) | TopstepX now mandatory for new accounts (can’t choose platform) |
| EOD trailing drawdown (more forgiving than intraday) | No forex, stocks, crypto, or CFDs |
| Weekly payouts (every 5 winning days) | Only 22% of participants get funded (industry typical) |
| 5+ platform options including NinjaTrader and TradingView | Some traders report account closures after profitability |
| No consistency rule in the Trading Combine | Payout caps on first payouts (50% of balance) |
| Free monthly resets on Combine renewal | Data/platform fees on Live Funded Account |
How We Tested Topstep
I purchased a $100K Trading Combine and traded ES and NQ during the New York session using scalping methodology. I evaluated the TopstepX platform (TradingView charts, built-in risk tools, The Tilt sentiment tracker), tested the EOD trailing drawdown in practice, and reviewed the two funded account paths (Express vs Standard/Consistency). I also analysed 200+ reviews on Trustpilot and Reddit, focusing on payout speed, rule enforcement, and account closure complaints.
Is Topstep Legit?
Topstep is a legitimate, US-based futures prop firm with a 13-year operating history. Founded in Chicago, the firm operates within the CME-regulated futures ecosystem. All trading is conducted on exchange-traded instruments with transparent pricing and standardized contracts. This structure eliminates the conflict-of-interest concerns that plague CFD-focused prop firms.
Topstep has funded over 10,000 traders and paid out $20M+ (self-reported, not independently audited). The firm is not regulated as a broker (prop firms are not), but operating within CME’s ecosystem provides inherent transparency and execution integrity.
The Trading Combine
| Feature | $50K Combine | $100K Combine | $150K Combine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $49 | $99 | $149 |
| Profit Target | $3,000 (6%) | $6,000 (6%) | $9,000 (6%) |
| Max Position | 5 contracts | 10 contracts | 15 contracts |
| Max Loss Limit | $2,000 trailing | $3,000 trailing | $4,500 trailing |
| Drawdown Type | End-of-day trailing | End-of-day trailing | End-of-day trailing |
| Min Trading Days | None | None | None |
| Time Limit | Unlimited (monthly renewal) | Unlimited (monthly renewal) | Unlimited (monthly renewal) |
The Trading Combine is a one-step evaluation. Hit the 6% profit target without breaching the trailing drawdown, and you advance to the Express Funded Account. There are no minimum trading days, no consistency rules, and no time limit (as long as you maintain the monthly subscription). If you breach the rules, you can reset for free with your next monthly renewal.
Pricing
Topstep uses a subscription-based model. Monthly fees of $49-$149 cover the Trading Combine, real-time market data, and your chosen platform. After passing, a $149 one-time activation fee is required for the Express Funded Account. There is a $0 activation option with a $129 payment. In the Live Funded Account, monthly data and platform fees apply. This subscription model means costs can accumulate if you take several months to pass.
Trading Rules
End-of-Day Trailing Drawdown: This is the most important rule. Your Maximum Loss Limit (MLL) trails your highest end-of-day closing balance, not your intraday equity. This means intraday fluctuations do not affect your trailing threshold until the end of the trading day. The MLL locks once it reaches the initial account balance (at the profit target level), at which point it becomes a static floor. This EOD mechanic is significantly more forgiving than intraday trailing used by some competitors.
Two funded account paths (as of February 2026):
The Standard Path requires 5 winning days with $150+ profit each. You can withdraw up to 50% of your balance per request (max $5,000). Profit split: 90/10.
The Consistency Path requires 3+ trading days and a 40% consistency target (no single day can exceed 40% of total profit). More restrictive per-request limits but designed for steady traders.
Payouts
Topstep traders keep 100% of their first $10,000 in cumulative profits across all funded accounts. After that, the split becomes 90/10. This is the most generous initial payout structure in futures prop trading. Payouts can be requested weekly. Processing takes 2-7 business days via ACH, bank wire, or Wise.
Platforms
Topstep supports TopstepX (proprietary, now mandatory for new Combines), NinjaTrader, TradingView, Tradovate, and Quantower. TopstepX includes integrated TradingView charts, “The Tilt” sentiment tracker (showing what other Topstep traders are leaning long/short), and TopstepTV live coaching sessions. NinjaTrader support enables fully automated strategies.
Topstep for ICT and Smart Money Traders
If you apply ICT concepts to futures (ES, NQ), Topstep is a strong option. No consistency rule in the Combine means you can wait for your high-probability Kill Zone setup and take large R-multiple winners. The EOD trailing drawdown is forgiving for intraday ICT entries that may dip before running to target. TradingView charts via TopstepX let you markup your higher-timeframe analysis. However, the futures-only focus means no forex pairs. If your ICT approach centres on EUR/USD or Gold spot, you need a CFD prop firm instead. For ICT methodology fundamentals, see our market structure guide.
Topstep vs Competitors
| Feature | Topstep | Apex Trader Funding | FTMO | FundedNext |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market | Futures only | Futures only | CFDs (Forex, etc.) | CFDs + Futures |
| Evaluation | 1-step (Combine) | 1-step | 2-step | 1 or 2-step |
| Profit Split | 100% first $10K, then 90% | 100% (after 2026 update) | 80-90% | 80-95% |
| Fee Model | Monthly subscription | One-time fee (2026) | One-time fee | One-time fee |
| Drawdown | EOD trailing | EOD or Intraday trailing | Static | Balance-based |
| Education | Extensive (TopstepTV) | Basic | Strong (Academy) | Moderate |
| Track Record | Since 2012 | Since 2021 | Since 2015 | Since 2022 |
| Best For | Education + structure | Value + scaling | Trust + CFDs | Profit potential |
Topstep vs Apex Trader Funding
Apex overhauled its model in March 2026, replacing monthly subscriptions with one-time fees and removing many restrictive rules. Apex now offers more flexibility with up to 20 accounts, EOD or intraday drawdown choice, and 100% profit split. Topstep counters with a longer track record, superior education (TopstepTV), and the most established payout history in futures. Choose Apex for aggressive scaling. Choose Topstep for structured development and coaching.
Topstep vs FTMO
Different markets entirely. FTMO focuses on CFD/forex trading; Topstep focuses on CME futures. If you trade forex, FTMO. If you trade ES/NQ/CL, Topstep. Topstep’s 100% on the first $10K beats FTMO’s 80% base split. FTMO’s static drawdown is more forgiving than Topstep’s trailing drawdown.
User Reviews
Traders consistently praise Topstep’s educational ecosystem (TopstepTV, coaching, community), clear rules, and reliable payouts. Common criticisms include the trailing drawdown eliminating too many traders, the mandatory switch to TopstepX for new accounts, monthly subscription costs accumulating over time, and some reports of account closures after profitable periods with vague explanations.
Topstep Review 2026: Final Verdict and Rating
| Category | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & History | 9.5/10 | 13 years, 10,000+ funded, CME regulated markets |
| Evaluation Structure | 8.0/10 | Simple one-step, but trailing DD is strict |
| Profit Split | 9.5/10 | 100% of first $10K is best in futures |
| Education | 9.5/10 | TopstepTV, coaching, analytics, community |
| Pricing | 7.0/10 | Monthly subscription model adds up |
| Platforms | 8.0/10 | 5 platforms but TopstepX now mandatory for new evals |
| Overall | 8.0 / 10 | Best for structured futures trader development |
Topstep is the futures prop firm you choose when you want more than just capital. You want coaching, structure, analytics, and a 13-year legacy of helping traders develop. The 100% profit on first $10K is unmatched. The trade-off is monthly subscription costs and a trailing drawdown that demands discipline.
From our Mind, Method, Money framework: the Mind is supported by the best educational ecosystem in prop trading (TopstepTV, coaching, analytics). Your Method benefits from regulated CME futures execution with no strategy restrictions. And your Money is maximized by the 100% first-$10K split and weekly payout frequency.
Read The Complete Trader’s Edge for the complete framework. Visit our Trading Tools page for all recommendations.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Topstep 2026
Is Topstep legit in 2026?
Yes. Topstep is the longest-running futures prop firm (since 2012), based in Chicago, with 10,000+ funded traders. All trading occurs on regulated CME futures markets.
How much does Topstep cost?
Monthly fees: $49 (50K), $99 (100K), $149 (150K). Plus a $149 one-time activation fee for the Express Funded Account.
What is the Topstep profit split?
100% of your first $10,000 in cumulative profits, then 90/10 after that. This is the best initial split in futures prop trading.
Does Topstep offer forex trading?
No. Topstep is futures-only. You can trade forex futures (e.g., 6E for EUR/USD) on CME, but not spot forex.
What is the Trading Combine?
Topstep’s one-step evaluation. Hit a 6% profit target without breaching the trailing drawdown. No minimum trading days, no time limit.
What is the Topstep trailing drawdown?
An end-of-day trailing maximum loss limit. It follows your highest closing balance (not intraday equity) and locks once it reaches the starting balance level at the profit target.
What platforms does Topstep support?
TopstepX (mandatory for new Combines), NinjaTrader, TradingView, Tradovate, and Quantower.
How fast are Topstep payouts?
Weekly payouts after 5 winning days ($200+ each). Processing takes 2-7 business days via ACH, bank wire, or Wise.
Does Topstep allow automated trading?
Yes. Automated strategies are permitted, especially via NinjaTrader which supports full EA/algo execution.
Topstep vs Apex: which is better?
Apex offers more flexibility and one-time fees after its 2026 overhaul. Topstep offers superior education and the longest track record. Choose Apex for scaling aggressively. Choose Topstep for structured development.
What happens if I fail the Trading Combine?
You can reset for free with your next monthly subscription renewal. Or pay a reset fee ($49-$149 depending on account size) for an immediate restart.
What futures can I trade on Topstep?
CME Group products including ES (S&P 500), NQ (Nasdaq), CL (Crude Oil), GC (Gold), 6E (Euro FX), ZB (US Treasuries), and more.
Is Topstep available worldwide?
Yes. Topstep accepts traders from most countries. All funded accounts are US-based trading on CME markets.
What is TopstepX?
Topstep’s proprietary trading platform with integrated TradingView charts, risk management tools, “The Tilt” sentiment tracker, and TopstepTV live coaching. Now mandatory for all new Trading Combine accounts.
What is the Topstep pass rate?
Approximately 22% of participants get funded. This is consistent with industry averages for prop firm evaluations.
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