Reviewed by PropFirm201 Research Team·At a Glance
Topstep Homepage
Pricing & Challenge Types
Trading Combine
1 phase · 100% profit split
| Account Size | Price | Target P1 | Daily Loss | Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49 | 6% | 2% | 4% |
| $100,000 | $99 | 6% | 2% | 4% |
| $150,000 | $149 | 6% | 2% | 4% |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The original futures prop firm, operating since 2012 with proven track record
- 100% profit split on first $10,000, then 90/10 above that
- Low monthly fees starting at $49/month
- Wide platform selection including NinjaTrader and TradingView
- Weekly payouts available after 5 winning trading days
Cons
- Futures only - no forex, stocks, or crypto trading
- Trailing drawdown follows highest equity, which can be punishing
- All positions must be closed by 3:10 PM CT daily - no overnight holds
- Monthly recurring subscription fee until evaluation is passed
Trading Rules
About Topstep
Topstep is the original futures prop trading firm, founded in 2012 by Michael Patak on the trading floor of the Chicago Board of Trade. The name "Topstep" comes from the most coveted position on the trading floor - the top step - which Patak himself earned during his career as a Dow futures floor trader.
Headquartered at 141 W Jackson Blvd in Chicago's financial district, Topstep was the first company to run a large-scale funded trader account model. The firm has since funded over 10,000 traders and paid out more than $20 million to its community. With a 4.6 Trustpilot rating from over 3,100 reviews, Topstep maintains a strong reputation in the industry.
Topstep exclusively focuses on futures trading through CME Group exchanges (CME, COMEX, NYMEX, and CBOT). This means traders can access popular instruments like the E-mini S&P 500 (ES), Nasdaq (NQ), Crude Oil (CL), Gold (GC), and Treasury Bonds (ZB), but cannot trade forex, stocks, options, or crypto.
The firm is best suited for futures day traders based in the United States who want a straightforward, single-step evaluation with a generous profit split structure. The 100% profit retention on the first $10,000 and 90% thereafter make Topstep one of the most trader-friendly firms when it comes to profit sharing.
How Topstep Works
Topstep uses a single-step evaluation process called the Trading Combine:
- Subscribe to a Trading Combine: Choose a $50K, $100K, or $150K account size and pay the monthly subscription fee ($49-$149/month).
- Pass the Evaluation: Trade in a realistic simulated environment under actual market conditions. Hit your profit target while staying within drawdown limits. Minimum 2 trading days required.
- Get Funded: Once you pass the Trading Combine, you move to the Express Funded Account level. After demonstrating consistency, you advance to a Live Funded Account trading with real capital.
- Get Paid: Request payouts weekly after accumulating 5 winning trading days (a winning day = net P&L of $200 or more).
According to Topstep's published statistics, approximately 16.8% of Trading Combines are completed successfully, 51.8% of participants advance to the funded level, and 33.3% of funded traders receive payouts.
Pricing & Plans
| Account Size | Monthly Fee | Profit Target | Max Loss (Trailing) | Daily Loss Limit | Max Contracts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49/month | $3,000 (6%) | $2,000 (4%) | $1,000 (2%) | 5 |
| $100,000 | $99/month | $6,000 (6%) | $3,000 (3%) | $2,000 (2%) | 10 |
| $150,000 | $149/month | $9,000 (6%) | $4,500 (3%) | $3,000 (2%) | 15 |
Topstep offers two subscription paths:
- Standard Path: Lower monthly fee, plus a $129 activation fee when funded.
- No Activation Fee Path: Higher monthly fee, no activation fee after passing.
The monthly fee is recurring until you pass the evaluation or cancel your subscription.
Rules & Restrictions
- Trailing Drawdown: Follows your highest account balance. Once your balance reaches a new high, the drawdown floor moves up permanently and never adjusts back down. This is the primary risk management mechanism.
- Daily Loss Limit: $1,000 (50K), $2,000 (100K), $3,000 (150K). Calculated at end of day, not intraday.
- Minimum Trading Days: 2 days required to pass the evaluation.
- Maximum Trading Days: No time limit - take as long as needed.
- Trading Hours: All positions must be closed by 3:10 PM CT daily. No overnight or weekend holding.
- News Trading: Allowed with no restrictions on news events.
- Instruments: CME Group futures only (ES, NQ, CL, GC, 6E, ZB, and more). No forex, stocks, options, crypto, or CFDs.
- Consistency Target: Your best day cannot exceed 50% of your total profit target, designed to encourage repeatable performance rather than one-hit-wonder passes.
Payouts
- First $10,000: Traders keep 100% of profits.
- Above $10,000: 90/10 split in the trader's favor.
- Frequency: Weekly payouts available after accumulating 5 winning trading days.
- Minimum Withdrawal: $50.
- Methods: ACH (US bank transfer), wire transfer, cryptocurrency.
- Processing Time: Up to 10 business days for funds to arrive.
- Winning Day Requirement: A net P&L of $200 or more counts as a winning trading day.
Is Topstep Legit?
Topstep is one of the most established and credible prop firms in the industry:
- 14+ years of operation since 2012, the longest track record of any major online prop firm.
- Founded by a real floor trader at the Chicago Board of Trade.
- Physical headquarters at 141 W Jackson Blvd #4240, Chicago, IL 60604 - a real office in Chicago's financial district.
- FIA member (Futures Industry Association), adding institutional credibility.
- 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating from over 3,100 reviews.
- US-registered LLC with transparent corporate structure.
- $20M+ paid to funded traders.
Topstep has maintained a clean reputation with no major controversies. The main criticism is that the trailing drawdown can be difficult to manage, and the pass rate is relatively low at around 17%.
FAQ
What is Topstep?
Topstep is a futures-focused proprietary trading firm founded in 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. It provides traders with funded accounts of up to $150,000 to trade CME Group futures products after passing a single-step evaluation called the Trading Combine.
How much does Topstep cost?
Topstep charges a monthly subscription fee of $49 (50K account), $99 (100K account), or $149 (150K account). The fee is recurring until you pass or cancel. An optional $129 activation fee applies on the Standard Path.
What is Topstep's profit split?
Topstep offers 100% profit retention on the first $10,000 earned, then a 90/10 split (90% to the trader) on profits above $10,000.
Does Topstep allow EAs/bots?
Yes, Topstep generally allows automated trading strategies and Expert Advisors on supported platforms.
Is Topstep available in the US?
Yes, Topstep is a US-based company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and is fully available to US traders. It operates in over 170 countries worldwide.