FTMO vs TopStep: Which Prop Firm Wins in 2026?

Side-by-side breakdown of rules, fees, payouts and who should pick which.

Quick Verdict

FTMO and TopStep serve different markets: FTMO for forex/CFD traders, TopStep for futures traders. Pick based on what you actually trade, not which firm looks better on paper.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Metric	FTMO	TopStep
Founded	2015	2012
HQ	Prague, Czech Republic	Chicago, USA
Market	Forex/CFD	Futures
Minimum fee	$89	$49
Account size range	$10,000 – $200,000	$50,000 – $150,000
Profit split	80%	90% (first $10K), then 90% thereafter
Payouts	Monthly (on-demand after first)	Weekly (after 5 winning days, 30%+ above starting balance)
Challenge model	2-step (Challenge + Verification)	1-step Trading Combine
Platforms	MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade	TopstepX, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Tradovate

FTMO Pros

Longest-running major prop firm: proven track record since 2015
Strong reputation and reliable payouts (TrustPilot 4.8)
Generous 80% profit split, scalable to 90%
Allows EAs, scalping and news trading on most accounts

TopStep Pros

Oldest and most established futures prop firm (2012)
Highest profit split in futures space (90%)
1-step combine: pass once, get funded
Regulated (SEC/CFTC adjacent), payouts reliably processed

Who Should Pick Which?

Pick FTMO if: Serious traders who value reputation and payout reliability over cheap fees.

Pick TopStep if: Futures day traders who can pass a 1-step combine manually (no algos).

Test Both Against Your Strategy Before You Pay

Run your backtest through JPTradingCapital's Prop Firm Checker. We evaluate your trades against FTMO's and TopStep's exact rulesets and tell you which one your strategy would actually pass.

Open the Prop Firm Checker →

If the decision is really about who runs the evaluation rather than which firm, our prop firm challenge passing service trades it for you on either firm. The account is bought in your name and we take no share of your payouts.

Full FTMO and TopStep Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, FTMO or TopStep?

TopStep is cheaper to start, with a minimum challenge fee of $49. FTMO starts at $89 and TopStep starts at $49. Cheaper entry doesn't always mean better value. Check the profit split, account ceiling, and payout reliability before deciding.

Which has the better profit split, FTMO or TopStep?

FTMO offers 80% and TopStep offers 90% (first $10K), then 90% thereafter. Note: most prop firms scale the split with consecutive payouts, so the headline number is just the starting point.

Can I run the same EA on both FTMO and TopStep?

It depends on which platform your EA targets. FTMO supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade and TopStep supports TopstepX, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Tradovate. There's no platform overlap, so you'd need to recompile or rewrite the EA.

Which is more reputable, FTMO or TopStep?

FTMO (founded 2015) has the longer track record. FTMO was founded in 2015 and is still building its payout reputation. For larger account sizes the older firm is usually the safer pick.

Which is better for swing traders, FTMO or TopStep?

Swing traders need to check two things: (1) whether the firm allows weekend holds, and (2) whether the daily drawdown is static or trailing. Trailing DD is brutal for swing positions because intraday peak equity becomes the new floor. See the Pros/Cons section above for each firm's specifics.

Can I use both FTMO and TopStep simultaneously?

Yes, most prop firms allow you to hold multiple accounts at different firms (their rules apply only to their own accounts). Some traders deliberately diversify across 2-3 firms to reduce single-firm risk and stack payouts.