Funding Pips vs TopStep: Which Prop Firm Wins in 2026?
Side-by-side breakdown of rules, fees, payouts and who should pick which.
Quick Verdict
Funding Pips and TopStep serve different markets — Funding Pips 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 | Funding Pips | TopStep |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2022 | 2012 |
| HQ | Dubai, UAE | Chicago, USA |
| Market | Forex/CFD | Futures |
| Minimum fee | $30 | $49 |
| Account size range | $5,000 – $200,000 | $50,000 – $150,000 |
| Profit split | 80% (up to 90%) | 90% (first $10K), then 90% thereafter |
| Payouts | Bi-weekly (every 14 days from first payout) | Weekly (after 5 winning days, 30%+ above starting balance) |
| Challenge model | 2-step (Phase 1 + Phase 2) | 1-step Trading Combine |
| Platforms | MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader | TopstepX, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Tradovate |
Funding Pips Pros
- Industry-cheapest entry fee ($30 for $5k) — undercuts almost everyone
- Allows news trading, EAs, scalping, and weekend holds
- High demand among Reddit /r/algotrading users in 2026
- cTrader support including Smart Trader Tools
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 Funding Pips if: Cost-sensitive traders running EAs who want the cheapest possible 2-step entry.
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 Funding Pips's and TopStep's exact rulesets and tell you which one your strategy would actually pass.
Full Funding Pips and TopStep Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, Funding Pips or TopStep?
Funding Pips is cheaper to start, with a minimum challenge fee of $30. Funding Pips starts at $30 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, Funding Pips or TopStep?
Funding Pips offers 80% (up to 90%) 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 Funding Pips and TopStep?
It depends on which platform your EA targets. Funding Pips supports MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader 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, Funding Pips or TopStep?
Funding Pips (founded 2022) has the longer track record. Funding Pips was founded in 2022 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, Funding Pips 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 Funding Pips 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.