The Funded Trader vs TopStep: Which Prop Firm Wins in 2026?
Side-by-side breakdown of rules, fees, payouts and who should pick which.
Quick Verdict
The Funded Trader and TopStep serve different markets — The Funded Trader 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 | The Funded Trader | TopStep |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2022 | 2012 |
| HQ | Delaware, USA | Chicago, USA |
| Market | Forex/CFD | Futures |
| Minimum fee | $39 | $49 |
| Account size range | $5,000 – $400,000 | $50,000 – $150,000 |
| Profit split | 80% (up to 90%) | 90% (first $10K), then 90% thereafter |
| Payouts | Bi-weekly | Weekly (after 5 winning days, 30%+ above starting balance) |
| Challenge model | Standard 2-step, Rapid 1-step, Royal, Knight (3-step) | 1-step Trading Combine |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, DXtrade, Match-Trader | TopstepX, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Tradovate |
The Funded Trader Pros
- 4 challenge variants to match trading style
- Low entry fee ($39) for $5K account — cheapest way to test
- No consistency rule on most programs
- Community-driven with active Discord support
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 The Funded Trader if: Traders wanting a cheap entry point or multiple challenge formats to test.
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 The Funded Trader's and TopStep's exact rulesets and tell you which one your strategy would actually pass.
Full The Funded Trader and TopStep Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, The Funded Trader or TopStep?
The Funded Trader is cheaper to start, with a minimum challenge fee of $39. The Funded Trader starts at $39 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, The Funded Trader or TopStep?
The Funded Trader 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 The Funded Trader and TopStep?
It depends on which platform your EA targets. The Funded Trader supports MT4, MT5, DXtrade, 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, The Funded Trader or TopStep?
The Funded Trader (founded 2022) has the longer track record. The Funded Trader 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, The Funded Trader 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 The Funded Trader 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.