TopStep Review 2026
The futures-specific industry leader — manual traders only.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- Chicago, USA
- Market
- Futures
- Platforms
- TopstepX, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Tradovate
- Account sizes
- $50,000 – $150,000
- Minimum fee
- $49
- Profit split
- 90% (first $10K), then 90% thereafter
- Payouts
- Weekly (after 5 winning days, 30%+ above starting balance)
- Challenge model
- 1-step Trading Combine
Challenge Rules Breakdown
| Program | Profit Target | Max DD | Daily DD | Min Days | Time Limit | DD Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TopStep 50K Combine | 6% | 4% | 2% | 2 | Unlimited | trailing |
| TopStep 150K Combine | 6% | 3% | 2% | 2 | Unlimited | trailing |
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
Cons
- Trailing drawdown is stricter than forex firms — loss limit moves up as you profit
- Futures only — no forex, crypto, or stocks
- No EA/automated trading on funded accounts (live audit required)
- Daily loss limit resets EOD — cannot hold losing positions overnight
Who Is TopStep Best For?
Futures day traders who can pass a 1-step combine manually (no algos)
Test Your Strategy Against TopStep Rules
JPTradingCapital's backtest engine runs your EA or manual strategy against TopStep's exact Phase 1 rules and shows whether you would have passed — before you spend a cent on a challenge.
Compare TopStep Side-by-Side
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the TopStep challenge cost?
TopStep challenges start at $49 for the smallest account size and scale up to multiple hundreds of dollars for larger accounts. The fee covers the evaluation phase only — passing converts you to a funded account where you keep 90% (first $10K), then 90% thereafter of profits.
Does TopStep allow Expert Advisors (EAs)?
TopStep permits algorithmic trading and Expert Advisors on most account types. Check their specific rules around news trading, scalping below 10 seconds, and high-frequency strategies — these often have additional restrictions even when EAs are allowed.
What is TopStep's profit split?
TopStep offers a 90% (first $10K), then 90% thereafter profit split on funded accounts. Payouts are processed weekly (after 5 winning days, 30%+ above starting balance).
What platforms does TopStep support?
TopStep supports TopstepX, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Tradovate. This determines which EAs and trading systems you can run — most strategies developed for MT4/MT5 will port across firms with the same platform support.
Is TopStep a legitimate prop firm?
TopStep was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Chicago, USA. They have a multi-year track record of payouts. Always check the most recent payout proofs on third-party communities like Reddit /r/Forex and /r/algotrading.
Can I test my strategy against TopStep's rules before paying?
Yes. JPTradingCapital's Prop Firm Checker tests your backtest against TopStep's exact Phase 1 ruleset (profit target, max DD, daily DD, time limit, consistency). See whether you would have passed before spending $49+ on a real challenge.