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Brand: TopStep

TopStep

Futures Prop Firm
https://www.topstep.com
Established: 2012 (14 years in business)
Legal Company Name: Topstep LLC
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Leadership: Founder & CEO: Michael Patak
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Part of the TopStep brand
This brand has separate market-specific records. Use the links below to switch to the matching offering.
TopStep · Futures The Futures Desk · Futures
Our Summary
Pros: Topstep has been highly regarded for years for brand reputation and fast payouts, and it is still widely viewed as one of the more credible firms in the futures prop space. More recent community criticism appears to be driven mainly by changes in trader experience, including reduced legacy-style perks for newer users and stronger reliance on TopstepX for newer account workflows, rather than by payout reliability itself. Strict hedging enforcement should not be treated as a con here, since that is standard across reputable prop firms and helps preserve program integrity. Overall, Topstep remains a trusted firm, but many traders view it today as stricter and less flexible than in its earlier period. TopStep offers the Trading Combine futures evaluation with multiple pricing paths. Internal tracking notes that standard paths may include a one-time activation fee while some alternate paths package it differently.
Trading Plans

Explore each plan's phases, price, payout timing, and requirements.

Standard Trading Combine
3

1
Trading Combine

Evaluation

Profit Target:
$3,000
Max Drawdown:
$2,000 (EOD)
Max Contracts:
5
Micros Equivalent:
50
Consistency Rules:
Best trading day must remain below 50% of total profits made.
Quick Rules Summary:
One rule: do not let account balance hit or go below the Maximum Loss Limit. Objectives: reach the profit target and keep the best day below 50% of total profits. There is no minimum time requirement to pass.
Evaluation Fee:
$49
2
Express Funded Account

Sim-Funded

Payout Request Eligibility:
Choose one funded option after activation. Standard: at least 5 winning trading days with Net P&L of $150 or more; after the first payout, profit must also be above $0 since the last payout request. Consistency: at least 3 trading days while maintaining the 40% consistency target.
Max Drawdown:
$2,000 (EOD)
Activation Fee:
$149
Profit Split:
9E+1
Consistency Rules:
Standard option: no consistency target. Consistency option: maintain a 40% consistency target, meaning the largest …
Payout Restrictions:
Standard option: request up to 50% of account balance, capped …
Quick Rules Summary:
Simulated funded account with EOD trailing Maximum Loss Limit from -2,000 to $0 as profits build. After activation, traders choose Standard or Consistency. Standard uses 5 winning days of $150+ with a cap of $2,000; Consistency uses 3 trading days with a 40% consistency target and a cap of $3,000.
3
Live Funded Account

Live-Funded

Overview:
One active Live Funded Account at a time. Live size is based on the average size of eligible Express Funded Accounts with at least one payout, rounded up to the $50K / $100K / $150K tier. At activation, 20% of the combined eligible balance becomes tradable, subject to a $10,000 minimum starting balance, with the remaining reserve unlocking in four 25% thresholds. The published Daily Loss Limit for the $50K tier starts at $2,000.

1
Trading Combine

Evaluation

Profit Target:
$6,000
Max Drawdown:
$3,000 (EOD)
Max Contracts:
10
Micros Equivalent:
100
Consistency Rules:
Best trading day must remain below 50% of total profits made.
Quick Rules Summary:
One rule: do not let account balance hit or go below the Maximum Loss Limit. Objectives: reach the profit target and keep the best day below 50% of total profits. There is no minimum time requirement to pass.
Evaluation Fee:
$99
2
Express Funded Account

Sim-Funded

Payout Request Eligibility:
Choose one funded option after activation. Standard: at least 5 winning trading days with Net P&L of $150 or more; after the first payout, profit must also be above $0 since the last payout request. Consistency: at least 3 trading days while maintaining the 40% consistency target.
Max Drawdown:
$3,000 (EOD)
Activation Fee:
$149
Profit Split:
9E+1
Consistency Rules:
Standard option: no consistency target. Consistency option: maintain a 40% consistency target, meaning the largest …
Payout Restrictions:
Standard option: request up to 50% of account balance, capped …
Quick Rules Summary:
Simulated funded account with EOD trailing Maximum Loss Limit from -3,000 to $0 as profits build. After activation, traders choose Standard or Consistency. Standard uses 5 winning days of $150+ with a cap of $3,000; Consistency uses 3 trading days with a 40% consistency target and a cap of $4,000.
3
Live Funded Account

Live-Funded

Overview:
One active Live Funded Account at a time. Live size is based on the average size of eligible Express Funded Accounts with at least one payout, rounded up to the $50K / $100K / $150K tier. At activation, 20% of the combined eligible balance becomes tradable, subject to a $10,000 minimum starting balance, with the remaining reserve unlocking in four 25% thresholds. The published Daily Loss Limit for the $100K tier starts at $3,000.

1
Trading Combine

Evaluation

Profit Target:
$9,000
Max Drawdown:
$4,500 (EOD)
Max Contracts:
15
Micros Equivalent:
150
Consistency Rules:
Best trading day must remain below 50% of total profits made.
Quick Rules Summary:
One rule: do not let account balance hit or go below the Maximum Loss Limit. Objectives: reach the profit target and keep the best day below 50% of total profits. There is no minimum time requirement to pass.
Evaluation Fee:
$149
2
Express Funded Account

Sim-Funded

Payout Request Eligibility:
Choose one funded option after activation. Standard: at least 5 winning trading days with Net P&L of $150 or more; after the first payout, profit must also be above $0 since the last payout request. Consistency: at least 3 trading days while maintaining the 40% consistency target.
Max Drawdown:
$4,500 (EOD)
Activation Fee:
$149
Profit Split:
9E+1
Consistency Rules:
Standard option: no consistency target. Consistency option: maintain a 40% consistency target, meaning the largest …
Payout Restrictions:
Standard option: request up to 50% of account balance, capped …
Quick Rules Summary:
Simulated funded account with EOD trailing Maximum Loss Limit from -4,500 to $0 as profits build. After activation, traders choose Standard or Consistency. Standard uses 5 winning days of $150+ with a cap of $5,000; Consistency uses 3 trading days with a 40% consistency target and a cap of $6,000.
3
Live Funded Account

Live-Funded

Overview:
One active Live Funded Account at a time. Live size is based on the average size of eligible Express Funded Accounts with at least one payout, rounded up to the $50K / $100K / $150K tier. At activation, 20% of the combined eligible balance becomes tradable, subject to a $10,000 minimum starting balance, with the remaining reserve unlocking in four 25% thresholds. The published Daily Loss Limit for the $150K tier starts at $4,500.
No Activation Fee Trading Combine
3

1
Trading Combine

Evaluation

Profit Target:
$3,000
Max Drawdown:
$2,000 (EOD)
Max Contracts:
5
Micros Equivalent:
50
Consistency Rules:
Best trading day must remain below 50% of total profits made.
Quick Rules Summary:
One rule: do not let account balance hit or go below the Maximum Loss Limit. Objectives: reach the profit target and keep the best day below 50% of total profits. There is no minimum time requirement to pass.
Evaluation Fee:
$95
2
Express Funded Account

Sim-Funded

Payout Request Eligibility:
Choose one funded option after activation. Standard: at least 5 winning trading days with Net P&L of $150 or more; after the first payout, profit must also be above $0 since the last payout request. Consistency: at least 3 trading days while maintaining the 40% consistency target.
Max Drawdown:
$2,000 (EOD)
Profit Split:
9E+1
Consistency Rules:
Standard option: no consistency target. Consistency option: maintain a 40% consistency target, meaning the largest …
Payout Restrictions:
Standard option: request up to 50% of account balance, capped …
Quick Rules Summary:
Simulated funded account with EOD trailing Maximum Loss Limit from -2,000 to $0 as profits build. After activation, traders choose Standard or Consistency. Standard uses 5 winning days of $150+ with a cap of $2,000; Consistency uses 3 trading days with a 40% consistency target and a cap of $3,000.
3
Live Funded Account

Live-Funded

Overview:
One active Live Funded Account at a time. Live size is based on the average size of eligible Express Funded Accounts with at least one payout, rounded up to the $50K / $100K / $150K tier. At activation, 20% of the combined eligible balance becomes tradable, subject to a $10,000 minimum starting balance, with the remaining reserve unlocking in four 25% thresholds. The published Daily Loss Limit for the $50K tier starts at $2,000.

1
Trading Combine

Evaluation

Profit Target:
$6,000
Max Drawdown:
$3,000 (EOD)
Max Contracts:
10
Micros Equivalent:
100
Consistency Rules:
Best trading day must remain below 50% of total profits made.
Quick Rules Summary:
One rule: do not let account balance hit or go below the Maximum Loss Limit. Objectives: reach the profit target and keep the best day below 50% of total profits. There is no minimum time requirement to pass.
Evaluation Fee:
$149
2
Express Funded Account

Sim-Funded

Payout Request Eligibility:
Choose one funded option after activation. Standard: at least 5 winning trading days with Net P&L of $150 or more; after the first payout, profit must also be above $0 since the last payout request. Consistency: at least 3 trading days while maintaining the 40% consistency target.
Max Drawdown:
$3,000 (EOD)
Profit Split:
9E+1
Consistency Rules:
Standard option: no consistency target. Consistency option: maintain a 40% consistency target, meaning the largest …
Payout Restrictions:
Standard option: request up to 50% of account balance, capped …
Quick Rules Summary:
Simulated funded account with EOD trailing Maximum Loss Limit from -3,000 to $0 as profits build. After activation, traders choose Standard or Consistency. Standard uses 5 winning days of $150+ with a cap of $3,000; Consistency uses 3 trading days with a 40% consistency target and a cap of $4,000.
3
Live Funded Account

Live-Funded

Overview:
One active Live Funded Account at a time. Live size is based on the average size of eligible Express Funded Accounts with at least one payout, rounded up to the $50K / $100K / $150K tier. At activation, 20% of the combined eligible balance becomes tradable, subject to a $10,000 minimum starting balance, with the remaining reserve unlocking in four 25% thresholds. The published Daily Loss Limit for the $100K tier starts at $3,000.

1
Trading Combine

Evaluation

Profit Target:
$9,000
Max Drawdown:
$4,500 (EOD)
Max Contracts:
15
Micros Equivalent:
150
Consistency Rules:
Best trading day must remain below 50% of total profits made.
Quick Rules Summary:
One rule: do not let account balance hit or go below the Maximum Loss Limit. Objectives: reach the profit target and keep the best day below 50% of total profits. There is no minimum time requirement to pass.
Evaluation Fee:
$229
2
Express Funded Account

Sim-Funded

Payout Request Eligibility:
Choose one funded option after activation. Standard: at least 5 winning trading days with Net P&L of $150 or more; after the first payout, profit must also be above $0 since the last payout request. Consistency: at least 3 trading days while maintaining the 40% consistency target.
Max Drawdown:
$4,500 (EOD)
Profit Split:
9E+1
Consistency Rules:
Standard option: no consistency target. Consistency option: maintain a 40% consistency target, meaning the largest …
Payout Restrictions:
Standard option: request up to 50% of account balance, capped …
Quick Rules Summary:
Simulated funded account with EOD trailing Maximum Loss Limit from -4,500 to $0 as profits build. After activation, traders choose Standard or Consistency. Standard uses 5 winning days of $150+ with a cap of $5,000; Consistency uses 3 trading days with a 40% consistency target and a cap of $6,000.
3
Live Funded Account

Live-Funded

Overview:
One active Live Funded Account at a time. Live size is based on the average size of eligible Express Funded Accounts with at least one payout, rounded up to the $50K / $100K / $150K tier. At activation, 20% of the combined eligible balance becomes tradable, subject to a $10,000 minimum starting balance, with the remaining reserve unlocking in four 25% thresholds. The published Daily Loss Limit for the $150K tier starts at $4,500.
Allowed Trading Instruments
Stock Index
YM E-mini Dow Jones Industrial Average
NQ E-mini Nasdaq-100
RTY E-mini Russell 2000
ES E-mini S&P 500
MYM Micro E-mini Dow Jones
MNQ Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100
M2K Micro E-mini Russell 2000
MES Micro E-mini S&P 500
NKD Nikkei 225 Futures (Dollar)
Energy
CL Crude Oil Futures (WTI)
QM E-mini Crude Oil Futures
QG E-mini Natural Gas Futures
HO Heating Oil Futures
MCL Micro Crude Oil Futures
MNG Micro Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures
NG Natural Gas Futures
RB RBOB Gasoline Futures
Metals
HG Copper Futures
GC Gold Futures
MHG Micro Copper Futures
MGC Micro Gold Futures
SIL Micro Silver Futures
PL Platinum
SI Silver Futures
Agricultural
ZC Corn Futures
HE Lean Hogs Futures
LE Live Cattle Futures
ZS Soybean Futures
ZM Soybean Meal Futures
ZL Soybean Oil Futures
ZW Wheat Futures
Currency
6A Australian Dollar Futures
6B British Pound Futures
6C Canadian Dollar Futures
M6A E-Micro AUD/USD Futures
M6E E-Micro EUR/USD Futures
M6B E-Micro GBP/USD Futures
E7 E-mini Euro FX Futures
6E Euro FX Futures
6J Japanese Yen Futures
6M Mexican Peso Futures
6N New Zealand Dollar Futures
6S Swiss Franc Futures
Interest Rate
ZN 10-Year US Treasury Note
ZT 2-Year US Treasury Note
ZB 30-Year US Treasury Bond
ZF 5-Year US Treasury Note
TN Ultra 10-Year U.S. Treasury Note Futures
UB Ultra U.S. Treasury Bond Futures
Cryptocurrency
MBT Micro Bitcoin Futures
MET Micro Ether Futures

Topstep funds traders worldwide, but eligibility depends on citizenship and residency. Certain countries are restricted due to OFAC sanctions or partner limitations, and some jurisdictions may be eligible for Express Funded Accounts but not Live Funded Accounts.

Afghanistan
Algeria
Angola
Belarus
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Crimea
Cuba
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Haiti
Iran
Iraq
Ivory Coast
Kenya
Kherson (occupied)
Lebanon
Libya
Mali
Morocco
Myanmar
Nicaragua
Nigeria
North Korea
Pakistan
Russia
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Turkey
Ukraine
Venezuela
Yemen
Countries and Jurisdictions With Different Handling
None.
These commission schedules show the per-side or round-trip trading costs, including exchange-style fees, used to mimic what trading the same futures contracts would cost in a regular cash brokerage account.
Per-trade round-turn costs are deducted from account balance automatically. Current TopstepX accounts use the published TopstepX round-turn schedule by product, while older live accounts on legacy platforms used platform-specific round-turn totals plus exchange fees.
General Policies
Algorithm & EA Policy
Allowed
Automated strategies are permitted in Express Funded and Live Funded Accounts, but Topstep does not help set up or troubleshoot them and will not make exceptions for errant trades or malfunctions. Automated trading through the ProjectX API is prohibited in Live Funded Accounts.
Copy Trading
Not allowed

Trade copiers are allowed for eligible funded accounts. Express Funded traders can duplicate trades across up to five Express Funded Accounts, and Live Funded traders can duplicate trades across multiple accounts using a trade copier. Copy-trading connections are automatically disabled while a payout request is processing, and prohibited conduct still includes pooling or hedging risk across unconnected accounts.

Business Entity Accounts
Allowed
Microscalping Policy
Exploitative SIM scalping algorithms and rapid-trade abuse are prohibited; no general minimum hold-time rule is stated in the cited source.
Bots Policy

Automated trading is allowed, but strategies that exploit the simulated environment or use prohibited software, artificial intelligence, ultra-high speed, or mass data entry for unfair advantage are not allowed.

DCA Policy

No explicit DCA or martingale policy surfaced in the current official materials reviewed for this firm.

Allowed Trading Hours
All positions must be closed by 3:10 PM Central Time Monday through Friday. Trading resumes at 5:00 PM CT, including Sunday evening for the new week. Overnight and weekend holds are not allowed except for the Sunday overnight exception into Monday morning described in Topstep rules.
Weekend Holding Policy

Not allowed. This seems standard for futures-oriented prop firms.

Move to Live Criteria

Pass a Trading Combine, activate an Express Funded Account within 30 days, and become eligible for a Live Funded Account after earning at least one payout in eligible Express Funded Accounts. Live Funded size is based on the average size of eligible Express Funded Accounts, rounded up to the next $50K, $100K, or $150K tier. Only one active Live Funded Account is allowed at a time.

Rule Enforcement Notes

Prohibited Conduct is handled case by case rather than through automatic rule outcomes. Enforcement can include warnings, deletion of the impacted trading day, account reset, payout delay or denial, permanent account closure, or suspension/ban from the site and services depending on severity and prior history.

Refund Policy

Topstep generally does not offer refunds once a purchase is made because the Trading Combine provides immediate access to live data and a trading account. The refund policy separately covers specific cases such as recent rebills, activation fees, resets, and promo-code issues.

Activation Fee Policy

Activation fees depend on the Trading Combine path. The Standard Path carries a $149 activation fee after passing, while the No Activation Fee path has no activation fee but a higher monthly subscription cost.

VPN Policy
VPNs, proxy services, TOR, geo-location obfuscation, and other identity-masking services are not allowed while trading with Topstep.
Payment Methods
Credit/Debit Card
Payout Methods

Topstep Express Funded payout eligibility depends on the funded option the trader selects after activation. Standard requires 5 winning days of $150 or more plus profit above $0 since the last payout after the first request, while Consistency requires 3 trading days with a 40% consistency target. Both allow requests for up to 50% of account balance, subject to account-size payout caps. Live Funded Accounts can request up to 50% of balance after 5 winning days, and daily payouts unlock after 30 winning trading days in Live.

ACH Bank Wire
Change Log
  • Apr 24, 2026 Website URL
    Rebuilt Topstep plans and phases to reflect the current 6-plan Trading Combine catalog and updated Express Funded / Live Funded structure.
  • Feb 26, 2026 Other
    Updated February 26, 2026.
  • Dec 31, 2025 Other
    Added to database.
Current News / Promotions
Topstep Launches Free Training Camp Video Series for Beginner Futures Traders

Topstep has introduced a new Training Camp video series aimed at traders who are new to futures markets. The company says the program is free, built directly into its platform, and designed to walk b… Read more →

Topstep Launches Introducing-Broker Arm with Plus500 Support

According to industry reporting, Topstep has launched Topstep Brokerage as an introducing-broker operation, with Plus500-linked infrastructure support. A key detail is the workflow connection between… Read more →

Topstep Notifies Some Customers of Possible Data Exposure Tied to 2025 DDoS Incident

Topstep has notified some customers that their personal information may have been exposed during a cybersecurity incident tied to a distributed denial-of-service attack that occurred on September 8, … Read more →

View All News for TopStep
Reviews
3.4 / 5 · 13,606 reviews
Last checked: Feb 17, 2026
View TrustPilot profile
Evaluate Trustpilot reviews with a grain of salt: the platform is known to have fake review issues - both fake positives and fake negatives.
Execution Platforms
Rithmic T4 TopstepX Tradovate

Topstep uses TopstepX as its primary platform. Support materials also document Quantower connectivity through TopstepX, while TopstepX itself includes TradingView charts inside the platform rather than a separate external TradingView connection.

Trading Software
Languages Supported
English
1 language
Help & Resources
https://help.topstep.com/
help@topstep.com
Address: 130 S Jefferson St, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60661
Holiday Notes

Holiday trading is allowed during market-open sessions.
Holiday flattening rules require positions closed about 15 minutes before holiday close.
Traders should follow Topstep holiday schedule announcements.

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HEADS UP: Prop firms change their plans and rules all the time, and tracking it all sometimes seems impossible. We try to stay current but can't guarantee every detail is up to date. See something wrong? Let us know!
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