In this TopstepTrader review, we look at their funded trading program, capital requirements, pricing, competitors, and the steps you need to take to qualify for a live funded account.
This funded trader program is an original concept that was started in 2012. It has since been copied by others trying to match Topstep’s model. Topstep is a great way to learn to trade better.
If you’re a successful trader, you can make money after their simulated account-funded “trading combines” weeding process. You don’t have to be a U.S. citizen to trade with them. You can trade from any country. They aren’t for the casual trader of forex or futures.
TopstepTrader is one of the most well-known proprietary trading firms in the futures market. It offers traders the opportunity to trade with firm capital after passing an evaluation process known as the Topstep Combine. While the appeal of trading without risking large amounts of personal capital is strong, TopstepTrader is not a fit for every trader.
Below is an expanded, in-depth review that builds on our original breakdown, adding real-world context, trader feedback, cost considerations, and practical insights to help you decide whether TopstepTrader is worth it.
What Is TopstepTrader? (2026 Review)
According to Topstep, “No matter your trading skills or status, we support your development without putting your capital at risk. Our program is designed to help you manage risk, hone strategies, and become consistently profitable.”
The funded trader program is simple. Qualified traders trade with TopstepTraders capital with a funded futures trading account. These traders keep 100% of the first $5,000 in profits and 80% of the profits beyond that.
Becoming part of the funded trader program is done in a step-wise fashion. You can apply what you learned in coaching to your simulated account. That’s the best way to learn how to trade. Also, make sure to check out TopstepTrader Reddit comments to see what other users are saying.
Our TopstepTrader review found that the program gives futures traders a chance to prove their skills in a simulated environment and trade real capital once they meet the profit targets.
In 2020, TopstepTrader rebranded to Topstep. So both Topstep and TopSepTrader are the same company.
Who TopstepTrader Is Best For?
TopstepTrader may be a good fit if you are:
- An experienced or developing futures trader
- Comfortable with strict loss limits
- Focused on long-term consistency over quick wins
TopstepTrader may not be for you if you’re:
- A beginner
- Don’t like hard rules
- Wanting to trade stocks, forex, or crypto
Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Funded trading account if you qualify
- 100% profit split on first $10K
- In-depth educational resources
- Multiple trading platform options
- Frequent promotions and discounts
- Excellent customer service
- Cons
- Most traders do not qualify for a funded account
- Only trade futures
- $150,000 max funding
TopstepTrader Pricing (2026 Membership Costs)
| Plan | Monthly Pricing | Profit Target | Max Position | Maximum Loss Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50k Buying Power | $49 USD/month | $3,000 | 5 contracts | $2,000 |
| $100k Buying Power | $99 USD/month | $6,000 | 10 contracts | $3,000 |
| $150k Buying Power | $149 USD/month | $9,000 | 15 contracts | $4,500 |
You can visit TopstepTrader’s website for updated pricing here. (Updated 3/26).
What Traders Often Overlook with Cost
TopstepTrader pricing appears straightforward. But you should be aware of additional costs that can build up over time:
- Monthly subscription fees
- Reset fees after a failed evaluation
- Exchange and market data fees
- Education or coaching add-ons
Be aware that if you require multiple resets or several months to pass the Combine, you may end up spending significantly more than you expected.
How the Topstep Combine Works
To get funded, traders must pass the Topstep Combine, which evaluates performance under strict rules:
1. Choose an account size and pay a monthly subscription fee
2. Trade in a simulated environment
3. Reach the profit target without violating daily or maximum loss limits
4. Follow position sizing and consistency rules
Any rule violation results in a failed Combine, requiring a reset or a new subscription period to continue.
Step 1
The next step starts with a minimum $150 monthly fee. You’ll have the time it takes to reach Tradestep’s goal. That is, if you’re trading by their rules. However, you must pay the monthly subscription fee from the day you sign up until you meet the target or cancel.
You can start with simulated funds from $30K($150/mo subscription) to $150K($375). This choice will determine your profit target, maximum position size, trailing maximum drawdown, and daily and weekly loss limits.
Once you complete the combination, this choice will also determine your funded account balance. You can use the simulated account to learn how an options strike price works.
The general outline for step one is as follows
- Trade for at least five days (don’t have to be in a row) without breaking the following rules (they also have some fine print).
- Meet the profit target of your chosen subscription (we’re showing the $50K subscription example; another starting balance has different rules).
- Reach your profit target ($3,000).
- Use the correct maximum position size (max five simultaneous contracts or six if you fail).
- Do not surpass the daily loss limit calculated in real-time ($1000).
- Don’t allow your account balance to hit or exceed the trailing maximum drawdown ($2000, which is calculated at the end of the day if >$2000).
- If you reach your profit target and fulfill the other rules, you can move on to step two.
Step 2
If you’ve been cleared by Topstep for Step Two (via email), everything begins again. You must trade for a total of 10 days.
Those requirements are more extensive. Assuming the same $50K subscription (other levels have different goals):
- You have to reach the profit target ($3,000).
- Initial maximum of only two contracts growing on a scaling plan, with more funds in the account, the lots increase (any more than the current place on the scale fails).
- Daily loss limit $1,000; if you fall below at any time, you fail.
- The trailing maximum drawdown was $2,000 at the end of a trading day when the challenge failed.
- Now have a weekly loss limit (equivalent to the Daily Loss Limit, factored based on the sum of the week’s total net P&L).
- No trading during major economic releases.
- You can reset the challenge at any time for a fee of $99.
Step ½ (Optional)
The first step to the funded trader program starts with a 100% free 14-day $150,000 simulated trial account, which can be used to hone skills initially.
There is no credit card required to set up this account. However, there are 13 trading platforms supported, including their own TSTrader, TradeStation, and NinjaTrader.
This first is optional. As a result, you can go on to the next step if you feel confident to do so. Our TopstepTrader Review wants you to understand the steps to take.
Real Trader Experiences & Community Feedback
Trader feedback on TopstepTrader is mixed but consistent across forums and reviews.
There are many traders who like the structure of Topstep. The rules force them to be more disciplined and use risk management. Others, however, get frustrated with the strict enforcement, particularly daily loss limits and trailing drawdowns that can close accounts quickly.
There has been some trader feedback that also mentions platform outages or technical issues that affected their trading sessions. Others claim payouts or accounts were denied due to rule violations they felt were minor or unclear.
These experiences don’t necessarily indicate wrongdoing, but they do emphasize the importance of fully understanding TopstepTrader’s rules before funding your account.
Common Complaints and Pain Points
There have been several recurring criticisms in independent reviews:
- Strict rules that leave little room for error
- A subscription-based model that can become expensive if your progress is slow
- Pressure to trade a lot to justify the monthly fees
These factors can make TopstepTrader challenging for traders who are new or still developing consistency. You could consider TopstepTrader once you’ve gotten a good trading foundation and feel confident in your trading plan.
Tips for Passing the Topstep Combine
Here are some tips for traders who want to successfully pass the Combine:
- Trade smaller position sizes
- Focus on consistency rather than hitting targets quickly
- Avoid revenge trading after losses
- Practice trading ahead of time. You can practice a lot, and that will help!
Traders have found that if you treat the Combine like a professional evaluation instead of a challenge, it can help to improve your outcome.
TopstepTrader Alternatives
- Apex Trader Funding
- MyFundedFutures
- Take Profit Trader
- FundedNext
- The5ers
- Tradeify
TopstepTrader vs Other Funded Trading Firms
When compared to other prop firms, TopstepTrader stands out because of its longevity and education-focused approach. But there are pros and cons that we’ll take a look at below.
Pros:
- Established reputation in the futures industry
- Structured scaling plans
- Emphasis on discipline and risk management
Cons:
- Futures-only trading
- Not as flexible as some of the newer prop firms
- Ongoing subscription costs until you’re done
Make sure to compare TopstepTrader with alternatives to ensure the rules align with your trading style.
TopstepTrader Customer Reviews
TopstepTrader has approximately 13,721 customer reviews on Trustpilot with a 3.4 TrustScore (Average as of March 2026).
Bottom Line: Is TopstepTrader Worth It?
We’re doing this TopstepTrader review because they are a legitimate company. They do require more from their members than, say, TradingSim. So if you’re looking for something cheaper, you should keep looking. A company like ThinkorSwim will be of help.
TOS is a very popular trading platform for trading futures. They are known for being large futures brokers. Their charting platform and customer service are solid. One of the biggest negatives of TD Ameritrade is its large margin requirements. They don’t have any funded programs available, either. Also, their commission fees are higher. Like any broker, it’s worth contacting them to see if they are negotiable.
Topstep offers stricter risk management rules to keep trading more balanced. Also, they offer a wealth of educational resources. Apex Trader is better for traders who want a platform with minimal rules and flexibility in their trading style. A negative of Apex Trader is that it requires a higher initial balance than Topstep.
If you pass the Trading Combine, you’ll be funded and able to trade with real money. With no risk, you can keep the first $5,000 in profits and 90% of further profits.
TopstepTrader can be a legitimate path to funded futures trading, but it’s not an easy shortcut. The program rewards patience, discipline, and strong risk management. But it does penalize impulsive behavior quickly.
TopstepTrader may offer valuable access to firm capital if you’re a trader who understands the rules and is prepared for the costs and learning curve. For others, continuing to trade independently or exploring alternative prop firms may be a better choice.
As with any trading opportunity, understand the risks, read the fine print, and trade responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tes Topstep does pay out a 90-10 profit split. So you get to keep 90% of your profits.
Topstep offers two Combine paths. The Standard Path starts at $49 a month with a one-time $129 activation fee when you pass the Combine. You can see the other pricing above in this post.
You must pass their evaluation process, known as the Trading Combine. If you do that, you're given access to a funded account where you can trade futures contracts with their capital.
Yes, US traders can use Topstep.
