Topstep
The veteran futures firm — approachable Trading Combine, 100% split on Live.
- 90% profit split
- 1-3 days payouts
- 1-step evaluation
- Save 30% · code RADAR30
- Up to $150K capital
Affiliate link · may earn commission
- Profit split
- 90%
- Your share
- Evaluation
- 1-step
- Funding path
- Price from
- $49
- Cheapest account
- Payout speed
- 1-3 days
- Time to get paid
- Max capital
- $150K
- Scaling ceiling
- Payout reliability
- 95/100
- Pays consistently
Score breakdown
Weighted · payout reliability counts mostHow you get funded with Topstep
Five steps from buying the challenge to cashing out — and the number that matters most at each stage.
- Step 11
Buy the challenge
$49→ $34 with RADAR30 - Step 22
Pass the evaluation
$3k (50K) / $6k (100K) / $9k (150K)2 (Combine) · $2k / $3k / $4.5k trailing (by tier) - Step 33
Get funded
90% splitkeep up to 90% of profits - Step 44
Get paid
1-3 daysWinning-days based - Step 55
Scale up
$150Kgrow your allocation
Our verdict on Topstep
Topstep is one of the oldest futures prop firms (founded in Chicago in 2012 by CEO Michael Patak). You pass its 1-step Trading Combine to reach an Express Funded account, then a Live Funded account where payouts can reach 100% of profits after 30 winning days. It trades futures only on TopstepX and Quantower, pays a 90% split with a $125 minimum, and recently doubled its payout caps (up to $12k) for traders who add a Daily Loss Limit.
In practice, that means you can get into a funded futures account for as little as $49 (about $34 after the RADAR30 code), keep 90% of your profits, and — the part that actually matters — expect payouts in 1-3 days. Where Topstep stands out, and where it doesn't, comes down to the detail below: the 1-step evaluation, the drawdown model, and the rules that decide whether a passed challenge really converts into cash in your account.
How we review & sourcing: Our reviews are built from each firm's official website (topstep.com) alongside Prop Firm Match and other large public sources — trader communities and payout reports. Figures were last updated in July 2026. Prop-firm prices and rules change often, so always confirm the current terms on topstep.com before you buy.
Bottom line · Topstep is the friendliest on-ramp to futures funding. If you are newer and want structure and coaching over the absolute cheapest deal, start here — and add a Daily Loss Limit to double your payout cap.
Pros
- One of the oldest, most reputable futures firms (since 2012)
- Beginner-friendly Trading Combine with strong coaching content
- 90% split — up to 100% on a Live account after 30 winning days
- Doubled payout caps (to $12k) when you add a Daily Loss Limit
Cons
- Futures only, monthly subscription model
- Trustpilot sits at 3.5
- $30 processing fee on ACH / wire payouts
- Restricted list includes Turkey, Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan
Who Topstep is best for
Best suited for
- Dedicated futures day traders
- Traders who prefer a single-phase evaluation
- Budget-conscious traders testing a strategy
- Traders who want a 90%+ profit split
Use caution if you are
- Forex, stock or crypto traders
- Anyone relying on one big winning day (consistency rules apply)
Availability & country restrictions
You evaluate and trade a Topstep account entirely online, so your location only matters for compliance. Topstep is a US-based firm, so — like all US futures/prop firms — it cannot legally onboard traders from countries and regions under US (OFAC) sanctions. A few other jurisdictions are sometimes restricted for compliance or licensing reasons.
Countries & regions Topstep cannot onboard:
Compliance rules change often. Before you buy, confirm your country is eligible on the official Topstep website (topstep.com) — some firms quietly add or remove jurisdictions.
How Topstep compares to the average
Topstep against the average of all 56 firms we track. Green means it beats the field.
| Metric | Topstep | Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Up Trade Funded score | 92 | 84 |
| Profit split | 90% | 90% |
| Cheapest account | $49 | $73 |
| Max capital | $150K | $236K |
| Payout reliability | 95/100 | 84/100 |
Account sizes & pricing
Every Topstep account size and its real out-of-pocket price — after our exclusive 30% code (RADAR30).
| Account | Price | With 30% code |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49 | $34 |
| $100,000 | $99 | $69 |
| $150,000 | $149 | $104 |
Key rules you must respect
These are the rules that decide whether a passed Topstep account turns into a payout or an instant loss. Read them carefully — with most prop firms, traders don't fail because they can't make money, they fail because they trip a drawdown or consistency rule they skimmed over. The full, current terms always live on Topstep's official site; the table below is our plain-English summary.
- Evaluation
- 1-step Trading Combine → Express Funded
- Profit target
- $3k (50K) / $6k (100K) / $9k (150K)
- Max loss limit
- $2k / $3k / $4.5k trailing (by tier)
- Max contracts
- 5 / 10 / 15 minis (50 / 100 / 150 micros)
- Min trading days
- 2 (Combine)
- News trading
- Allowed, no restrictions
How to pass the Topstep challenge
There's no secret to passing a Topstep evaluation — just a repeatable process built around its specific rules. The goal isn't to get rich in a week; it's to reach the target without ever breaching a limit. The steps below are drawn straight from Topstep's own requirements, in the order that matters. Follow them like a checklist and treat the evaluation as a discipline test, not a lottery ticket.
- 1Reach the profit target ($3k (50K) / $6k (100K) / $9k (150K)) without breaching the loss limits — steady, repeatable trades beat one hero move.
- 2Trade at least 2 (Combine) — don't try to pass in a single session; spread your entries across several days.
- 3Track the trailing/intraday drawdown live — it moves up with your balance, so protect open profit and don't hand it all back.
- 4Risk a small fixed amount per trade (many funded traders use 0.5–1% of the account) and stop trading once you hit the target.
Scaling plan
How you go from evaluation to funded and grow your capital with Topstep.
Pass the evaluation
Clear the 1-step challenge from $49 (−30% with RADAR30).
Get funded
Trade the funded account with a 90% profit split and payouts in 1-3 days.
Scale up
Stay consistent and grow your allocation toward $150K.
Trading platforms
Topstep lets you trade on 2 platforms and order-flow tools, so you can keep the charting and execution setup you already know. Pick the one that fits your style — read our full platform reviews before you commit.
TopstepXTopstep FAQ
The questions traders ask us most before funding a Topstep account.
Is Topstep good for beginners?+
Yes — Topstep is our top pick for newer futures traders thanks to its clear rules, structured coaching, and a supportive community that helps you build discipline.
How does Topstep pay traders?+
Funded traders request payouts based on winning days ($150+), processed in 1-3 days via Wise or ACH, at a 90% split. On a Live Funded account you can access 100% of profits after 30 winning days. A $125 minimum and $30 ACH/wire fee apply.
Is Topstep legit and does it actually pay traders?+
Topstep scores 95/100 on payout reliability in our index and has operated since 2012 out of Chicago, IL, USA, with a 90% profit split and payouts in 1-3 days. Before funding an account, check recent trader payout reports and confirm the current terms on the official site — most failed payouts trace back to a rule breach, not the firm refusing to pay.
Which countries can't use Topstep?+
Topstep cannot onboard traders from sanctioned or restricted jurisdictions, which typically include Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cote d'Ivoire, Crimea (Region of Ukraine), Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Myanmar (Burma), Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela and Yemen. Rules change, so always confirm your country is eligible on the official Topstep site before you buy — some firms restrict extra countries for compliance reasons.
What happens if I break a rule on a Topstep funded account?+
Breaching a hard rule — the maximum loss / trailing drawdown, or a daily loss limit where one applies — usually ends the account immediately, even if you were in profit at the time. Softer breaches (like a consistency rule) can instead delay or block a payout. This is why the drawdown type matters more than the profit split: read the Key rules section above before funding.
How long does it take to get funded with Topstep?+
You need to clear the 1-step evaluation, which requires 2 (combine). Disciplined traders often pass in one to two weeks; there's no maximum time limit on most plans, so trade at your own pace rather than forcing it. From there you can request your first payout in 1-3 days.
What platforms and devices can I trade Topstep on?+
Topstep supports TopstepX, Quantower. Most of these offer desktop, web and mobile apps, so you can manage trades from a phone. News trading is allowed (check any limits in the rules).
Ready to get funded with Topstep?
Use code RADAR30 for 30% off your evaluation. Score 92/100 · 1-3 days payouts · 90% split.
Compare Topstep head-to-head
Open full comparison →Top alternatives to Topstep
Futures firms worth weighing up against Topstep before you commit — read the full review of each.
Firm figures on this page are compiled from Topstep's official website and Prop Firm Match, last updated July 2026. Up Trade Funded scores are our own editorial assessment. Prop-firm prices and rules change often — always confirm the current terms on the firm's official website before buying. Links marked "Visit" are affiliate links.