Topstep Review 2026: Rules, Pricing & How It Works

Topstep is one of the most well-known futures prop firms in the industry, having been around since 2012. With a proven track record and a large community of traders, Topstep offers a clear path from evaluation to funded trading. Here's everything you need to know about how Topstep works in 2026.

What is Topstep?

Topstep is a proprietary trading firm that allows traders to demonstrate their skills in a simulated trading environment called the Trading Combine. Traders who pass the evaluation earn access to a funded account where they can trade futures markets using the firm's capital and keep up to 90% of the profits they generate.

Topstep is focused exclusively on futures markets, covering instruments listed on CME, COMEX, NYMEX, and CBOT exchanges. This includes popular contracts like E-mini S&P 500 (ES), E-mini Nasdaq (NQ), Gold (GC), Crude Oil (CL), and many more.

Account Sizes & Pricing

Topstep offers three account sizes with two evaluation paths:

Topstep also offers a No Activation Fee path at a higher monthly cost ($109/$159/$209), which eliminates the $149 one-time activation fee when you pass.

Key Evaluation Rules

• ✓ No Daily Loss Limit — Topstep does not impose a daily drawdown cap, giving traders more flexibility on any given day.
• ✓ End-of-Day Trailing Drawdown — The drawdown only adjusts at the end of each trading day based on your highest end-of-day balance, not intraday.
• ✓ Minimum 2 Trading Days — You can pass the evaluation in as little as 2 days.
• ✓ 50% Consistency Rule — No single trading day can account for more than 50% of your total profits during evaluation.
• ✓ News Trading Allowed — You can trade during economic news events.
• ✓ Weekend Holding Allowed — Positions can be held over weekends.

Funded Account & Payouts

Once you pass the evaluation, you move to the Express Funded Account. Here's what you should know:

• ✓ 90% Profit Split — Keep 90% of all profits you generate.
• ✓ Two Payout Paths — Choose the Flexibility Path (no consistency rule, 5-day hold) or the Consistency Path (40% consistency, 3-day hold).
• ✓ $125 Minimum Payout — Request payouts as low as $125.
• ✓ Up to $6,000 Per Payout — Industry-leading payout amounts per request.

Supported Platforms

Topstep supports a range of trading platforms including Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Quantower, and Rithmic. They also offer their own proprietary platform called TopstepX, built specifically for their traders.

2025 Performance Statistics

Topstep publishes transparent performance data. For 2025: 16.8% of Trading Combines were successfully completed, 51.8% of participants advanced to the Funded Level in at least one Combine, and 33.3% of funded traders received a payout.

Who is Topstep Best For?

Topstep is an excellent choice for futures traders who value a well-established firm with transparent rules and a strong community. The lack of a daily loss limit, end-of-day trailing drawdown, and 90% profit split make it attractive for both newer traders learning the ropes and experienced traders looking for a reliable funded account.