Topstep Review 2026:
Complete Test & Feedback
TopStep
Our detailed analysis of Topstep, one of the oldest prop firms on the market. Accounts, conditions, TopstepX platform, pros and limits.
What is Topstep?
Topstep is a US prop firm founded in 2012 in Chicago by Michael Patak. It's one of the pioneers in the funded trading sector on Futures markets. With more than 400,000 registered traders and a presence of more than 13 years on the market, Topstep has established itself as an essential reference in the prop firm world.
Table of Contents
The principle is simple: Topstep provides the capital, you provide the skills. After validating an evaluation phase (the Trading Combine or an Express Funded account), you access a funded account and keep the majority of your profits. No risk of personal capital loss beyond the monthly subscription.
In short: Topstep is a historic player in funded trading on Futures, with a solid track record and a large community. In 2026, the firm continues to evolve with its proprietary TopstepX platform, although competition has significantly strengthened.
If you're looking for a global comparison of the best prop firms in 2026, we recommend our full Futures prop firms ranking which includes Topstep, Phidias and other major players.
📊 Topstep in key figures (2024-2025):
- More than 400,000 registered traders since 2012, present in 180+ countries (Topstep, 2024)
- More than 13 years of activity — one of the Futures prop firms with the longest track record in the sector (official Topstep data, 2025)
- Topstep has paid out more than $50 million in profits to its funded traders since inception (Topstep report, 2024)
Topstep Accounts in 2026
Topstep offers two types of paths to access funding: the Trading Combine (classic evaluation) and Express Funded accounts (fast access). Each option meets a different trader profile.
Trading Combine
The Trading Combine is Topstep's historic path. It's a one-phase evaluation during which you must reach a profit target while respecting drawdown rules. Three account sizes are available:
Express Funded
Express Funded accounts allow faster access to funding with only 2 minimum trading days. It's an interesting option for experienced traders who want to quickly prove their skills without going through a long process.
For an alternative with even more advantageous conditions, discover the Phidias Propfirm accounts with the LUCAS code which offers -80% on your first evaluation, an EOD drawdown and French support.
Trading Conditions
Drawdown (Trailing EOD)
Topstep uses an end-of-day trailing drawdown (EOD). This means your maximum loss threshold follows your highest profits at the end of the session, not intraday. It's a more favorable system than intraday trailing because it gives you more room to manage your positions during the session.
Profit Split
The profit split at Topstep is one of the most attractive in the sector. The trader keeps 90% of gains on the first $10,000 withdrawn. Beyond this threshold, the split switches to 80/20 in favor of the trader. It's a competitive ratio that rewards performance.
Instruments and Hours
Topstep focuses exclusively on US Futures: ES, NQ, YM, RTY, CL, GC, SI, ZB, ZN and other CME Group contracts. Positions must imperatively be closed before market close on most accounts. The inability to hold positions overnight is a notable limitation for some trading styles.
Payouts
Withdrawals are made via the Rise platform, with processing times generally between 24 and 48 hours. The process is smooth and community feedback is overall positive on payment reliability.
TopstepX Platform
In 2026, Topstep completed the transition to its proprietary TopstepX platform, gradually abandoning third-party platforms like NinjaTrader and Tradovate. While TopstepX offers native integration with Topstep services, community reviews remain mixed. Some traders miss the flexibility of third-party platforms and report features still under development.
Important point: If platform choice freedom is an essential criterion for you, know that other prop firms like Phidias allow the use of various platforms. Check our complete prop firm trading guide to learn more.
Pros and Cons
After our in-depth analysis, here's a summary of Topstep's strengths and limits in 2026.
Strengths
- More than 13 years of existence and solid track record
- Attractive 90/10 profit split on the first $10K
- Affordable entry price ($49/month for 50K)
- Large active community (400K+ traders)
- EOD (end of day) drawdown
- Fast payouts via Rise (24-48h)
- Trustpilot rating of 4.4/5 with 2,000+ reviews
Weaknesses
- Only US Futures (no Forex, EU indices)
- Controversial transition to TopstepX, mixed reviews
- No overnight positions on most accounts
- Limited scaling plan compared to some competitors
- Profit split reduced to 80/20 beyond $10K
- Customer support mainly in English
- No European base (US regulation only)
Ratings by Criteria
We evaluated Topstep on the essential criteria for a prop firm trader. Here is our detailed scoring:
| Criterion | Rating |
|---|---|
| Reliability & Reputation | |
| Trading Conditions | |
| Price / Accessibility | |
| Platform & Tools | |
| Profit Split & Payouts | |
| Customer Support | |
| Scaling & Evolution |
What Traders Say
Here's an overview of feedback from traders who have recently used Topstep. These testimonials reflect varied experiences within the community.
Topstep remains a safe bet. I was funded in 3 weeks on the Combine 100K. The payout took 36h via Rise. My only regret: the transition to TopstepX made me lose my habits on NinjaTrader.
Good prop firm overall, but the fact of not being able to hold positions overnight is really limiting for my swing style. I eventually migrated to Phidias which offers more flexibility.
The $49 entry price is unbeatable to test. The Discord community is active and helpful. TopstepX is gradually improving but a few advanced features are still missing.
Our Verdict
Topstep is a reliable prop firm with an impressive history of more than 13 years. Its accessible entry price, 90% profit split and large community make it a relevant choice for prop trading beginners. However, the transition to TopstepX, the absence of overnight positions and limited scaling are points of attention. For French-speaking traders looking for optimal conditions, we recommend Phidias Propfirm with the LUCAS code to benefit from -80% and French-language support.
Our recommendation: if you hesitate between Topstep and Phidias, check our detailed prop firms comparison 2026. Phidias stands out with its advantageous EOD drawdown, European base, French-speaking support and unbeatable prices with the LUCAS code (-80%).
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Topstep is one of the oldest and most respected prop firms on the market. Founded in 2012 in Chicago, it has funded thousands of traders and displays a Trustpilot rating of 4.4/5 with more than 2,000 reviews. It's a reliable and established player in the Futures sector.
Topstep accounts start at $49/month for a 50K Trading Combine. The 100K account is $99/month and the 150K is $149/month. Express Funded options are also available for faster access to funding.
Topstep offers a 90/10 profit split on the first $10,000 of gains (the trader keeps 90%). Beyond this threshold, the ratio switches to 80/20. It's a competitive split, although some competitors like Phidias offer similar or better conditions with the LUCAS code.
Topstep has gradually migrated to its proprietary TopstepX platform. Use of third-party platforms like NinjaTrader has become limited. If platform choice freedom is important to you, other prop firms offer more flexibility.
Both are serious prop firms. Topstep has the advantage of seniority and the size of its community. Phidias stands out with its more favorable EOD drawdown, European base, French support and very competitive prices with the LUCAS code (-80%). For a French-speaking trader, Phidias is often the best choice.