Topstep vs Funding Traders – Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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Introduction
Topstep and Funding Traders operate in adjacent corners of the prop industry. Topstep, founded in Chicago in 2012, is the original CME-futures specialist – more than $1 billion paid out to funded traders, single-phase Trading Combine®, mandatory TopstepX platform for new accounts since July 2025. Funding Traders, founded in 2019 with London headquarters and FCA regulation, runs a two-phase challenge model across multi-asset markets – forex, indices, commodities, and crypto – with up to $200,000 in initial funding scaling to $1 million for consistent performers. The two firms differ on instruments (futures-only vs multi-asset), evaluation structure (single-phase vs two-phase), and pricing model (monthly subscription vs one-time challenge fee), so the right pick depends on which trade-offs match your style.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Topstep | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| 
| |
| Founded | 2012 | 2019 |
| Profit Split | 100% first $10,000, then 90/10 | 80-90% |
| Maximum Account Size | $150,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 2 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4 | — |
| Expert Grade | 9 | 8.5 |
Program Types
| Program | Topstep | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Program | — | Yes |
| Scaling Options | No | Yes |
| Demo Account | No | Yes |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Topstep | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 6% | 5-12% |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500 | 8-10% |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 | 10 |
| News Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Topstep | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| CFD $10K Account | Not offered | USD 119 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| CFD $25K Account | Not offered | USD 229 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| CFD $50K Account | Not offered | USD 339 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| CFD $100K Account | Not offered | USD 599 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| CFD $200K Account | Not offered | USD 999 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| Futures $50K Account | USD 49 / Trading Combine / Monthly | Not offered |
| Futures $100K Account | USD 99 / Trading Combine / Monthly | Not offered |
| Futures $150K Account | USD 149 / Trading Combine / Monthly | Not offered |
| Coupons / Discount | Topstep discount | Funding Traders discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Topstep | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX | DXTrade, TradeLocker, MetaTrader 5 |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | No | No |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | — |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | No |
Payout
| Feature | Topstep | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly via ACH, wire, or Rise; $50 minimum | Bank Wire Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, Cryptocurrency, Wise |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Topstep | Funding Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Industry pioneer, generous first $10K profit split, no time limits, EAs permitted, no daily loss limit, $1B+ paid to traders | reasonable challenge requirements, trader-friendly policies, transparent fee structure, multiple challenge options, scaling program |
| Weaknesses | Monthly subscription fees compound, $149 activation fee, TopstepX platform exclusive, futures-only, trailing MLL can catch intraday profit-takers | excessive fees, strict trading rules, high profit targets, capital loss risk, slow withdrawals |
| Best For | Serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation | new and experienced traders |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose Topstep if you want a shorter evaluation at 1 phase, a lower 5-day minimum and a cheaper entry, from USD 49. Choose Funding Traders – Elite Firm Review if a larger funded ceiling at $1M, a demo account to test the platform first and coverage of cryptocurrencies that the other does not offer matter more to you. Neither firm is better in the abstract. The right choice depends on your strategy, your budget and the instruments you trade, so read both full reviews before you commit. Verify current rules and pricing on each firm’s own site before purchasing.
Frequently asked questions
What should I know about Topstep’s programs?
Topstep distinguishes Express Funded Account Standard and Consistency paths, followed by a separate Live Funded Account stage. Topstep official rules.
What should I know about Funding Traders’s programs?
FundingTraders has separate Pro and Instant programs. Its 2-Step Pro account has two evaluation phases and program-specific payout terms. Funding Traders official rules; Funding Traders official program information.
How do payouts differ between Topstep and Funding Traders?
The current payout policy lists a 90/10 split and a $125 minimum. Standard requires five winning days of $150 or more; Consistency requires three days and a 40% consistency target. Requests are subject to account-size caps. Topstep official rules.
The 2-Step Pro guide lists an 80% default share with optional 90% or 100% upgrades. The first payout is normally available 21 days after the first funded trade; the 14-day add-on changes that schedule. Funding Traders official rules; Funding Traders official program information.
Which account rules matter when comparing Topstep and Funding Traders?
Express payouts are generally limited to 50% of account balance up to the applicable cap. Legacy eligibility and optional daily-loss-limit arrangements can change the caps or split treatment. Topstep official rules.
For 2-Step Pro purchases on or after May 8, 2026, the evaluation-fee refund is tied to the second qualifying payout, rather than simply passing the evaluation. Risk-management violations can also affect rewards. Funding Traders official rules; Funding Traders official program information.
Is Topstep or Funding Traders automatically the better choice?
No, neither is the default pick. Topstep has the shorter evaluation at 1 phase and the lower 5-day minimum, and Funding Traders – Elite Firm Review has the larger funded ceiling at $1M and market access the other lacks, namely cryptocurrencies. Which of those matters more depends on how you actually trade, so compare how each firm measures drawdown, the total fee once add-ons and resets are included and the evaluation objectives for the exact program you buy, rather than the headline numbers. If you fail an evaluation, do not assume either firm offers a fixed reset discount: check the reset terms for the specific account you bought.
How We Compared Topstep and Funding Traders
Both firms on this page carry a JoinProp Rating out of 10. We produce that rating with the same 9-factor methodology we apply to every firm we review: payout reliability (20%), fee structure (15%), drawdown rules (15%), profit split (15%), evaluation terms (10%), trading rules (10%), support access and responsiveness (5%), scaling plan (5%), and track record and transparency (5%).
The inputs come from our firm reviews, not from this page. For each firm we work from the current terms and conditions rather than marketing pages, track rule and pricing changes over time, and read payout and support reports across Trustpilot, Reddit and Discord, looking for recurring patterns rather than isolated complaints. Every firm is re-checked at least every 90 days, or sooner after a material change. Affiliate relationships have no effect on any rating, and ratings are never sold.
The tables above show the evidence behind those factors. A few rows, including trading platforms, available instruments, maximum account size and demo availability, are there to help you judge fit and do not affect either rating.
Read our full ranking methodology