Topstep vs Funded Trading Plus – Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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Introduction
Topstep and Funded Trading Plus take very different shapes. Topstep, founded in Chicago in 2012, invented the modern prop-firm evaluation model and has paid out more than $1 billion to funded CME futures traders – single-phase Trading Combine®, monthly subscription, mandatory TopstepX platform for new accounts since July 2025. Funded Trading Plus (FT+) was founded in 2021 as an extension of Trade Room Plus (established 2013), operated by FTP London Ltd from Saint Lucia, with over 60,000 traders across 180 countries and $19.5M+ in real payouts to date. In early 2026, FT+ 2.0 simplified the lineup to three multi-asset programs – Instant Funding, 1-Step Express, and 2-Step Classic – all swap-free, with profit splits scaling from 80% up to 100% and capital scaling to $2.5 million. The two firms differ on instruments (futures vs multi-asset CFDs) 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 | Funded Trading Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 
| |
| Founded | 2012 | 2021 |
| Profit Split | 100% first $10,000, then 90/10 | 80-100% |
| Maximum Account Size | $150,000 | $200,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 2 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4 | 4.4 |
| Expert Grade | 9 | 8.3 |
Program Types
| Program | Topstep | Funded Trading Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Instant Funding |
| Advanced Program | — | 2-Step Classic |
| Scaling Options | No | Yes |
| Demo Account | No | — |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Topstep | Funded Trading Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 6% | 7-10% |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500 | 6-8% |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 | 0 |
| News Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Topstep | Funded Trading Plus |
|---|---|---|
| CFD $10K Account | Not offered | USD 99 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| CFD $25K Account | Not offered | USD 199 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| CFD $50K Account | Not offered | USD 349 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| CFD $100K Account | Not offered | USD 549 / 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 | Funded Trading Plus discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Topstep | Funded Trading Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX | MT5, cTrader, DXtrade, Match-Trader |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | No | Yes |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | cTrader only |
Payout
| Feature | Topstep | Funded Trading Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly via ACH, wire, or Rise; $50 minimum | Weekly or every 10 days, minimum $50 |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Topstep | Funded Trading Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Industry pioneer, generous first $10K profit split, no time limits, EAs permitted, no daily loss limit, $1B+ paid to traders | Profit splits up to 100%, No evaluation time limits, Fast payouts from Day 1, $19.5M+ paid to traders |
| Weaknesses | Monthly subscription fees compound, $149 activation fee, TopstepX platform exclusive, futures-only, trailing MLL can catch intraday profit-takers | Higher challenge fees vs competitors, No MT4 support, EAs limited to cTrader, High metal commissions |
| Best For | Serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation | Traders seeking high profit splits and flexible evaluation timelines |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose Topstep if you want a shorter evaluation at 1 phase, a cheaper entry, from USD 49 and coverage of bonds that the other does not offer. Choose Funded Trading Plus – Elite Prop Company Review if a larger funded ceiling at $200K, no minimum trading days and coverage of stocks and 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 Funded Trading Plus’s programs?
Funded Trading Plus currently lists Instant Funding, 1-Step Express and 2-Step Classic simulated-account options. Funded Trading Plus official rules.
How do payouts differ between Topstep and Funded Trading Plus?
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 displayed 1-Step Express configuration lists an 80% reward share, eligibility from day zero followed by a seven-day cycle, and optional upgrades to a 90% share or a three-day cycle. Eligibility still depends on the program terms. Funded Trading Plus official rules.
Which account rules matter when comparing Topstep and Funded Trading Plus?
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.
The displayed 1-Step Express has a 10% target, 4% balance-based daily loss limit and 6% trailing maximum loss. Do not apply these conditions to Instant Funding or 2-Step Classic. Funded Trading Plus official rules.
Is Topstep or Funded Trading Plus automatically the better choice?
No. The two firms lead on different things: Topstep has the shorter evaluation at 1 phase and the cheaper entry at USD 49, while Funded Trading Plus – Elite Prop Company Review has the larger funded ceiling at $200K and no minimum trading days. 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 Funded Trading Plus
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
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