Topstep vs The Trading Pit – Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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Introduction
Topstep and The Trading Pit represent two different visions of prop trading. Topstep, founded in Chicago in 2012 by Michael Patak, pioneered the evaluation-based funding model and remains the definitive name in futures-only prop trading. It operates exclusively on the CME Group and has paid out more than $1 billion to funded traders, carrying a 3.4/5 Trustpilot rating from over 13,800 reviews. The Trading Pit, founded in 2022 and headquartered in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, is a multi-asset firm offering CFDs, Futures, and Stocks through its Prime program in both 1-Phase and 2-Phase formats. Entry prices start from just $49, making it among the most accessible prop firms in the industry. Where Topstep is futures-pure and platform-restricted (TopstepX only for new accounts), The Trading Pit offers broader instrument access and platform choices including cTrader, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, ATAS, and Rithmic R/Trader Pro. The core trade-off: Topstep offers the 100% first-$10K profit structure and deeper community; The Trading Pit offers multi-asset access, lower entry prices, and a wider platform suite. Both firms have no time limits on their challenges.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
|  | |
| Founded | 2012 | 2022 |
| Profit Split | 100% first $10,000, then 90/10 | 80 |
| Maximum Account Size | $150,000 | $200,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 2 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4 | — |
| Expert Grade | 9 | 9.2 |
Program Types
| Program | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Prime 1-Phase |
| Advanced Program | — | Prime 2-Phase |
| Scaling Options | No | Yes |
| Demo Account | No | — |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 6% | 10% (1-Phase) or 8%/5% (2-Phase) |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500 | 7% (1-Phase) or 10% (2-Phase) |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 | 3 |
| News Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| CFD $2.5K Account | Not offered | USD 29 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $5K Account | Not offered | USD 49 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $10K Account | Not offered | USD 99 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $20K Account | Not offered | USD 199 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $50K Account | Not offered | USD 349 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $100K Account | Not offered | USD 569 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $200K Account | Not offered | USD 1139 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| Futures $50K Account | USD 49 / Trading Combine / Monthly | USD 99 / Futures Prime / One-time |
| Futures $100K Account | USD 99 / Trading Combine / Monthly | USD 189 / Futures Prime / One-time |
| Futures $150K Account | USD 149 / Trading Combine / Monthly | USD 289 / Futures Prime / One-time |
| Stocks $25K Account | Not offered | USD 99 / Stocks Challenge / One-time |
| Coupons / Discount | Topstep discount | The Trading Pit discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX | cTrader, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, ATAS, Rithmic R/Trader Pro |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | No | Yes |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | Yes |
Payout
| Feature | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly via ACH, wire, or Rise; $50 minimum | Bi-weekly (CFD: $100 minimum), follows profitable-day requirements (Futures) |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Industry pioneer, generous first $10K profit split, no time limits, EAs permitted, no daily loss limit, $1B+ paid to traders | Multi-asset trading, 80% split from day one, No time limits, Affordable entry, Scaling opportunities, Flexible trading rules |
| Weaknesses | Monthly subscription fees compound, $149 activation fee, TopstepX platform exclusive, futures-only, trailing MLL can catch intraday profit-takers | 80% split capped, Newer firm (2022), Trustpilot flagged, Futures market-data fees, Classic program discontinued |
| Best For | Serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation | Traders seeking affordable entry, multiple asset classes, and no time pressure |
Which Firm Is Right for You?
Choose Topstep if: You are a futures trader. Topstep invented the evaluation-based prop model, has over a decade of operating history, $1 billion in verified payouts, and offers 100% of your first $10,000 in profits. No daily drawdown limit, no restrictions on EAs or news trading, and a massive Discord community of 150,000+ traders make it the default choice for CME Group futures trading.
Choose The Trading Pit if: You trade forex, CFDs, stocks, or want a multi-asset prop firm with flexible entry prices. Starting at just $49 with one-time fees, The Trading Pit offers broader market access, more platform choices, and a scaling program that grows your account by 25% per cycle. Its 1-Phase Prime path is one of the fastest evaluation routes available.
The core trade-off: Topstep is the proven standard for futures traders with unmatched track record and community depth. The Trading Pit offers wider asset access and lower entry costs. Both are unregulated evaluation firms – neither holds client funds as a regulated broker would.
See full Topstep review | See full The Trading Pit review
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose Topstep if you want a shorter evaluation at 1 phase and coverage of bonds that the other does not offer. Choose The Trading Pit if a larger funded ceiling at $200K, a lower 3-day minimum and a cheaper entry, from USD 29 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 The Trading Pit’s programs?
The Trading Pit separates CFD Prime, CFD Instant and Futures Prime programs. Their reward rules and account-date conditions differ. The Trading Pit official rules; The Trading Pit official program information.
How do payouts differ between Topstep and The Trading Pit?
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.
CFD Prime lists an 80% share and 14-day requests above $100 after eligibility requirements are met. Futures Prime also lists 80%, but uses five profitable days of at least $150 and its own withdrawal caps and schedule. The Trading Pit official rules; The Trading Pit official program information.
Which account rules matter when comparing Topstep and The Trading Pit?
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.
CFD Instant has a 30% consistency rule and limits rewards to the lower of $2,500 or 50% of realised profit. These conditions are different from CFD Prime and should not be mixed. The Trading Pit official rules; The Trading Pit official program information.
Is Topstep or The Trading Pit automatically the better choice?
No. Each firm wins on a different axis. Topstep has the shorter evaluation at 1 phase and market access the other lacks, namely bonds. The Trading Pit has the larger funded ceiling at $200K and the lower 3-day minimum. 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 The Trading Pit
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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