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 | 90% trader share; first-$10,000 lifetime-profit exception for traders who joined the new dashboard before Jan 12, 2026 | 80 |
| Maximum Account Size | $150,000 | $200,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | CFD Prime: 1 or 2; Futures Prime: 1; CFD Instant: none |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4 | Not available |
| Expert Grade | 9 | 9.2 |
Program Types
| Program | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Prime 1-Phase |
| Advanced Program | Not available | Prime 2-Phase |
| Scaling Options | No | Yes |
| Demo Account | No | Not available |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | Trading Combine Parameters - 50,000: 3,000 Trading Combine Parameters - 100,000: 6,000 Trading Combine Parameters - 150,000: 9,000 | The Product Line - CFD Prime 1-Phase: 10% The Product Line - CFD Prime 2-Phase: 10% then 5% The Product Line - CFD Instant: No evaluation The Product Line - Futures Prime: 6% of balance The Product Line - Stocks Challenge: 7% |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500 | The Product Line - CFD Prime 1-Phase: 6% The Product Line - CFD Prime 2-Phase: 8-10% The Product Line - CFD Instant: 6% The Product Line - Futures Prime: $2,000 / $3,000 / $4,500 on $50k / $100k / $150k The Product Line - Stocks Challenge: 5% |
| Minimum Trading Days | Trading Combine can pass in as few as 2 days, subject to 55% consistency; funded payout paths have separate day requirements | Futures Prime challenge: 3; CFD Prime: size/date-dependent 3 trading or profitable days |
| News Trading | Yes | CFD Prime large accounts restrict entries +/-2 minutes; Instant allows news; product-specific rules |
| Daily Loss Limit | Trading Combine Parameters - 50,000: Optional (1,000) Trading Combine Parameters - 100,000: Optional (2,000) Trading Combine Parameters - 150,000: Optional (3,000) | The Product Line - CFD Prime 1-Phase: 3% The Product Line - CFD Prime 2-Phase: 4-5% The Product Line - CFD Instant: None The Product Line - Futures Prime: Challenge-only daily pause The Product Line - Stocks Challenge: 2% (pause) |
| Drawdown Type | Not available | The Product Line - CFD Prime 1-Phase: Static (trailing on $100k and $200k) The Product Line - CFD Prime 2-Phase: Static (trailing on $100k) The Product Line - CFD Instant: Trailing highest balance; locks at starting balance The Product Line - Futures Prime: Trailing on end-of-day balance The Product Line - Stocks Challenge: Trailing on end-of-day balance |
| Maximum Contracts | Trading Combine Parameters - 50,000: 5 (50 micros) Trading Combine Parameters - 100,000: 10 (100 micros) Trading Combine Parameters - 150,000: 15 (150 micros) | Not available |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| CFD $2.5K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | Prime 1-Phase / USD 29 / One-time CFD Prime list price; not forced into standard comparison sizes. Source Checked 2026-08-09 |
| CFD $5K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | Prime 1-Phase / USD 49 / One-time CFD Prime list price. Source Checked 2026-08-09 |
| CFD $10K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | Prime 1-Phase / USD 99 / One-time CFD Prime list price. Source Checked 2026-08-09 |
| CFD $20K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | Prime 1-Phase / USD 199 / One-time Real Trading Pit CFD size; no 25K row is forced. Source Checked 2026-08-09 |
| CFD $50K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | Prime 1-Phase / USD 349 / One-time CFD Prime list price. Source Checked 2026-08-09 |
| CFD $100K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | Prime 1-Phase / USD 569 / One-time CFD Prime list price. Source Checked 2026-08-09 |
| CFD $200K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | Prime 1-Phase / USD 1139 / One-time Largest listed CFD Prime size. Source Checked 2026-08-09 |
| Futures $50K Account | Trading Combine / USD 49 / Monthly Standard Trading Combine monthly price. Source Checked 2026-08-10 | Futures Prime / USD 99 / One-time Futures Prime has 50K/100K/150K only; no 200K Futures Prime row. Source Checked 2026-08-09 |
| Futures $100K Account | Trading Combine / USD 99 / Monthly Standard Trading Combine monthly price; tier was marked temporarily on hold when verified. Source Checked 2026-08-10 | Futures Prime / USD 189 / One-time Futures Prime list price; activation fee shown as $0 for new accounts from 26 Mar 2026. Source Checked 2026-08-09 |
| Futures $150K Account | Trading Combine / USD 199 / Monthly Standard Trading Combine monthly price. Source Checked 2026-09-27 | Futures Prime / USD 289 / One-time Futures Prime top listed size. Source Checked 2026-08-09 |
| Stocks $25K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | Stocks Challenge / USD 99 / One-time Stocks Challenge entry price; support page also references EUR 99. Source Checked 2026-08-09 |
| Refund Policy | Not available | Not available |
| Coupons / Discount | Topstep discount | The Trading Pit discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX; Quantower connectivity for Trading Combine and Express Funded accounts | CFDs: cTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. Futures: NinjaTrader, Tradovate, ATAS, Quantower, DeepCharts (Volumetrica), R|Trader Pro |
| Forex | Currency futures, not spot Forex | 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 | $125 minimum; eligibility by funded-account path, not a bi-weekly schedule. XFA Standard: 5 winning days of $150+; XFA Consistency: 3 trading days and 40% consistency. Balance limits, account caps and method availability apply. | CFD Prime: 80%, 14 days, $100 minimum; current Futures: 5 qualifying profit days, 7-day requests, half-profit limit and size caps; Instant: 14 days, above $200, half-profit/cap/consistency rules |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Trading Combine has no maximum completion deadline while the subscription remains active; automated strategies permitted subject to rules; 90% current trader share; Standard or Consistency Express payout paths. Daily-loss-limit arrangements vary. | Multiple asset classes; 80% Prime/Instant share; Instant route available; basic Futures Level 1 data included; product-specific scaling |
| Weaknesses | Recurring Combine subscription; $149 XFA activation on Standard pricing path; futures-only; end-of-day trailing MLL can be breached intraday on unrealised losses | Dated and product-specific rules; Futures challenge time limit; payout caps; Instant fee non-refundable; some official policy pages conflict |
| Best For | Serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation | Active traders choosing an account whose drawdown, timing and payout rules fit their strategy |
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 carry a JoinProp Rating out of 10, scored on the same nine weighted factors, led by payout reliability at 20%, then fee structure, drawdown rules and profit split at 15% each. The scores come from our own firm reviews, built from each firm’s current terms rather than its marketing pages and re-checked at least every 90 days. Affiliate relationships have no effect on any rating, and ratings are never sold. The tables above are the evidence behind those scores. Read our full ranking methodology.
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