Topstep and Crypto Fund Trader occupy very different corners of the prop trading world. Topstep, founded in 2012 in Chicago by Michael Patak, is the original name in futures-based prop trading. It operates exclusively on CME Group markets, has paid out more than $1 billion to funded traders, and carries a 3.4/5 Trustpilot rating from over 13,800 reviews. Its single-phase Trading Combine® targets futures traders who want the deepest community and the 100% first-$10K profit structure. Crypto Fund Trader, established in 2021 by SWISS RLCRATES AG in Zug, Switzerland, was purpose-built for a different audience: traders who want access to 556+ cryptocurrency instruments alongside forex, indices, commodities, and stocks. With three evaluation paths – 2-Phase, 1-Phase, and Instant – and platforms including Match-Trader, MetaTrader 5, and Bybit, CFT offers multi-asset flexibility that Topstep does not. Where Topstep provides institutional futures depth on a single proprietary platform (TopstepX), CFT provides breadth across 720+ instruments and genuine platform choice. Topstep’s Trustpilot profile is long-established; CFT’s rating is currently unavailable after Trustpilot flagged the listing for a guidelines breach in April 2026. Both firms pay no attention to time limits – all CFT evaluations and the Topstep Trading Combine® are open-ended.
TL;DR: Topstep (grade 9) offers a 100% first $10,000, then 90/10 profit split; Crypto Fund Trader (grade 8.5) offers 80. Full side-by-side below. Best for: Topstep - Serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation. Crypto Fund Trader - Crypto-focused traders seeking high profit splits and flexible evaluation options. Our higher-rated pick: Topstep (9 vs 8.5).
Quick Facts
Feature
Topstep
Crypto Fund Trader
Founded
2012
2021
Profit Split
100% first $10,000, then 90/10
80
Maximum Account Size
$150,000
$300,000
Evaluation Phases
1
2-Phase, 1-Phase, Instant Evaluation
Trustpilot Rating
3.4
—
Expert Grade
9
8.5
Program Types
Program
Topstep
Crypto Fund Trader
Entry Level Program
Yes
2-Phase Challenge
Advanced Program
—
1-Phase Challenge
Scaling Options
No
Instant Evaluation
Demo Account
No
Yes
Rules & Assessment
Criteria
Topstep
Crypto Fund Trader
Profit Target
6%
8% (Phase 1), 5% (Phase 2) for 2-Phase; 8% for 1-Phase
Choose Topstep if you want a cheaper entry, from USD 49. Choose Crypto Fund Trader if a larger funded ceiling at $300K, a demo account to test the platform first 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 Crypto Fund Trader’s programs?
Crypto Fund Trader offers simulated evaluations including 1-Phase and 2-Phase, plus special Break, Ascend and Instant models with separate requirements. Crypto Fund Trader official rules.
How do payouts differ between Topstep and Crypto Fund Trader?
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 general 1-Phase/2-Phase reward conditions require 15 traded days or a 30-calendar-day cycle. A weekly add-on allows requests after seven traded days. Break instead has on-demand eligibility after its evaluation and activation fee, subject to its rules. Crypto Fund Trader official rules.
Which account rules matter when comparing Topstep and Crypto Fund Trader?
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.
Break final-stage accounts have a 40% consistency rule. KYC must be approved and all trades closed before a reward request. Special program rules should not be replaced by a single firm-wide payout schedule. Crypto Fund Trader official rules.
Is Topstep or Crypto Fund Trader automatically the better choice?
No. Each firm wins on a different axis. Topstep has the cheaper entry at USD 49. Crypto Fund Trader has the larger funded ceiling at $300K and market access the other lacks, namely stocks and 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 platform availability, 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 Crypto Fund Trader
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.
