Topstep vs Breakout – Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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Introduction
Topstep and Breakout target completely different traders. Topstep, founded in 2012 in Chicago, 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. Breakout, founded 2023 in Tampa by Alex Miningham and Dylan Loomer, was acquired by Kraken on September 1, 2025 – making it the first major crypto exchange to own a prop firm. Breakout is crypto-only with 50+ perpetual pairs, runs on its proprietary Breakout Terminal, offers 1-Step or 2-Step evaluations across $5K–$200K accounts, and pays funded traders in USDC on demand 24/7. The two firms barely overlap on instruments or business model, so the choice depends on whether you trade US futures or crypto perpetuals.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Topstep | Breakout |
|---|---|---|
| 
| |
| Founded | 2012 | — |
| Profit Split | 90% trader share; first-$10,000 lifetime-profit exception for traders who joined the new dashboard before Jan 12, 2026 | 80% base; 90% paid add-on |
| Maximum Account Size | $150,000 | $200,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 1-Step (Classic, Pro, Turbo) and 2-Step |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4 | — |
| Expert Grade | 9 | 7.7 |
Program Types
| Program | Topstep | Breakout |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Program | — | Yes |
| Scaling Options | No | Yes |
| Demo Account | No | — |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Topstep | Breakout |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | Trading Combine Parameters — 50,000: 3,000 Trading Combine Parameters — 100,000: 6,000 Trading Combine Parameters — 150,000: 9,000 | — |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500 | 1-Step: 3-6% static; 2-Step: 8% trailing |
| Minimum Trading Days | Trading Combine can pass in as few as 2 days, subject to 55% consistency; funded payout paths have separate day requirements | 0 |
| News Trading | Yes | — |
| 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) | — |
| 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) | — |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Topstep | Breakout |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto $5K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | 1-Step Classic / USD 60 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 2-Step Classic / USD 50 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 1-Step Pro / USD 50 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 1-Step Turbo / USD 35 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 |
| Crypto $10K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | 1-Step Classic / USD 110 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 2-Step Classic / USD 100 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 1-Step Pro / USD 89 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 1-Step Turbo / USD 60 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 |
| Crypto $25K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | 1-Step Classic / USD 275 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 2-Step Classic / USD 250 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 1-Step Pro / USD 199 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 1-Step Turbo / USD 135 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 |
| Crypto $50K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | 1-Step Classic / USD 495 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 2-Step Classic / USD 450 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 1-Step Pro / USD 365 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 1-Step Turbo / USD 250 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 |
| Crypto $100K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | 1-Step Classic / USD 999 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 2-Step Classic / USD 899 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 1-Step Pro / USD 699 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 1-Step Turbo / USD 450 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 |
| Crypto $200K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | 1-Step Pro / USD 1399 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 1-Step Turbo / USD 900 / One-time Official Breakout base evaluation fee from the account-size selector. The 90% profit-split upcharge is excluded from the base price. Source Checked 2026-08-11 |
| Futures $50K Account | Trading Combine / USD 49 / Monthly Standard Trading Combine monthly price. Source Checked 2026-08-10 | Not listed in review pricing source |
| 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 | Not listed in review pricing source |
| Futures $150K Account | Trading Combine / USD 199 / Monthly Standard Trading Combine monthly price. Source Checked 2026-09-27 | Not listed in review pricing source |
| Refund Policy | — | — |
| Coupons / Discount | Topstep discount | Breakout discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Topstep | Breakout |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX; Quantower connectivity for Trading Combine and Express Funded accounts | Breakout Terminal, DXtrade |
| Forex | Currency futures, not spot Forex | No |
| Stocks | No | No |
| Indices | Yes | No |
| Commodities | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrencies | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | — |
Payout
| Feature | Topstep | Breakout |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | On-demand USDC, $50 minimum, no monthly cycle |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Topstep | Breakout |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | On-demand USDC payouts, Kraken backing, real perp liquidity, static 1-Step drawdown, one-time fee |
| 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 | Simulated capital, 80% real split (90% paid add-on), daily loss recalculated at 00:30 UTC, unregulated, crypto-only with capped leverage |
| Best For | Serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation | Active crypto traders wanting real perp liquidity and fast stablecoin withdrawals |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose Topstep if you want a cheaper entry, from USD 49 and coverage of forex, indices, commodities and bonds that the other does not offer. Choose Breakout if a larger funded ceiling at $200K, no minimum trading days 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 Breakout’s programs?
Breakout offers crypto evaluations with product-specific targets and static maximum drawdown. Its rules distinguish evaluation from payout-eligible accounts. Breakout official rules; Breakout official program information.
How do payouts differ between Topstep and Breakout?
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 default payout split is 80%, with a 90% checkout add-on. Its payout guide lists on-demand requests and a $50 minimum after the split, paid in USDC on Ethereum. Breakout official rules; Breakout official program information.
Which account rules matter when comparing Topstep and Breakout?
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 90% upgrade must be selected at purchase and cannot be added retroactively. Payouts are unavailable during evaluation, and prohibited trading practices can invalidate rewards. Breakout official rules; Breakout official program information.
Is Topstep or Breakout automatically the better choice?
No. Each firm wins on a different axis. Topstep has the cheaper entry at USD 49 and market access the other lacks, namely forex, indices, commodities and bonds. Breakout 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 Breakout
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.