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 | 100% first $10,000, then 90/10 | 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 | 6% | — |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500 | 1-Step: 3-6% static; 2-Step: 8% trailing |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 | 0 |
| News Trading | Yes | — |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Topstep | Breakout |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto $5K Account | Not offered | USD 60 / 1-Step Classic / One-time |
| Crypto $10K Account | Not offered | USD 110 / 1-Step Classic / One-time |
| Crypto $25K Account | Not offered | USD 275 / 1-Step Classic / One-time |
| Crypto $50K Account | Not offered | USD 495 / 1-Step Classic / One-time |
| Crypto $100K Account | Not offered | USD 999 / 1-Step Classic / One-time |
| Crypto $200K Account | Not offered | USD 1399 / 1-Step Pro / 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 | Breakout discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Topstep | Breakout |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX | Breakout Terminal (DXtrade-based) |
| Forex | Yes | 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 | Bi-weekly via ACH, wire, or Rise; $50 minimum | On-demand USDC, $50 minimum, no monthly cycle |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Topstep | Breakout |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Industry pioneer, generous first $10K profit split, no time limits, EAs permitted, no daily loss limit, $1B+ paid to traders | On-demand USDC payouts, Kraken backing, real perp liquidity, static 1-Step drawdown, one-time fee |
| Weaknesses | Monthly subscription fees compound, $149 activation fee, TopstepX platform exclusive, futures-only, trailing MLL can catch intraday profit-takers | 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 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