Topstep vs Earn2Trade – Prop Firm Comparison
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Introduction
Topstep and Earn2Trade are both futures prop firms built around CME Group markets, which makes them direct competitors for traders who want funded access to contracts like ES, NQ, CL and GC. Topstep, founded 2012 (Chicago, IL) funds $50K / $100K / $150K accounts on CME futures, keeps flat 90/10 (new); 100% of first $10K then 90/10 (legacy), and runs single-phase Trading Combine, with standard, daily after 30 win days. Earn2Trade, founded 2016 (Chicago, IL) funds TCP up to $400K; Gauntlet Mini up to $200K accounts on CME futures, keeps 80/20, and runs trader Career Path and Gauntlet Mini, with standard payout processing. Topstep is best for traders who want the most established firm and a large community, while Earn2Trade suits newer futures traders who value education and swing-friendly drawdown rules.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Topstep | Earn2Trade |
|---|---|---|
| 
| |
| Founded | 2012 | 2016 |
| Profit Split | 90% trader share; first-$10,000 lifetime-profit exception for traders who joined the new dashboard before Jan 12, 2026 | Payouts: Tiered - 50% or 80% by withdrawal size; 60% on the $400K |
| Maximum Account Size | $150,000 | $200,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 1 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4 | 4.7 |
| Expert Grade | 9 | 8.1 |
Program Types
| Program | Topstep | Earn2Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Trader Career Path |
| Advanced Program | Not available | Gauntlet Mini |
| Scaling Options | No | Yes |
| Demo Account | No | Not available |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Topstep | Earn2Trade |
|---|---|---|
| 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 - TCP25: $1,750 The Product Line - TCP50 / GM50: $3,000 The Product Line - TCP100 / GM100: $6,000 The Product Line - GM150: $9,000 The Product Line - GM200: $11,000 |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500 | Evaluation/LiveSim: EOD trailing with real-time floor enforcement; Live: intraday trailing; TCP200/400 fixed |
| Minimum Trading Days | Trading Combine can pass in as few as 2 days, subject to 55% consistency; funded payout paths have separate day requirements | From July 6, 2026 purchases: no fixed minimum; consistency needs at least 4 profitable days. Earlier terms differ. |
| News Trading | Yes | 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) | The Product Line - TCP25: $550 The Product Line - TCP50 / GM50: $1,100 The Product Line - TCP100 / GM100: $2,200 The Product Line - GM150: $3,300 The Product Line - GM200: $4,400 |
| 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) | The Product Line - TCP25: 3 The Product Line - TCP50 / GM50: 6 The Product Line - TCP100 / GM100: 12 The Product Line - GM150: 15 The Product Line - GM200: 16 |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Topstep | Earn2Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Futures $25K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | Trader Career Path / USD 150 / Monthly Official monthly subscription list price. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| Futures $50K Account | Trading Combine / USD 49 / Monthly Standard Trading Combine monthly price. Source Checked 2026-08-10 | Trader Career Path / USD 190 / Monthly Official monthly subscription list price. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Gauntlet Mini / USD 170 / Monthly Official monthly subscription list price. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| 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 | Trader Career Path / USD 350 / Monthly Official monthly subscription list price. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Gauntlet Mini / USD 315 / Monthly Official monthly subscription list price. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| Futures $150K Account | Trading Combine / USD 199 / Monthly Standard Trading Combine monthly price. Source Checked 2026-09-27 | Gauntlet Mini / USD 375 / Monthly Official monthly subscription list price. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| Futures $200K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | Gauntlet Mini / USD 550 / Monthly Official monthly subscription list price. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| Refund Policy | Not available | Not available |
| Coupons / Discount | Topstep discount | Earn2Trade discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Topstep | Earn2Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX; Quantower connectivity for Trading Combine and Express Funded accounts | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, R | Trader and R | Trader Pro, Finamark, BlackArrow One, and 13 more |
| Forex | Currency futures, not spot Forex | Yes |
| Stocks | No | No |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | No | No |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | Yes |
Payout
| Feature | Topstep | Earn2Trade |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Weekly Wednesday; request by previous Friday 2pm CT; $100 net minimum. Withdrawal-size split; TCP/GM LiveSim caps differ. Provider assigned; fees apply. |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Topstep | Earn2Trade |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | TCP reset after monthly rebill; TCP25 growth to $200K, TCP50/100 to $400K; no funded consistency or minimum payout days; news trading permitted |
| 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 | Recurring evaluation fees; lower split below withdrawal threshold on new accounts; Live intraday drawdown except TCP200/400; no overnight holding; data and payout fees |
| Best For | Serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation | Traders seeking structured career growth and swing-trade flexibility |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose Topstep if you want a lower 5-day minimum and a cheaper entry, from USD 49. Choose Earn2Trade if a larger funded ceiling at $200K matters 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 Earn2Trade’s programs?
Earn2Trade offers Trader Career Path and Gauntlet Mini evaluations. Purchases from July 6, 2026 follow revised evaluation and profit-sharing rules. Earn2Trade official rules; Earn2Trade official program information.
How do payouts differ between Topstep and Earn2Trade?
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 share depends on the size of each withdrawal, not cumulative profit. For a $50,000 starting funded account, the published thresholds are 50% below a $2,250 withdrawal and 80% from $2,250; the $400,000 TCP has a fixed 60/40 split. Earn2Trade official rules; Earn2Trade official program information.
Which account rules matter when comparing Topstep and Earn2Trade?
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 updated evaluations have no fixed minimum trading-day count, but still require the target, risk limits and consistency condition. Weekly withdrawals and provider fees also apply. Earn2Trade official rules; Earn2Trade official program information.
Is Topstep or Earn2Trade automatically the better choice?
No, neither firm is the automatic pick, and the honest answer depends on how you actually trade.
Topstep Strengths: Industry pioneer and generous first $10K profit split. Watch-outs: Monthly subscription fees compound and $149 activation fee. Best suited to: Serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation.
Earn2Trade Strengths: Operating since 2016 and Free monthly reset on TCP. Watch-outs: Monthly subscription recurs and $100 reset fee per attempt. Best suited to: Traders seeking structured career growth and swing-trade flexibility.
Which one wins for you depends on how each firm measures drawdown, what the account actually costs once resets and add-ons are included, and the evaluation objectives on the exact size you buy, rather than on the headline numbers. Check both sets of current terms before you fund an account.
Are Topstep and Earn2Trade both futures-only?
Yes. Both fund traders on CME Group futures – index, energy, metals and currency contracts. Neither offers forex or CFD funded accounts, so the choice comes down to rules, platforms and payouts rather than markets.
Which firm pays out faster?
Topstep offers standard, daily after 30 win days, while Earn2Trade offers standard payout processing. Match the payout cadence to how often you plan to withdraw.
Which firm has the better profit split?
Topstep keeps flat 90/10 (new); 100% of first $10K then 90/10 (legacy), and Earn2Trade keeps 80/20. The better deal depends on the account tier and how far you scale.
Do these firms require an evaluation?
Yes – both Topstep and Earn2Trade use an evaluation before funding rather than instant funding: Single-phase Trading Combine versus Trader Career Path and Gauntlet Mini.
Which firm gives more platform choice?
Topstep supports TopstepX only (new accounts since July 2025), while Earn2Trade supports NinjaTrader (Rithmic), Finamark, R|Trader.
How We Compared Topstep and Earn2Trade
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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