Topstep vs Elite Trader Funding – Prop Firm Comparison
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Introduction
Topstep and Elite Trader Funding 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. Elite Trader Funding, founded 2022 (United States) funds Multiple sizes (six evaluation pathways) accounts on CME futures, keeps up to 100%, and runs six pathways incl. Direct to Funded (instant), with standard processing. Topstep is best for traders who want the most established firm and a large community, while Elite Trader Funding suits futures traders who want flexible evaluation pathways and the option to hold over weekends.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Topstep | Elite Trader Funding |
|---|---|---|
| 
| |
| Founded | 2012 | 2022-02 |
| Profit Split | 90% trader share; first-$10,000 lifetime-profit exception for traders who joined the new dashboard before Jan 12, 2026 | Up to 100% SIM (round/lifetime caps); 80% LIVE ELITE |
| Maximum Account Size | $150,000 | $250,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 1 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4 | 3.8 |
| Expert Grade | 9 | 7.9 |
Program Types
| Program | Topstep | Elite Trader Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | 1-Step |
| Advanced Program | — | Diamond Hands |
| Scaling Options | No | No |
| Demo Account | No | Yes |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Topstep | Elite Trader Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | Trading Combine Parameters — 50,000: 3,000 Trading Combine Parameters — 100,000: 6,000 Trading Combine Parameters — 150,000: 9,000 | 6 |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500 | Plan-dependent: static, intraday or EOD trail; fixed breach floor remains after safety net |
| Minimum Trading Days | Trading Combine can pass in as few as 2 days, subject to 55% consistency; funded payout paths have separate day requirements | The Product Line — 1 Step Live Trailing: 5 The Product Line — Static: 5 The Product Line — End of Day: 5 The Product Line — Diamond Hands: 5 The Product Line — Fast Track: 3 The Product Line — Direct to Funded: None |
| 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 — 1 Step Live Trailing: None The Product Line — Static: None The Product Line — End of Day: Yes, from the prior day close The Product Line — Diamond Hands: Yes, from the prior day close The Product Line — Fast Track: None The Product Line — Direct to Funded: None |
| Drawdown Type | — | The Product Line — 1 Step Live Trailing: Intraday trailing, follows highest unrealised profit The Product Line — Static: Static, never trails The Product Line — End of Day: End-of-day trailing on the highest closing balance The Product Line — Diamond Hands: End-of-day trailing The Product Line — Fast Track: EOD trailing or static by variant, $500 floor The Product Line — Direct to Funded: EOD trailing on 10K, 25K and 50K, static on 100K |
| Time Limit | — | The Product Line — 1 Step Live Trailing: None, renews every 30 days The Product Line — Static: None, renews every 30 days The Product Line — End of Day: None, renews every 30 days The Product Line — Diamond Hands: None, renews every 30 days The Product Line — Fast Track: 10 calendar days The Product Line — Direct to Funded: None, one-time fee |
| 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 — 1 Step Live Trailing: 8 (50K) / 14 (100K) / 24 (250K) minis; no limit published for 150K The Product Line — Static: 1 / 2 / 4 minis The Product Line — End of Day: 8 / 14 / 18 minis The Product Line — Diamond Hands: 2 minis The Product Line — Fast Track: 1 mini The Product Line — Direct to Funded: 2 (10K) / check dashboard (25K) / 5 (50K) / 3 (100K) minis |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Topstep | Elite Trader Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Futures $10K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | Static Drawdown / USD 147 / One-time Official evaluation list price; auto-renews every 30 days. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Fast Track EOD / USD 57 / One-time Official list price; no monthly renewal; funded activation is initially included, then USD 87 monthly. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Fast Track Static / USD 77 / One-time Official list price; no monthly renewal; funded activation is initially included, then USD 87 monthly. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Direct To Funded / USD 357 / One-time Official one-time list price; no monthly evaluation subscription. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| Futures $25K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | Static Drawdown / USD 277 / One-time Official evaluation list price; auto-renews every 30 days. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| Futures $50K Account | Trading Combine / USD 49 / Monthly Standard Trading Combine monthly price. Source Checked 2026-08-10 | 1 Step / USD 207 / One-time Official evaluation list price; auto-renews every 30 days. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Static Drawdown / USD 497 / One-time Official evaluation list price; auto-renews every 30 days. Source Checked 2026-08-10 End of Day / USD 347 / One-time Official evaluation list price; auto-renews every 30 days. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Direct To Funded / USD 747 / One-time Official one-time list price; no monthly evaluation subscription. 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 | 1 Step / USD 257 / One-time Official evaluation list price; auto-renews every 30 days. Source Checked 2026-08-10 End of Day / USD 487 / One-time Official evaluation list price; auto-renews every 30 days. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Diamond Hands / USD 397 / One-time Official evaluation list price; auto-renews every 30 days. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Direct To Funded / USD 997 / One-time Official one-time list price; no monthly evaluation subscription. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| Futures $150K Account | Trading Combine / USD 199 / Monthly Standard Trading Combine monthly price. Source Checked 2026-09-27 | 1 Step / USD 347 / One-time Official evaluation list price; auto-renews every 30 days. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| Refund Policy | — | All sales final, no refunds. Narrow 100% satisfaction guarantee on first purchase only |
| Coupons / Discount | Topstep discount | Elite Trader Funding discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Topstep | Elite Trader Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX; Quantower connectivity for Trading Combine and Express Funded accounts | Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Rithmic, R | Trader, ATAS, and 8 more |
| Forex | Currency futures, not spot Forex | No |
| Stocks | No | No |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | No | No |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | No |
Payout
| Feature | Topstep | Elite Trader Funding |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | SIM Mon/Wed batches after plan-specific ATDs and safety net; minimum $100-$1,000 by plan/date. $25K per SIM round, $150K lifetime across approved re-entries. LIVE ELITE daily business-day processing, $250 minimum; Rise |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Topstep | Elite Trader Funding |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Six distinct evaluation pathways, Diamond Hands overnight/weekend holding, Direct to Funded bypass, up to 100% profit split, $13M+ distributed |
| 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 | 3.8/5 Trustpilot, futures-only, high ongoing costs, limited platform options |
| Best For | Serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation | Futures traders seeking multi-day holding flexibility and program variety |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose Topstep if you want a cheaper entry, from USD 49 and coverage of forex that the other does not offer. Choose Elite Trader Funding if a larger funded ceiling at $250K and a demo account to test the platform first 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 Elite Trader Funding’s programs?
Elite Trader Funding distinguishes evaluation, Elite Sim-Funded and LIVE ELITE stages. Its revamped EOD plan requires at least five evaluation trading days. Elite Trader Funding official rules.
How do payouts differ between Topstep and Elite Trader Funding?
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 revamped EOD guide describes Elite Sim payouts processed on Mondays and Wednesdays and Live Elite payouts on business days. Sim payout eligibility requires the safety net, active trading days, an active subscription and compliance review. Elite Trader Funding official rules.
Which account rules matter when comparing Topstep and Elite Trader Funding?
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.
EOD drawdown trails the highest end-of-day balance, but open-position losses still count against intraday loss limits. Legacy accounts can have different payout and transition rules. Elite Trader Funding official rules.
Is Topstep or Elite Trader Funding 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.
Elite Trader Funding Strengths: Six distinct evaluation pathways and Diamond Hands overnight/weekend holding. Watch-outs: 3.8/5 Trustpilot and futures-only. Best suited to: Futures traders seeking multi-day holding flexibility and program variety.
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 Elite Trader Funding 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 Elite Trader Funding offers standard 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 Elite Trader Funding keeps up to 100%. The better deal depends on the account tier and how far you scale.
Does either firm offer instant funding?
Topstep requires an evaluation, while Elite Trader Funding offers one (direct to Funded – skip evaluation, sim-funded).
Which firm gives more platform choice?
Topstep supports TopstepX only (new accounts since July 2025), while Elite Trader Funding supports NinjaTrader with Rithmic data feed.
How We Compared Topstep and Elite Trader Funding
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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