Topstep vs Funded Trading Plus – Elite Prop Firms Comparison
Published: · Last updated:
Introduction
Topstep and Funded Trading Plus take very different shapes. Topstep, founded in Chicago in 2012, 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. Funded Trading Plus (FT+) was founded in 2021 as an extension of Trade Room Plus (established 2013), operated by FTP London Ltd from Saint Lucia, with over 60,000 traders across 180 countries and $19.5M+ in real payouts to date. In early 2026, FT+ 2.0 simplified the lineup to three multi-asset programs – Instant Funding, 1-Step Express, and 2-Step Classic – all swap-free, with profit splits scaling from 80% up to 100% and capital scaling to $2.5 million. The two firms differ on instruments (futures vs multi-asset CFDs) and pricing model (monthly subscription vs one-time challenge fee), so the right pick depends on which trade-offs match your style.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Topstep | Funded Trading Plus - Elite Prop Company Review |
|---|---|---|
| 
| |
| Founded | 2012 | 2021 |
| Profit Split | 100% first $10,000, then 90/10 | 80-100% |
| Maximum Account Size | $150,000 | $200,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 2 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4 | 4.4 |
| Expert Grade | 9 | 8.3 |
Program Types
| Program | Topstep | Funded Trading Plus - Elite Prop Company Review |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Instant Funding |
| Advanced Program | — | 2-Step Classic |
| Scaling Options | No | Yes |
| Demo Account | No | — |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Topstep | Funded Trading Plus - Elite Prop Company Review |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 6% | 7-10% |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500 | 6-8% |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 | 0 |
| News Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Topstep | Funded Trading Plus - Elite Prop Company Review |
|---|---|---|
| CFD $10K Account | Not offered | USD 99 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| CFD $25K Account | Not offered | USD 199 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| CFD $50K Account | Not offered | USD 349 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| CFD $100K Account | Not offered | USD 549 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| CFD $200K Account | Not offered | USD 999 / Listed challenge / 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 | Funded Trading Plus - Elite Prop Company Review discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Topstep | Funded Trading Plus - Elite Prop Company Review |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX | MT5, cTrader, DXtrade, Match-Trader |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | No | Yes |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | cTrader only |
Payout
| Feature | Topstep | Funded Trading Plus - Elite Prop Company Review |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly via ACH, wire, or Rise; $50 minimum | Weekly or every 10 days, minimum $50 |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Topstep | Funded Trading Plus - Elite Prop Company Review |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Industry pioneer, generous first $10K profit split, no time limits, EAs permitted, no daily loss limit, $1B+ paid to traders | Profit splits up to 100%, No evaluation time limits, Fast payouts from Day 1, $19.5M+ paid to traders |
| Weaknesses | Monthly subscription fees compound, $149 activation fee, TopstepX platform exclusive, futures-only, trailing MLL can catch intraday profit-takers | Higher challenge fees vs competitors, No MT4 support, EAs limited to cTrader, High metal commissions |
| Best For | Serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation | Traders seeking high profit splits and flexible evaluation timelines |
FAQ
Do Topstep and Funded Trading Plus offer the same instruments?
No. Topstep is CME Group futures only – index, energy, metals, and currency futures (ES, NQ, CL, GC and similar). Funded Trading Plus is a multi-asset CFD firm covering forex, indices, commodities, metals, shares, and crypto across MetaTrader 5, cTrader, DXtrade, and Match-Trader.
What programs does Funded Trading Plus offer in 2026?
After the FT+ 2.0 launch in early 2026, three programs replaced the older Prestige / Premium / Advanced / Master range: Instant Funding (no evaluation, 6% trailing drawdown, payouts from Day 1), 1-Step Express (10% target, 6% trailing drawdown, weekend holds), and 2-Step Classic (7% per phase, 8% static drawdown, 1:50 leverage, consistency rule). Topstep, by contrast, uses a single-phase Trading Combine® with a 6% target and trailing MLL.
How fast are payouts at each firm?
At Topstep, the first payout is available after a minimum holding period in the funded account (around 8–10 trading days), then every 14 days; daily payouts unlock after 30 consecutive winning days. At Funded Trading Plus, payouts are weekly on Instant Funding and 1-Step Express and every 10 days on 2-Step Classic. Rails include bank transfer (1–3 days), crypto (same day), and credit/debit card. Minimum withdrawal is $50.
Can I use Expert Advisors (EAs)?
At Topstep, EAs are fully permitted with no specific restrictions. At Funded Trading Plus, EAs are permitted only on cTrader – they are not supported on MT5, DXtrade, or Match-Trader. Hedging, copy trading, grid, and arbitrage are prohibited across all FT+ programs.
Are accounts swap-free?
Yes at Funded Trading Plus – FT+ 2.0 eliminated all swap fees across every program.
Is Topstep still the bigger name for US-futures traders?
Yes. Topstep remains the benchmark prop firm for CME futures traders with over $1 billion in cumulative payouts, a deep education ecosystem, and 150,000+ Discord members. Funded Trading Plus is the strictly better fit for multi-asset CFD traders who want choice of evaluation route, swap-free accounts, and the ability to scale to $2.5 million.
View More Elite Prop Firms Compared: Crypto Fund Trader vs E8 Markets
