Topstep vs Goat Funded Trader – Prop Firms Comparison
Introduction
Topstep and Goat Funded Trader sit at opposite ends of the prop trading spectrum. Topstep, founded in Chicago in 2012, is the firm credited with inventing the modern evaluation-based funding model. It works exclusively with CME Group futures, runs on its own TopstepX platform, and has paid out more than a billion dollars to funded traders. Goat Funded Trader, launched in 2022 and registered in Saint Lucia and Hong Kong, is a newer multi-asset firm covering Forex, indices, metals, commodities, and crypto across MT5, TradeLocker, and Match Trader. Despite being only a few years old, it has built a community of more than 250,000 traders and processed $13 million-plus in payouts. If you trade futures, Topstep is the obvious answer. If you trade Forex or want multi-asset access with very low entry pricing, Goat Funded Trader is the more flexible option.
Quick Comparison |
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| Feature | Topstep | Goat Funded Trader |
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| Founded | 2012 (Chicago, IL) | 2022 (Saint Lucia / Hong Kong) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4/5 (13,872+ reviews, April 2026) | Not specified in current review |
| Account Sizes | $50K – $150K Trading Combine® | $5,000 – $400,000 |
| Profit Split | 100% on first $10K, 90/10 thereafter | 80–90% scaling to 100% |
| Evaluation Style | Trading Combine® (single-phase) | 1-Step, 2-Step, 3-Step, Instant, $1 Goat |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals? |
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|---|---|---|
| Program | Topstep | Goat Funded Trader |
| Standard Evaluation | Trading Combine® at $50K, $100K or $150K | 2-Step Challenge (most popular) |
| Express / Single-Step | Not offered – single Combine product only | 1-Step Challenge with trailing drawdown |
| Instant Funding | Not offered | Instant Funding accounts available |
| Educational Support | Discord (150K+ traders), live trading rooms, daily sessions | Standard support; no dedicated education tracks |
| Account Scaling | Limited beyond largest Combine size | Scaling plan to $2,000,000 from any account |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test? |
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|---|---|---|
| Criteria | Topstep | Goat Funded Trader |
| Profit Target (Phase 1) | Single profit target per Combine size | Varies by program (1-Step has higher single target) |
| Profit Target (Phase 2) | N/A – single phase | 2-Step and 3-Step use lower per-phase targets |
| Maximum Daily Loss | None – no daily loss limit | Per-program daily limits apply |
| Maximum Trailing Drawdown | Trailing MLL (end-of-day only); stops trailing at starting balance | Trailing on 1-Step / Instant; static on 2-Step and 3-Step |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 trading days | 3 trading days per phase |
| Time Limit | None | None |
| Consistency Rule | Best day cannot exceed 50% of total profits at payout | Not explicitly imposed; payout caps apply on first two cycles |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay? |
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|---|---|---|
| Option | Topstep | Goat Funded Trader |
| Entry Level ($5K – $50K) | $50K Combine: monthly subscription | From $1 (Goat $1) up to ~$30 (1-Step small) |
| Mid Tier ($100K) | $100K Combine: higher monthly subscription | One-time fee scaling with account size |
| Premium ($150K+) | $150K Combine: highest monthly subscription | Up to $400K accounts available |
| Reset Fee | Continued monthly subscription pays the reset | Discounted reset/retry pricing typically available |
| Refundable? | $149 activation fee path or No-Activation-Fee path | Failed challenges forfeited; no refunds |
| Coupons | See discounts | See discounts |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use? |
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|---|---|---|
| Platform | Topstep | Goat Funded Trader |
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX only (new accounts since July 2025) | MetaTrader 5, TradeLocker, Match Trader |
| Data Feed | Included with TopstepX | Included via platform providers |
| Mobile Trading | Mobile-browser support | MT5 mobile, Match Trader mobile-first |
| Custom Indicators | TradingView charting + Tilt™ indicator | Standard MT5 indicator library |
| Automated Trading | Permitted, no specific restrictions | Permitted with proof of EA ownership |
| News Feed | Integrated within TopstepX | Available via platform providers |
Available Markets/Products |
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|---|---|---|
| Market | Topstep | Goat Funded Trader |
| Forex | Not offered | Major, minor, and selected exotic pairs |
| Index Futures / Indices | ES, NQ and full CME index suite | US30, NAS100, SPX500, UK100, GER40, JPN225, AUS200 |
| Energy Futures | CL and full CME energy complex | Oil and other commodity CFDs |
| Metals | GC and CME metals | Gold (XAUUSD), silver, platinum |
| Crypto | Not offered | Basket of cryptocurrency CFDs |
| Micro Contracts | Full CME micros available | Not applicable (CFD-based) |
| Leverage | Standard futures margin | Up to 1:100 during evaluation |
Technical Capabilities/Performance |
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|---|---|---|
| Feature | Topstep | Goat Funded Trader |
| Execution Speed | Direct via TopstepX infrastructure | Standard for MT5/TradeLocker/Match Trader |
| Automated Trading | EAs permitted | EAs permitted with ownership proof |
| Order Types | Standard futures order set (Market, Limit, Stop, OCO) | Full MT5 order set across all platforms |
| Platform Reliability | Established since 2012, $1B+ payouts processed | $13M+ payouts since 2022; growing infrastructure |
| Data Feed Quality | TopstepX-bundled data feed | Provider-bundled retail-grade feeds |
| Trading Hours | Standard CME futures sessions | 24/5 across most CFD instruments |
Support and Community |
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|---|---|---|
| Support Feature | Topstep | Goat Funded Trader |
| Customer Support Hours | Live chat, email, phone, SMS, WhatsApp | Standard channels with multilingual coverage |
| Response Time | Same-day during business hours | Standard SLAs (not specified) |
| Live Coaching | Daily live trading sessions, webinars | Not formally offered |
| Trading Community | 150,000+ Discord members | 250,000+ traders globally |
| Educational Resources | Multiple tracks, courses, podcasts | Limited; community-driven |
| Success Stories | $1B+ in cumulative payouts | $13M+ in cumulative payouts |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation |
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|---|---|---|
| Key Element | Topstep | Goat Funded Trader |
| Strengths | Longest live track record, 100% first-$10K split, no daily loss limit, deep education ecosystem | Multi-asset coverage, very low entry pricing ($1 Goat), aggressive scaling to $2M, swap-free option |
| Weaknesses | Monthly subscription compounds; TopstepX-only platform; CME futures only | Newer firm (since 2022); strict payout verification on first 2 cycles; trailing drawdown on 1-Step |
| Best For | Serious futures traders who value pedigree and a forgiving evaluation | Forex/multi-asset traders seeking the lowest-cost entry into prop trading |
| Final Grade | 4.4/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Discount Codes | Learn More | Learn More |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
FAQ
Can I trade Forex on Topstep?
No. Topstep deals exclusively in CME Group futures contracts (ES, NQ, CL, GC, ZB and the rest of the CME suite). If you want to trade Forex pairs, indices CFDs, or crypto, Goat Funded Trader is the correct choice between the two.
Which firm has the better profit split for new funded traders?
Topstep is more generous on the first $10,000 – the trader keeps 100% of those profits, then 90% afterwards. Goat Funded Trader starts at 80–90% and scales upward to 100% for consistently profitable traders. For early payouts on smaller accounts, Topstep typically pays out more.
Are EAs and automated strategies allowed at both firms?
Yes, both permit Expert Advisors. Goat Funded Trader requires you to be able to demonstrate ownership of the EA’s code if asked, and bans third-party EAs marketed specifically as challenge-passing tools. Topstep allows EAs with no comparable restriction.
How quickly can I get a payout?
Topstep funded accounts can request bi-weekly payouts after a minimum holding period, and daily payouts unlock after 30 consecutive winning days. Goat Funded Trader runs a bi-weekly cycle with the first two payouts capped at 6% of the account size, after which the full profit share applies.
Does Topstep still offer a two-step evaluation?
No. New Topstep traders use the single-phase Trading Combine®. There is one evaluation followed by a Live Funded Account; the older two-step structure is no longer the active product.
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
We pull each firm’s public-facing rules, fees, drawdown parameters, profit splits, platforms, and supported markets from their official documentation and our own JoinProp reviews.
2. We Examine
Each criterion is normalised so the two firms are compared on the same axis – for example, “drawdown” is broken down into trailing vs static, intraday vs end-of-day, and any reset conditions.
3. We Score
Where one firm offers a meaningfully better term – lower fees, broader markets, more permissive rules – we identify it and explain the trade-off.
4. You Choose
The conclusion is written so you can match a firm to your trading style: instrument coverage, evaluation tolerance, and payout cadence are the three filters most traders should care about.
