Topstep vs SabioTrade – Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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Introduction
Topstep and Sabio Trade approach prop trading from very different angles. Topstep, founded in Chicago in 2012, is the original CME-futures prop firm – futures-only, runs on its proprietary TopstepX platform, with more than a billion dollars paid out to funded traders. Sabio Trade, founded in 2021 and based in Dublin, Ireland (operated by CODEVIL IT ENGINEERING LIMITED), is a multi-asset Forex/CFD firm that runs its own SabioTraderoom platform – no MetaTrader at all – with access to 250-plus instruments. Sabio runs a single 1-Step evaluation with a 10% profit target, refunds the challenge fee on your first payout, and pays weekly. The instrument set, evaluation model, and platform all diverge significantly between the two firms, so the right pick depends on what you trade.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Topstep | SabioTrade |
|---|---|---|
| 
| |
| Founded | 2012 | 2021 |
| Profit Split | 100% first $10,000, then 90/10 | 80-90% |
| Maximum Account Size | $150,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 1 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4 | — |
| Expert Grade | 9 | 8.5 |
Program Types
| Program | Topstep | SabioTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Program | — | Yes |
| Scaling Options | No | No |
| Demo Account | No | Yes |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Topstep | SabioTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 6% | 10% |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500 | 6% trailing |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 | — |
| News Trading | Yes | No |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Topstep | SabioTrade |
|---|---|---|
| CFD $50K Account | Not offered | USD 289 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| CFD $100K Account | Not offered | USD 479 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| CFD $200K Account | Not offered | USD 939 / 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 | SabioTrade discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Topstep | SabioTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX | Proprietary Sabio Traderoom |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | No | Yes |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | — |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | No |
Payout
| Feature | Topstep | SabioTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly via ACH, wire, or Rise; $50 minimum | Weekly, 24-hour processing, $1 crypto minimum |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Topstep | SabioTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Industry pioneer, generous first $10K profit split, no time limits, EAs permitted, no daily loss limit, $1B+ paid to traders | One-step evaluation, No monthly fees, 7-day trial account, Weekly payouts within 24 hours, $1 crypto minimum, 250+ instruments |
| Weaknesses | Monthly subscription fees compound, $149 activation fee, TopstepX platform exclusive, futures-only, trailing MLL can catch intraday profit-takers | 6% trailing drawdown tested against equity, First payout deletes drawdown buffer, Breach forfeits all unpaid profits, 90% split can be cut to 70%, Scalping and EAs prohibited, Proprietary platform only, No refunds |
| Best For | Serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation | Discretionary swing traders comfortable with proprietary platforms |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose Topstep if you want a cheaper entry, from USD 49 and news trading allowed. Choose Sabio Trade – Elite if a larger funded ceiling at $1M, a demo account to test the platform first and coverage of stocks and 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 Sabio Trade’s programs?
SabioTrade publishes an assessment with a 10% target, 5% daily loss limit and 6% trailing drawdown. Its plans have different balances and reward shares. Sabio Trade official rules.
How do payouts differ between Topstep and Sabio Trade?
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.
Essential and Plus list 80%; Advanced, Ultimate and Prime list 90%. Withdrawals may be requested every seven days after the requirements are met and positions are closed. Sabio Trade official rules.
Which account rules matter when comparing Topstep and Sabio Trade?
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.
There is no overall assessment deadline, but 30 days of inactivity can deactivate an account. After a withdrawal, trailing drawdown is set at the starting balance, so the remaining equity cushion matters. Sabio Trade official rules.
Is Topstep or Sabio Trade automatically the better choice?
No. The two firms lead on different things: Topstep has the cheaper entry at USD 49 and unrestricted news trading, while Sabio Trade – Elite has the larger funded ceiling at $1M and market access the other lacks, namely stocks and cryptocurrencies. 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 platform availability, 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 Sabio Trade
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