Topstep vs Take Profit Trader – Elite Prop Firms Comparison
Introduction
Topstep and Take Profit Trader are both US-based futures-only prop firms, but their personalities are very different. Topstep, founded in Chicago in 2012, is the original CME-futures prop firm with $1B+ paid out, a 150K-member Discord, and the proprietary TopstepX platform required on new accounts since July 2025. Take Profit Trader (Orlando, founded 2021 by James Sixsmith) leans into trader-friendly mechanics: day-one payouts on PRO accounts once a small buffer is exceeded, no intraday daily loss limit (removed January 2025), 15+ supported platforms including NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic, ATAS, and Bookmap. Both are CME/CBOT/NYMEX/COMEX only – no Forex, no CFDs – so the choice comes down to payout cadence, platform freedom, and rule preferences.
Quick Comparison |
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| Feature | Topstep | Take Profit Trader |
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| Founded | 2012 (Chicago, IL) | 2021 (Orlando, FL) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4/5 (13,872+ reviews, April 2026) | 4.4/5 (6,700+ reviews) |
| Account Sizes | $50K – $150K Trading Combine® | $25K – $150K (PRO and PRO+) |
| Profit Split | 100% on first $10K, 90/10 thereafter | 80% PRO / 90% PRO+ (after $5K profits) |
| Evaluation Style | Trading Combine® (single-phase) | 1-Step Simulated Account |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals? |
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|---|---|---|
| Program | Topstep | Take Profit Trader |
| Standard Evaluation | Trading Combine® at $50K, $100K or $150K | 1-Step evaluation at $25K – $150K |
| Express / Single-Step | Combine is single-phase by default | 1-Step Simulated Account – single-phase |
| Instant Funding | Not offered | Not offered – but day-one payouts on PRO |
| Educational Support | Discord (150K+ traders), live trading rooms, daily sessions | Founder-led community; transparent communication |
| Account Scaling | Limited beyond largest Combine size | PRO → PRO+ tier upgrade after $5K profits |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test? |
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|---|---|---|
| Criteria | Topstep | Take Profit Trader |
| Profit Target (Phase 1) | Single profit target per Combine size | Varies by account size |
| Profit Target (Phase 2) | N/A – single phase | N/A – single phase |
| Maximum Daily Loss | None – no daily loss limit | None – intraday daily loss limit removed Jan 2025 |
| Maximum Trailing Drawdown | Trailing MLL (end-of-day only); stops trailing at starting balance | EOD (end-of-day) trailing drawdown |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 trading days | None specified |
| Time Limit | None | None |
| Consistency Rule | Best day cannot exceed 50% of total profits at payout | 50% consistency rule in evaluation |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay? |
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|---|---|---|
| Option | Topstep | Take Profit Trader |
| Entry Level | $50K Combine: monthly subscription | $25K: ~$150/mo PRO; ~$200/mo PRO+ |
| Mid Tier | $100K Combine: higher monthly subscription | $50K – $100K: ~$170–$270/mo PRO; ~$230–$340/mo PRO+ |
| Premium | $150K Combine: highest monthly subscription | $150K: ~$360/mo PRO; ~$450/mo PRO+ |
| Reset Fee | Continued monthly subscription pays the reset | New evaluation in same subscription cycle |
| Refundable? | $149 activation fee path or No-Activation-Fee path | $130 PRO activation fee (often discounted) |
| Coupons | Learn more | Learn more |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use? |
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|---|---|---|
| Platform | Topstep | Take Profit Trader |
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX only (new accounts since July 2025) | 15+ platforms: NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic, ATAS, Bookmap, Quantower, Sierra Chart, Jigsaw Daytradr |
| Data Feed | Included with TopstepX | Rithmic-routed; real-time data included in subscription |
| Mobile Trading | Mobile-browser support | Via supported platform mobile apps |
| Custom Indicators | TradingView charting + Tilt™ indicator | NinjaTrader / Sierra Chart / Quantower indicator libraries |
| Automated Trading | EAs permitted | EAs permitted on evaluation and funded accounts |
| News Feed | Integrated within TopstepX | Via supported platforms |
Available Markets/Products |
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|---|---|---|
| Market | Topstep | Take Profit Trader |
| Index Futures | ES, NQ, YM, RTY and full CME index suite | ES, NQ, YM, RTY and CME index suite |
| Energy Futures | CL and full CME energy complex | CL (Crude Oil), NG (Natural Gas) |
| Metals Futures | GC and CME metals | GC (Gold), SI (Silver) |
| Currency Futures | Major CME FX futures | 6E, 6B, 6J and other major CME FX futures |
| Agricultural Futures | Available on CME/CBOT | ZC (Corn), ZS (Soybeans), ZW (Wheat) |
| Interest Rate Futures | Available on CME | ZB, ZN, ZF (T-Bonds and Notes) |
| Micro Contracts | Full micro suite (MES, MNQ, etc.) | MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K available |
Technical Capabilities/Performance |
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|---|---|---|
| Feature | Topstep | Take Profit Trader |
| Execution Speed | Direct via TopstepX infrastructure | Rithmic order routing – institutional-grade latency |
| Automated Trading | EAs permitted | EAs permitted; news trading permitted |
| Order Types | Standard futures order set (Market, Limit, Stop, OCO) | Full futures order set across each supported platform |
| Platform Reliability | Established since 2012, $1B+ payouts processed | Established 2021; 4.4/5 from 6,700+ Trustpilot reviews |
| Data Feed Quality | TopstepX-bundled data feed | Rithmic-routed real-time data; included in subscription |
| Trading Hours | Standard CME futures sessions | Standard CME futures sessions; close all by 4:10 PM ET on funded |
Support and Community |
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|---|---|---|
| Support Feature | Topstep | Take Profit Trader |
| Customer Support Hours | Live chat, email, phone, SMS, WhatsApp | Standard support channels via the firm’s desk |
| Response Time | Same-day during business hours | Same-day during US business hours |
| Live Coaching | Daily live trading sessions, webinars | Founder-led community; transparent communication style |
| Trading Community | 150,000+ Discord members | Loyal futures community around founder James Sixsmith |
| Educational Resources | Multiple tracks, courses, podcasts | Community-driven; emphasis on discipline and resilience |
| Success Stories | $1B+ in cumulative payouts | Day-one payouts processed via ACH, wire, or crypto |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation |
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|---|---|---|
| Key Element | Topstep | Take Profit Trader |
| Strengths | Longest live track record in futures, deep education ecosystem, no daily loss limit, EAs permitted, $1B+ payouts | Day-one payouts, no intraday daily loss limit, 15+ platforms (incl. NinjaTrader, ATAS, Bookmap), news trading permitted |
| Weaknesses | Monthly subscription compounds; TopstepX-only platform; CME futures only | 80% split on PRO until you upgrade to PRO+; close-by-4:10pm-ET on funded; CME/CBOT futures only |
| Best For | Futures traders who want pedigree and the best US-futures evaluation experience | Active futures traders who prioritise payout speed, platform choice, and rule flexibility |
| Final Grade | 4.4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Discount Codes | – | – |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
FAQ
Do both firms allow EAs and news trading?
Yes. Topstep permits EAs with no specific restriction. Take Profit Trader explicitly permits EAs on both evaluation and funded accounts, and there is no news blackout window – making it particularly suitable for NFP, FOMC, and CPI strategies.
Which firm pays out faster?
Take Profit Trader has the most aggressive payout cadence in the futures space: day one of the PRO funded account, as long as the balance exceeds a small buffer zone. Topstep allows bi-weekly payouts after a minimum holding period and unlocks daily payouts after 30 consecutive winning days.
What’s the platform difference?
Topstep new accounts are TopstepX-only since July 2025. Take Profit Trader supports 15+ platforms including NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic, ATAS, Bookmap, Quantower, Sierra Chart, and Jigsaw Daytradr – much more choice for traders with a specific platform preference.
Are the consistency rules the same?
Functionally similar. Both apply a 50% rule – a single day cannot account for more than 50% of total profits. Topstep applies this at payout; Take Profit Trader applies it during the evaluation phase.
What’s the daily-loss situation on each firm?
Neither firm imposes an intraday daily loss limit. Topstep has never used one for funded accounts. Take Profit Trader removed its intraday daily loss limit in January 2025. Both rely on a trailing (EOD) drawdown as the active risk control.
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.
