Topstep vs Take Profit Trader – Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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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 Facts
| Feature | Topstep | Take Profit Trader |
|---|---|---|
| 
| |
| Founded | 2012 | 2021 |
| Profit Split | 100% first $10,000, then 90/10 | 80/20 PRO, 90/10 PRO+ |
| Maximum Account Size | $150,000 | $150,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 1 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4 | 4.4 |
| Expert Grade | 9 | 7.5 |
Program Types
| Program | Topstep | Take Profit Trader |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Program | — | Yes |
| Scaling Options | No | Yes |
| Demo Account | No | Yes |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Topstep | Take Profit Trader |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 6% | Varies by account size |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500 | EOD trailing drawdown |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 | — |
| News Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Topstep | Take Profit Trader |
|---|---|---|
| $25K Account | Not offered | USD 150 / Trading Test / Monthly |
| $50K Account | USD 49 / Trading Combine / Monthly | USD 170 / Trading Test / Monthly |
| $75K Account | Not offered | USD 245 / Trading Test / Monthly |
| $100K Account | USD 99 / Trading Combine / Monthly | USD 330 / Trading Test / Monthly |
| $150K Account | USD 149 / Trading Combine / Monthly | USD 360 / Trading Test / Monthly |
| Coupons / Discount | Topstep discount | Take Profit Trader discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Topstep | Take Profit Trader |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic, ATAS, Bookmap, Quantower, Sierra Chart, Jigsaw Daytradr |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | No | Yes |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | No | No |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | Yes |
Payout
| Feature | Topstep | Take Profit Trader |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly via ACH, wire, or Rise; $50 minimum | Day-one withdrawals; $50 fee under $250 |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Topstep | Take Profit Trader |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Industry pioneer, generous first $10K profit split, no time limits, EAs permitted, no daily loss limit, $1B+ paid to traders | Day-one payouts, No intraday daily loss limit, 1-step evaluation, News trading permitted, Multiple platform support |
| Weaknesses | Monthly subscription fees compound, $149 activation fee, TopstepX platform exclusive, futures-only, trailing MLL can catch intraday profit-takers | PRO simulated until PRO+ invite, $130 activation fee, Higher monthly fees, 50% consistency rule, No automation permitted, Weekly trading requirement |
| Best For | Serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation | Active futures traders valuing payout speed and trading flexibility |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose Topstep if you want a cheaper entry, from USD 49. Choose Take Profit Trader Review if a demo account to test the platform first and coverage of stocks 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 Take Profit Trader’s programs?
Take Profit Trader distinguishes PRO and PRO+ accounts. Their profit-sharing terms should be compared separately. Take Profit Trader official rules.
How do payouts differ between Topstep and Take Profit Trader?
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.
PRO pays an 80% share. Withdrawals can be eligible from day one, but ordinary withdrawals first require the account-size buffer; for a $50,000 PRO account the buffer balance is $52,000. Take Profit Trader official rules.
Which account rules matter when comparing Topstep and Take Profit Trader?
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.
Taking profits from inside the PRO buffer is a different process that requires account termination and uses separate profit-sharing conditions. Day-one eligibility does not remove the buffer requirement. Take Profit Trader official rules.
Is Topstep or Take Profit Trader automatically the better choice?
No. The two firms lead on different things: Topstep has the cheaper entry at USD 49, while Take Profit Trader Review has market access the other lacks, namely stocks and a demo account to test first. 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 Take Profit Trader
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