Topstep vs The Trading Pit – Elite Prop Firms Comparison
Introduction
Topstep and The Trading Pit represent two different visions of prop trading. Topstep, founded in Chicago in 2012 by Michael Patak, pioneered the evaluation-based funding model and remains the definitive name in futures-only prop trading. It operates exclusively on the CME Group and has paid out more than $1 billion to funded traders, carrying a 3.4/5 Trustpilot rating from over 13,800 reviews. The Trading Pit, founded in 2022 and headquartered in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, is a multi-asset firm offering CFDs, Futures, and Stocks through its Prime program in both 1-Phase and 2-Phase formats. Entry prices start from just $49, making it among the most accessible prop firms in the industry. Where Topstep is futures-pure and platform-restricted (TopstepX only for new accounts), The Trading Pit offers broader instrument access and platform choices including cTrader, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, ATAS, and Rithmic R/Trader Pro. The core trade-off: Topstep offers the 100% first-$10K profit structure and deeper community; The Trading Pit offers multi-asset access, lower entry prices, and a wider platform suite. Both firms have no time limits on their challenges.
Quick Comparison
|
| Feature |
Topstep |
The Trading Pit |
|
 |
 |
| Founded |
2012 (Chicago, IL) |
2022 (Vaduz, Liechtenstein) |
| Trustpilot Rating |
3.4/5 (13,872+ reviews, April 2026) |
Not specified |
| Account Sizes |
$50K / $100K / $150K |
$10K – $200K (CFD/Stocks); Futures also available |
| Profit Split |
100% on first $10K, then 90/10 |
80% from day one (Prime program) |
| Evaluation Style |
Single-phase Trading Combine® |
1-Phase Prime or 2-Phase Prime (CFD, Futures, Stocks) |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals?
|
| Program |
Topstep |
The Trading Pit |
| Standard Evaluation |
Trading Combine® – single phase, 6% profit target |
2-Phase Prime – 8% Phase 1, 5% Phase 2; 5% daily / 10% max drawdown |
| Express / Single-Step Option |
Not offered – single evaluation structure only |
1-Phase Prime – 10% profit target; 4% daily / 7% max drawdown |
| Instant Funding |
Not offered |
Not offered (resets/extends available on Futures for 30-day challenges) |
| Educational Support |
Discord (150K+ traders), live trading rooms, daily sessions |
Weekly webinars, one-on-one coaching for funded traders, performance analytics |
| Account Scaling |
Not published beyond $150K Combine size |
25% account growth per cycle (active 2+ months, 2+ payouts, 10%+ total profit) |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test?
|
| Criteria |
Topstep |
The Trading Pit |
| Profit Target (Phase 1) |
6% – $3,000 / $6,000 / $9,000 |
10% (1-Phase Prime) or 8% (2-Phase Prime Phase 1) |
| Profit Target (Phase 2) |
N/A – single phase |
N/A (1-Phase) or 5% (2-Phase Prime Phase 2) |
| Maximum Daily Loss |
None – no daily loss cap |
4% (1-Phase Prime) or 5% (2-Phase Prime) |
| Maximum Trailing Drawdown |
EOD trailing MLL – $2,000 / $3,000 / $4,500; freezes at starting balance |
7% max (1-Phase Prime) or 10% max (2-Phase Prime); trailing on highest equity (CFD) |
| Minimum Trading Days |
5 trading days |
3 trading days per phase |
| Time Limit |
None |
None (CFD); 30 days per phase (Futures – resets/extends purchasable) |
| Consistency Rule |
Best single day ≤ 50% of total profits at payout |
Minimum 0.5% profit per qualifying day (3 days required for CFD Prime) |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay?
|
| Option |
Topstep |
The Trading Pit |
| Entry Level |
$49/mo ($50K Standard Path) or $109/mo (No Activation Fee Path) |
$49 (1-Phase $5K CFD) / $99 (1-Phase $10K CFD) |
| Mid Tier |
$99/mo ($100K Standard) or $159/mo (No Activation Fee) |
$349 ($50K CFD 1-Phase Prime) |
| Premium |
$149/mo ($150K Standard) or $209/mo (No Activation Fee) |
$1,139 ($200K CFD 1-Phase Prime) |
| Reset Fee |
1 free monthly reset credit; additional $99 |
Resets and extends purchasable on Futures challenges |
| Refundable? |
No – monthly subscription model |
No – one-time fee model (CFD); monthly reset option (Futures) |
| Coupons |
See discounts |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use?
|
| Platform |
Topstep |
The Trading Pit |
| Trading Platforms |
TopstepX only (mandatory for new accounts from July 2025) |
cTrader (CFD); NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, ATAS, Rithmic R/Trader Pro (Futures) |
| Data Feed |
Integrated via TopstepX (TradingView charts built in) |
Platform-native feeds per selected platform |
| Mobile Trading |
TopstepX supports mobile browser access |
cTrader offers mobile apps; futures platforms vary |
| Custom Indicators |
Available via TradingView integration within TopstepX |
Supported on NinjaTrader and cTrader |
| Automated Trading |
Fully permitted with no stated restrictions |
EAs permitted – scalping, hedging, and EAs all allowed |
| News Feed |
Not specified |
Not specified |
Available Markets/Products
|
| Market |
Topstep |
The Trading Pit |
| Forex |
Not available – futures only (CME FX, CBOT, NYMEX) |
Yes – 30+ forex pairs (CFD via cTrader); forex futures available on Futures program |
| Futures |
Yes – full CME Group suite (equity, energy, metals, FX, interest rate futures) |
Yes – CME futures available via NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, ATAS, Rithmic |
| Indices |
Via index futures (ES, NQ, YM, RTY, etc.) |
Yes – US and European indices (CFD and Futures) |
| Commodities |
Via futures (GC gold, CL crude oil, ZC corn, ZS soybeans, etc.) |
Yes – gold, silver, oil, natural gas (CFD and Futures) |
| Cryptocurrencies |
Via CME Bitcoin and Micro Bitcoin futures |
Yes – BTC, ETH, and major altcoins (CFD) |
| Stocks |
Not available |
Yes – individual stocks available on Prime program |
Community, Support & Reputation
|
| Parameter |
Topstep |
The Trading Pit |
| Founded |
2012 (13+ years operating) |
2022 (3+ years operating) |
| Trustpilot |
3.4/5 (13,872+ reviews, April 2026) |
Not published |
| Community Size |
150,000+ traders (Discord) |
Not specified |
| Total Payouts |
$1 billion+ |
Not specified |
| Support |
Live chat, email, Discord community |
Live chat, weekly webinars, one-on-one coaching for funded traders |
| Regulation |
Unregulated prop firm (simulated evaluation) |
Unregulated prop firm, headquartered in Vaduz, Liechtenstein |
| Discount Available |
See discounts |
The Trading Pit Discount Code |
Which Firm Is Right for You?
Choose Topstep if: You are a futures trader. Topstep invented the evaluation-based prop model, has over a decade of operating history, $1 billion in verified payouts, and offers 100% of your first $10,000 in profits. No daily drawdown limit, no restrictions on EAs or news trading, and a massive Discord community of 150,000+ traders make it the default choice for CME Group futures trading.
Choose The Trading Pit if: You trade forex, CFDs, stocks, or want a multi-asset prop firm with flexible entry prices. Starting at just $49 with one-time fees, The Trading Pit offers broader market access, more platform choices, and a scaling program that grows your account by 25% per cycle. Its 1-Phase Prime path is one of the fastest evaluation routes available.
The core trade-off: Topstep is the proven standard for futures traders with unmatched track record and community depth. The Trading Pit offers wider asset access and lower entry costs. Both are unregulated evaluation firms – neither holds client funds as a regulated broker would.
See full Topstep review | See full The Trading Pit review
