Topstep vs The Trading Pit – Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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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 Facts
| Feature | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
|  | |
| Founded | 2012 | 2022 |
| Profit Split | 100% first $10,000, then 90/10 | 80 |
| Maximum Account Size | $150,000 | $200,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 2 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4 | — |
| Expert Grade | 9 | 9.2 |
Program Types
| Program | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Prime 1-Phase |
| Advanced Program | — | Prime 2-Phase |
| Scaling Options | No | Yes |
| Demo Account | No | — |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 6% | 10% (1-Phase) or 8%/5% (2-Phase) |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500 | 7% (1-Phase) or 10% (2-Phase) |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 | 3 |
| News Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| CFD $2.5K Account | Not offered | USD 29 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $5K Account | Not offered | USD 49 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $10K Account | Not offered | USD 99 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $20K Account | Not offered | USD 199 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $50K Account | Not offered | USD 349 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $100K Account | Not offered | USD 569 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| CFD $200K Account | Not offered | USD 1139 / Prime 1-Phase / One-time |
| Futures $50K Account | USD 49 / Trading Combine / Monthly | USD 99 / Futures Prime / One-time |
| Futures $100K Account | USD 99 / Trading Combine / Monthly | USD 189 / Futures Prime / One-time |
| Futures $150K Account | USD 149 / Trading Combine / Monthly | USD 289 / Futures Prime / One-time |
| Stocks $25K Account | Not offered | USD 99 / Stocks Challenge / One-time |
| Coupons / Discount | Topstep discount | The Trading Pit discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX | cTrader, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, ATAS, Rithmic R/Trader Pro |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | No | Yes |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | Yes |
Payout
| Feature | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly via ACH, wire, or Rise; $50 minimum | Bi-weekly (CFD: $100 minimum), follows profitable-day requirements (Futures) |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Topstep | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Industry pioneer, generous first $10K profit split, no time limits, EAs permitted, no daily loss limit, $1B+ paid to traders | Multi-asset trading, 80% split from day one, No time limits, Affordable entry, Scaling opportunities, Flexible trading rules |
| Weaknesses | Monthly subscription fees compound, $149 activation fee, TopstepX platform exclusive, futures-only, trailing MLL can catch intraday profit-takers | 80% split capped, Newer firm (2022), Trustpilot flagged, Futures market-data fees, Classic program discontinued |
| Best For | Serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation | Traders seeking affordable entry, multiple asset classes, and no time pressure |
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
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