Topstep vs Top One Futures – Prop Firm Comparison
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Introduction
Topstep and Top One Futures are both US-based, futures-only prop firms built around CME Group markets, but they come from different generations. Topstep was founded in Chicago in 2012 by Michael Patak and is widely credited with inventing the modern evaluation model, having paid out more than $1 billion to funded traders. Top One Futures is the newer challenger, founded in 2023 by Matt Morris and Clay Hodges in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and it has scaled quickly on the back of very fast payouts and instant-funding options. Both run single-step style evaluations with a 6% profit target, and both keep you on CME index, energy, metal and currency futures. The real differences come down to payout speed, profit split, platform setup and funded-account rules. Topstep runs on its proprietary TopstepX platform with a 90/10 split (100% of the first $10,000 on legacy accounts), while Top One Futures pays 100% of your first $20,000 then 90/10, processes withdrawals on demand in about an hour, and offers no-evaluation funded routes. If you want the most established name in futures funding, Topstep is the benchmark. If you want the fastest payouts and the highest first-profit threshold, Top One Futures is one of the strongest newer options.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Topstep | Top One Futures |
|---|---|---|
| 
| |
| Founded | 2012 | 2023 |
| Profit Split | 100% first $10,000, then 90/10 | 100% of first $20,000, then 90/10 |
| Maximum Account Size | $150,000 | $300,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 1 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4 | 4.8 |
| Expert Grade | 9 | 8.6 |
Program Types
| Program | Topstep | Top One Futures |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Program | — | Yes |
| Scaling Options | No | Yes |
| Demo Account | No | Yes |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Topstep | Top One Futures |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 6% | 6% |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500 | 4% EOD trailing |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 | 0 |
| News Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Topstep | Top One Futures |
|---|---|---|
| $25K Account | Not offered | USD 69 / Elite ACCESS / Monthly |
| $50K Account | USD 49 / Trading Combine / Monthly | USD 105 / Elite ACCESS / Monthly |
| $100K Account | USD 99 / Trading Combine / Monthly | USD 209 / Elite ACCESS / Monthly |
| $150K Account | USD 149 / Trading Combine / Monthly | USD 309 / Elite ACCESS / Monthly |
| Coupons / Discount | Topstep discount | Top One Futures discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Topstep | Top One Futures |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, ProjectX |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | No | No |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | No | No |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | Yes |
Payout
| Feature | Topstep | Top One Futures |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly via ACH, wire, or Rise; $50 minimum | On-demand, averaging under 1 hour via Riseworks |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Topstep | Top One Futures |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Industry pioneer, generous first $10K profit split, no time limits, EAs permitted, no daily loss limit, $1B+ paid to traders | 100% profit threshold highest in industry, fastest payouts under 1 hour, soft daily loss pause vs termination |
| Weaknesses | Monthly subscription fees compound, $149 activation fee, TopstepX platform exclusive, futures-only, trailing MLL can catch intraday profit-takers | founded 2023 limited track record, no weekend holdings, tightened payout cycles in 2025 |
| Best For | Serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation | Traders seeking fastest payouts and highest early-stage profit threshold |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose Topstep if you want a cheaper entry, from USD 49 and coverage of bonds that the other does not offer. Choose Top One Futures if a larger funded ceiling at $300K, no minimum trading days and a demo account to test the platform first 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 Top One Futures’s programs?
Top One Futures publishes separate Elite, Elite Daily, Elite Access and instant-account rulebooks. Elite Access conditions are only one part of its range. Top One Futures official rules.
How do payouts differ between Topstep and Top One Futures?
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.
Elite Access lists a 90% trader share and $500 minimum, with on-demand eligibility after satisfying its buffer, five profitable-day requirement, 40% consistency and account-size payout caps. Top One Futures official rules.
Which account rules matter when comparing Topstep and Top One Futures?
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.
From the second request, at least 50% of the requested payout must come from new profit. On-demand availability does not waive the buffer or profitable-day conditions. Top One Futures official rules.
Is Topstep or Top One Futures automatically the better choice?
No, neither is the default pick. Topstep has the cheaper entry at USD 49 and market access the other lacks, namely bonds, and Top One Futures has the larger funded ceiling at $300K and no minimum trading days. 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 the evaluation objectives for the exact program you buy, 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 Top One Futures
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
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