Topstep vs TradeDay – Elite Prop Firms Comparison

Introduction

Topstep and TradeDay are both Chicago-rooted futures-only prop firms, which makes this a genuine head-to-head rather than an apples-to-oranges mismatch. Topstep was founded in 2012 by Michael Patak and is widely credited with inventing the modern prop firm evaluation model. It has paid out over one billion dollars to funded traders and carries a 3.4/5 Trustpilot rating from more than 13,800 reviews. TradeDay, launched in 2020 by James Thorpe and Steve Miley, is the younger challenger. It has built a reputation on generous payout timing – day-one withdrawals with no consistency requirement – and flexible evaluation structures, including Intraday, End-of-Day, and Static drawdown variants. Both firms work exclusively with CME Group futures, target the same account sizes ($50K, $100K, $150K), and set a 6% profit target. The main fork in the road is platform breadth, drawdown mechanics, and profit-split structure. Topstep offers 100% of the first $10,000 in cumulative profits; TradeDay offers 80% from day one with a path to 95%. If you want the most established name in futures funding, Topstep is the reference point. If you want more platform choice and earlier access to profits, TradeDay deserves serious consideration.

Quick Comparison
Feature	Topstep	TradeDay
Founded	2012 (Chicago, IL)	2020 (Chicago, IL)
Trustpilot Rating	3.4/5 (13,872+ reviews, April 2026)	Not specified
Account Sizes	$50K / $100K / $150K	$50K / $100K / $150K
Profit Split	100% on first $10K, then 90/10	80% from day one, up to 95%
Evaluation Style	Single-phase Trading Combine®	Single-step (Intraday, EOD, or Static)
Review	Read full review	Read full review

FAQ

Which firm is better for futures day traders?

Both firms are futures-only, so either works for day trading. Topstep’s advantage is the 100% profit on the first $10,000 – useful for traders who hit their targets early. TradeDay’s advantage is day-one payout eligibility with no consistency requirement, so profits can be withdrawn faster without a holding period.

Does Topstep or TradeDay have a daily loss limit?

Neither firm publishes a fixed daily loss limit. Topstep’s only loss rule is the End-of-Day Maximum Loss Limit, which trails from the highest EOD balance and freezes at the starting balance. TradeDay applies only a trailing or static maximum drawdown with no separate per-day cap published.

Can I use automated trading (EAs) at both firms?

Yes at Topstep – EAs are explicitly permitted with no stated restrictions. TradeDay does not publish an explicit EA ban, but traders should confirm specific automation types with TradeDay support before use.

Which firm offers more platform choices?

TradeDay offers significantly more options: Tradovate, NinjaTrader 8, TradingView, and Jigsaw. Topstep requires all new Trading Combines to use TopstepX exclusively – existing NinjaTrader or TradingView accounts can continue, but new challenges and resets must use TopstepX.

Do both firms allow overnight and weekend holding?

Topstep permits overnight and weekend holding on most CME futures contracts. TradeDay does not allow overnight holding during high-impact news events; standard overnight holding outside those windows is permitted across the evaluation and funded stages.

How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?

This comparison was compiled using published review data available on JoinProp for each firm. All figures – fees, profit targets, drawdown limits, payout structures – are sourced directly from each firm’s review page. Where a detail is not publicly disclosed by the firm, the cell reads “Not specified.” Verify current terms directly with Topstep and TradeDay before purchasing a challenge.

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