Topstep vs Tradeify - Elite Prop Firms Comparison
Introduction
Topstep and Tradeify are both pure CME-futures prop firms, which makes them direct competitors for traders who only want to trade ES, NQ, CL, GC and other CME products. Topstep, founded in Chicago in 2012, is the firm that invented the modern evaluation-funding model and has paid out more than a billion dollars to funded traders. Tradeify, founded in 2022 by professional trader Brett Simba, is a newer entrant but has already processed $125 million-plus in payouts and built one of the strongest reputations in the futures-prop space, with a 4.7/5 Trustpilot score. Both run all execution through Tradovate’s brokerage backend, but their evaluation models, profit splits, and platform coverage diverge in ways that matter for trader selection.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Topstep | Tradeify |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Founded | 2012 | 2022 |
| Profit Split | 100% first $10,000, then 90/10 | 100% of first $15,000, then 90/10 |
| Maximum Account Size | $150,000 | — |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 1-step |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4 | 4.7 |
| Expert Grade | 9 | 7.4 |
Program Types
| Program | Topstep | Tradeify |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Growth |
| Advanced Program | — | Select |
| Scaling Options | No | Lightning Funded |
| Demo Account | No | — |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Topstep | Tradeify |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 6% | — |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500 | EOD trailing or trailing |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 | — |
| News Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Topstep | Tradeify |
|---|---|---|
| $10K Account | — | $139 |
| $25K Account | — | $159 |
| $50K Account | $49 | $339 |
| $100K Account | $99 | $359 |
| $200K Account | — | — |
| Refund Policy | — | Non-refundable evaluation fees |
| Coupons / Discount | Topstep discount | Tradeify discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Topstep | Tradeify |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX | Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Quantower, WealthCharts |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Stocks | No | No |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | No |
Payout
| Feature | Topstep | Tradeify |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly via ACH, wire, or Rise; $50 minimum | Rise or Plane; 24-48 hours to wallet, 1-3 business days to bank |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Topstep | Tradeify |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Industry pioneer, generous first $10K profit split, no time limits, EAs permitted, no daily loss limit, $1B+ paid to traders | 100% profit on first $15K, Lightning Funded instant access, Daily payouts available, Five platform options, News trading allowed, $125M+ paid out, 4.7/5 Trustpilot |
| Weaknesses | Monthly subscription fees compound, $149 activation fee, TopstepX platform exclusive, futures-only, trailing MLL can catch intraday profit-takers | Monthly subscription billing, No EAs in funded phase, No weekend trading, 35% consistency rule on Growth, Founded 2022 shorter track record |
| Best For | Serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation | Active intraday futures traders seeking fast payouts and platform flexibility |
FAQ
Are Topstep and Tradeify both futures-only?
Yes. Both firms trade exclusively on CME Group exchanges (and adjacent CBOT, COMEX, NYMEX in Tradeify’s case). Neither offers Forex, indices CFDs, or stock trading. If you need multi-asset access, you should look at a different prop firm.
Which firm has the better profit split?
Tradeify edges Topstep on the upfront split: traders keep 100% of the first $15,000 in cumulative profits, versus Topstep’s $10,000 threshold. Both move to 90/10 after that. On a per-account basis, Tradeify’s $5K-larger fully-paid window is the best deal in mainstream futures prop.
Can I use EAs or automated strategies?
On Topstep, yes – EAs are permitted with no specific restriction. On Tradeify, no – EAs and copy trading are prohibited in the funded phase across all account types. Algo-focused traders should default to Topstep between these two.
Can I hold positions over the weekend?
Topstep has no weekend-holding restriction in its standard rules. Tradeify prohibits weekend holding entirely; all positions must be closed before the Friday market close.
How quickly can I get a payout?
Topstep funded accounts can request bi-weekly payouts after a minimum holding period, with daily payouts unlocking after 30 consecutive winning days. Tradeify’s Select plan offers daily payouts, which is one of the rarest features in the futures-prop space; Lightning Funded accounts also pay out via the Tradovate backend directly to a linked bank account.
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
We pull each firm’s public-facing rules, fees, drawdown parameters, profit splits, platforms, and supported markets from their official documentation and our own JoinProp reviews.
2. We Examine
Each criterion is normalised so the two firms are compared on the same axis – for example, “drawdown” is broken down into trailing vs static, intraday vs end-of-day, and any reset conditions.
3. We Score
Where one firm offers a meaningfully better term – lower fees, broader markets, more permissive rules – we identify it and explain the trade-off.
4. You Choose
The conclusion is written so you can match a firm to your trading style: instrument coverage, evaluation tolerance, and payout cadence are the three filters most traders should care about.