itstradingstar logo

Topstep Review (2026 Updated)

Last updated: August 2026

Here’s my straight take on Topstep: the structure is clean, the rules are transparent, and the risk model rewards discipline over lucky spikes. If you’ve been burned by gotcha-rules elsewhere, Topstep will feel refreshingly simple – as long as you respect the numbers. Before diving in, it helps to understand how futures prop firm rules work in general, especially drawdown types, so the Topstep structure makes more sense.

Topstep Rules at a Glance (2026)

Rule Detail
Account Sizes $50K / $100K / $150K
Profit Targets $3,000 / $6,000 / $9,000
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) Removed for new/reset TopstepX Trading Combines and Express Funded accounts (since Aug 25, 2024). Legacy dashboards may still show DLL as a non-fail objective that auto-flats you for the day.
Maximum Loss Limit (MLL) End-of-Day (EOD) trailing; locks at start balance once reached. Reference values: $2,000 (50K), $3,000 (100K), $4,500 (150K).
Consistency Target Your best day must be under 50% of your profit target. On a $50K combine: keep any single day under $1,500.
Minimum Time to Pass As few as 2 trading days (because of the 50% consistency objective)
Payout Split 100% of first $10,000 (per trader, across accounts), then 90/10
Payouts Request after 5 winning days (min $150 Net PnL/day). In Live, daily payouts and up to 100% balance access unlock after 30 non-consecutive winning days
Pricing Monthly Combine: $49 / $99 / $149 (50K/100K/150K). Activation fee: $149 when funded. Resets: $49 / $99 / $149.

Note: Always confirm exact symbols, session times, and limits on Topstep’s official help center before live trading.

Why Topstep Works – and When It Doesn’t

  • Simple core rule: respect the EOD Maximum Loss Limit. No intraday whipsaw punishments – your MLL trails at day’s end and eventually locks at your starting balance.
  • Consistency over luck: the 50% best-day cap versus profit target forces you to spread gains across multiple days. No “one-candle hero” passes. This is a rule that many traders underestimate until it catches them.
  • Realistic payouts: 100% on your first $10K is generous. Daily payouts in Live after 30 winning days reward longevity, not gambling.
  • Monthly subscription model: unlike Lucid Trading which uses one-time fees, Topstep charges monthly. This means the clock is always running – something to factor into your evaluation strategy.

TPT rewards disciplined, steady traders. If you need more time to develop consistency, the monthly billing model can get expensive. Read my guide on the top mistakes traders make in prop firm challenges before starting.

Watch: My Actual Topstep Payout Request

This is a clip from my It’s Trading Star YouTube channel, where I recorded an actual Topstep payout request.

Understanding the Topstep Consistency Rule

The consistency rule is the part most traders misread. Here is exactly how it works on the 50K combine:

  • Profit target: $3,000
  • Your best single day cannot exceed 50% of your total profits at the time of passing
  • So if you make $3,000 total, no single day can account for more than $1,500 of that

This means you cannot pass in one big day. You need at least 2 trading days minimum, and your profits need to be reasonably spread. I cover this kind of rule in detail in my guide on futures prop firm rules explained.

I track every trading day in my futures trading journal specifically to monitor my daily profit distribution and make sure I’m not violating the consistency rule without realising it.

Topstep Pricing – What You’re Actually Paying

One thing to be clear about with Topstep is the cost structure. It is different from firms like Lucid Trading and Take Profit Trader.

  • Monthly subscription: $49 / $99 / $149 for 50K / 100K / 150K combines
  • Activation fee: $149 when you pass and get funded – this is on top of your monthly subscription
  • Resets: $49 / $99 / $149 if you blow the combine and want to restart immediately

If you take several months to pass, those monthly fees add up. Factor this into your decision – the cheaper monthly entry point can become expensive if you need multiple attempts. This is one reason having a solid plan before you start matters so much with Topstep specifically.

Topstep Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Daily Loss Limit removed – no more single-session auto-fails
  • EOD trailing drawdown that locks at starting balance – protects your progress
  • 100% payout on first $10,000 earned – one of the best splits in the industry
  • Can pass in as few as 2 trading days
  • Well established firm with a long track record
  • Strong educational resources and community

Cons

  • Monthly subscription model – costs accumulate if you take multiple attempts
  • $149 activation fee on top of subscription when you pass
  • 30 non-consecutive winning days required before daily payouts unlock in Live – a long runway
  • Consistency rule requires careful daily planning – easy to trip over if you have one big winning day

Topstep vs Other Firms

Here is how Topstep compares to the other firms I have personally reviewed:

  • Take Profit Trader – also EOD drawdown, no DLL, daily payouts once above buffer. Monthly subscription like Topstep but no activation fee.
  • Lucid Trading – one-time evaluation fee instead of monthly, now has LucidDaily with daily payouts and no consistency rule in funded accounts.
  • TradeDay – monthly subscription, choose between intraday and EOD drawdown, no activation fee, daily payouts on funded.

For a full breakdown of how these firms compare on rules and drawdown types, read my futures prop firm rules guide.

FAQ

Does Topstep have a daily loss limit?

The daily loss limit was removed for new and reset TopstepX Trading Combines and Express Funded accounts from August 2024. Legacy dashboards may still show it as a non-fail soft limit. You are primarily managing the EOD Maximum Loss Limit.

How quickly can I pass the Topstep combine?

As few as 2 trading days – but only if your profits are spread correctly to satisfy the 50% consistency rule. Read my guide on how to pass a futures prop firm evaluation for a practical approach.

When do daily payouts unlock?

In the Live account, daily payouts and up to 100% balance access unlock after 30 non-consecutive winning days. In the Express funded stage, you can request payouts after 5 winning days with a minimum $150 net PnL per day.

Is Topstep good for beginners?

The rules are simple and transparent which makes it good for beginners to understand. However the monthly subscription model means costs add up if you need time to develop consistency. Make sure you have read the prop firm rules and avoided the common mistakes before starting.

Want to Try Topstep?

If you want to try Topstep after reading this, use my affiliate link below. It supports this site at no extra cost to you.

Start Your Topstep Trading Combine

Affiliate disclosure: If you sign up through my link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend firms I have personally traded with. See my full affiliate disclosure.

Sources: Topstep help center and official docs. Rules change – always double-check the provider’s help center before trading.

More Prop Firm Reviews and Resources