Topstep Review 2026
The Original Futures Prop Firm — CME Access Since 2012
PropFirmHQ Standout
Best for US Futures Traders — Only NFA-Compliant Prop Firm
* Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Risk Disclosure
Quick Facts
Max Allocation
$150,000
Profit Split
Up to 90%
Max Drawdown
6% trailing
Daily Drawdown
Fixed daily loss limit by account
Eval Fee
$149/mo – $349/mo
Payout Frequency
Weekly
Eval Model
Subscription Combine
Time Limit
None
Supported Platforms
Scaling Plan: Scale from $50K to $150K Combine sizes.
Evaluation Structure — Phase by Phase
Every requirement you need to meet to pass the Topstep challenge and reach a funded account.
Trading Combine
Profit Target
Varies ($3K–$9K)
Max Daily Loss
$1,000–$3,000 fixed
Max Overall Loss
6% trailing drawdown
Min Trading Days
No minimum
Time Limit
Active subscription required
Pass the Combine by hitting the profit target while respecting fixed daily loss limits and a trailing maximum drawdown. The trailing drawdown follows your equity high-water mark — as your account grows, the floor rises with it.
Funded Account
Profit Target
No target
Max Daily Loss
$1,000–$3,000 fixed
Max Overall Loss
6% trailing drawdown
Min Trading Days
1 winning day
Time Limit
Ongoing
Trade CME futures markets with real capital. Weekly payouts every Thursday. The trailing drawdown continues to apply on funded accounts — manage position sizing to prevent the trailing floor from being triggered on drawdown days.
Express Funded
Profit Target
No target
Max Daily Loss
Fixed by account size
Max Overall Loss
6% trailing drawdown
Min Trading Days
No minimum
Time Limit
Ongoing
Topstep's accelerated path to funding for traders with demonstrated futures experience. Higher monthly fee in exchange for immediate funded access with the same weekly payout structure.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Phase | Profit Target | Daily Loss Limit | Max Drawdown | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Trading Combine | Varies ($3K–$9K) | $1,000–$3,000 fixed | 6% trailing drawdown | Active subscription required |
2Funded Account | No target | $1,000–$3,000 fixed | 6% trailing drawdown | Ongoing |
3Express Funded | No target | Fixed by account size | 6% trailing drawdown | Ongoing |
Pros & Cons — Topstep 2026
Advantages (5)
Only major prop firm with direct CME Group futures market access
NFA-compliant — strongest regulatory standing of any retail prop firm
Weekly Thursday payouts with no minimum payout amount
TradingView native integration for charting-first traders
Bookmap support for order flow and depth-of-market analysis
Disadvantages (4)
Futures-only — no forex, no crypto, no equities, no indices via CFD
Subscription model means ongoing monthly cost regardless of trading activity
Trailing drawdown creates compounding termination risk during volatile sessions
Lower max allocation ($150K) vs. forex-focused competitors
PropFirmHQ Full Review — Topstep 2026
Topstep is the original futures prop firm, operating since 2012 and based in Chicago — the global capital of futures trading. Its NFA compliance distinguishes it from virtually every other retail prop firm: Topstep traders access CME-listed futures contracts (ES, NQ, CL, GC, ZB, and more) through licensed introducing broker infrastructure. The subscription-based Combine model and weekly Thursday payouts create a predictable cash-flow structure for professional futures traders who value regulatory certainty above all else.
Who It's For
US-based futures traders — particularly those trading ES (S&P 500 E-mini), NQ (NASDAQ), CL (Crude Oil), or GC (Gold futures) — who require regulatory compliance and are prepared to work within a subscription cost model.
Tradable Instruments
“In a space full of offshore entities with minimal regulation, Topstep stands alone as the prop firm that takes US regulatory compliance seriously. For futures traders, that matters enormously — both for peace of mind and for the quality of execution you get accessing CME markets directly.”
David Chen
Futures Markets Analyst, PropFirmHQ
Account Sizes & Evaluation Fees
| Account Size | One-Time Fee | Profit Split | Max Drawdown | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 Combine | $149/mo | Up to 90% | 6% trailing | None |
| $100,000 Combine | $249/mo | Up to 90% | 6% trailing | None |
| $150,000 Combine | $349/mo | Up to 90% | 6% trailing | None |
PropFirmHQ Editorial Verdict
Final Recommendation
Topstep is the definitive and only credible choice for US-based futures traders requiring regulatory compliance and genuine CME Group market access. It is not appropriate for forex or crypto traders.
Risk Warning — Topstep Evaluation
Proprietary trading involves significant financial risk. The Topstep evaluation fee ($149/mo – $349/mo) is your maximum out-of-pocket exposure, but this capital is at risk of total loss if you fail to meet the evaluation criteria. Evaluation fees are non-refundable.
Funded accounts are subject to immediate termination if the 6% trailing maximum drawdown or Fixed daily loss limit by account daily loss limit is breached. A single adverse market event — including NFP, FOMC decisions, or unexpected geopolitical events — can trigger a breach that terminates an otherwise profitable funded account.
This review is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Past performance data, payout statistics, and trust scores cited on this page do not guarantee future results. Topstep is not regulated by the FCA, SEC, or any equivalent financial services authority — note: CFTC / NFA Compliant (US). There is no government-backed compensation scheme protecting evaluation fees or funded account profits.
PropFirmHQ is operated by ApexEdge Media Ltd, an independent editorial company. We receive affiliate commissions from Topstep if you purchase via our links. This does not affect our editorial ratings. Full details: Risk Disclosure · Terms of Service.
Topstep
Affiliate link · Fee refund on first payout ✗
Monthly Payouts (Community Data)
Community-aggregated · Not independently audited