Topstep Review 2025

Topstep is a prop trading company with a trading fee starting from $0.24 per round lot. There are 3 accounts in $50K, $100K, and $150K sizes with profit targets of $3,000, $8,000, and $9,000, respectively.

The maximum loss limit on the mentioned accounts ranges from $2K to $4.5K. Topstep prop firm processes payouts via ACH and Crypto with a minimum requirement of $200.

Topstep Company Information and Specifics

Topstep (Formerly TopstepTrader) was founded in July 2012 as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) by CEO Michael Patak. Based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, this company is one of the oldest prop firms in the financial industry.

Topstep prop firm review for futures markets' traders

Topstep's mission is to turn people who trade into better traders with healthier habits through learning by doing. Their vision is to be the path to a better lifestyle for traders worldwide.

The company has earned recognition from prestigious organizations such as Forbes, Barron’s, MarketWatch, and Deloitte, and was featured on the Inc. 5000 list and Deloitte Technology Fast 500 for its growth.

Topstep reports a global presence in 143 countries and funded over8,300 client accounts in 2021 alone. Its approach blends capital access with trader development, setting it apart in the competitive prop trading industry.

As a typical prop firm, it operates outside traditional regulatory oversight since it does not provide brokerage services directly. Instead, it partners with regulated brokerages to execute trades on behalf of its clients.

Despite its unregulated status, Topstep maintains a solid reputation, backed by transparency, a decade-long track record, and strong community trust.

Topstep CEO

Michael Patak, the Founder and CEO of Topstep, is a visionary leader dedicated to reshaping how traders learn and earn. With over 15 years at the helm, he has built a platform that empowers individuals to grow into professional traders through real-market experience and risk-free funded accounts.

• Background: Economics graduate from Iowa State University, with a foundation in trading since 1997
• Experience: Over two decades in financial markets, including leadership roles at Patak Trading Partners and BLUECHXP
• Mission: Helping traders develop consistency, discipline, and sustainable trading habits
• Vision: Making professional trading accessible to everyone through education and opportunity-driven funding models

Key Specifications

Let's have a look at the general key features that are related to the prop firms, including the Topstep:

Benefits & Drawbacks

As with any trading opportunity, Topstep comes with its own set of advantages and potential drawbacks. Let's examine both sides of the coin:

Funding and Prices Overview

Funding can be considered one of the most vital parts of a prop firm, as it is the main motivation for traders. Topstep Funding and Account Fees:

• Trading Combine Subscription: Monthly fees of $49, $99, $149, depending on account size (Also, there's a $149 activation fee upon passing)
• Funding Process: Pass the Trading Combine to earn a funded account
• Account Sizes: $50K, $100K, and $150K

The funding for this prop firm is low compared to most companies.

Topstep Prop Firm Account Opening & Verification

To access Topstep’s trading challenges and evaluation tools, you must first create a personal account. The platform requires essential user details along with phone verification to ensure secure onboarding.

Account creation is simple and prepares you for the next step: document-based identity confirmation.

#1 Start the Sign-Up Process

Visit the official Topstep website. Click on “Login” in the header, then select “Sign Up” to begin registration.

#2 Enter Required Information

Complete the application form by submitting the following details:

• Full legal name
• Email address
• Username
• Password

Enter your personal information in the form for Topstep registration

#3 Phone Verification

Provide your mobile number, then enter the verification code sent to your device. Once confirmed, your Topstep account is active.

To unlock full access, proceed with identity verification by uploading your documents through the user dashboard.

Topstep Evaluation Stages

Topstep's evaluation process, known as the Trading Combine, is a single-step program designed to test traders' skills and discipline. Here are the rules and the parameters in the evaluation phase:

Here are other key points about the Topstep evaluation program:

• Traders must complete at least two profitable days;
• Consistency rule: no single day’s profit can exceed 50% of total profits;
• Overnight and weekend holdings are prohibited.

Promotions; Does Topstep Offer Any Bonuses?

Based on our examinations and research, unfortunately, the firm does not currently offer any bonus for traders. However, this might change in the future.

Always check the official resources to be informed about the newest offers.

Topstep Trading Rules

Topstep enforces strict trading policies to maintain fairness and integrity. Key rules include prohibiting VPNs, hedging, third-party Expert Advisors, high-risk strategies like Martingale, and trading during volatile news events.

Adhering to Topstep rules ensures a level playing field for all traders. Here are the key points that you need to know:

• Trading must be done from a personal device; VPNs, VPS, or remote servers are prohibited;
• Manipulative trades or coordinated hedging across accounts are strictly forbidden;
• Personal EAs are allowed; third-party solutions are not permitted;
• High-risk trades and market manipulation strategies, like Martingale, are not accepted;
• Trading during news events is allowed but risky; slippage may occur during high-volatility periods;
• Profit split is 100% for the first $10,000 and 90% further on.

VPN Usage

All trading must be conducted from a personal device. The use of VPNs, VPS, or any remote servers is expressly prohibited by Topstep's Terms of Service. Any attempts to use such services for trading will be in violation of the platform's rules.

Hedging

Hedging strategies are not permitted under any circumstances, whether performed alone or in collaboration with others, including across connected accounts or accounts held with different Topstep Parties.

Engaging in trades or combinations of trades designed to manipulate the system or gain an unfair edge, such as entering into opposite positions, is strictly prohibited.

Expert Advisors (EA)

While personal Expert Advisors (EAs) can be used, third-party EAs or any automated trading solutions are not allowed. This policy ensures that all traders operate on a fair and level playing field, free from external automation.

Martingale and Arbitrage Strategies

Although not explicitly mentioned in the rules, Topstep does not accept trading strategies that involve excessive risk, including market manipulation or exploiting market delays.

Strategies such as Martingale, which involve opening multiple positions in drawdown, or arbitrage strategies, are not acceptable.

News Trading

Topstep permits news trading, but this comes with inherent risk. Trading during high-volatility periods, especially around major news events, can lead to slippage.

Traders should be aware of these risks and proceed with caution during these times.

Topstep Payout Rules

Topstep allows traders to withdraw profits with the following structure:

• Keep 100% of the first $10,000;
• After that, retain 90% of profits;
• Withdrawals start after five winning days, each with at least $200 net profit;
• Minimum withdrawal amount is $125;
• After completing 5 successful payouts, traders transition to a Live Funded Account with optional daily payouts

This payout structure rewards consistency and offers strong long-term earning potential.

Topstep Scaling Plan

Topstep’s Scaling Plan is a structured framework that adjusts a trader’s buying power according to their end-of-day P&L. Designed to promote sustainable growth, this system helps traders ease into live market conditions, avoid over-leveraging, and build consistent equity within their Express Funded Account.

• Purpose: Ensures responsible scaling of positions to reduce drawdown risk and enhance trading longevity;
• Mechanism: Buying power expands or contracts with daily equity performance;
• Compliance: Micros are treated as full-sized lots in all account types;
• Platform Behavior: Tradovate, NinjaTrader, and Rithmic platforms restrict trades exceeding Scaling Plan limits;
• Error Tolerance: Trades exceeding limits for under 10 seconds are not penalized.

What Trading Platforms Are Offered by Topstep?

Topstep provides access to 14+ trading platforms, allowing traders to choose what best suits their trading strategy. Supported platforms include:

• TopstepX: Proprietary platform developed by Topstep
• NinjaTrader: A popular platform known for its advanced charting and trading tools
• Quantower: A Customizable platform with a wide range of technical indicators

TopstepX, TradingView, T4, and R|Trader are available at no extra cost. Others may require external subscriptions or incur license fees. This platform diversity supports advanced analytics, automation, and various order types.

TradingFinder has developed a wide range of TradingView indicators that you can use for free.

Topstep Tradable Symbols and Markets

The firm focuses exclusively on futures markets, offering a wide range of products across various markets:

• CME Equity Futures: E-mini S&P 500, E-mini NASDAQ 100, E-mini Russell 2000
• CME Foreign Exchange Futures: Australian Dollar, British Pound, Euro FX, and more
• CME Agricultural Futures: Lean Hogs, Live Cattle, and others
• CME NYMEX Futures: Crude Oil, Natural Gas, and additional energy products
• Micro Futures: Select micro contracts available on the TopstepX platform

Topstep exclusively supports futures contracts; the Forex market and crypto trading are not offered.

Topstep Leverage Offerings

Topstep provides a powerful and flexible leverage environment for futures traders. Unlike traditional brokers requiring large deposits, Topstep allows traders to control significant market exposure without posting margin. With access to up to 15 contracts, traders can experience high leverage potential while maintaining a risk-controlled setup.

• Margin-Free Access: No initial deposit or margin is required to trade futures
• Leverage Example: Equivalent to a 5:1 ratio when trading standard futures through brokers
• Scalable Power: Traders can easily increase leverage by adjusting contract size
• Membership Advantage: A simple monthly fee replaces conventional capital requirements
• Focus: Designed for both beginners and professionals seeking capital-efficient trading

Payment and Withdrawal Methods Overview

There are several ways you can receive your Topstep payouts through. These methods include:

• Wise: Cryptocurrency and fiat transfers
• ACH: Bank-to-bank electronic payments
• Other: International Wire/SWIFT

For paying the fee on Trading Combine accounts, you have these options:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• American Express
• Discover
• PayPal

Commission & Fees

Trading commission can be so important for calculating your profits. Actually, the costs on Topstep vary based on the asset and the platform's data provider, but overall, it starts from $0.24, round-turn.

You can check out the fee for some symbols here:

• Gold: From $3.24
• Silver: From $3.24
• AUD: From $4.72
• E-mini NASDAQ 100: From $2.80

A complete list of fees for each symbol is accessible on the official website. Here are Topstep's other fees:

• CME exchange data: $116–$132 per month, depending on the platform
• Platform use: Free for TopstepX, TradingView, T4, and R|Trader
• Account reset (for Combine phase): $99

These fees are competitive relative to industry averages and are designed to keep total costs predictable.

Educational Resources on Topstep

Topstep offers a wealth of educational resources to support traders at all levels. These materials include:

• Blog: Latest market news, analysis, and trading insights
• Videos: "Coach's Playbook" series covering various trading topics
• TopstepTV: Live daily market coverage and commentary
• Free Group Coaching: Regular sessions with experienced trading coaches
• Discord Community: Connect with fellow traders and share strategies
• Demo Account: Free 14-day demo for practicing with $150,000 virtual balance

These comprehensive resources demonstrate Topstep's commitment to helping traders develop the skills and knowledge needed for long-term success.

You can also check TradingFinder's Forex education section for additional resources.

Trust Ratings on Reputable Websites

Users evaluate brokers and prop firms on reputable websites such as Trustpilot.The overall review of the Topstep Trustpilot profile:

• 4.6 out of 5
• More than 5,700 reviews
• Over 80% of scores are 5-star

Based on the volume of reviews, we can say that the firm has a strong reputation in the financial industry.

Customer Support

The support section is one of the most significant factors in every financial firm. Topstep offers typical contact channels for its support department:

Unfortunately, the prop firm does not offer 24/7 customer service, and the support works only on weekdays.

Topstep Client Base

Topstep’s global client base reflects its growing influence among futures traders worldwide. As of September 2025, the platform draws significant traffic from multiple regions, led by the United States (49.91%), followed by the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada, and Taiwan, highlighting its strong international engagement and educational appeal.

• United States: 49.91% of total traffic, reaffirming Topstep’s dominance in the American trading community
• United Kingdom: 5.44% traffic share, showing a 33.95% growth in engagement
• Thailand & Canada: Rapidly expanding user bases with over 16% and 21% increases
• Taiwan: Emerging interest with an impressive 57% growth rate, signaling Topstep’s widening reach in Asia

Social Media Channels

Social media platforms are popular facilities for companies to post updates about their activities. Topstep's Social Accounts:

Engaging with these channels can help traders stay informed, learn new strategies, and connect with the broader Topstep community.

Topstep vs Other Prop Firms

Let's check the Topstep features and services in comparison with top prop firms:

Expert Suggestions

Topstep has received a 4.6/5 trust score on the Trustpilot website, with more than 5,700 reviews and +80% 5-star scores. The company was formerly named TopstepTrader.

Currently, this firm is registered as a Limited Liability Company (LLC), led by CEO Michael Patak.