1) Account types
Prop firm Topstep only offers trading through TopstepX (Project X), a platform it has exclusive access to.
Three account sizes are available with end-of-day drawdown: 50K, 100K and 150K.
The process starts with the Trading Combine, which is the challenge or evaluation phase.
You must reach the profit target, follow the consistency rule and stay within the loss limit.
Once you pass, you move to an Express Funded Account, also called an XFA.
You then have two ways to qualify for payouts:
- XFA Standard requires five winning days of at least $150 each
- XFA Consistency requires three trading days with consistent profits, using a 40% consistency rule
Topstep may later move you to a Live Funded Account after a period of consistent performance on the funded account.
2) Payment options
Challenges have two monthly subscription options:
- A standard format with an activation fee after passing
- A no-activation-fee format with a higher monthly subscription
If you pass challenges quickly and consistently, the no-activation-fee option is better value over the long term.
3) Responsible Trading Advantage
Since 2026, Topstep has also offered Responsible Trading Advantage, an option you can enable when buying a challenge.
It adds a daily loss limit that depends on account size.
If you reach the limit during the day, the platform blocks trading until the next session opens.
In exchange, you can qualify for higher payout caps.
| Account | Path | Standard cap | Cap with DLL | Daily loss limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50K | Standard | $2,000 | $4,000 | $1,000 |
| 50K | Consistency | $3,000 | $6,000 | $1,000 |
| 100K | Standard | $3,000 | $6,000 | $2,000 |
| 100K | Consistency | $4,000 | $8,000 | $2,000 |
| 150K | Standard | $5,000 | $10,000 | $3,000 |
| 150K | Consistency | $6,000 | $12,000 | $3,000 |
On the no-activation-fee option, Responsible Trading Advantage also gives a monthly discount of $10 on the 50K, $20 on the 100K and $30 on the 150K.
4) Payout rules
Topstep stands out mainly for its quick route to payouts.
The Standard path is easier to understand: you need five qualifying winning days.
The Consistency path can get you there sooner, but your profits need to be more evenly spread.
If a single day accounts for too much of the gains, you may need to keep trading before requesting a payout.
But even once you qualify, you can't withdraw the whole balance straight away.
Payouts are limited to 50% of the funded account balance, subject to a maximum cap based on account size and the chosen path.
For example, if the account has $2,700 in gains, you can withdraw up to $1,350.
Before requesting another withdrawal, the account balance must be at least equal to the balance left after the previous withdrawal.
This limits overly aggressive approaches where a trader takes large risks initially, withdraws part of the gains, then tries to recover the remainder with small profitable days.
5) My view
Topstep was long regarded as one of the best Futures prop firms.
The rules were easy to understand and the prices were stable. But with the changes in late 2025 and during 2026, Topstep has lost some of what made it stand out.
These changes reflect a clear strategy from Topstep.
I think the aim was to keep traders who regularly pass their challenges, probably the ones who make Topstep the most money.
I analysed this change of model in a video published shortly after the announcements.
It covers no-activation-fee accounts, the move to TopstepX and the new payout conditions.
The video's overall analysis remains relevant, although some prices and terms have changed since publication.
Topstep is still a good prop firm, especially if you want a serious trading setup, quick access to payouts and the possibility of moving to a live account with real capital.
In my view, its main drawback is the requirement to use TopstepX.
If you're not particularly attached to a platform, that won't necessarily be a problem.
But if you're used to your own tools, especially for order flow trading, switching can be much more of a problem.
In that case, alternatives such as Apex Trader Funding or Bulenox may be more suitable.
6) Topstep Labs
Topstep Labs lets the firm test new challenge formats with its traders.
These offers launch in limited quantities, with no guarantee they will return.
The following Labs have launched:
- Lab #001: 25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine
- Lab #002: 250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine
- Lab #003: 3K Challenge
- Lab #004: 1.5K Challenge
- Lab #005: 6K Challenge
- Lab #006: 50K Static Drawdown Trading Combine
- Lab #007: 1.5K Challenge - Powered Up
- Lab #008: Return of the 3K Undead Challenge
- Lab #009: Revenge of the 3K Slasher Challenge
Each Lab has its own conditions.
For example, Lab #004's $1,500 challenge has two rounds. You must earn $1,500 in the Challenge Round to reach the Payout Round, then meet the same target again.
This challenge uses static drawdown, while Topstep's regular Trading Combines use end-of-day drawdown.
Its main rules are:
- No consistency rule
- No daily loss limit
- No minimum trading days
After you pass the Payout Round, Topstep pays a fixed $1,500 payout and closes the account. That payment completes the programme.
