Topstep

Über Topstep

Topstep is one of the most established proprietary trading firms in the industry, known for its long-standing focus on trader discipline, risk management, and professional futures trading. Founded in 2012 and based in Chicago, United States, the firm has built a strong reputation by helping traders transition from simulated environments to trading real capital.

Topstep’s funding pathway is centered around its structured evaluation program, commonly referred to as the Trading Combine®. This evaluation is designed to assess a trader’s consistency, ability to manage risk, and adherence to predefined rules rather than short-term aggressive performance. Traders who successfully complete the evaluation gain access to funded accounts, where they can trade with firm capital and earn payouts based on their results.

Unlike many prop firms that focus primarily on Forex or CFDs, Topstep specializes in futures trading, offering access to markets such as equity indices, commodities, interest rates, and energies. This clear focus allows the firm to tailor its rules, platforms, and risk parameters specifically to futures traders.

With over a decade of experience, a well-defined evaluation structure, and an emphasis on long-term trader development, Topstep positions itself as a professional funding partner for traders who value structure, discipline, and sustainable growth in the futures markets.

Vertrauen und Sicherheit

Trust and transparency are central to Topstep’s long-standing presence in the proprietary trading industry. With more than a decade of continuous operation, Topstep has built its framework around professional risk management, clear rules, and real capital deployment.

Broker and Market Access

Topstep provides access to regulated futures markets through established clearing and brokerage relationships. Trading is conducted on professional futures platforms with direct access to exchange-traded instruments, ensuring realistic pricing, transparent execution, and regulated market conditions.

Because Topstep operates within the futures ecosystem, all trades are subject to exchange rules, margin requirements, and standardized contract specifications. This structure reduces conflicts of interest and enhances execution integrity.

Trustworthiness

Topstep maintains a high level of transparency by clearly publishing all evaluation rules, drawdown limits, payout requirements, and trading conditions. Performance metrics are tracked in real time, allowing traders to monitor their compliance with rules at all stages.

The firm uses secure account infrastructure and encrypted systems to protect trader data and financial information. Automated monitoring tools ensure that all traders are evaluated consistently and fairly under the same conditions.

With a proven operational history, regulated market access, and strict adherence to predefined risk parameters, Topstep provides a trustworthy environment for traders seeking a professional pathway into funded futures trading.

Handelsregeln und Beschränkungen

Topstep’s trading rules are designed to reinforce discipline, consistency, and professional risk management. Rather than focusing solely on profit targets, the firm emphasizes how traders manage risk, control drawdowns, and operate within clearly defined parameters.

Evaluation Rules

Topstep’s evaluation process is known as the Trading Combine®, a structured program where traders must demonstrate consistency while respecting strict risk limits.

Key evaluation rules typically include:

• Profit Target: Defined by account size and buying power

• Maximum Loss Limit: A trailing drawdown that adjusts based on account performance

• Daily Loss Limit: Enforced to prevent excessive intraday risk

• Minimum Trading Days: Required to encourage consistent trading behavior

• No maximum time limit to complete the evaluation, allowing traders to progress at their own pace

The trailing drawdown model requires traders to grow their account while maintaining disciplined risk control, as the maximum loss limit moves with account equity until it locks at a predefined level.

Trading Rules

Once traders advance beyond the evaluation phase, they continue trading under similar risk-focused rules designed to protect capital and promote long-term success.

Core trading rules include:

• Trailing Maximum Loss applies during early funded stages

• Daily loss limits remain enforced

• Position sizing rules based on futures contract specifications

• Overnight holding permitted for certain account types

• Weekend trading is allowed when the futures markets are open

• Payout eligibility based on consistency and rule compliance

Topstep’s rule structure encourages traders to prioritize steady performance over aggressive short-term gains.

Trading Restrictions

To maintain fairness and market integrity, Topstep restricts certain trading behaviors.

Allowed strategies:

• Day trading and swing trading

• Trend-following strategies

• Discretionary and systematic futures trading

• Manual trading and approved automated approaches

Restricted strategies:

• Arbitrage and latency exploitation

• Excessive risk concentration

• Trade manipulation or price feed exploitation

• Behavior that violates exchange or risk rules

These restrictions help ensure all traders operate under equal and professional conditions.

Handelbare Instrumente

Topstep focuses exclusively on exchange-traded futures markets, offering traders access to highly liquid, regulated instruments used by professional market participants worldwide. This futures-only approach allows Topstep to maintain precise risk controls, transparent pricing, and standardized contract specifications.

Asset Classes

Topstep provides access to a wide range of futures contracts across major global markets, including:

• Equity Index Futures – Such as S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow Jones, and Russell contracts

• Energy Futures – Including crude oil, natural gas, and related products

• Metal Futures – Gold, silver, and other precious metals

• Interest Rate Futures – Treasury-based contracts

• Agricultural Futures – Selected soft commodities and grains

These instruments allow traders to apply intraday, swing, and position-based strategies across different market conditions.

Leverage and Margin Structure

Because Topstep operates within regulated futures markets, leverage is determined by exchange margin requirements rather than fixed ratios. This provides a more realistic and professional trading environment.

Key characteristics include:

• Intraday and overnight margin requirements set by exchanges

• Clear contract specifications for position sizing

• Consistent margin rules across all traders

• Reduced risk of artificial leverage structures

This margin-based system encourages disciplined position sizing and aligns closely with how professional futures traders operate.

Unterstützte Plattformen

Topstep offers a broad range of professional futures trading platforms, while progressively consolidating its ecosystem around TopstepX as the primary solution for new Trading Combines and account resets. Traders can still access other platforms under specific conditions, depending on device type, operating system, and account status.

• TradingView
• MultiCharts
• Quantower
• Atas Orderflow Trading
• Sierra Chart
• Bookmap
• Trade Navigator
• Tradovate
• R Trader Pro
• Investor/RT
• MotiveWave
• NINJA Trader
• T4
• Jigsaw Daytradr
• TopstepX
• VolFix

TopstepX

TopstepX is Topstep’s dedicated futures trading platform, built specifically to align with the firm’s evaluation rules, risk parameters, and trader workflow. It is designed to provide a streamlined, rule-aware trading experience with direct integration into the Trading Combine® and funded account programs.

Key Features

• Web-based platform with no installation required

• Real-time futures market data

• Clean, intuitive interface optimized for rule compliance

• Integrated performance and risk tracking

• Fast execution and efficient order management

• Accessible via desktop and mobile browsers

Important platform policy update:

• Starting July 7, 2025, all new Trading Combines are available exclusively on TopstepX.

• Traders may continue trading any existing active accounts on their previously selected platforms.

• After this date, new platform switches or new Combines on other platforms are no longer available.

Platform Availability by Device and Operating System

Topstep’s platform access varies depending on the trader’s device and operating system.

Mac and iOS users currently have access only to the following platforms:

• TopstepX

• MotiveWave

• Bookmap

• VolFix

• TradingView

• Tradovate

All other supported platforms require Windows-based computers.

Mobile device users can trade only on the following platforms:

• Tradovate

• T4

• RTrader Pro

• VolFix

• MotiveWave

TopstepX is also accessible through mobile browsers, allowing traders to monitor and manage positions on the go.

Legacy and Additional Platforms

Traders with existing active accounts may continue using their originally selected platforms, provided the accounts were created before the platform transition. These platforms include:

• NinjaTrader

• Quantower

• Tradovate

• TradingView (via Tradovate integration)

• T4

• RTrader Pro

• MotiveWave

• VolFix

• Bookmap

• ATAS

• Sierra Chart

• MultiCharts

• Investor/RT

• Jigsaw Daytradr

• Trade Navigator

Platforms available in the Trading Combine are also available in the Express Funded Account, provided the account remains active and compliant.

TradingView Access

Trading on TradingView is available through a Tradovate Trading Combine. Traders must enable the TradingView add-on within Tradovate to access this functionality. This option is available to all Tradovate users with eligible accounts.

T4 Platform Notes

For traders using T4, specific operational conditions apply:

• Trading Combines or resets purchased after 3 PM CT become available on the next trading day at 5 PM CT

• To avoid delays, purchases should be made before 2:30 PM CT

• Micro contracts are not currently supported on the Plus500 system used by T4

• Work is ongoing to improve micro contract availability in the future

Platform Switching Policy

Starting July 7, 2025, platform switching is highly restricted.

• Traders may switch platforms only to TopstepX

• The switch is allowed only if the trader has passed a Trading Combine or Express Funded Account on another platform

• The new account must have no trading activity

• Traders must contact Trader Support before placing any trades to request approval

After passing a Trading Combine or Express Funded Account, switching to a new platform is permitted only when moving to TopstepX, and only under the same no-activity condition.

Mobile Trading

TopstepX provides full mobile browser compatibility, allowing traders to monitor positions, manage risk, and execute trades from anywhere. Mobile functionality includes:

• Live futures pricing

• Order placement and modification

• Position and account monitoring

• Risk and performance visibility

Mobile device users can trade only on the following platforms:

• Tradovate

• TopstepsX

• T4

• RTrader Pro

• VolFix

• MotiveWave

TopstepX is also accessible through mobile browsers, allowing traders to monitor and manage positions on the go.

Funktionen & Tools

Topstep offers a comprehensive set of tools and features designed to help traders build discipline, manage risk, and develop long-term consistency in futures trading. Rather than focusing only on capital access, the firm emphasizes trader development through structure, feedback, and professional routines.

Trading Combine® Performance Tracking

Topstep provides detailed performance tracking throughout the Trading Combine® and funded stages. Traders can monitor all critical metrics in real time, including:

• Profit and loss

• Trailing maximum loss

• Daily loss limits

• Consistency metrics

• Trading days completed

• Rule compliance status

This transparency allows traders to clearly understand where they stand at every stage of the evaluation.

Risk Management Tools

Risk control is at the core of Topstep’s model. Built-in risk tools help traders stay aligned with firm rules and avoid accidental breaches.

These tools include:

• Real-time trailing drawdown tracking

• Daily loss limit monitoring

• Visual risk indicators inside supported platforms

• Automated enforcement of risk rules

This structure encourages professional behavior and protects both trader capital and firm capital.

Trader Coaching and Education

Topstep offers access to educational and coaching resources designed to support trader growth beyond technical strategy. These resources focus on:

• Trading psychology and mindset

• Discipline and consistency development

• Futures market education

• Performance review and improvement

Through live sessions, recorded content, and community discussions, traders gain insight into professional trading habits and decision-making processes.

Trader Community

Topstep maintains an active trading community where traders can share experiences, insights, and performance challenges. This collaborative environment helps reduce isolation and encourages accountability and continuous improvement.

Community features may include:

• Live market discussions

• Educational sessions

• Trader interviews and insights

• Performance mindset support

Kommissionsgebühren und Preise

Topstep follows a pricing model that differs from many one-time-fee prop firms. Instead of a single evaluation payment, the firm uses a subscription-based structure tied to the Trading Combine®, allowing traders to pay monthly while working toward passing the evaluation.

Trading Combine® Subscription Fees

To participate in the Trading Combine®, traders select an account size and pay a monthly subscription fee. The cost depends on the chosen buying power level.

Key points include:

• Monthly subscription model, not a one-time fee

• Access to the Trading Combine® as long as the subscription remains active

• No long-term commitment, traders can cancel anytime

• Ability to reset or restart the evaluation without purchasing a new account, subject to eligibility and platform rules

This structure allows traders to progress at their own pace, especially those who prefer a slower, more disciplined evaluation process.

Trading Commissions

Because Topstep focuses on futures trading, commissions and fees are aligned with futures market standards rather than CFD-style pricing.

Typical cost components include:

• Per-contract commissions, which vary by platform and brokerage

• Exchange and clearing fees are applied per traded contract

• Market data fees, depending on the selected data feed and platform

• No hidden spreads, as pricing comes directly from regulated futures exchanges

All trading costs are clearly visible within the trading platform, allowing traders to calculate expenses accurately.

Funded Account Costs

Once traders reach a funded stage, subscription fees no longer apply in the same way. However, traders remain responsible for:

• Futures trading commissions

• Exchange and clearing fees

• Any applicable data fees

There are no profit-sharing commissions charged per trade, as profit splits are handled at the payout stage.

Zahlungen und Gewinnauszahlung

Topstep’s payout structure is designed to reward disciplined futures traders while maintaining strong risk controls and consistency standards. Rather than focusing on fast withdrawals, the firm emphasizes sustainable performance and adherence to rules before profits can be withdrawn.

Profit Split and Payout Structure

Topstep offers a competitive profit-sharing model for traders who reach the funded stage. Traders keep a significant portion of the profits they generate once payout conditions are met.

Key payout principles include:

• Profit Split: Traders retain the majority of profits after meeting payout criteria

• Consistency Requirement: Traders must demonstrate balanced performance rather than relying on a single large winning day

• Risk Compliance: All drawdown and loss rules must be respected at all times

• Trailing Drawdown Considerations: Payout eligibility depends on account equity remaining above the trailing maximum loss threshold

This structure is designed to encourage steady, professional trading behavior.

Payout Eligibility

To request a payout, traders must meet specific conditions, which typically include:

• Completing a minimum number of trading days

• Achieving profits above the trailing drawdown level

• Demonstrating consistent performance across multiple days

• Maintaining full compliance with all Trading Combine® or funded account rules

Payout requests that do not meet these criteria may be delayed or denied until requirements are satisfied.

Payout Schedule and Processing

Once eligible, traders can request payouts through their account dashboard.

Key details include:

• Payout Frequency: Requests are typically available on a scheduled basis

• Processing Time: Payouts are reviewed and processed within a few business days

• No payout fees charged by Topstep (external payment provider fees may still apply)

Topstep communicates payout status clearly, ensuring traders understand where they stand throughout the process.

Payment Methods

Topstep supports multiple secure payout methods to accommodate traders globally. While available options may vary by region, common methods include:

• Bank transfers

• Digital payment providers

• Other secure electronic payout options

All payments are processed through secure systems to protect trader data and funds