Overview
Topstep is the original futures prop firm, founded in 2012 and the most trusted name in the industry. All new Trading Combine accounts are exclusively on TopstepX — their proprietary platform. In May 2026, Topstep repriced their plans (Standard 50K now $49/mo, 100K $99/mo, 150K $149/mo), and updated the profit split to a straight 90/10 model for all new users. They also offer a permanent optional Personal Daily Loss Limit that carries through the full account lifecycle. Overnight and weekend trading remains prohibited (all positions must close by 3:10 PM CT). They also acquired The Futures Desk (TFD) on April 1, 2026, integrating TFD's technology into TopstepX. Topstep remains the gold standard for retirees who want reliability, structure, and premium risk tools.
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🌐 Community Pulse
The Consensus
Topstep maintains extremely high trust across the community. The recent acquisition of The Futures Desk caused some initial panic on Reddit, but the smooth migration of accounts has boosted their reputation. Their permanent $49 50K pricing is highly praised on X.
Recent Chatter
- 💬"TFD acquisition went smoother than expected"
- 💬"New $49 pricing makes 50K combines a no-brainer"
- 💬"Still the gold standard for payout reliability"
Plans & Sizes
| Plan | Account Size | Fee | Profit Target | Max Drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 50K | $50,000 | $49/mo | $3,000 | $2,000 (EOD Trail) |
| Standard 100K | $100,000 | $99/mo | $6,000 | $3,000 (EOD Trail) |
| Standard 150K | $150,000 | $149/mo | $9,000 | $4,500 (EOD Trail) |
| No-Act. Fee 50K | $50,000 | $95/mo | $3,000 | $2,000 (EOD Trail) |
| No-Act. Fee 100K | $100,000 | $149/mo | $6,000 | $3,000 (EOD Trail) |
| No-Act. Fee 150K | $150,000 | $229/mo | $9,000 | $4,500 (EOD Trail) |
Dashboard & User Experience
TopstepX is Topstep's proprietary trading platform and is now required for all new Trading Combine accounts (as of July 2025). It is purpose-built for prop traders and goes far beyond a standard execution platform. The most powerful differentiator is the built-in discipline and risk management layer: you can set your own personal daily loss limit, daily profit target, trade limits, and account lockouts — tools that prevent emotional overtrading before it happens. TradingView charting is built in natively, and the "Training Camp" educational series helps newer traders build confidence before attempting the Combine. For retirees who want guardrails and structure, TopstepX is in a class of its own.
✅ Dashboard Strengths
- ✓Built-in personal daily loss limit and daily profit target — locks your account automatically
- ✓Trade limits and account lockout features prevent overtrading
- ✓TradingView-quality charts built directly into the platform
- ✓Training Camp: interactive educational series for new traders
- ✓Optional permanent Daily Loss Limit add-on now available at checkout (April 2026)
- ✓Clean, institutional-grade interface designed for futures specifically
⚠️ Dashboard Weaknesses
- ✗Legacy platforms (NinjaTrader, Tradovate) only available for existing accounts — no new resets
- ✗Some experienced traders may miss NinjaTrader-specific algo/automation features
- ✗Occasional connectivity/downtime reports for TopstepX in late April 2026
Platforms Supported
Drawdown Policies
Drawdown Type
Trailing EOD
The drawdown limit updates at the end of each trading day based on your highest closing balance. This gives you room during the day.
Daily Loss Limit
No daily loss limit — only the max trailing drawdown applies.
Profit Split
Topstep offers a 90/10 profit split.
Path to Live (Funded) Account
You must trade for a minimum of 2 trading days and hit the profit target without violating any drawdown rules to become funded.
Rules & Restrictions
⚖️ Standard vs No-Activation-Fee Path
Topstep gives you two ways to pay — choose based on how quickly you expect to pass:
🔥 Active Promotion (Spring 2026)
Standard Path
Best if you expect to take a few months to pass — low monthly burn rate.
No-Activation-Fee Path
Best if you are confident you can pass in 1–2 months — saves the $149 activation fee.
🖥️ TopstepX — The Platform Built for Prop Traders
As of July 2025, TopstepX is the only platform available for new Trading Combine accounts. It goes far beyond a standard execution platform — it's a purpose-built environment designed to help traders build discipline, manage risk, and avoid the emotional mistakes that blow accounts.
You set a daily loss ceiling. When hit, your account auto-locks for the day — before emotions take over.
Hit your profit goal and TopstepX locks you out, preventing "give-back" from chasing one more trade.
Limit how many trades you take per day or week. Stop overtrading and focus on quality setups only.
Having a rough day? Manually lock your account so you stop trading before it becomes a disaster.
Institutional-grade TradingView charting is native to the platform — no separate subscription needed.
An interactive lesson series exclusively on TopstepX to build confidence before you attempt the Combine.
🎓 Education & Community Resources
Topstep offers the following educational and community resources to support traders:
YouTube Channel
Check Topstep's official YouTube for platform walkthroughs, rule explanations, and trader tips.
Community Support
Most prop firms maintain a Discord or Slack community. Check Topstep's website for links to their active trader community.
Knowledge Base / FAQ
Detailed FAQs and rule documentation are available on Topstep's official website. Always read these before purchasing.
Platform Tutorials
All supported platforms (NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView) have extensive free learning resources on their own websites and YouTube channels.
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Ready to try Topstep?
Start with their $49/mo evaluation for a $50,000 account. Always remember to read their full terms before purchasing.
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