Topstep is The industry’s leading Futures Prop Trading Firm that has been operating for over 10 years. Their program called the “Trading Combine” provides traders with the opportunity to earn funding in a safe environment while also honing their skills, discipline, and trade execution. The Trading Combine is for traders of all levels, whether you are new to this space or a veteran. For profitable traders, it is essentially “free capital” to trade yet keeping the lion’s share of the profits. For traders new to the market, the Trading Combine is a safe environment to develop your skills without paying full price for errors as you learn. The first $10,000 is 100% for the trader and then there is 90/10 profit split afterwards. In fact, registered clients withdrew over $23,000,000 in profits since 2020, Topstep is paying out on average 16,000+ funded accounts on a monthly basis. Our Topstep review will cover how Topstep works, why they succeed in a competitive prop trading industry, how to pass the 1-step evaluation program called the Trading Combine, ongoing fees, available instruments, and more.
Table of Contents:
To earn a funded account withTopstepand be eligible for payouts, traders first need to prove that they can trade profitably within a simulated account calledThe Trading Combine. This is an experiential learning and evaluation program designed for futures traders. Traders develop and test their skills in simulated markets and earn funding capital upon achieving specific trading objectives. While earning a Funded Account® is one possible outcome, the discipline and habits promoted by the Trading Combine are beneficial for traders of all levels.
Topstepoffers simulated accounts with different starting balances, various amounts of allowable open positions, and multiple daily/total loss limits. Notably, the balance the simulated account traders start with will also be the size of the funded account they choose for themselves/pay for once they succeed in becoming a funded trader.
Topstepoffers a unique program called theTrading Combinewhich has three different account sizes, each of which has a monthly recurring cost. Pricing varies according to the size of the simulated account. The least expensive account, with a $50,000 funding capital, costs $49/month. The most expensive account, with a $150,000 funding capital, costs $149/month.
The Trading Combine is a simulated account, the size of the account is entirely your choice but will determine the size of your future funded trading account with Topstep once you successfully pass the evaluation. Note that whilstTopstepoffers a 14-day Free Trial, trades made during this period arenotconsidered for promotion to a funded account.
There is also the activation fee which is a one-time flat fee charge of $149 per Funded Account earned. The activation fee helps the prop firm cover the costs associated with evaluating and onboarding new funded traders, as well as the ongoing support and services provided whilst the trader has been given funding.
What does this activation fee cover?
The activation fee covers services provided to the Funded Trader. This includes:
- Onboarding and monitoring of Funded Trader accounts
- Data & Platform costs
- Third-party software that handles contracts and payouts
- Ongoing support from our dedicated Risk Managers and Funding Specialists
Traders earn a funded account as little as 2 days by passing a 1-step evaluation called the Trading Combine. This means reaching theTopstepprofit target, while achieving the trading objectives.
Topstep’s trading objectives aren’t random obstacles. They are tried-and-true risk management tools developed by professional traders. Following them will help you become a more disciplined trader. Because trading requires skill and can be challenging, only about 22% of traders make it to becoming funded traders. This group has the potential to earn money fromTopstepas funded traders keep their first $10,000 in profits and 90% of all profits thereafter.
It is important to note, however, that rules still apply even for funded traders. While the monthly simulation fee is dropped, traders are responsible for paying the activation fee which is a one-time flat fee charge of $149 per Funded Account earned.
1 Step. 1 Rule aThe Trading Combine
THE #1 RULE
AtTopstep, teaching traders’ discipline and risk management seems to be the main priority. This critical rule can be thought of as a risk management tool that enable traders to prepare themselves for long term success and profitability in the markets.
The only rule is to never hit or exceed your Maximum Loss Limit.
- The Maximum Loss Limit is the most a trader can lose, updated at the end of each trading day, based on the realized profits made in the trader’s account. It helps traders keep the profits they have earned and encourages them not to give too much back to the markets.
- Exceeding the Maximum Loss Limit results in a rule break and your account will no longer be eligible for funding.
- The Maximum Loss Limit is critical to risk management and longevity in the markets. Remember to “always trade for tomorrow”.
- The Maximum Loss Limit is based on your end of day balance and is designed to give you more room to trade.
Trading Plan Objectives
These non-rule violating objectives are part of the Trading Plan that they ask traders to follow. Please note that under no circ*mstances will you be considered a rule breaker or ineligibility for funding.
- Consistency Target
○ Best Day below 30% of total profits made.
- Profit Target
○ Reach and maintain the $3,000 profit target.
- Daily Loss Limit
○ Do not hit or exceed the Daily Loss Limit or your account will be deactivated for that trading day.
Earn Funding in 2 Days
Topstep’s 1 Step. 1 Rule. Trading Combine enables traders to get the fastest access to funding—in as little as 2 days! This is quite a big deal for the prop trading industry. However,Topstepwants to make sure that traders understand that discipline and risk management should never be overlooked.
- Topstep’s 1 Step. 1 Rule. Trading Combine allows you to earn funding in as little as four days!
- This is the fastest program you will find across the prop firm industry.
- Topstep wants to quickly reward hard working and disciplined traders with the capital funding they deserve.
- Topstep has the #1 Payout Policy in the industry. Funded Traders can pay themselves up to 4 times a month!
If you follow these guidelines as well as reaching/maintaining the profit target and consistency target, you will then advance to the Express Funded Account.
For more information about the rules and objectives, you can head to the Topstep Help Centre which is of great assistance when it comes to explaining the rules.
In the following section Funded Program looks at the features offered by Topstep, which include coaching, a comprehensive video library, TopstepTV, the brand new and game-changer TopstepX platform, a trading forum, an attractive profit share, withdrawal procedures, and a helpful customer support.
Topstep offer a video library of 326 exclusive trading videos, encompassing a wide range of day trading strategies with feedback from other traders, a Coach’s Playbook, and videos specifically curated for funded traders. Through the video library, traders can access valuable insights on topics such as ranges and breakouts, end-of-year checklists, and indicators for day trading, among other essential trading tips.
Topstep’s trading forum enables traders to exchange ideas with 10,000 of their fellow traders. The forum hosts over ten live shows each week and traders can participate in discussions with Topstep’s highly experienced staff members.
Another ground-breaking feature recently introduced by the prop firm is TopstepTV™. This streams live from the Topstep headquarters from Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 3.00pm CT. The unique initiative allows traders to learn directly from expert traders as they trade live and discuss the latest market movements and trends. Viewers will benefit from news updates, valuable trading tips, community statistics, acknowledgments for top-performing traders, and special guest appearances.
Group Coaching:
Group Coaching is a great way to connect with and learn from experts and peers! Discuss current market trends, news, and get answers to your burning questions live from futures trading veteran, John Hoagland, every Monday, and Wednesday at 1 PM CST.
(NEW!)One-on-One Coaching:
Check in with an expert regularly to discuss your trading approach, risk management, and mindset needed to get funded and pay yourself.
Their coaches are here to help you succeed!
Topstepis in the process of building this new and free opportunity for all active traders. Join theirwaitlistto be alerted when openings are available!
Digital Coaching with Coach T:
Topstep’s trading dashboard features Coach T, a digital performance coach providing tools and personalized trading stats to help you become a smarter, more disciplined trader. Coach T guides traders in achieving Funded Trader status every time they get in front of the trading screens.
Get ready for a trading revolution in the futures prop trading space! Topstep is thrilled to introduce its groundbreaking futures trading platform TopstepX™, setting a new standard for the industry!
TopstepX™
TopstepX™ is a tailor-made platform designed exclusively forTopstepusers. Leveraging over ten years of industry expertise, insights, and feedback, theTopstep prop firmhas collaborated with a group of world-class traders and software developers to create a pioneering prop trading platform. TopstepX™ goes above and beyond, providing more than just a platform for executing trades: it offers the Ultimate Trading Xperience™. TopstepX™ gives traders access to all of Topstep’s offerings in one comprehensive platform.
A TopstepX™ account is simple to sign up for and it enables seamless trading from any location.
- Sign up and start trading in under a minute, with no connection instructions.
- The web-based platform is compatible with both PCs and Macs.
- A dedicated mobile app for both iOS and Android will be introduced soon.
The TopstepX platform offers incredible features:
- The evaluation process, TheTrading Combine®, is always only one step, with one rule.
- Fully integrated licensedTradingView®charts, offering traders their favourite drawing tools, indicators, and customisations.
- The Tilt™, a prop trading indicator providing real-time insights into the bias long and bias short of allTopsteptraders.
- Dedicated data feed directly from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME).
- Simple ‘bracket’ orders with drag and drop profit and risk targets, which help you to deal with all the mathematics.
- Simplified production selection, ensuring traders remain on the front month and avoid excessive contracts.
- Auto-closure of positions at end-of-day and auto-liquidation when you achieve your profit target, preventing you trading past it.
- Integrated liveTopstepTVfeed for motivational support throughout the trading day.
- Live Chat Support connecting traders directly with the Topstep team.
- Permitted products drop-down table with individual indicators showing if the market is open for each product.
You can explore the platform further here, take a tour, and sign up to the waiting list for access to the platform as well as any updates.
AdditionalTrading Platforms
Topstepprovides a variety of built-in trading platforms which can be used with both simulations and funded accounts.
- NinjaTrader 7
- TradingView
- Tradovate
- Sierra Chart
- T4
- ATAS (Order Flow Trading)
- Jigsaw
- R|Trader
- Volfix
- MultiCharts
- MotiveWave
- Bookmap X-RAY
- Trade Navigator
- Investor/RT
Topstephas one of the best, if not The best payout policy in the prop trading industry. It allows traders to take weekly payouts as well as getting access to 100% of their profits after accumulating 30 winning trading days!
Traders can also request a payout of up to 50% of their account balance after accumulating five winning trading days per payout request. Note that a winning trading day is taken into account when a day’s Net PNL is $200 or above.
Once traders have accumulated 30 winning trading days in their account, they can unlock access to 100% of their balance. Going forward, traders can request up to 100% of their balance with each payout request. Keep in mind that, if a full 100% payout is requested, the Funded Account will be closed since the balance will be brought to the Maximum Loss Limit. Payout requests can then be made anytime, for any amount, up to 100%.
- Opportunity for traders with little capital to achieve a funded trading account.
- Prop trading firm with over 10 years of experience in the industry and an excellent reputation.
- Funded traders keep 100% of their first $10,000 profit and a 90/10 of Profit Split thereafter.
- Free training and coaching programs to help you safely and securely succeed in becoming aTopstep Funded Trader
- Simulator forces extremely high standards for trading and minimizes risks.
- 20% Discount offer (no code required) on the purchase of your first Trading Combine.
- Industry leading Trader Support team. Offers email, phone, screen share, and chat support.
- Futures trading only.
- Only runs sales occasionally.
Topstepis indeed, the #1 prop firm. The ideal place for traders looking for strong buying power to build their own trading career, the ones that have a passion for trading but struggle with trading consistently, and the beginners looking to jump into the world trading with guidance and coaching. Topstep’s funded program the Trading Combine offers access to various trading platforms and educational resources such as the digital performance coaching sessions with Coach T which provides tools and personalized trading stats to help traders become smarter, and more disciplined. Overall, we must admit, Topstep has put together THE industry leading futures proprietary firm where traders can experience optimum trading conditions in a great environment.
We highly recommend that inexperienced traders use resources thatTopstephas made available through its demo, which comes free of cost for 14 days atwww.topstep.com.
