FTMO vs TopStep
FTMO and TopStep both offer funded trading paths, but their qualification structures are very different. FTMO uses a one-time refundable challenge fee and imposes zero time pressure. TopStep uses a monthly subscription model to get traders funded incredibly fast, often taking just two days. Which structure best fits your professional trading style?
Trusted path for disciplined traders.
We find FTMO's Evaluation Process to be highly effective and transparent, focusing on cultivating disciplined trading habits through clear risk parameters and a unique refundable fee structure. We recognize exceptional professionalism in their operations, especially regarding customer support and the guaranteed speed of payouts and refunds. Overall, FTMO sets the industry standard for proprietary trading firms seeking to identify and reward consistent talent.
Pros
- Refundable initial challenge fee upon success.
- Payouts and fee refunds are consistently fast and reliable.
- Customer support cited as highly responsive and professional.
- Trading rules and objectives are clear and transparent.
Cons
- Higher initial fee price compared to some competitors.
- Occasional user reports of waiting time for account approval after Verification.
- Limited historical tick data in MT5 (only back to 2021) may not suit all traders.
Structured path to funded futures trading.
We found that Topstep offers a highly structured evaluation process and impressive speed toward funded accounts, sometimes taking only two days. We appreciate the overwhelmingly positive user reports regarding customer service and rapid, reliable payouts. Overall, this is a top-tier option for serious futures traders seeking financial backing and extensive support.
Pros
- Customer support is exceptionally responsive and highly rated by users.
- Payouts are fast, reliable, and frequent (up to four times monthly).
- The TopstepX platform is user-friendly and offers advanced trading tools.
- Clear funding path with reasonable rules (Trading Combine).
Cons
- Ongoing monthly subscription fee required for the evaluation phase ($49–$149).
- A $149 one-time activation fee is required to open the Express Funded Account.
- Some users report that account resets can be costly.
AboutFTMO
FTMO provides a transparent, structured Evaluation Process designed to discover and nurture disciplined trading talent. This journey includes two steps: the FTMO Challenge and the subsequent Verification.
Once you successfully pass both stages, you gain access to an FTMO Account. This account operates in a simulated demo environment but provides fictitious funds of up to $200,000 for you to manage.
The system is built for aspiring and experienced clients ready to develop strong, sustainable habits based on key risk management rules. For the absolute best performers, the ultimate goal is the potential to become a professional trader with Quantlane.
AboutTopStep
Topstep has established itself as a reliable source, spending over 12 years funding futures traders. The platform serves dedicated individuals looking to elevate their trading through structure and evaluation. The core program, the Trading Combine®, operates under "1 Rule, 1 Goal": to build discipline and strong habits.
After passing the Combine, you transition to a Topstep Funded Trader™ and begin trading with the firm's capital, allowing you to keep your own funds safe. A major draw is the ability to pay yourself up to four times every month, making the financial incentives very clear. They have already delivered 81,177 payouts to traders in 2024. 💡
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Cost Model & Refundability
FTMO's fee is refundable; TopStep requires a recurring monthly subscription.
FTMO charges a one-time refundable fee to start the Challenge phase immediately. Successful traders get the entire initial fee back from FTMO. This unique structure makes the FTMO evaluation ultimately free upon success. TopStep uses a recurring monthly subscription, ranging from $49 to $149 for the Combine. Once passed, TopStep also levies a mandatory $149 activation fee for the funded account. FTMO strongly incentivizes success by returning the trader's initial investment. TopStep relies on continuous access fees during the evaluation period. If you view the cost as a deposit returned only upon success, FTMO is the clear financial winner.
Funding Speed
TopStep can fund you in two days; FTMO requires a minimum of eight.
TopStep famously allows its traders to earn funding approval in as little as two calendar days. The Trading Combine is built for rapid, high-discipline evaluation. FTMO requires a minimum of eight trading days across its two-step Challenge and Verification process. FTMO prioritizes the consistent development of trading habits. TopStep provides the fastest route to funded trading for highly aggressive, skilled traders. FTMO's longer requirement ensures serious, established consistency is validated. If reaching the funded stage quickly is your main priority, TopStep has a distinct advantage over FTMO.
Maximum Capital Size
FTMO supports access to slightly higher maximum fictitious capital.
FTMO offers access to an FTMO Account with fictitious funds peaking at $200,000. This is the top tier available after successful evaluation. TopStep offers evaluation options up to $150,000 maximum buying power. This is still substantial, serving most serious futures traders. FTMO supports access to slightly higher capital levels for successful, high-volume traders. TopStep maintains a strong focus up to $150,000. Traders aiming for the highest capital allocation should primarily focus their efforts on FTMO.
Time Pressure
FTMO removes all deadlines; TopStep's monthly fee creates soft pressure.
FTMO explicitly offers an unlimited trading period for both the Challenge and Verification steps. There is absolutely no time limit to achieve the profit target. TopStep does not impose a hard passing deadline, allowing flexibility during the evaluation process. However, TopStep charges a recurring monthly subscription fee. FTMO completely eliminates the stress of rushing to meet artificial deadlines. TopStep's recurring cost places a financial incentive to finish quickly. If you are a part-time trader or need months to let your strategy develop, FTMO is far less stressful.
Target Market Focus
TopStep is for Futures only; FTMO focuses broadly on Forex/CFDs.
FTMO is optimized for traders focused on the liquid Forex and CFD markets. It supports the traditional instruments favored by retail traders. TopStep is explicitly a specialist in the Futures market, requiring the use of futures contracts. It caters only to very specific traders. If you only trade futures, TopStep provides tailored assets and platforms for that market. If you trade standard Forex pairs, FTMO is your system. Your primary asset class will instantly determine whether you choose FTMO or TopStep.
Payout Frequency
TopStep pays up to four times monthly; FTMO is fast but less frequent.
TopStep processes funded trader payouts daily, allowing traders to pay themselves up to four times per month. This frequency is a major draw. FTMO's payments and fee refunds are consistently cited as fast and smooth by happy users. The maximum frequency, however, is not explicitly defined in the data. TopStep provides guaranteed, high-frequency access to earnings for reliable income streams. FTMO ensures security and smoothness during the transaction. If consistent, weekly income access is a priority, TopStep provides superior guaranteed frequency.
Technology & Platform
TopStep uses a specialized proprietary platform, TopstepX™.
FTMO relies on industry-standard platforms like MT4 or MT5 but enhances them with the FTMO MetriX analysis tool. The focus is on external performance review. TopStep offers the exclusive TopstepX™ platform, built for prop firm traders. This platform uniquely includes features like The Tilt™ Indicator and commission-free trading. TopStep provides a unified, specialized trading experience within its proprietary environment. FTMO focuses on providing powerful analytical overlays for existing platforms. Traders who value specialized futures tools and zero commissions should look closer at TopStep's proprietary tech.
Profit Share Potential
FTMO offers a higher profit share ceiling for generating simulated profits.
FTMO provides a very high earning potential, rewarding successful traders with up to 90% of simulated profits. This maximizes large trading gains. TopStep offers a highly competitive standard rate for funded traders, typically around 80%. This is the rate available once you successfully pass the combine. FTMO's 90% share provides a significantly better long-term earning structure. TopStep's rate is solid but falls slightly behind FTMO’s ceiling. The extra 10% profit share achieved with FTMO creates substantial added value for high-volume traders.
FTMO costs between €89 and €439 with three stages of commitment: the FTMO Challenge requiring a refundable fee, the Verification step being free, and the FTMO Trader status resulting in a refund of the initial fee.
FTMO's structure is an Evaluation Process. You pay a one-time fee to access the challenge, and if you succeed through the stages, that initial fee is returned to you. Let's explore the three phases of this process.
FTMO Challenge (Step 1)
Price: €89 or €155 (One-time, Refundable Fee). Special deals may include the $10,000 Challenge for €89. Websites Supported: Not explicitly stated Best For: Traders who are confident in their ability to manage risk and meet profit goals under set limits. Refund Policy: Refundable Fee – The fee is returned if you successfully complete the Evaluation Process. Other Features:
- Unlimited trading period (no time limit).
- Requires a $1,000 Profit Target and $1,000 Maximum Loss limit.
- Minimum 4 trading days required.
- Provides access to in-house developed Tools & Services.
- Refundable Fee (e.g., $10,000 Challenge for €89 or standard price €155)
- Unlimited trading period
- Minimum 4 trading days
- Includes $1,000 Maximum Loss limit
- Access to in-house developed Tools & Services
- Free step after passing Challenge
- Unlimited trading period
- Minimum 4 trading days
- Tools and Services remain unlocked
- Maximum Loss Rules remain intact ($1,000 Maximum Loss)
- Initial fee fully refunded
- FTMO Account with up to $200,000 in fictitious funds
- Reward up to 90% of simulated profits
- No Profit Target
- No Minimum Trading Days
TopStep costs between $49 and $149 per month with three plans: $50k Buying Power at $49/month, $100k Buying Power at $99/month, and $150k Buying Power at $149/month.
These plans represent the three account sizes available in the Trading Combine® evaluation. This monthly subscription fee locks in your price and continues until you become a Funded Trader or cancel the service.
$50k Buying Power (Popular)
Price: $49 per month Websites Supported: Not explicitly stated Best For: Traders seeking a popular introductory evaluation option. Refund Policy: Not explicitly stated Other Features:
- $3,000 Profit Target
- 5 Contracts Maximum Position Size
- $2,000 Maximum Loss Limit
- $3,000 Profit Target
- 5 Contracts Maximum Position Size
- $2,000 Maximum Loss Limit
- $6,000 Profit Target
- 10 Contracts Maximum Position Size
- $3,000 Maximum Loss Limit
- $9,000 Profit Target
- 15 Contracts Maximum Position Size
- $4,500 Maximum Loss Limit
Pricing Notes
- FTMO’s initial challenge fee is entirely refundable if you successfully pass the evaluation, making the overall process cost $0 upon success.
- TopStep requires a recurring monthly subscription fee that continues until you become funded or you cancel the evaluation.
- Be aware that TopStep requires a mandatory $149 activation fee once you pass the Trading Combine.
- FTMO's refundable fee acts as a strong incentive and eliminates cost risk upon success, unlike TopStep’s recurring fee model.
Pricing Head-to-Head
User Reviews
FTMO enjoys tremendous user satisfaction, evidenced by thousands of positive reviews primarily focused on its transparency and operational quality. Users consistently highlight the company's honesty and reliability, often contrasting it favorably with competitors that have complicated or “silly” rules.
The trading rules are described as clear and fair, ensuring a transparent Evaluation Process. A key area of praise is the efficiency of the financial operations: payouts and fee refunds are frequently cited as fast and smooth, giving traders confidence in the system.
I received both my Reward and the full refund of the fee from this prop firm. Everything was handled professionally and without delays. The overall experience has been excellent, and I truly appreciate their efficiency.
Topstep maintains a highly positive reputation across thousands of user reviews, reflected by their 4.3-star rating on Trustpilot. Users consistently praise the company’s commitment to trader success, often citing the exceptional speed and responsiveness of their customer support team. Support agents are frequently described as professional, kind, and quick to resolve billing or technical issues. Reliability is a major theme, with many traders emphasizing that payouts are always fast, reliable, and processed on time—a core benefit allowing funded traders to receive payments up to four times per month.
The proprietary TopstepX platform is also repeatedly noted for being user-friendly and feature-rich, including advanced charting and sentiment tools. While the majority sentiment is very positive regarding structure and rules, a few users did mention that the payout system can be slightly complicated to understand initially, and the cost of account resets or the $149 activation fee might be a barrier for some. Overall, Topstep is frequently called the best prop firm in the industry for setting clear rules and offering transparent funding opportunities. 🏆
I’ve traded funded accounts with several firms, and the customer service at TopStep is unmatched. They genuinely care about your success. Special shoutout to Julia who helped me resolve a complex account issue quickly.
Our Verdict
Deciding between FTMO and TopStep requires understanding your trading style and target market. Both firms offer quality programs, but their financial structures are fundamentally different. The massive advantage of FTMO is its financial incentive: the initial fee is fully refundable. FTMO also offers unlimited time to pass the challenge, reducing stress significantly. If you trade Forex or CFDs and value a 90% profit share, FTMO is likely your top choice. TopStep's superpower is speed and focus; you can get funded in as little as two days. TopStep excels if you are a dedicated futures trader needing a specialized platform like TopstepX™. Furthermore, TopStep’s frequent payouts, up to four times a month, offer great cash flow. The key deciding factor is your primary market and cost preference. Futures traders must go with TopStep. If you trade Forex and dislike monthly fees, FTMO offers the refundable option. Choose FTMO for Forex trading, zero deadlines, and maximum capital access ($200k). Choose TopStep for rapid funding, specialized futures expertise, and weekly payout access. Both FTMO and TopStep demand discipline, but one offers your ideal path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which firm is better for futures trading: FTMO or TopStep?
TopStep is explicitly designed for expert futures traders using its proprietary platform, TopstepX™. FTMO focuses more broadly on Forex and CFD instruments. If you trade futures exclusively, TopStep is the professional choice.
Is the FTMO fee structure better than TopStep's monthly subscription?
FTMO charges a one-time fee that is fully refunded upon success, making the evaluation free to successful traders. TopStep requires a recurring monthly subscription and a $149 activation fee. FTMO offers better value if you are confident you will pass.
Which has a higher profit share cap, FTMO or TopStep?
FTMO offers a higher potential profit share, up to 90% of simulated profits. TopStep typically uses a standard 80% profit share model. FTMO provides better earning potential over the long term.
Does FTMO or TopStep have faster or more frequent payouts?
TopStep provides faster and more frequent payouts for funded traders. TopStep processes payments daily and allows withdrawals up to four times per month. FTMO's payouts are reliable but less frequently defined.
Can I manage more than one account with FTMO or TopStep?
TopStep allows funded traders to manage up to five Express Funded Accounts at once. The documentation for FTMO emphasizes managing one primary FTMO Account up to $200,000.
Does either FTMO or TopStep offer a free trial period?
TopStep does not offer a free trial; you must pay the monthly subscription fee. FTMO's Evaluation Process fee is refundable upon success, acting as a successful money-back guarantee for serious traders.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.