Take Profit Trader vs Topstep: A Decision Framework for Futures Traders
Take Profit Trader vs Topstep compared on rules, pricing, payouts, and platforms. A decision framework for futures traders, not a generic ranking.
If you are deciding between Take Profit Trader vs Topstep, the core question is not which firm is more popular — it is which firm’s rules, pricing structure, and payout model match how you actually trade futures. Both firms operate in the funded futures space and use an evaluation-based model, but they differ in meaningful ways on drawdown mechanics, account reset policies, scaling paths, and how they handle payouts. This page breaks down those differences with a decision framework so you can match the right firm to your situation rather than guessing based on brand recognition alone.
Verification note: Pricing, account tiers, and policy details change. Confirm all figures on each firm’s official website, checkout page, and rules documentation before purchasing an evaluation.
Quick Verdict
Neither firm is universally better. Take Profit Trader tends to appeal to traders who want flexible reset options, promotional pricing, and a relatively straightforward evaluation structure. Topstep has a longer track record in the funded futures space, a recognized brand, and a structured scaling plan, but its rules and pricing may suit a different trader profile. The right choice depends on five factors: your preferred drawdown type, your tolerance for evaluation cost, how you plan to scale, which platforms you need, and how quickly you expect to need a payout. Each of those factors is addressed in the sections below.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Factor | Take Profit Trader | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Markets offered | Futures (CME products) | Futures (CME products) |
| Evaluation structure | Single-step evaluation | Single-step evaluation (Express) and subscription-based Trading Combine |
| Drawdown type | Trailing drawdown (end-of-day or intraday — verify current offering) | Trailing drawdown (intraday on evaluation, end-of-day on funded — verify current rules) |
| Profit target | Varies by account size — verify on checkout | Varies by account size — verify on checkout |
| Scaling plan | Available — verify current tiers | Structured scaling plan available — verify current tiers |
| Payout frequency | Verify on payout policy page | Verify on payout policy page |
| Profit split | Verify current split on funded account terms | Verify current split on funded account terms |
| Reset option | Yes — fee applies, verify current cost | Yes — verify current reset or restart policy |
| Platforms supported | Verify current platform list on their site | Verify current platform list on their site |
| Promotional pricing | Frequent discount codes reported — verify active codes | Periodic promotions — verify active offers |
| Consistency rule | Verify if applicable on current rules page | Verify if applicable on current rules page |
| News trading allowed | Verify on rules page | Verify on rules page |
| Overnight holding | Verify on rules page | Verify on rules page |
Decision verdict: If you want a firm with a long public track record and a structured scaling path, Topstep is worth evaluating first. If you prioritize frequent promotional pricing and a straightforward single-step evaluation, Take Profit Trader is worth comparing on cost. Neither verdict holds without checking current rules — both firms update their terms.
Rules and Drawdown Differences
Drawdown mechanics are the single most important rule to understand before choosing a futures prop firm. Getting this wrong is the most common reason traders fail evaluations they could otherwise pass.
What is a trailing drawdown and why does it matter?
A trailing drawdown means your maximum loss threshold moves up as your account equity rises, but it does not move back down if you lose. The critical variable is whether the drawdown trails based on intraday highs or end-of-day (EOD) equity. Intraday trailing is stricter — your drawdown threshold can move up during an open trade, which means an unrealized gain followed by a reversal can tighten your available loss buffer even if you end the day flat. EOD trailing only adjusts the threshold at the close of each session, giving intraday traders more room to manage open positions.
Take Profit Trader drawdown rules
Take Profit Trader has used trailing drawdown structures across its account tiers. The specific mechanics — whether trailing is intraday or EOD, and at what point the drawdown locks — should be confirmed directly on their rules page before you purchase. Some account types have historically offered EOD trailing, which is a meaningful advantage for swing-style futures traders. Do not assume the structure matches what you read in a forum post; verify the current version.
Topstep drawdown rules
Topstep’s evaluation accounts have historically used an intraday trailing drawdown, while funded accounts have used an EOD trailing structure. This distinction matters: passing the evaluation requires managing intraday drawdown carefully, but once funded, the rules become less restrictive on an intraday basis. Verify whether this structure is still current on Topstep’s rules page, as the firm has updated its model over time. See our prop firm rules hub for a broader breakdown of drawdown types across firms.
Consistency rules
Some firms apply a consistency rule that limits how much of your total profit can come from a single trading day. This rule is designed to prevent traders from passing an evaluation with one lucky trade. Check whether either firm currently applies a consistency rule, what the percentage threshold is, and whether it applies during the evaluation, the funded phase, or both. This rule can disqualify traders who rely on high-conviction, low-frequency setups.
Restricted trading behaviors
Both firms have historically restricted or limited certain trading behaviors including holding positions through major news events, holding overnight without meeting margin requirements, and using certain automated or high-frequency strategies. Verify the current position on each of these restrictions before you build a trading plan around either firm. Rules in this category change more frequently than pricing.
Pricing and Discount Differences
Evaluation fees are a real cost, especially if you reset or restart multiple times. Understanding the pricing structure — not just the headline fee — is essential before committing. Visit our prop firm pricing guide for context on how evaluation fees compare across the funded futures space.
Take Profit Trader pricing
Take Profit Trader is known in the prop trading community for running frequent discount promotions, sometimes reducing evaluation fees significantly. These discounts are time-limited and the codes change. Do not rely on a code you found in a review or forum post — verify active promotions on their checkout page or official social channels before purchasing. The base evaluation fee varies by account size. Reset fees are separate and should also be confirmed before you factor them into your cost model.
Topstep pricing
Topstep has offered both a subscription-based Trading Combine model and a one-time fee Express evaluation. The pricing structure and which options are currently available should be verified on their checkout page. Subscription models change the cost calculation significantly if you take multiple months to pass — a one-time fee may be cheaper for faster traders, while a subscription may suit traders who want unlimited attempts within a billing period. Verify which model is currently active and what the reset or restart policy costs.
How to compare total cost, not just entry fee
The right way to compare pricing is to estimate your realistic total cost across multiple attempts, not just the first evaluation fee. Consider: initial fee, reset fee if you fail, any monthly subscription cost, and the minimum withdrawal threshold before you recover your fees from profits. A cheaper entry fee can become more expensive than a higher-priced competitor if the reset cost is high or the profit split is lower.
Payout Policy Differences
Payout policies determine when you can withdraw, how much you can withdraw, and what conditions must be met before your first withdrawal. This is one of the most practically important areas to verify before choosing a firm. See our prop firm payouts guide for a full breakdown of what to look for in a payout policy.
What to verify on Take Profit Trader payouts
- Minimum number of trading days before first withdrawal request
- Minimum profit balance required before withdrawal
- Profit split percentage on funded accounts
- Processing time from request to receipt
- Accepted withdrawal methods
- Whether there is a consistency requirement tied to payout eligibility
What to verify on Topstep payouts
- Minimum trading days before first withdrawal
- Minimum profit threshold for first withdrawal
- Profit split on funded accounts
- Processing time and payment methods
- Whether the scaling plan affects payout eligibility or split percentage
- Any conditions that pause or reset payout eligibility
Do not make a firm decision based on payout speed claims in third-party reviews. Payout processing times are reported inconsistently across review platforms and can vary based on payment method, verification status, and firm workload. Verify directly with each firm’s support team or payout policy documentation.
Platforms, Markets, and Trader Fit
Markets
Both Take Profit Trader and Topstep focus on CME-listed futures products. This means equity index futures, energy futures, metals, and agricultural contracts are typically available. Neither firm is a forex, crypto, or stock prop firm — if you trade those markets, you are looking at the wrong comparison. Check our full comparison directory for firms that support other asset classes.
Platforms
Platform availability is a practical constraint that eliminates some firms immediately for certain traders. Common platforms in the funded futures space include NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic-connected platforms, and others. Verify which platforms each firm currently supports, whether there are platform fees, and whether your preferred charting or execution setup is compatible. Do not assume a platform listed in an older review is still supported — firms change platform partnerships.
Trading style fit
Your trading style should influence which firm you evaluate first:
- Scalpers and high-frequency traders: Verify whether either firm restricts trade frequency, minimum hold times, or specific order types before assuming your strategy is permitted.
- Swing traders holding overnight: Confirm overnight holding rules and whether margin requirements change outside regular trading hours.
- News traders: Verify whether trading around scheduled economic releases is permitted, restricted, or prohibited entirely.
- Algorithmic traders: Confirm whether automated strategies are permitted and whether there are restrictions on execution speed or order volume.
Who Should Choose Take Profit Trader
Take Profit Trader may be the better starting point if:
- You want to minimize upfront evaluation cost and are willing to wait for a promotional discount before purchasing
- You prefer a single-step evaluation without a subscription model
- You trade a style that benefits from EOD trailing drawdown mechanics (verify this is still offered)
- You have failed evaluations before and want a firm with accessible reset pricing
- You are earlier in your funded trading journey and want a lower-cost entry point to test your consistency
Take Profit Trader may not be the right fit if you need a firm with a long public payout history, a well-documented scaling path, or specific platform support that they do not currently offer. Verify all of the above before purchasing.
Who Should Choose Topstep
Topstep may be the better starting point if:
- You value a firm with a longer public track record in the funded futures space
- You want a structured scaling plan with documented tiers
- You prefer a firm with a larger community of funded traders and publicly available trader success stories
- You are comfortable with intraday trailing drawdown during the evaluation phase
- You want access to educational resources alongside the evaluation
Topstep may not be the right fit if you are primarily cost-sensitive and the current pricing is higher than competitors for the same account size, or if the subscription model does not match your expected evaluation timeline. Verify current pricing and structure before committing.
Alternatives to Compare
Before finalizing your decision, it is worth checking at least two or three alternatives to ensure you are not missing a better structural fit. The funded futures space includes firms with meaningfully different drawdown types, pricing models, and payout structures. Consider reviewing:
- Apex Trader Funding — known for frequent promotions and a large account tier range
- Earn2Trade — offers an educational component alongside the evaluation
- MyFundedFutures — a newer entrant with competitive pricing on some tiers
- TradeDay — offers a single-step evaluation with specific drawdown mechanics worth comparing
Use our prop firm reviews section to read structured breakdowns of each firm before making a final comparison. Do not rely solely on this page or any single source — cross-reference rules pages, community feedback, and payout documentation across multiple sources.
Decision Checklist Before You Buy
- Confirm the current drawdown type (intraday vs EOD trailing) for both evaluation and funded phases
- Confirm the profit target and maximum drawdown for your chosen account size
- Confirm whether a consistency rule applies and what the threshold is
- Confirm overnight holding and news trading rules
- Confirm the platform you need is currently supported
- Confirm the current evaluation fee and any active discount
- Confirm the reset fee and reset policy
- Confirm the payout policy: minimum days, minimum balance, profit split, and processing time
- Confirm the scaling plan structure if you plan to grow your account size
- Confirm the firm’s current operational status and any recent rule changes via their official channels
Peter Fryers
Peter writes PropCatalog's firm reviews, pricing analysis, and cross-market comparison content.
FAQs
Is Take Profit Trader or Topstep better for beginners?
Neither firm is specifically designed for beginners, and both require traders to demonstrate consistent profitability under defined rules. If cost is a primary concern at the start, Take Profit Trader’s promotional pricing may lower the barrier to entry. If you want structured educational support alongside the evaluation, Topstep has historically offered more in that area. Verify what each firm currently provides before making cost or education a deciding factor.
Do both firms offer funded futures accounts?
Yes. Both Take Profit Trader and Topstep operate evaluation-to-funded models for futures traders. Passing the evaluation under each firm’s rules results in a funded account where you trade with the firm’s capital and receive a share of profits. The specific terms of the funded account — profit split, drawdown rules, scaling — differ between firms and should be verified on each firm’s funded account documentation.
Can I use discount codes for either firm?
Take Profit Trader is known for running frequent discount promotions. Topstep also runs periodic promotions. However, discount codes change and expire. Do not use a code found in a review or social media post without verifying it is currently active on the firm’s checkout page. Expired codes will not apply at checkout and there is no guarantee any specific code is valid at the time you read this page.
What happens if I fail the evaluation at either firm?
Both firms offer a reset or restart option for a fee. The cost and conditions of a reset vary — some resets restore your account to starting conditions, while others have restrictions. Verify the current reset policy and fee for each firm before purchasing, especially if you expect to need multiple attempts. Factor reset costs into your total cost comparison, not just the initial evaluation fee.
Are the profit splits the same at both firms?
Profit splits vary between firms and can also vary based on account tier or scaling level. Do not assume the split is identical. Verify the current profit split for funded accounts at each firm on their official terms or funded account documentation page. A higher profit split at one firm may be offset by stricter rules or higher evaluation fees, so evaluate the full picture.
Can I trade the same futures contracts at both firms?
Both firms primarily support CME-listed futures products, so the core contract universe is similar. However, specific contracts, micro contracts, and any restrictions on certain products should be verified on each firm’s rules or product page. If you trade a specific niche contract — such as a specific agricultural or energy product — confirm it is available and unrestricted before purchasing an evaluation.