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City Traders Imperium vs Topstep
The Ultimate Head-to-Head Showdown
At a Glance
4.5 / 5.0
Trader Satisfaction
4.5 / 5.0
100%
Profit Split
90%
$2.0M
Max Allocation
$0.1M
$109
Challenge Fee (Starting)
$49
Key Differences
1
Entry Cost: Topstep starts at $49 — 55% cheaper than City Traders Imperium's $39.
2
Profit Split: City Traders Imperium offers up to Up to 100%%, keeping more money in your pocket compared to Topstep's 90%%.
3
Drawdown Mechanics: City Traders Imperium uses static equity-based (10%) while Topstep uses balance-based (static) (3%). Static/balance-based drawdowns are generally considered safer.
4
Evaluation Path: City Traders Imperium uses a 1-Step, 2-Step, Instant evaluation model, while Topstep offers a 2-Step path. Fewer steps generally means faster access to funded capital.
5
Daily Loss Limit: City Traders Imperium allows a 5% daily loss vs Topstep's 2% — more room for volatile trading sessions.
6
Trading Platforms: City Traders Imperium uniquely offers Match-Trader, MT5, DXtrade, cTrader. Topstep uniquely offers TopstepX, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower.
7
Maximum Capital: City Traders Imperium scales up to $2,000,000, 13x more than Topstep's $150,000.
Deep Dive: Rules & Policies
News Trading: City Traders Imperium: Allowed.. Topstep: Allowed without restrictions.. Both firms have nuanced news trading policies — always check the specific rules for your account type before placing trades around major announcements.
Weekend & Overnight Holding: Swing traders take note — City Traders Imperium allows weekend holding, meaning you can carry positions through Friday close into Monday open. Topstep requires positions to be closed before the weekend. This is a dealbreaker for multi-day position traders and macro-driven strategies.
Algorithmic Trading (EAs): Both firms permit EAs with conditions. City Traders Imperium: Allowed (if owned). No 3rd party.. Topstep: Allowed (API access, no manipulative tools).. Always verify that your specific EA complies with the firm's terms of service.
Commission Structure: City Traders Imperium charges FX/Metals: $5/lot. Indices: $0.50/lot.. Topstep charges See: intercom.help/topstep-llc/.../commissions. Lower commissions compound into significant savings over hundreds of trades — especially for high-frequency scalpers.
Consistency Rule: Both firms enforce consistency rules but with different thresholds. City Traders Imperium: None (Evaluation). Score used for scaling.. Topstep: 50% (Combine only).. Understand these limits before you trade — exceeding them can invalidate your evaluation.
Tradable Instruments: City Traders Imperium uniquely offers CFD, Forex, Metals, Indices, Energy, Crypto, Commodities trading. Topstep uniquely offers Futures trading. If you trade specific asset classes, make sure your firm supports them before purchasing.
Payout Processing: City Traders Imperium processes payouts in 24–48 hours via Bank Transfer or Crypto, while Topstep takes 1–3 business days via Wise, ACH, or Wire Transfer. Faster payouts mean quicker access to your hard-earned profits — an important factor for full-time traders who depend on this income.
Scaling Potential: City Traders Imperium scales up to $2,000,000 (up to $4,000,000 total) (requiring 10% net profit over 4 months with at least 2 payouts profit per tier), while Topstep caps at $150,000 per account (up to $750,000 across 5 accounts) (requiring Dynamic daily scaling plan tied to your Express Funded Account end-of-day (EOD) balance per tier). If your long-term goal is managing large capital, the firm with the higher ceiling offers more growth runway.
Inactivity Policy: City Traders Imperium: 30 days.. Topstep: 30 days (Express Funded).. Be mindful of these policies — an inactive account can be terminated, and you would forfeit your challenge fee and any unrealized progress.
Active Discount Codes: City Traders Imperium: Use code "CIRCLE / CIRCLE10" for 15% / 10% off. Topstep: Use code "" for a discount. These codes can significantly reduce your upfront investment — always check for active promotions before purchasing.
Who Should Choose Which?
Budget-Conscious Traders
→ Topstep
Starting at just $49, Topstep offers the lowest barrier to entry — ideal if you want to test the waters without risking a large upfront fee.
Visit TopstepSwing & Position Traders
→ City Traders Imperium
City Traders Imperium allows weekend holding and has a static equity-based drawdown — both essential for multi-day strategies that need room to breathe.
Visit City Traders ImperiumSafety-First Traders
→ Topstep
With a 4.5/5 TrustPilot rating and 3,892 verified reviews, Topstep offers the strongest track record and payout reliability.
Visit TopstepHigh-Frequency Scalpers
→ City Traders Imperium
City Traders Imperium offers zero-commission trading on select instruments, saving scalpers significant costs over hundreds of daily trades.
Visit City Traders ImperiumProfit Maximizers
→ City Traders Imperium
City Traders Imperium's Up to 100%% profit split means you keep more of every dollar you earn — the difference compounds significantly over time.
Visit City Traders ImperiumCapital Scaling Traders
→ City Traders Imperium
City Traders Imperium scales up to $2,000,000 — giving you the highest possible ceiling for growing your funded capital over time.
Visit City Traders ImperiumThe Final Verdict
Our expert conclusion based on the data
When choosing between City Traders Imperium and Topstep in 2026, the decision comes down to what matters most to you as a trader. Topstep holds a TrustPilot rating of 4.5/5 across 3,892 reviews, while City Traders Imperium sits at 4.5/5 with 1,847 reviews. Both firms are legitimate and pay traders, but they serve fundamentally different trader profiles.
On pricing, Topstep offers a significantly lower barrier to entry at $49 compared to City Traders Imperium's $39 — that's roughly 55% cheaper. However, cheaper doesn't always mean better value. You need to weigh this against the profit split, drawdown rules, and payout reliability.
A critical difference lies in their drawdown mechanics. City Traders Imperium uses a static equity-based drawdown at 10%, while Topstep uses a balance-based (static) drawdown at 3%. City Traders Imperium's static drawdown means your loss limit is locked to your initial balance and never trails upward — this is mathematically safer and easier to manage, especially for swing traders who hold positions overnight.
Our Recommendation: If your priority is trust and track record, go with Topstep. If your priority is affordability, Topstep is the better entry point. For maximum earnings per trade, City Traders Imperium wins with a Up to 100%% profit split.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City Traders Imperium better than Topstep in 2026?+
It depends on your priorities. Topstep has a stronger reputation with a 4.5/5 TrustPilot score. However, Topstep is more affordable at $49. For most traders, Topstep is the safer choice, but Topstep offers better value for those on a tight budget.
Which is cheaper, City Traders Imperium or Topstep?+
Topstep is the more affordable option, with challenges starting at $49 compared to City Traders Imperium's $39.
What is the profit split at City Traders Imperium vs Topstep?+
City Traders Imperium offers up to Up to 100%% profit split, while Topstep offers up to 90%%. City Traders Imperium lets you keep more of your earnings.
What type of drawdown do City Traders Imperium and Topstep use?+
City Traders Imperium uses a static equity-based drawdown (10%), while Topstep uses a balance-based (static) drawdown (3%). Static and balance-based drawdowns are generally considered easier to manage than trailing drawdowns because they don't chase your equity high watermark.
How many evaluation steps does City Traders Imperium require vs Topstep?+
City Traders Imperium uses a 1-Step, 2-Step, Instant evaluation model, while Topstep uses a 2-Step model. Fewer steps generally means faster access to live funded capital.
Can I use Expert Advisors (EAs) with City Traders Imperium and Topstep?+
City Traders Imperium: Allowed (if owned). No 3rd party.. Topstep: Allowed (API access, no manipulative tools).. Always verify your specific EA is compliant before purchasing a challenge.
What trading platforms do City Traders Imperium and Topstep support?+
City Traders Imperium supports Match-Trader, MT5, DXtrade, cTrader. Topstep supports TopstepX, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower. Both offer professional-grade execution suitable for serious traders.
Which firm has better payout speeds, City Traders Imperium or Topstep?+
Both firms process payouts reliably. City Traders Imperium pays via Bank Transfer, Crypto. Topstep pays via ACH, Bank Transfer, Wise. Check each firm's payout schedule for the most up-to-date processing times.