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FundingPips vs Topstep
The Ultimate Head-to-Head Showdown
At a Glance
4.8 / 5.0
Trader Satisfaction
4.5 / 5.0
100%
Profit Split
90%
$0.3M
Max Allocation
$0.1M
$32
Challenge Fee (Starting)
$49
Key Differences
1
Trust Score: FundingPips leads with a 4.8/5 TrustPilot rating (3,120 reviews) vs Topstep's 4.5/5 (3,892 reviews).
2
Entry Cost: FundingPips starts at $29 — 35% cheaper than Topstep's $49.
3
Profit Split: FundingPips offers up to Up to 100%%, keeping more money in your pocket compared to Topstep's 90%%.
4
Drawdown Buffer: FundingPips offers a more generous 10% max drawdown vs Topstep's 3%.
5
Evaluation Path: FundingPips uses a 1-Step, 2-Step, 3-Step, Instant evaluation model, while Topstep offers a 2-Step path. Fewer steps generally means faster access to funded capital.
6
Daily Loss Limit: FundingPips allows a 5% daily loss vs Topstep's 2% — more room for volatile trading sessions.
7
Trading Platforms: FundingPips uniquely offers cTrader, Match-Trader, MT5, TradeLocker. Topstep uniquely offers TopstepX, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower.
8
Maximum Capital: FundingPips scales up to $300,000, 2x more than Topstep's $150,000.
Deep Dive: Rules & Policies
News Trading: Topstep allows news trading freely, while FundingPips restricts it around high-impact events. If you rely on economic calendar volatility (NFP, CPI, FOMC), Topstep gives you more flexibility.
Weekend & Overnight Holding: Swing traders take note — FundingPips 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): Topstep allows EAs, making it the better choice for algo traders. FundingPips has tighter restrictions: Trade managers only. No 3rd party black-box EAs.. Make sure your trading bot complies before purchasing.
Commission Structure: FundingPips charges FX: $5/lot. Crypto: 0.04%. Indices: None.. 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. FundingPips: 35% score for On-Demand. 15% for Zero accounts.. Topstep: 50% (Combine only).. Understand these limits before you trade — exceeding them can invalidate your evaluation.
Tradable Instruments: FundingPips uniquely offers CFD, Forex, Metals, Indices, Energy, Crypto trading. Topstep uniquely offers Futures trading. If you trade specific asset classes, make sure your firm supports them before purchasing.
Payout Processing: FundingPips processes payouts in 24–48 hours via Riseworks, Crypto, Visa Direct, or Mastercard, 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: FundingPips scales up to $300,000 (scales up to $2,000,000 in Hot Seat) (requiring 10%–20% cumulative profit milestones across Hot Seat scaling tiers 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: FundingPips: 1 trade every 30 days mandatory.. 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.
Who Should Choose Which?
Budget-Conscious Traders
→ FundingPips
Starting at just $29, FundingPips offers the lowest barrier to entry — ideal if you want to test the waters without risking a large upfront fee.
Visit FundingPipsSwing & Position Traders
→ FundingPips
FundingPips allows weekend holding and has a balance-based (static) drawdown — both essential for multi-day strategies that need room to breathe.
Visit FundingPipsSafety-First Traders
→ FundingPips
With a 4.8/5 TrustPilot rating and 3,120 verified reviews, FundingPips offers the strongest track record and payout reliability.
Visit FundingPipsProfit Maximizers
→ FundingPips
FundingPips's Up to 100%% profit split means you keep more of every dollar you earn — the difference compounds significantly over time.
Visit FundingPipsAlgorithmic Traders
→ Topstep
Topstep has more permissive EA/bot policies, making it the better fit if you run automated trading systems.
Visit TopstepCapital Scaling Traders
→ FundingPips
FundingPips scales up to $300,000 — giving you the highest possible ceiling for growing your funded capital over time.
Visit FundingPipsThe Final Verdict
Our expert conclusion based on the data
When choosing between FundingPips and Topstep in 2026, the decision comes down to what matters most to you as a trader. FundingPips holds a TrustPilot rating of 4.8/5 across 3,120 reviews, while Topstep sits at 4.5/5 with 3,892 reviews. Both firms are legitimate and pay traders, but they serve fundamentally different trader profiles.
On pricing, FundingPips offers a significantly lower barrier to entry at $29 compared to Topstep's $49 — that's roughly 35% cheaper. However, cheaper doesn't always mean better value. You need to weigh this against the profit split, drawdown rules, and payout reliability.
Both firms use a balance-based (static) drawdown — FundingPips at 10% and Topstep at 3%. FundingPips gives you more buffer to absorb losses before breaching.
Our Recommendation: If your priority is trust and track record, go with FundingPips. If your priority is affordability, FundingPips is the better entry point. For maximum earnings per trade, FundingPips wins with a Up to 100%% profit split.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FundingPips better than Topstep in 2026?+
It depends on your priorities. FundingPips has a stronger reputation with a 4.8/5 TrustPilot score. However, FundingPips is more affordable at $29. For most traders, FundingPips is the safer choice, but FundingPips offers better value for those on a tight budget.
Which is cheaper, FundingPips or Topstep?+
FundingPips is the more affordable option, with challenges starting at $29 compared to Topstep's $49.
What is the profit split at FundingPips vs Topstep?+
FundingPips offers up to Up to 100%% profit split, while Topstep offers up to 90%%. FundingPips lets you keep more of your earnings.
How many evaluation steps does FundingPips require vs Topstep?+
FundingPips uses a 1-Step, 2-Step, 3-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 FundingPips and Topstep?+
FundingPips: Trade managers only. No 3rd party black-box EAs.. Topstep: Allowed (API access, no manipulative tools).. Always verify your specific EA is compliant before purchasing a challenge.
What trading platforms do FundingPips and Topstep support?+
FundingPips supports cTrader, Match-Trader, MT5, TradeLocker. Topstep supports TopstepX, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower. Both offer professional-grade execution suitable for serious traders.
Which firm has better payout speeds, FundingPips or Topstep?+
Both firms process payouts reliably. FundingPips pays via Bank Transfer, Crypto, Mastercard, Riseworks, Visa Direct. Topstep pays via ACH, Bank Transfer, Wise. Check each firm's payout schedule for the most up-to-date processing times.