P
Loading
FTMO Futures vs Topstep
The Ultimate Head-to-Head Showdown
⚡ Quick Comparison Verdict
When choosing between FTMO Futures and Topstep in 2026, the decision comes down to what matters most to you as a trader. FTMO Futures holds a TrustPilot rating of 4.8/5 across 51,151 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.
FUTURES
FTMO Futures
4.8
- Соотношение 1:1 (Pro 50K)
- EOD Trailing Drawdown
- Без дневного лимита (Growth)
Topstep
4.5
- Трейлинг-просадка EOD фиксируется на начальном балансе (линия прибыли $0)
- Сплит прибыли 90/10 с первого дня (минимальный вывод $125)
- Два пути выплат: Стандартный (5 дней по $150+) или Согласованный (3 дня <=40%)
FUTURES
At a Glance
4.8 / 5.0
Trader Satisfaction
4.5 / 5.0
90%
Profit Split
9010%
$0.1M
Max Allocation
$0.1M
$83
Challenge Fee (Starting)
$49
Earnings Calculator
Monthly return (%)8%
FUTURES
Estimated Monthly Earnings
$3,600
Based on 50K account • 90% payout
Estimated Monthly Earnings
$3,600
Based on 50K account • 90/10 payout
Head-to-head Breakdown
FUTURES
FTMO Futures
Topstep
Challenge Fee
$139
$95Best
Account Size
50,000
50,000
Profit Split
90%
90/10Best
Profit Target
6%
6%
Daily Loss
2%
None
Max Loss
6%Best
4%
Drawdown Type
EOD
EOD
Payout Frequency
Every 5 days (Cap: $5000)
Standard (5 days $150+) / Consistency (3 days <=40%)
Fine-Print Verification Matrix
Hidden Rules & Contract Clauses
Comparing unadvertised contract terms, trailing mechanics, news buffers, and payout hurdles extracted from official Terms of Service.
Fine-Print Term
Core Trading Clauses
FUTURES
FTMO Futures
9 Verified Rules
Topstep
12 Verified Rules
News Trading Policy & Execution Buffers
Buffer windows before and after red-folder economic events, straddle restrictions, and execution slippage policies.
FUTURES
Allowed on all CME futures products.
Allowed without restrictions.
Weekend & Overnight Holding
Whether swing positions may be held across Friday market close, or if automated liquidations apply.
FUTURES
Prohibited. Flat by 4:10 PM ET daily.
Prohibited. Close by 3:10 PM CT.
Drawdown Trailing & Loss Mechanics
Static balance-based vs End-of-Day (EOD) vs high-risk intraday open-equity trailing traps.
FUTURES
EOD Trailing ($2,000 for 50k, $3,000 for 100k, $4,500 for 150k) locking at initial capital.
EOD trailing. MLL resets to $0 after payout.
Inactivity Rules & Account Expiry
Maximum allowable dormancy duration before account breach or administrative archiving.
FUTURES
Must complete at least 1 trade every 30 days.
30 days (Express Funded).
Consistency Clauses & Profit Caps
Single-day profit caps (e.g. 30%-50% rule), lot-size variation brackets, and contract ladders.
FUTURES
40% in Growth Evaluation. None in Pro.
50% (Combine only).
Payout Hurdles & Safety Buffers
Minimum qualifying profitable days, profit floor requirements, and mandatory buffer reserves.
FUTURES
1–2 business days via Bank Wire, Crypto, or Riseworks.
1–3 рабочих дня через Wise, ACH или прямой банковский перевод
Verified Fine-Print Disclosures from Official Documentation
Exact contract stipulations, drawdown formulas, and account closure triggers.
FUTURES
50% Min New Profit Requirement for Payouts
🟠 High RiskTo submit a payout request, at least 50% of the requested amount must represent newly generated profit during the current payout cycle, not carried-over profit from prior cycles. If you carry over $2,000 from a previous cycle and generate $400 in new profit, your maximum allowable withdrawal request is $800 ($400 new + $400 carried-over).
Source: FTMO Futures Payout Terms
Soft Daily Loss (Growth Funded) vs Hard Daily Loss (Pro)
🟠 High RiskOn Growth Sim-Funded accounts, the Daily Loss Limit ($1k/$2k/$3k) is a Soft limit: if hit, open positions are auto-closed and trading is suspended for the day, but the account is NOT terminated and resumes next trading day. On Pro accounts (both Evaluation and Sim-Funded), the Daily Loss Limit ($1k/$1.5k/$2k) is a Hard limit — hitting it immediately and permanently terminates the account.
Source: FTMO Futures Rules
Qualifying Day Minimum Profit Thresholds
🟡 ConditionedTo become eligible for payouts, traders must trade a minimum number of qualifying days within each payout cycle (4 days for Growth, 5 days for Pro). Each qualifying day requires minimum closed profit: Growth requires $150+ (50k), $250+ (100k), or $300+ (150k); Pro requires $200+ (50k), $300+ (100k), or $500+ (150k). Profitable days below these floors do not count toward payout eligibility.
Source: FTMO Futures Payout Terms
50% Consistency Rule
🟠 High RiskYour single best trading day cannot exceed 50% of your total profit target during the Trading Combine. Under the Consistency Payout Path, your best day cannot exceed 40% of net profits.
Source: Topstep Trading Combine Rules
End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing Drawdown & Starting Balance Freeze
🟠 High RiskThe Maximum Loss Limit (MLL) recalculates strictly at 4:00 PM CT based on settled account balance, completely eliminating intraday unrealized profit trailing traps. Once your balance reaches Starting Balance + MLL, the trailing floor permanently freezes at the initial starting balance ($0 profit line) and stops trailing forever.
Source: Topstep Risk Policy 2026
MLL Resets and Locks to $0 Floor After First Payout
🔴 Critical RuleIn the Express Funded Account (XFA), the instant your first payout is processed, your Maximum Loss Limit immediately resets and locks permanently at $0 (initial starting balance). Prior profit cushion above $0 cannot be used to absorb losses below starting capital.
Source: Topstep Payout Policy
Looking for granular policy breakdowns? Explore the official rule dossiers:
Key Differences
1
Trust Score: FTMO Futures leads with a 4.8/5 TrustPilot rating (51,151 reviews) vs Topstep's 4.5/5 (3,892 reviews).
2
Entry Cost: Topstep starts at $95 — 41% cheaper than FTMO Futures's $119.
3
Profit Split: Topstep offers up to 90/10%, keeping more money in your pocket compared to FTMO Futures's 90%%.
4
Drawdown Mechanics: FTMO Futures uses trailing (6%) while Topstep uses EOD (4%). Static/balance-based drawdowns are generally considered safer.
5
Evaluation Path: FTMO Futures uses a 1-Step evaluation model, while Topstep offers a 2-Step path. Fewer steps generally means faster access to funded capital.
6
Daily Loss Limit: FTMO Futures allows a 2% daily loss vs Topstep's 0% — more room for volatile trading sessions.
7
Trading Platforms: FTMO Futures uniquely offers Rithmic. Topstep uniquely offers TopstepX, Quantower.
Deep Dive: Rules & Policies
News Trading: FTMO Futures: Allowed on all CME futures products.. 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.
Algorithmic Trading (EAs): Both firms permit EAs with conditions. FTMO Futures: Allowed (NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic automated strategies).. Topstep: Allowed (API access, no manipulative tools).. Always verify that your specific EA complies with the firm's terms of service.
Consistency Rule: Both firms enforce consistency rules but with different thresholds. FTMO Futures: 40% in Growth Evaluation. None in Pro.. Topstep: 50% (Combine only).. Understand these limits before you trade — exceeding them can invalidate your evaluation.
Tradable Instruments: FTMO Futures uniquely offers Commodities, Indices, Metals, Energy, Gold trading. Topstep uniquely offers trading. If you trade specific asset classes, make sure your firm supports them before purchasing.
Payout Processing: FTMO Futures processes payouts in 1–2 business days via Bank Wire, Crypto, or Riseworks., while Topstep takes 1–3 рабочих дня через Wise, ACH или прямой банковский перевод. Faster payouts mean quicker access to your hard-earned profits — an important factor for full-time traders who depend on this income.
Scaling Potential: FTMO Futures scales up to $450,000 (Max 3 concurrent Sim-Funded accounts) (requiring Accumulate EOD profit above Initial Simulated Capital to advance contract capacity tiers. profit per tier), while Topstep caps at $150,000 на счет (до $750,000 на 5 счетах) (requiring Динамический план масштабирования, привязанный к балансу закрытия дня (EOD) счета Express Funded per tier). If your long-term goal is managing large capital, the firm with the higher ceiling offers more growth runway.
Inactivity Policy: FTMO Futures: Must complete at least 1 trade every 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: FTMO Futures: Use code "CIRCLE30" for 30% 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 $95, Topstep offers the lowest barrier to entry — ideal if you want to test the waters without risking a large upfront fee.
Visit TopstepSafety-First Traders
→ FTMO Futures
With a 4.8/5 TrustPilot rating and 51,151 verified reviews, FTMO Futures offers the strongest track record and payout reliability.
Visit FTMO FuturesProfit Maximizers
→ Topstep
Topstep's 90/10% profit split means you keep more of every dollar you earn — the difference compounds significantly over time.
Visit TopstepThe Final Verdict
Our expert conclusion based on the data
When choosing between FTMO Futures and Topstep in 2026, the decision comes down to what matters most to you as a trader. FTMO Futures holds a TrustPilot rating of 4.8/5 across 51,151 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, Topstep offers a significantly lower barrier to entry at $95 compared to FTMO Futures's $119 — that's roughly 41% 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. FTMO Futures uses a trailing drawdown at 6%, while Topstep uses a EOD drawdown at 4%. Understanding this difference is crucial: trailing drawdowns follow your equity high watermark, while static/balance-based drawdowns give you more breathing room.
Our Recommendation: If your priority is trust and track record, go with FTMO Futures. If your priority is affordability, Topstep is the better entry point. For maximum earnings per trade, Topstep wins with a 90/10% profit split.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FTMO Futures better than Topstep in 2026?+
It depends on your priorities. FTMO Futures has a stronger reputation with a 4.8/5 TrustPilot score. However, Topstep is more affordable at $95. For most traders, FTMO Futures is the safer choice, but Topstep offers better value for those on a tight budget.
Which is cheaper, FTMO Futures or Topstep?+
Topstep is the more affordable option, with challenges starting at $95 compared to FTMO Futures's $119.
What is the profit split at FTMO Futures vs Topstep?+
FTMO Futures offers up to 90%% profit split, while Topstep offers up to 90/10%. Topstep lets you keep more of your earnings.
What type of drawdown do FTMO Futures and Topstep use?+
FTMO Futures uses a trailing drawdown (6%), while Topstep uses a EOD drawdown (4%). 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 FTMO Futures require vs Topstep?+
FTMO Futures uses a 1-Step 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 FTMO Futures and Topstep?+
FTMO Futures: Allowed (NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic automated strategies).. Topstep: Allowed (API access, no manipulative tools).. Always verify your specific EA is compliant before purchasing a challenge.
What trading platforms do FTMO Futures and Topstep support?+
FTMO Futures supports Tradovate, NinjaTrader, Rithmic. Topstep supports TopstepX, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower. Both offer professional-grade execution suitable for serious traders.
Which firm has better payout speeds, FTMO Futures or Topstep?+
Both firms process payouts reliably. FTMO Futures pays via Bank Transfer, Crypto, Riseworks. Topstep pays via ACH, Bank Transfer, Wise. Check each firm's payout schedule for the most up-to-date processing times.
Comprehensive Firm Dossiers
FTMO Futures In-Depth Hub
Complete analysis of scaling milestones, verified payout proofs, and fine-print rules.
Topstep In-Depth Hub
Complete analysis of scaling milestones, verified payout proofs, and fine-print rules.