Topstep Review 2026: The Original Futures Prop Firm — Still Worth It?

Topstep at a Glance

How the Trading Combine Works

Topstep's evaluation is straightforward: pass a single-step Trading Combine by hitting your profit target without breaching the maximum drawdown. Minimum 2 trading days required. No time limit — trade until you pass or decide to stop.

The key mechanic is the EOD trailing drawdown. Your Maximum Loss Limit (MLL) starts below your initial balance (e.g., $48,000 on a 50K account) and trails up based on your end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. This is a significant advantage over firms like Apex that use intraday trailing, where a winning trade that reverses mid-session can breach your drawdown before the day even ends.

Pricing and True Cost

Topstep uses a monthly subscription model. You pay every month until you pass the evaluation. This is the single biggest difference from one-time-fee firms like Lucid Trading.

After passing, you pay a $149 activation fee (Standard Path) to unlock your funded Express Funded Account. A "No Activation Fee Path" exists but comes with a higher monthly subscription rate.

Profit Split and Payouts

Topstep's profit split structure has changed recently. For accounts opened before January 2026, traders keep 100% of the first $10,000 in profits, then 90% after that. For new accounts since January 2026, the split is 90/10 from the start, and the first 4 payouts are limited to 50% of available balance.

Payouts are processed via ACH, wire transfer, and Rise. Processing typically takes 1-3 business days. Payouts can be requested daily after meeting minimum thresholds. For Indian traders, Rise is the recommended method — it provides clean paper trails and avoids compliance flags with direct wire transfers to SBI or HDFC Bank accounts. See our India payment methods guide.

What Topstep Does Well

• 12+ year track record: Founded in 2012 with $378M+ paid to traders. This is the longest operating history of any futures prop firm — it brings real trust.
• EOD trailing drawdown: More forgiving than Apex's intraday trailing. Your MLL only updates at session close.
• No funded consistency rule: Unlike Apex (30% consistency rule), Topstep doesn't restrict how much of your profit comes from a single day.
• Education and coaching: Live streaming market coverage 5 days/week with professional traders. For newer traders in India looking to improve, this alone has real value.
• TopstepX platform: Their proprietary platform includes built-in risk tools, and is free during evaluation. No data fees.
• No daily loss limit (on TopstepX): Since August 2024, new TopstepX accounts have no daily loss limit objective — only the overall MLL applies.

Where Topstep Falls Short

• Monthly subscription model: Costs add up. If you take 4 months to pass a 50K, that's $196 + $149 = $345 — far more than Lucid's $65 one-time fee.
• $149 activation fee: An additional cost that Lucid doesn't charge.
• Payout speed: 1-3 business days is reasonable but doesn't compare to Lucid's 15-minute processing.
• Platform restrictions: NinjaTrader is no longer available for new traders. TopstepX is good, but if your strategy relies on NinjaTrader automation, Topstep isn't compatible.
• Contract limits on 50K: Only 5 contracts. For scalpers trading ES or NQ, this can feel restrictive.
• First 4 payouts capped at 50%: New accounts can only withdraw 50% of available balance for the first 4 payouts. This effectively delays full profit access.

Topstep vs Lucid Trading: Quick Comparison

Is Topstep Good for Indian Traders?

Topstep is a solid but not optimal choice for Indian-based futures traders. The EOD drawdown and lack of funded consistency rules are genuine advantages. The 12-year track record is unmatched in the industry, and if trust matters to you above all else, Topstep deserves serious consideration.

However, the monthly subscription model works against Indian traders for two reasons. First, if you don't pass quickly, costs accumulate — and at $49-149/month, it adds up fast. Second, Indian traders benefit disproportionately from 0% tax, which means every dollar saved on fees is a dollar kept. Lucid's $65 one-time fee preserves that advantage far better than Topstep's recurring charges.

For payouts, Topstep's 1-3 day processing via Rise/Wire is fine — not exceptional, but workable. It avoids the bank-blocking issues that Indian traders face with direct wires. But it doesn't match Lucid's 15-minute WorkMarket payouts, which are essentially instant for Indian traders.