FTMO vs Topstep: Pros, Cons & The Best Choice for You

FTMO vs Topstep—which prop firm is better for you in 2026? Choosing the wrong one could mean wasted money, frustrating rules, and missed profits. With so many differences in funding, profit splits, and risk management, it’s easy to feel stuck. But don’t worry—this guide makes comparing both firms easy and finding the perfect fit for you.

FTMO vs Topstep: Quick Overview

Founded	2015 (Czech Republic)	2012 (United States)
Market Focus	Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto	Futures Only
Evaluation Model	Two-phase challenge (fixed fee)	Two-step evaluation (subscription-based)
Profit Split	80% – 90%	90%
Max Account Size	Up to $400,000 (scalable)	Up to $150,000 (scalable)
Trading Platforms	MT4, MT5, cTrader	Tradovate
Drawdown Type	Fixed drawdown	Trailing drawdown
News Trading	Allowed (with conditions)	Restricted
Weekend Holding	Allowed (with restrictions)	Not allowed
Payout Frequency	Bi-weekly	Weekly
Refundable Fees?	Visit FTMO →	Visit Topstep →

FTMO vs Top step: Company Background

FTMO and Topstep are two of the biggest names in the prop trading space, but they cater to different types of traders. FTMO, founded in 2015 and based in the Czech Republic, is well-known for its structured evaluation process, generous profit splits, and trader-friendly scaling plans. It focuses mainly on Forex, indices, commodities, stocks, and crypto, making it a top choice for traders who want access to a wide range of assets.

If you’re interested in learning more about FTMO’s offerings, evaluation process, and overall benefits, be sure to check out our full review of FTMO.

On the other hand, Topstep, founded in 2012 and based in the United States., has built a strong reputation in the futures trading world. It was one of the first firms to introduce the funded account model, and its main focus is providing traders with capital to trade futures contracts on major exchanges. Unlike FTMO, which operates globally with a fixed-fee challenge model, Topstep offers a subscription-based model, making it a unique option for traders who prefer ongoing access to evaluations rather than a one-time fee. If you’re curious about whether Topstep is the right fit for your trading style, take a look at our review of Topstep.

While both firms provide traders with capital in exchange for proving their skills, their approach to getting funded is quite different. This brings us to the next crucial aspect: how traders qualify for a funded account.

Evaluation Process & Challenge Structure

Both prop firms utilize a two-step verification framework to test a trader’s discipline, risk management, and long-term viability before granting funded status.

📊 Evaluation Phase Breakdown

🇨🇿 FTMO: Clear, Milestone-Driven Structure

FTMO’s evaluation is a straightforward sprint that rewards hitting specific milestones within clear risk boundaries:

• Step 1 (The Challenge): Traders must hit a 10% profit target while strictly respecting the daily and overall overall drawdown limits.
• Step 2 (The Verification): Once Phase 1 is cleared, the pressure drops. The profit target cuts in half to 5%, and there is no time pressure enforced on completing your positions.
• Fee Reimbursement: A major structural advantage. Your initial registration fee is completely refunded to you alongside your very first successful profit withdrawal.

🇺🇸 Topstep: Flexible Timeline With Dynamic Risk

Topstep removes the calendar pressure entirely but introduces dynamic risk trailing and a recurring cost structure:

• Step 1 (The Objective): Traders must reach their specific profit targets while adapting to a trailing drawdown that continually moves up alongside account gains.
• Step 2 (The Consistency Phase): Traders must prove their performance wasn’t a fluke by trading consistently without violating any active risk parameters.
• No Calendar Pressure: There is no fixed number of days forcing your hand, making it ideal for patient traders who refuse to rush setups.
• Subscription Friction: Because it uses a subscription model, you must pay a recurring monthly fee to keep your evaluation account active until you pass.

💡 The Verdict: Which Challenge Fits Your Style?

• Choose FTMO if you want a clean, one-time fee structure with the ability to get your money back, and you prefer clear, static drawdown rules.
• Choose Topstep if you trade futures, prefer a slow and steady approach without a calendar deadline, and are comfortable managing a trailing drawdown.

FTMO vs Topstep: Funding & Payouts

Once you pass the evaluation, both platforms provide a funded account. However, they handle capital allocation, payout cycles, and scaling thresholds through completely different structural models.

📊 Funding & Payout Comparison

🇨🇿 FTMO: Capital Scaling & Rapid Liquidity

FTMO focuses on providing higher upfront capital caps paired with highly flexible withdrawal options:

• Immediate Access: Grants immediate access to your funded account parameters directly after clearing the standard evaluation stages.
• Aggressive Scaling Plan: Consistent traders can increase their account capital by 25% every four months, stretching up to a $2,000,000 ceiling.
• Flexible Payouts: Processed on a bi-weekly schedule, with options to request withdrawals even sooner, ranking it among the most liquid models available.

🇺🇸 Topstep: Higher Splits & Risk Constraints

Topstep counters by offering a larger payout percentage but enforces tighter risk controls and an extra verification buffer:

• Premium Profit Split: Delivers a 90/10 profit split in favor of the trader, which beats FTMO’s default base percentage.
• The Live Simulation Buffer: Funded status does not equal instant live markets; traders must first prove consistent execution inside a dedicated live simulation before receiving actual real capital.
• Trailing Drawdown Risk: Enforces a rigid trailing drawdown rule, requiring defensive risk management to prevent sudden account disqualification.
• Payout Terms: Processed on a weekly schedule, though traders must hit specific minimum withdrawal thresholds before payouts trigger.

💡 The Decision: Which Funding Model Fits Your Goals?

• Choose FTMO if you want larger starting account sizes, rapid access to your payouts, static drawdown calculations, and an automated long-term account scaling plan.
• Choose Topstep if your primary goal is maximizing your take-home percentage via a 90% profit split, and you are comfortable navigating a trailing drawdown and a secondary simulation phase.

Trading Instruments & Platforms

FTMO offers a diverse range of trading instruments, including Forex, indices, commodities, stocks, and cryptocurrencies, making it a strong choice for traders who want variety. Traders can execute trades on MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and DXtrade, which are widely used platforms known for advanced charting and automation features.

Topstep, however, specializes exclusively in futures trading, offering access to major contracts like the S&P 500 (ES), Nasdaq (NQ), crude oil (CL), and gold (GC). It provides traders with Tradovate, a professional-grade futures trading platform with direct market access, fast execution, and advanced order management tools.

The key difference between FTMO vs Topstep is clear here. FTMO is ideal for traders who want flexibility across multiple asset classes. On the other hand, Topstep is the go-to choice for futures traders who need deep liquidity and professional execution.

Topstep vs FTMO: Trading Rules & Restrictions

Both FTMO and Topstep have strict risk management rules, but they apply them differently. FTMO enforces a maximum daily drawdown (usually 5%) and a total maximum loss (typically 10%) to ensure traders stay disciplined. Holding trades over the weekend is not allowed on standard accounts, though FTMO offers an “FTMO Swing” account for traders who want more flexibility. News trading is permitted, meaning traders can open and close positions around high-impact news events without restrictions.

Topstep, being a futures-focused firm, has slightly different rules. It uses a trailing drawdown, which means the account’s max loss limit moves up as traders make profits, making risk management more challenging. Unlike FTMO’s fixed drawdown, the trailing stop forces traders to be extra cautious with profits. Holding trades overnight and over the weekend is allowed only after passing the evaluation and getting funded, which gives Topstep traders more flexibility post-evaluation. However, news trading is restricted, so traders cannot execute trades during major economic events.

In short, FTMO offers fixed and predictable risk limits, while Topstep uses a dynamic trailing drawdown that can be tricky for some traders. FTMO also gives more freedom with news trading, whereas Topstep provides more flexibility for holding positions long-term—but only after funding. The choice comes down to a trader’s preferred risk structure.

Topstep vs FTMO: Costs & Fees

FTMO and Topstep take different approaches when it comes to pricing. FTMO requires a one-time fee for each challenge, which varies based on the account size. For example, a $100,000 FTMO Challenge costs around $540, but this fee is fully refunded once the trader passes and gets funded. There are no recurring costs—once a trader completes the evaluation, they don’t have to pay anything else.

Topstep, however, operates on a subscription model. Traders pay a monthly fee (starting at around $49 for a $50,000 account) to stay in the evaluation phase.

If they take longer to pass, the costs can add up. However, unlike FTMO, Topstep does not require a new fee to restart if a trader fails—the subscription keeps them in the game. This makes it more suitable for traders who prefer unlimited attempts without repaying a full challenge fee each time.

Ultimately, FTMO is the better choice for traders who want a one-time cost with a refund, while Topstep suits those who prefer a pay-as-you-go model with unlimited chances. If you’re confident in your skills and want a clear upfront cost, FTMO is ideal. But if you prefer flexibility without worrying about repaying full fees after failing, Topstep might be the better fit.

Customer Support

Having access to responsive help can make a major difference when navigating the high-stakes evaluation rules of a prop firm. While both platforms deliver reliable assistance, their support structures cater to entirely different trader preferences.

📊 Support Channels & Features

🇨🇿 FTMO: Direct, Efficient & Global Support

FTMO structures its support network like an institutional brokerage, focusing heavily on rapid, direct problem-solving:

• Omnichannel Contact: Offers reliable communication through live chat, email, and direct phone support.
• Global Accessibility: Provides comprehensive multilingual support, ensuring international traders can get assistance in their native languages.
• Operational Reputation: Widely recognized for quick response times and clear, direct answers to resolve account or technical disputes efficiently.
• The Methodology: Best for self-guided, independent traders who want fast corporate troubleshooting without extra social features.

🇺🇸 Topstep: Interactive, Community-Driven Guidance

Topstep builds an immersive ecosystem around its users, prioritizing education, networking, and group learning:

• Personalized Mentorship: Goes beyond standard troubleshooting by offering structured coaching calls for traders seeking extra strategic guidance.
• Immersive Network: Features a massive online community powered by highly active Discord groups, social media spaces, and interactive discussion boards.
• Live Webinars: Hosts regular live broadcasts and digital workshops to help users break down market setups and refine their execution.
• The Methodology: Best for collaborative traders who thrive in an interactive learning environment and want to engage with peers and mentors.

💡 The Verdict: Which Network Fits Your Needs?

• Choose FTMO if you value quick, direct corporate assistance, want the option to speak to someone over the phone, or require support in a language other than English.
• Choose Topstep if you want to be part of a highly active peer network, value interactive webinars, and want access to personal trading coaches.

Additional Features & Benefits

Beyond funding accounts, both FTMO and Topstep offer extra tools to help traders succeed. FTMO provides a free trial, so traders can test their strategies before committing to the challenge. They also offer trading psychology resources, performance analytics, and risk management tools that help traders refine their skills. Their educational content is solid, but it’s mostly self-paced, meaning traders have to take the initiative to learn on their own.

Topstep, however, stands out with its one-on-one coaching sessions and structured educational programs. They frequently host live webinars and workshops, offering direct mentorship that can be incredibly valuable for traders looking to sharpen their skills. Additionally, Topstep’s simulated trading environment allows traders to practice risk-free before taking on real capital.

If you’re looking for advanced analytics and risk management tools, FTMO is the better choice. But if you prefer hands-on coaching and a more structured learning experience, Topstep offers more in terms of mentorship and education.

Topstep vs FTMO: Pros & Cons

Both FTMO and Topstep offer great opportunities for traders, but each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

FTMO Pros:

✔ Higher profit splits (80%-90%)
✔ One-time evaluation fee (refunded upon passing)
✔ Wide range of tradable assets (Forex, indices, commodities, stocks, crypto)
✔ Advanced risk management tools and analytics
✔ No trailing drawdown once funded

FTMO Cons:

✖ Strict evaluation with time limits
✖ No futures trading available
✖ Less interactive trader community

Topstep Pros:

✔ Strong futures trading focus
✔ No time limit on evaluations
✔ Active trader community and coaching support
✔ Subscription model allows reattempts without paying a large upfront fee
✔ 90% profit split once funded

Topstep Cons:

✖ Only supports futures trading (no Forex, stocks, or crypto)
✖ Trailing drawdown remains in place even after funding
✖ Monthly subscription costs can add up if evaluations take longer

FTMO vs. Topstep: Which Firm Should You Choose?

The right choice depends entirely on your trading style and goals. If you trade Forex, indices, stocks, or crypto, then FTMO is the clear winner because Topstep only funds futures traders. If you prefer trading futures, then Topstep is the better option since it’s specifically built for that market.

Beyond asset selection, your approach to evaluation also matters. FTMO suits traders who want a fixed-fee, structured challenge with clear targets and rules. You either pass or fail, and if you succeed, your evaluation fee gets refunded. Topstep, however, is ideal for traders who prefer a flexible, subscription-based model with no time pressure.

Risk tolerance is another key factor. If you don’t want to deal with a trailing drawdown, which can limit profitability even after funding, FTMO is the better choice. But if you value coaching, a strong community, and futures-focused mentorship, Topstep has more to offer.

Conclusion

Choosing between FTMO and Topstep isn’t about which firm is “better”—it’s about which one aligns with your trading needs. A Forex or crypto trader won’t find much value in Topstep, just as a futures trader won’t benefit from FTMO. Likewise, a trader who thrives under a clear, one-time challenge might struggle with a subscription model, while another who prefers a flexible timeline might find FTMO too rigid.

So before making your decision, think about what you trade, how you trade, and what kind of funding structure works best for you. A great trader can succeed with either firm—what matters most is choosing the one that gives you the best chance to reach your full potential.

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FAQs

1. Is FTMO better than Topstep?

It depends on what you trade and how you prefer to get funded. FTMO is better for Forex, indices, stocks, and crypto traders who want a one-time challenge fee and higher profit splits. Topstep is better for futures traders who prefer a subscription-based evaluation with no time limits.

2. Which firm has the better profit split?

Both offer high profit splits, but Topstep offers 90% from the start, while FTMO starts at 80% and can scale up to 90%. However, FTMO has no trailing drawdown, making it easier to retain profits.

3. Does Topstep refund the evaluation fee like FTMO?

No, Topstep does not refund the evaluation fee, since it operates on a subscription model. FTMO refunds the challenge fee once you pass the evaluation and get funded.

4. Which firm has stricter trading rules?

FTMO has fixed time limits and strict profit targets, but once funded, rules are relaxed. Topstep has no time limits but enforces a trailing drawdown even after funding, making risk management more challenging.

5. Can I hold trades over the weekend with FTMO or Topstep?

FTMO allows swing trading and weekend holding on certain accounts. Topstep does not allow overnight or weekend holding unless a trader qualifies for specific account upgrades.

6. Which firm is better for beginners?

Topstep is better for beginners because it offers coaching, community support, and a flexible evaluation timeline. FTMO suits experienced traders who can meet strict targets within a set timeframe.