FTMO vs TopStep
Head-to-head prop firm comparison covering challenge fees, profit targets, profit splits, trading rules, and platform support to help you pick the right funded account in 2026.
Quick Verdict
FTMO scores higher overall at 9.2/10 vs 8.3/10.
Score Comparison
Challenge Comparison
Comparing the $100K challenge (or largest available) from each firm.
| Detail | FTMO | TopStep |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge Name | FTMO Challenge | Trading Combine |
| Account Size | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Price | $540 | $99 |
| Profit Target | 10% (Step 1), 5% (Step 2) | $6,000 |
| Max Loss | 10% | $3,000 |
| Max Daily Loss | 5% | $1,500 |
| Profit Split | 80% (up to 90%) | 90% |
| Duration | 30 days (Step 1), 60 days (Step 2) | Unlimited |
Platform Comparison
FTMO Platforms
- MetaTrader 4
- MetaTrader 5
- cTrader
- DXtrade
TopStep Platforms
- TopStepX
- TradingView
- NinjaTrader
Trading Rules Comparison
FTMO Rules
- 1Must trade at least 4 days in each evaluation phase
- 2Maximum daily loss of 5% of initial balance
- 3Maximum overall loss of 10% of initial balance
- 4Profit target: 10% in Step 1, 5% in Step 2
- 5No news trading within 2 minutes of major releases
- 6Positions cannot be held over weekends (optional)
Bi-weekly (every 14 days)
Payout Methods:Bank Transfer, Skrill, Crypto
TopStep Rules
- 1Must follow the Trading Combine rules
- 2Maximum daily loss limit must be respected
- 3Trailing drawdown on funded accounts
- 4Minimum 5 trading days
- 5No holding positions during major news (optional)
Weekly (after initial waiting period)
Payout Methods:Bank Transfer, ACH
Overall Verdict
FTMO takes the overall win with a score of 9.2 vs 8.3, winning 5 out of 8 individual categories compared to TopStep's 3.
In terms of costs, though TopStep edges ahead on pricing. On the payout front, FTMO and offers better payout conditions.
Choose FTMO if you prioritise its strengths in the categories where it leads. Choose TopStep if you value the specific areas where it scores higher, such as pricing, education, and more.
CFD Risk Warning
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
This website is for informational purposes only. The content does not constitute investment advice. Trading leveraged products carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. EU retail leverage limits apply (ESMA): up to 30:1 on major FX pairs, 20:1 on minor FX, 20:1 on major indices, 10:1 on commodities, 5:1 on equities, 2:1 on crypto.