Head-to-head · Independent comparison
Take Profit Trader vs Topstep
How Take Profit Trader and Topstep stack up on profit split, pricing, payouts and the rules that bind a funded account — advertised claims separated from what we could verify.
Fast, flexible payouts and a clean one-step model, weighed against a lower PRO split and a simulated funded stage before PRO+.
Mature, well-documented program with strong payout terms; minor friction from consistency rules and monthly subscription cost.
On our five-dimension scorecard, Topstep rates marginally higher overall — but the dimension-by-dimension breakdown below matters more than the average.
Advertised maximums
The numbers, head-to-head
Headline figures from the structured plan data for each firm. “Up to” splits and max funding are ceilings reached via tiers or scaling — not the figure every trader gets.
Entry price — lowest advertised ($)
Lower is betterMax funding — headline ($)
Higher is betterOur editorial scorecard (0–5)
Who wins each dimension
| Dimension | Take Profit Trader | Topstep | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing & value | 4.0 | 4.0 | Tie |
| Profit split | 3.0 | 4.0 | Topstep |
| Payout speed | 5.0 | 4.0 | Take Profit Trader |
| Rules flexibility | 4.0 | 4.0 | Tie |
| Transparency | 4.0 | 5.0 | Topstep |
Scores are The Prop Examiner’s editorial assessment, not user reviews. See our methodology.
Advertised vs verified
At a glance
Take Profit Trader
Topstep
What actually binds you
Key trading rules compared
Take Profit Trader
| Phase / model | Rule | Published value |
|---|---|---|
| Test | Profit target | $50K Test = $3,000 (other sizes scale) |
| Test / PRO+ | Drawdown | EOD Trailing ($50K = $2,000); PRO uses Intraday drawdown |
| All | Daily loss limit | None per the comparison table |
| All | Contract limits | $50K = 6 contracts / 60 micros (no Test vs PRO difference) |
| Test → PRO | Minimum trading days | ~5 to reach PRO; 0 until first withdrawal in PRO |
| Test | Consistency | Applies to Test only; 'None' in PRO and PRO+ |
| PRO / PRO+ | Prohibited styles | No bots, no counter positions; news rule applies (none in Test) |
Topstep
| Phase / model | Rule | Published value |
|---|---|---|
| Combine | Profit target | Set per account size (exact dollar figures not surfaced)verify |
| Combine | Max loss | Maximum Loss Limit (MLL) — trailing drawdown; optional Daily Loss Limit |
| Combine | Contract limits | $50K = 5 (50 micros); $100K = 10 (100); $150K = 15 (150) |
| Funded | Winning-days requirement | Express Funded needs 5 winning days of $150+; Consistency Path 3 days |
| Combine | Consistency | Best single day < 50% of Profit Target (40% on payout path) |
| All | Prohibited styles | Prohibited-practice rules published; specifics not detailed on pages reviewedverify |
Rules vary by product. For a plan-by-plan comparison, use the account comparison tool.
Balanced view
Pros & cons
Take Profit Trader
Strengths
- Day-one withdrawals in the PRO account with no payout windows and no maximum withdrawal amount.
- One-step evaluation (Test) and a one-time $130 PRO fee rather than continued recurring billing.
- No scaling plan and identical contract limits between Test and PRO.
- Clear upgrade path to PRO+ live-market accounts with a higher 90/10 split and no buffer requirement.
Cons & open risks
- PRO accounts are simulated (SIM); the funded stage is not live until PRO+.
- PRO split is 80/20, lower than some competitors' funded splits until you upgrade.
- A buffer requirement applies in PRO (removed only in PRO+), and a news rule restricts event trading.
- The firm's own disclosure notes only 36.22% of Trading Tests were passed in 2025; exact minimum withdrawal not stated.
Topstep
Strengths
- Long-established firm (since ~2012) with a detailed, publicly documented ruleset and help center.
- 90% split with a relatively low $125 minimum payout and multiple withdrawal methods.
- Clear, published contract limits and consistency targets reduce ambiguity about what passes.
- 'No Activation Fee' path lets traders avoid a separate activation cost after passing.
Cons & open risks
- Exact profit-target and trailing-drawdown dollar amounts per size were not surfaced on the parameters page.
- Consistency rules (50% in the Combine, 40% on payout) can slow withdrawals after one large day.
- It is a monthly subscription during the Combine, so costs accrue until you pass.
- Payouts process only during CME market hours; some methods carry $30 fees or multi-day delays.
Our take
Which should you choose?
Topstep rates marginally higher on our scorecard, but "better" depends on what you trade and the rules you can live within. Read each verdict, then verify the figures for your exact product before buying.
Take Profit Trader offers a streamlined one-step path to funding with genuine day-one withdrawals and no payout windows, which is a real differentiator. The trade-offs are an 80/20 PRO split, a buffer and news rule, and a simulated PRO stage until you upgrade to live PRO+ accounts. The Prop Examiner has no affiliate relationship with Take Profit Trader at this time.
Topstep is one of the most established futures evaluation firms, with a transparent help center and a 90% split backed by a low minimum payout. The trailing Maximum Loss Limit and consistency targets demand disciplined trading, and a few exact figures should be confirmed at checkout. The Prop Examiner has no affiliate relationship with Topstep at this time.
Affiliate disclosure: The Prop Examiner is an independent project and may earn a commission if you sign up through some of our links. We are not affiliated with any firm reviewed. Trading challenges are simulated/educational products; no profits or payouts are guaranteed.
Common questions
Take Profit Trader vs Topstep FAQ
- Is Take Profit Trader or Topstep better?
- Our independent ratings: Take Profit Trader 4.1/5, Topstep 4.3/5. Topstep edges it on our scorecard, but the right pick depends on your market, budget and the rules you can trade within.
- Which is cheaper to start, Take Profit Trader or Topstep?
- Lowest advertised entry price: Take Profit Trader from $150, Topstep from $49. Topstep has the lower starting price, but compare like-for-like account sizes — cheapest is not always best value.
- Does Take Profit Trader or Topstep pay out faster?
- Take Profit Trader: Withdraw from day one in PRO; no payout windows, no maximum; typically ~1 business day. Topstep: Processed during CME hours; same-day via Prop Payout/Aeropay; $125 minimum per request. Payout speed and eligibility depend on the product and on meeting each firm's rules; no payout is guaranteed.
Cited & dated
Sources
Figures trace to each firm’s own pages, accessed on the dates shown. Re-verify before relying on any number — pricing and promos change.
- 1.Take Profit Trader — homepage (pricing, parameters, comparison, FAQ)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 2.Take Profit Trader — NOFEE40 promo FAQ (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 3.Take Profit Trader — Knowledge Base· accessed 2026-06-17
- 4.Topstep — Trading Combine parameters (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 5.Topstep — payout policy (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 6.Topstep — pricing and payment questions (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 7.Topstep — Our Program· accessed 2026-06-17
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