Head-to-head · Independent comparison
The5ers vs Topstep
How The5ers 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.
Established firm with transparent High Stakes rules; a stricter 'profitable days' gate and MT5-only core product are the trade-offs.
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.
Profit split — headline maximum (%)
Higher is betterEntry price — lowest advertised ($)
Lower is betterMax funding — headline ($)
Higher is betterOur editorial scorecard (0–5)
Who wins each dimension
| Dimension | The5ers | Topstep | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing & value | 4.0 | 4.0 | Tie |
| Profit split | 5.0 | 4.0 | The5ers |
| Payout speed | 3.0 | 4.0 | Topstep |
| Rules flexibility | 3.0 | 4.0 | Topstep |
| 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
The5ers
- Payout minimum & methods
- Not confirmed from the official pages reviewedverify before launch
Topstep
What actually binds you
Key trading rules compared
The5ers
| Phase / model | Rule | Published value |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Profit target | 10% (Classic variant 8%) |
| Phase 2 | Profit target | 5% |
| All | Daily loss limit | 5% (from higher of prior day close or 00:00 balance) |
| All | Max overall loss | 10% from initial balance — static |
| All | Minimum trading days | 3 profitable days (closed positions netting ≥ +0.5%) |
| All | Inactivity | Accounts expire after 30+ consecutive days with no activity |
| All | Prohibited styles | Not detailed on pages reviewed — check full termsverify |
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
The5ers
Strengths
- Long operating history (since 2016) with UK and Israel company registrations.
- High Stakes profit split scales from 80% toward 100%, rewarding sustained performance.
- No maximum trading-period limit on High Stakes evaluations; only an inactivity expiry.
- Low advertised entry price for the smallest account size.
Cons & open risks
- A 'profitable days' requirement (not just trading days) can lengthen the path to a payout.
- Minimum payout amount and exact withdrawal methods were not confirmable from the pages reviewed.
- Prohibited trading styles were not clearly listed on the pages reviewed.
- Forex/CFD trading is MT5-only on the core product.
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.
The5ers is one of the more established names in the space, with a clearly documented High Stakes ruleset and a profit split that scales meaningfully for consistent traders. The 'profitable days' requirement and MT5-only core product are tradeoffs worth weighing, and a few payout specifics need confirming at checkout.
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
The5ers vs Topstep FAQ
- Is The5ers or Topstep better?
- Our independent ratings: The5ers 4.2/5, 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, The5ers or Topstep?
- Lowest advertised entry price: The5ers from $15, Topstep from $49. The5ers has the lower starting price, but compare like-for-like account sizes — cheapest is not always best value.
- Which has the higher profit split, The5ers or Topstep?
- Headline ("up to") maximums: The5ers 100%, Topstep 100%. The5ers advertises the higher ceiling — but top splits are usually gated behind tiers or scaling, not what every trader gets.
- Does The5ers or Topstep pay out faster?
- The5ers: Withdrawals available from the dashboard every 14 days. 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.The5ers — High Stakes program page· accessed 2026-06-17
- 2.The5ers — High Stakes general rules (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 3.The5ers — About· accessed 2026-06-17
- 4.The5ers — instruments (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 5.The5ers — where is The5ers registered (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 6.Topstep — Trading Combine parameters (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 7.Topstep — payout policy (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 8.Topstep — pricing and payment questions (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 9.Topstep — Our Program· accessed 2026-06-17
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