Loading The Prop Examiner research
Head-to-head · Independent comparison
Topstep vs Upcomers
How Topstep and Upcomers stack up on profit split, pricing, payouts and the rules that bind a funded account — advertised claims separated from what we could verify.
Evidence desk · Independent analysisLast updated
Mature, well-documented program with strong payout terms; minor friction from consistency rules and monthly subscription cost.
Broad product line and a genuinely high split on Thunderbolt funded; trailing drawdown and heavy 'up to' framing are the trade-offs.
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 betterTopstepBest
100%
Upcomers
99%
Entry price — lowest advertised ($)
Lower is betterTopstep
$49
UpcomersBest
$39
Max funding — headline ($)
Higher is betterTopstep
$150K
UpcomersBest
$1.5M
Our editorial scorecard (0–5)
Who wins each dimension
| Dimension | Topstep | Upcomers | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing & value | 4.0 | 4.0 | Tie |
| Profit split | 4.0 | 5.0 | Upcomers |
| Payout speed | 4.0 | 5.0 | Upcomers |
| Rules flexibility | 4.0 | 3.0 | Topstep |
| Transparency | 5.0 | 4.0 | Topstep |
Scores are The Prop Examiner’s editorial assessment, not user reviews. See our methodology.
Advertised vs verified
At a glance
Topstep
Upcomers
What actually binds you
Key trading rules compared
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 |
Upcomers
| Phase / model | Rule | Published value |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge | Profit target | 5% net profit |
| Challenge | Daily loss limit | 6% max within a single day |
| Challenge | Overall loss limit (Dynamic Risk Shield) | 10% below highest equity (trailing) |
| Challenge | Minimum trading days | None |
| Challenge | Consistency / Best Day Rule | Does not apply |
| Funded | Daily loss limit | 3% max daily loss |
| Funded | Overall loss limit (Dynamic Risk Shield) | 6% below peak equity (trailing) |
| Funded | Max risk per trade | 3% of initial balance (hard breach) |
| Funded | Consistency (Best Day Rule) | No single day > 20% of total withdrawal (soft) |
| Funded | Profit split | 99% to trader |
| Funded | Withdrawal requirement | Reach 1% profit on initial balance first |
Rules vary by product. For a plan-by-plan comparison, use the account comparison tool.
Balanced view
Pros & cons
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.
Upcomers
Strengths
- Documented, public rules and a help center you can read before buying.
- Wide range of account sizes and products (challenge + instant funding).
- High advertised profit split (up to 99%, verified at 99% on Thunderbolt funded).
- No minimum trading days on the Thunderbolt challenge.
- States it does not act as a broker or accept deposits for investment.
Cons & open risks
- Headline figures (up to $1.5M, up to 99%) are maximums, not typical outcomes.
- Profit split and rules vary by product — 99% is verified only on Thunderbolt funded.
- Trailing drawdown (“Dynamic Risk Shield”) is stricter than a static limit.
- Promotional pricing changes frequently and is not permanent.
- Self-reported metrics (e.g. 99% payout approval) are not independently audited.
- As with all prop challenges, most buyers do not reach a payout.
Our take
Which should you choose?
These two are closely matched — "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.
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.
Visit Topstep's official siteDirect link to the firm’s official siteDirect link to Topstep's official site. We earn no commission and are not affiliated with Topstep.
Upcomers documents its rules publicly and offers an unusually broad product line with a genuinely high split on its Thunderbolt funded product. The trade-offs are a trailing “Dynamic Risk Shield” drawdown that is less forgiving than a static limit, heavy reliance on “up to” headline figures, and promo pricing that shifts. It is a reasonable option to compare if you read the rules for your exact product, treat the headline numbers as ceilings, and start with the smallest suitable plan.
Visit UpcomersWe may earn a commission. Any current discount is applied at checkout; confirm the total before paying.
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
Topstep vs Upcomers FAQ
- Is Topstep or Upcomers better?
- Our independent ratings: Topstep 4.3/5, Upcomers 4.4/5. They are closely matched on our scorecard — the right pick depends on your market, budget and the rules you can trade within.
- Which is cheaper to start, Topstep or Upcomers?
- Lowest advertised entry price: Topstep from $49, Upcomers from $39. Upcomers has the lower starting price, but compare like-for-like account sizes — cheapest is not always best value.
- Which has the higher profit split, Topstep or Upcomers?
- Headline ("up to") maximums: Topstep 100%, Upcomers 99%. Topstep advertises the higher ceiling — but top splits are usually gated behind tiers or scaling, not what every trader gets.
- Does Topstep or Upcomers pay out faster?
- Topstep: Processed during CME hours; same-day via Prop Payout/Aeropay; $125 minimum per request. Upcomers: On-demand after 1% profit; “12h” advertised, <1h avg claimed. 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.Topstep — Trading Combine parameters (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 2.Topstep — payout policy (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 3.Topstep — pricing and payment questions (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 4.Topstep — Our Program· accessed 2026-06-17
- 5.Upcomers — homepage (headline claims)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 6.Upcomers — how we operate· accessed 2026-06-17
- 7.Upcomers — Thunderbolt complete rules· accessed 2026-06-17
- 8.Upcomers — instruments & platforms· accessed 2026-06-17
- 9.Upcomers — affiliate program terms· accessed 2026-06-17
More head-to-heads