Head to head
Topstep vs TakeProfitTrader
These two get compared because they sit at the friendly end of the industry, but they earn that reputation differently. Topstep wins on entry cost and a drawdown that locks at your starting balance. TakeProfitTrader wins on a drawdown with no intraday limit at all and a payout process with no landmines. The decision comes down to which kind of forgiving you want.
I have funded accounts with both. Neither has a nasty surprise the way some firms do, so this is a choice between two good options, not a warning about a bad one.
| TakeProfitTrader | Topstep | |
|---|---|---|
| 50K eval | $170/mo | $49/mo (+$149 activation) |
| Model | 1-step, monthly | 1-step Combine |
| Drawdown | EOD trailing | Trailing (EOD-based) |
| 50K max loss | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Profit split | 80/20 (PRO+ 90/10) | 90/10 |
| News | Restricted (funded) | Restricted |
| Overnight | No | No |
| Try it | Visit TakeProfitTrader | Visit Topstep |
Two flavors of forgiving drawdown
Topstep trails your end-of-day balance up and then locks at your starting number, so after you build a cushion the stop stops chasing you. TakeProfitTrader goes further in one respect: it has no intraday drawdown limit at all, so you are judged only on where you close, and an ugly excursion you recover from never threatens the account. Both are gentle, but in different ways.
If your worry is giving back profit on a green run, Topstep's lock is the answer. If your worry is being stopped out on an intraday spike while you are still right on the trade, TakeProfitTrader's end-of-day-only model is the answer.
Cost and payout
Topstep is cheaper to enter at $49 a month, but remember the $149 activation fee to go live. TakeProfitTrader lists higher at around $170 a month, though the NOFEE40 code cuts 40 percent for the life of the account and waives activation, which closes most of the gap. Over a few months the two land closer than the stickers suggest.
Payout is where TakeProfitTrader pulls ahead. Once you reach PRO, payouts are available from day one with no consistency rule. Topstep's consistency rule holds a payout if any single day is too large a share of your profit, which is the rule that catches Topstep traders who bank one big session. If a clean route to getting paid matters most, TakeProfitTrader has the edge.
The call
If the lowest monthly entry is the priority and you spread profit across sessions, Topstep is the pick, with its lock-at-start drawdown and $49 entry. Plan for the activation fee and the consistency rule and it is a gentle home.
If you want the most forgiving drawdown and the simplest payout, TakeProfitTrader is the better firm, on its end-of-day-only model and day-one PRO payouts. Use NOFEE40 to bring the price down. Both carry a substantial risk of loss; this is a choice between two good setups.
Visit TakeProfitTrader Visit Topstep
Go deeper
- Full reviews: TakeProfitTrader and Topstep
- Coupons: TakeProfitTrader Topstep
- More matchups: Apex Trader Funding vs TakeProfitTraderMyFundedFutures vs TakeProfitTraderTakeProfitTrader vs TradeifyEarn2Trade vs TakeProfitTrader
FAQ
Is Topstep or TakeProfitTrader better?
Both are forgiving firms. Topstep is cheaper to enter and locks its drawdown at your starting balance. TakeProfitTrader has no intraday drawdown limit and pays out from day one in PRO with no consistency rule. Choose by which forgiving style fits you.
Which has the more forgiving drawdown?
TakeProfitTrader has no intraday limit at all, so only your closing balance counts. Topstep trails and then locks at your starting balance. Both are gentle, but TakeProfitTrader is the more forgiving for traders who sit through intraday excursions.
Which is cheaper, Topstep or TakeProfitTrader?
Topstep is cheaper up front at $49 a month, plus a $149 activation fee. TakeProfitTrader lists around $170 but the NOFEE40 code cuts 40 percent for the life of the account and waives activation, closing most of the gap.
Does TakeProfitTrader have a consistency rule like Topstep?
No. TakeProfitTrader pays out from day one in PRO without a consistency rule. Topstep holds a payout if any single day is too large a share of your total profit.