Topstep

Item: Topstep
Rating: 8.8
Author: TournamentRank Research

prop firm

Founded: 2012 • HQ: US • Last verified: 2026-11-14

Overall Rating

Public Formula

8.8 /10

Technical Specifications & Competition Rules

Competition Formats	paid entry, simulated live_data
Supported Markets	commodities, indices, crypto
Typical Prize Pools	$50,000 – $1,000,000 USD
Entry Barriers & Cost	$49 minimum equity Trading Combine monthly pass
Winner Scoring Rule	Trading Combine: End-of-day trailing maximum loss rule with disciplined daily loss limits
Max Leverage	Up to 1:20
Regulation & Licenses	Pioneer Futures Prop Evaluation Firm (Chicago US)
Country Availability	Restricted in: IR, KP, CU

Verified Advantages

✓ Most respected name in US futures prop trading with over a decade of operating history
✓ End-of-day trailing drawdown calculation (avoids punishing open intraday volatility)
✓ TopstepTV daily livestream coaching, community support, and trading psychology workshops

Important Considerations

× Strict daily loss limit halts trading for the session if breached
× Futures contracts only (E-mini S&P, Nasdaq, Crude Oil, Gold)

7-Pillar Rating Breakdown

Methodology

Rules Transparency 9.0/10

Clarity of calculation, pre-published prizes & deadlines

Payout Record & Proofs 9.5/10

Verified payouts history & absence of unresolved complaints

Fair Scoring Mechanics 8.8/10

Equal starting capital / ROI-based vs volume-gated scoring

Accessibility & Entry Cost 7.5/10

Free entry availability, low minimum barrier to participate

Regulation & Longevity 9.0/10

Recognized regulatory licenses & operating track record

Tournament Variety & Frequency 8.5/10

Regularity of events across crypto, forex, and indices

Verified User Experience No Data

Requires at least 5 verified reviews

Payout Track Record

Original pioneer of modern prop trading since 2012, verified daily payout disbursements.

Status: VERIFIED

Transparency Notice: We may earn an affiliate commission when you register through our links. This never alters our numerical scores or criteria evaluation.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Topstep

Is Topstep legit and safe for trading competitions? +

Topstep operates under regulatory supervision, including Pioneer Futures Prop Evaluation Firm (Chicago US). Verified past payout track records confirm genuine competition settlements.

Are Topstep trading competitions free to join? +

Participation typically requires meeting account deposit thresholds or trading volume requirements. Trading Combine monthly pass

How are winners decided on Topstep? +

Trading Combine: End-of-day trailing maximum loss rule with disciplined daily loss limits. Standings are transparently tracked on live leaderboards.

Does Topstep really pay out prizes? +

Yes, Topstep has a verified track record of prize distributions without documented unresolved non-payment disputes.