FTMO vs Topstep: Forex/CFD vs Futures Compared

FTMO and Topstep are two of the oldest names in prop trading, but they sell different things. FTMO's Challenges are built for forex and CFD traders on MetaTrader-style platforms. Topstep's Trading Combine is built for futures day traders on its own platform. This comparison uses rules checked on each firm's official pages on 3 November 2026.

The short version

• Market: FTMO Challenges cover forex and CFDs. Topstep covers futures.
• Billing: FTMO charges a one-time fee in EUR. Topstep bills a monthly subscription in USD.
• Drawdown: FTMO 2-Step uses a static max loss. Topstep uses an end-of-day trailing limit.
• Daily limit: fixed at FTMO. Optional at Topstep.
• Holding: FTMO evaluations can hold overnight and over weekends. Topstep's trading day ends at 3:10 PM CT.
• Split: 80% to 90% at FTMO, depending on the program. 90% at Topstep.

If you are still choosing a market, start with our guide to forex vs futures prop firms.

A note on FTMO Futures

FTMO now also sells a separate futures product. Its FTMO Futures page describes Growth and Pro evaluations on monthly subscriptions, a 90% payout ratio and up to $450,000 in simulated capital. That page does not list fees or rule numbers. This guide compares FTMO's forex and CFD Challenges with Topstep. If you want FTMO for futures, check the firm's site for current terms.

Programs and prices

FTMO Challenges (one-time fee, EUR)

FTMO sells two evaluation routes. Our rules database lists these prices, verified against FTMO's site:

• 2-Step: €89 (10K), €250 (25K), €345 (50K), €540 (100K), €1,080 (200K).
• 1-Step: €79 (10K), €199 (25K), €319 (50K), €499 (100K), €999 (200K).

FTMO's fees FAQ says it charges only a one-time purchase fee, with no recurring fees. The refund FAQ says the 2-Step fee is refunded with your first reward. The 1-Step fee is not refundable.

Topstep Trading Combine (monthly, USD)

Topstep's pricing article lists two paths. You pick one at checkout:

• Standard Path: $49 (50K), $99 (100K), $199 (150K) per month, plus $149 once per Express Funded Account earned.
• No Activation Fee Path: $95 (50K), $149 (100K), $229 (150K) per month, with no activation fee.
• Resets: priced the same as the monthly fee for each path and size.

Topstep says most of its fees are non-refundable.

What this means for cost

FTMO's cost is fixed once you buy. Topstep's grows each month you stay in the Combine. A 50K Standard Path passed in month one costs $49 plus $149, or $198. Passed in month three, it costs $147 plus $149, or $296. The two firms also price in different currencies, so compare at the day's exchange rate.

Evaluation rules

FTMO 2-Step

From FTMO's trading objectives:

• Profit target: 10% in the Challenge, then 5% in the Verification.
• Max Daily Loss: 5% of initial capital. It is set at midnight CE(S)T from the prior balance and checked against equity.
• Max Loss: 10%, a static limit that does not trail.
• Minimum trading days: 4.
• Time limit: none.

FTMO 1-Step

• Profit target: 10%.
• Max Daily Loss: 3% of initial capital.
• Max Loss: 10%, trailing your highest end-of-day balance. It can rise but never fall.
• Consistency: for orders from 12 October 2026, your best day can't be more than 50% of total profit. You keep trading until the ratio fits.
• Time limit: none.

See the full breakdown in our FTMO 2-Step 100K rules page.

Topstep Trading Combine

From Topstep's Combine parameters and related help articles:

• Profit target: $3,000 (50K), $6,000 (100K), $9,000 (150K).
• Maximum Loss Limit: $2,000, $3,000 or $4,500. It trails your end-of-day balance and locks once it reaches your starting balance. It is monitored in real time.
• Daily Loss Limit: optional at checkout. If chosen, it is $1,000, $2,000 or $3,000. Hitting it flattens you for the session but is not a rule violation.
• Consistency Target: your best day should stay at or below 55% of the profit target. If it goes over, the target rises.
• Max position: 5, 10 or 15 minis (or 50, 100 or 150 micros).
• Minimum days: no formal minimum. Topstep says you can pass in as few as two days.

What the drawdown difference means

FTMO's 2-Step floor never moves. Every euro of profit adds to your room. Topstep's floor follows your best end-of-day balance until it locks. Early profits do not buy you extra room in the same way. Our guide to trailing vs static drawdown explains the maths. Test your own numbers with the drawdown calculator.

Payouts

FTMO

FTMO's withdrawal FAQ sets these terms:

• First claim: on the 14th day or later after your first trade on the funded account.
• Split: 90% on 1-Step. 80% by default on 2-Step, rising to 90% if Scaling Plan or Premium Programme conditions are met.
• Speed: the reward is typically sent 1 to 2 business days after the invoice is approved.
• Methods: bank wire, Visa Direct or Mastercard Send, Skrill and crypto, with caps on some methods.

Topstep

Topstep's payout policy sets these terms for Express Funded Accounts:

• Split: 90/10.
• Standard eligibility: 5 winning days of $150 or more net P&L. The days need not be consecutive.
• Consistency eligibility: 3 trading days, with your largest day no more than 40% of total net profit.
• Caps per request: 50% of the balance, up to $2,000, $3,000 or $5,000 on Standard. Consistency allows $3,000, $4,000 or $6,000.
• Minimum payout: $125.
• Live Funded: no dollar cap, though each request is limited to 50% of the balance.

Read more in our guide to prop firm payout rules.

Trading restrictions

FTMO

• Platforms: MT4, MT5, DXtrade and cTrader.
• News: no restriction during the evaluation. On the funded Standard account, order execution is blocked 2 minutes before and after selected releases. The Swing account has no news restriction.
• Holding: evaluations and Swing accounts can hold over weekends. The Standard funded account restricts holding through market breaks longer than 2 hours.
• Allocation: total capital is capped at $400,000 per trader or strategy before scaling.

Topstep

• Platform: TopstepX.
• Hours: the trading day runs from 5:00 PM CT to 3:10 PM CT the next day.
• News: allowed, but deliberately trading your full maximum position into a scheduled major news event is prohibited.
• Cross-account hedging: banned, including on correlated contracts such as ES and MES.

Downsides of each

FTMO

• The 2-Step has two phases and a 4-day minimum, so it takes longer.
• The 1-Step fee is not refundable, and its max loss trails.
• The 2-Step's default split is 80%, not 90%.
• Funded Standard accounts restrict news and weekend holding.
• Prices are in EUR, which adds currency risk for non-euro traders.

Topstep

• The subscription rebills every month until you pass or cancel.
• The Standard Path adds $149 at activation.
• The trailing limit leaves little room early in the account.
• Express Funded payouts are capped per request.
• The smallest account is 50K, and you are tied to one platform.

Who each suits

For the full picture on each firm, read our FTMO review and Topstep review.

FTMO may suit you if

• You trade forex pairs, indices, metals or other CFDs.
• You hold trades for hours or days.
• You prefer a static drawdown and a fee you can recover.
• You use MetaTrader or cTrader.

Topstep may suit you if

• You day-trade CME futures such as index or commodity contracts.
• You want to start for a lower first-month outlay.
• You are comfortable managing a trailing drawdown.
• You are happy to be flat before the daily close.

Common questions

Is FTMO or Topstep cheaper?

It depends on how long you take. Topstep's 50K Standard Path starts at $49 a month plus $149 activation. FTMO's 2-Step 50K costs €345 once and is refunded with your first reward. A slow Topstep pass can end up costing more.

Can I trade futures with FTMO?

FTMO's Challenges are for forex and CFDs. FTMO also sells a separate FTMO Futures product on monthly subscriptions. Its rules and fees differ, so check the firm's site.

Which pays a higher split?

Both can reach 90%. Topstep pays 90/10 from the start. FTMO pays 90% on the 1-Step and 80% by default on the 2-Step.

Are there discounts?

FTMO's homepage shows a 19% discount on the 100K Challenge, applied automatically. See our prop firm discounts page for current offers.

Related reading

• FTMO Challenge rules explained
• Topstep Trading Combine rules explained
• Topstep vs Tradeify
• FTMO vs The5ers

Prices and rules change often. Confirm current terms on FTMO's and Topstep's official sites before you buy. FundedKings may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure. This guide is educational and not financial advice. Trading involves risk.