The5ers vs Topstep: Forex/CFD vs Futures Compared

The5ers and Topstep come from different corners of prop trading. The5ers is best known for forex and CFD programs on MT5. Topstep is a futures firm with a monthly Trading Combine on its own platform. Pick your market first, then the firm. All prices and rules below were checked on each firm's official pages on 3 November 2026.

Choose your market first

The5ers' CFD programs use percentage limits and allow overnight and weekend holding. Topstep uses dollar limits and ends its trading day at 3:10 PM CT. Our guide to forex vs futures prop firms helps you decide.

The5ers also runs a separate futures program. Its futures page lists Day Trade and Swing programs. The $25K account shows a $59 one-time fee, a 6% target, a 4% end-of-day max loss and no activation fee. This article compares The5ers' forex and CFD programs with Topstep. If you want futures at both, check The5ers' futures terms directly.

At a glance

The5ers

• Founded: 2016, registered office in London.
• Market: forex, metals, indices, oil and crypto CFDs.
• Programs: High Stakes (2-Step), a $100K 2-Step plan, Hyper Growth (1-Step) and Bootcamp (3-Step).
• Billing: one-time fees in USD.
• Drawdown: max loss set from the initial balance on the $100K 2-Step plan.
• Split: 75% or 80% to start, rising to 100% through scaling.

Topstep

• Founded: 2010, Chicago.
• Market: CME futures.
• Program: one-step Trading Combine, 50K to 150K.
• Billing: monthly subscription in USD.
• Drawdown: end-of-day trailing, locking at the starting balance.
• Split: 90%.

Prices

The5ers (one-time, USD)

• $100K 2-Step plan: $149 (10% then 5% targets) or $179 (8% then 5%), per its 2-Step plan FAQ.
• High Stakes: sizes from $2.5K to $100K. The High Stakes page does not list a clear price per size, so check at checkout.
• Hyper Growth: a $52 one-time fee, per its program page.
• Promotions: the homepage advertises a Summer Plan $50K for $99, and the High Stakes page a $200K account for $249.

Topstep (monthly, USD)

From Topstep's pricing article:

• Standard Path: $49 (50K), $99 (100K), $199 (150K) a month, plus $149 activation per Express Funded Account.
• No Activation Fee Path: $95, $149 or $229 a month, with no activation fee.
• Resets: same price as the monthly fee. Most fees are non-refundable.

What this means: The5ers' $100K 2-Step plan costs $149 once. Topstep's 100K costs $149 a month on the No Activation Fee Path. Topstep only matches The5ers on cost if you pass in the first month.

Profit targets and loss limits

The5ers

• High Stakes: 10% then 5% targets, 5% daily loss, 10% max loss, 3 minimum profitable days of at least 0.5%.
• $100K 2-Step plan: 10/5 or 8/5 targets, 3% daily loss based on the previous day's closing balance or equity (whichever is higher), and 10% max loss from the initial balance.
• Hyper Growth: 10% target, 6% stop-out, leverage 1:30.
• Time limit: none, but accounts expire after more than 30 days of inactivity.

Topstep Trading Combine

• Target: $3,000 (50K), $6,000 (100K), $9,000 (150K), per our rules database.
• Maximum Loss Limit: $2,000, $3,000 or $4,500, per Topstep's MLL article.
• Daily Loss Limit: optional at checkout, at $1,000, $2,000 or $3,000. Hitting it ends your session but is not a rule violation.
• Consistency: your best day should stay below 55% of the profit target.
• Speed: you can pass in as few as two days. Max size is 5, 10 or 15 minis.

What this means: on a $100K High Stakes account, you get $10,000 of room for a $10,000 first target. Topstep's 100K gives $3,000 of room for a $6,000 target. Futures limits are much tighter relative to the goal.

Drawdown type

• The5ers $100K 2-Step plan: max loss is 10% of the initial balance, per its FAQ, so the floor doesn't follow your profits. The High Stakes page lists a 10% max loss without saying how it is measured.
• Topstep: the MLL moves up with your end-of-day balance and never down. It locks once it reaches your starting balance. It is monitored in real time, so an intraday touch ends the account.

Read trailing vs static drawdown for the maths, and check levels with our drawdown calculator.

Payouts and profit split

The5ers

• High Stakes: 80% to start, then 85%, 90% and 100% as the account scales toward $500,000.
• $100K 2-Step plan: $250 minimum and a $2,000 cap per payout cycle.
• Frequency: bi-weekly, per our rules database.

Topstep

From Topstep's payout policy:

• Split: 90/10.
• Eligibility: 5 winning days of $150 or more, or 3 trading days with your best day at most 40% of net profit.
• Caps: 50% of the balance per request, up to $2,000, $3,000 or $5,000 on the standard route.
• Minimum: $125.

Platforms and instruments

• The5ers: the High Stakes page lists MT5. Our rules database also lists cTrader and TradingView. Assets are forex, metals, indices, oil and crypto.
• Topstep: TopstepX, per our rules database. CME futures only.

Trading restrictions

The5ers

• High Stakes bars orders from 2 minutes before to 2 minutes after high-impact news.
• Overnight and weekend holding are allowed. Indices held over a weekend carry a high swap.

Topstep

• The trading day runs from 5 PM CT to 3:10 PM CT. Per our rules database, you must be flat by 3:10 PM CT, so no overnight or weekend holding.
• Paths can't be changed after purchase.

Downsides of each

The5ers

• Official pages conflict on some prices and rules.
• Payout caps and minimums on funded accounts.
• The cheaper 2-Step plan has a 3% daily loss.
• Inactive accounts expire after 30 days.

Topstep

• The subscription rebills until you pass or cancel.
• The Standard Path adds $149 at activation.
• Trailing limit with little early room.
• One platform, and no account below 50K.

Who each suits

• The5ers may suit you if you trade forex or CFDs, hold positions for days, want a low one-time fee and plan to scale over time.
• Topstep may suit you if you day-trade futures, expect to pass fast, and want a 90% split from the first payout.

See our full The5ers review and Topstep review.

Verdict

Market decides this one. The5ers offers cheap CFD evaluations, room to hold trades and a long scaling path, but its pages need careful reading. Topstep offers a well-documented futures path with a 90% split, at a monthly cost and with a tight trailing limit. Futures traders who like The5ers should check its futures program too.

Common questions

Is The5ers cheaper than Topstep?

Usually. The5ers' $100K 2-Step plan is $149 once. Topstep's 100K is $99 to $149 a month, plus $149 activation on the Standard Path.

Does The5ers offer futures?

Yes, as a separate program with Day Trade and Swing options. Its rules differ from the CFD programs, so check the firm's futures page.

Which has a daily loss limit?

The5ers' CFD plans have 3% or 5% daily limits. Topstep's is optional at checkout. See daily loss limits explained.

Can I hold positions over the weekend?

At The5ers, yes. At Topstep, no; you need to be flat by 3:10 PM CT each day.

Related reading

• The5ers Programs Explained: High Stakes, 2-Step, Hyper Growth and Bootcamp
• Topstep Trading Combine Rules Explained
• FTMO vs The5ers
• FTMO vs Topstep: Forex/CFD vs Futures Compared

Prices and rules were checked on The5ers' and Topstep's official sites on 3 November 2026 and can change. Some The5ers pages conflict, so confirm current terms on each firm's site 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 is educational content, not financial advice. Trading involves risk.