TopStep vs TakeProfitTrader: Which Prop Firm Wins?
Compare TopStep vs TakeProfitTrader — cost, rules, profit splits, payouts, and which prop firm suits your trading style.
TopStep vs TakeProfitTrader: At a glance
TopStep is a us futures prop firm running a single-step combine, with profit targets of 6% and a max drawdown of 4%. TakeProfitTrader operates in the us futures market with a single-step pro challenge, 6% profit target, and 4% drawdown. The two firms attract different types of traders — TopStep suits disciplined futures day traders who want a reputable name, while TakeProfit is generally better for traders who want tradingview-native execution. The full side-by-side comparison is below.
Evaluation structure
TopStep's evaluation is a single-step combine with a typical cost around $165. You need to hit 6% profit without breaching a 4% drawdown or the daily loss rule ($1,000 on $50k, $2,000 on $100k, $3,000 on $150k). TakeProfitTrader runs a single-step pro challenge at roughly $150, with a 6% target, 4% drawdown, and none on eval; trailing drawdown on funded. Neither firm is strictly harder — the right one depends on your style. Short-time-frame scalpers usually prefer firms with no daily loss limit on the evaluation. Swing traders who hold overnight need a firm that allows overnight holds.
Payouts and scaling
Once funded, TopStep pays out on a weekly after 5 winning days cadence with a 100% on first $10k, then 90/10 split. TakeProfitTrader pays bi-weekly after 5 winning days at 80% up to $25k, 90% after, 100% on first $10k. TopStep's scaling model: Funded Account Plus adds size over time. TakeProfitTrader: Standard accounts, single payout threshold. If you want to compound quickly across many accounts, the firm with broader scaling rules is usually the better fit — but faster scaling also means more capital at risk if you overtrade.
Which should you pick?
Pick TopStep if disciplined futures day traders who want a reputable name — its trade-offs (only 3 account sizes; strict daily loss) matter less for that profile. Pick TakeProfitTrader if traders who want tradingview-native execution — the trade-off there is that bi-weekly payouts slower than peers. If you can't decide, the cheapest way to learn is to practice the shape of both rule sets in a simulator first, then pay for a real evaluation once you have a feel for the pace.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | TopStep | TakeProfitTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Market | US futures | US futures |
| Evaluation | Single-step Combine | Single-step PRO challenge |
| Min account | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Max account | $150,000 | $150,000 |
| Typical cost | ~$165 | ~$150 |
| Profit target | 6% | 6% |
| Max drawdown | 4% | 4% |
| Daily loss limit | $1,000 on $50k, $2,000 on $100k, $3,000 on $150k | None on eval; trailing drawdown on funded |
| Profit split | 100% on first $10k, then 90/10 | 80% up to $25k, 90% after, 100% on first $10k |
| Payout frequency | Weekly after 5 winning days | Bi-weekly after 5 winning days |
| Time limit | None | None |
| News trading | Allowed | Allowed |
| Overnight holds | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Platforms | TopStepX, Rithmic, NinjaTrader | Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView |
| Best for | Disciplined futures day traders who want a reputable name | Traders who want TradingView-native execution |