Head-to-head comparison · 2026
Futures Elite vs Topstep
Side-by-side on the metrics that actually matter: true cost to funded, drawdown type, profit split and payout speed.
Quick verdict
- Futures Elite is $46 cheaper to get funded on a 50K account ($152 vs $198, activation fees included).
- Topstep bills monthly, so its cost goes up for every extra month it takes you to pass. Futures Elite is a one-time fee.
- Topstep uses end-of-day drawdown, which is more forgiving than Futures Elite's intraday trailing drawdown. Open profit that you give back doesn't count against you.
- Futures Elite pays out faster (daily vs weekly).
Market
Futures
Futures
Founded
-
2012
Total cost to funded
Best$152
$198
Eval cost
$152
$49
Activation fee
-
$149
Pricing model
One-time
Monthly sub
Challenge type
1-Step
1-Step
Drawdown type
Trailing
EOD
Max profit split
90%
90%
First profit
90/10 from first payout, $2,000 cap per payout
90/10 from day one
Payout speed
Daily
Weekly
Max account
-
Best$150K
Consistency rule
50% eval only, none funded
55% consistency target
News trading
Restricted
Restricted
Platforms
NinjaTraderTradovateWealthCharts
NinjaTraderTopstepX
Strengths & watch-outs
Futures Elite
Strengths
- One-time fee, no activation fee
- Daily payouts, no consistency rule once funded
- No daily loss limit on evaluation or funded
Watch-outs
- Funded drawdown is trailing equity (EOD only on the evaluation)
- 50% consistency rule on the evaluation
- Payouts capped at $2,000 each, smaller and newer firm
Topstep
Strengths
- Longest-running futures prop firm, founded 2012
- Low $49 monthly fee and $49 resets, reset credit each rebill
- Double payout caps included
Watch-outs
- $149 activation fee once you pass
- 55% consistency target and $1,000 daily loss limit
- Monthly fee keeps billing until you pass
🐨 Which should you choose?
Choose Futures Elite if you want the lower cost to get funded and faster payouts.
Choose Topstep if you want a more forgiving drawdown.
Written from our verified data for a 50K account, or the closest size a firm offers. Always check each firm's current terms before buying.
Figures are list prices for the 50K account (or the closest size a firm offers). Verify all details directly with each firm before purchasing. PropKoala may earn affiliate commissions. Trading involves substantial risk.