Head-to-head comparison · 2026
Topstep vs TradeDay
Side-by-side on the metrics that actually matter: true cost to funded, drawdown type, profit split and payout speed.
Market
Futures
Futures
Founded
2012
2020
Total cost to funded
$198
Best$175
Eval cost
$49
$175
Activation fee
$149
-
Pricing model
Monthly sub
Monthly sub
Challenge type
1-Step
1-Step
Drawdown type
EOD
EOD
Max profit split
90%
Best95%
First profit
90/10 from day one
80% → 90% → 95% tiered by lifetime withdrawal
Payout speed
Weekly
Day 1 (next business day)
Max account
$150K
$150K
Consistency rule
40% rule
30% eval only
News trading
Restricted
Restricted
Platforms
NinjaTraderTradovateTradingViewTopstepX
TradovateNinjaTraderJigsaw DayTradrTradingView
Strengths & watch-outs
Topstep
Strengths
- NFA-registered, owns its brokerage
- EOD drawdown is forgiving
- Established since 2012
Watch-outs
- No swing trading
- 40% consistency rule
- Payout caps per cycle
TradeDay
Strengths
- Day-1 payouts, no minimum waiting period
- Tiered split scales to 95% over lifetime withdrawals
- 7 platform options, the most in futures prop space
Watch-outs
- News trading restricted, auto-liquidates around Tier 1 events
- Monthly subscription, costs add up if you take time to pass
- Only 3 funded sim accounts simultaneously
🐨 PropKoala verdict
TradeDay is cheaper to get funded at $175 total. Both use EOD or static drawdown, a plus for both.
This verdict is generated from our verified data. Always check each firm's current terms before purchasing.
Figures are list prices for the 50K account, last updated Sep 2026. Verify all details directly with each firm before purchasing. PropKoala may earn affiliate commissions. Trading involves substantial risk.