Compare / Elite Trader Funding vs Topstep
Elite Trader Funding vs Topstep
Side by side on each firm's best-value 50K plan, straight from our database (re-checked weekly) — Topstep leads on 6 of 8 scored criteria.
Elite Trader Funding
1 Step
$165 /month
1 Step — intraday trailing, 100% split, payouts every 10 days.
$34 /month
Trading Combine (Standard path) — end-of-day trailing, 90% split, payouts after 5 winning days.
| Criterion | Elite Trader Funding | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $165 | $34 |
| Promo code | None verified | None verified |
| List price | $165 | $49 |
| Activation fee | Sim-funded activation: $87/mo data+platform fee, or one-time option ~$177-$307 depending on plan; sources conflict (official site also shows $47 one-time + $87/mo) | $149 one-time (Standard path); $0 on 'No Activation Fee' path with higher monthly Combine fee |
| Reset fee | $47 | $49 |
| Billing | Monthly subscription | Monthly subscription |
| Profit target | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Max drawdown | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Drawdown type | Intraday trailing | End-of-day trailing |
| Daily loss limit | None | $1,000 |
| Ease to pass | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimum trading days | 5 | 2 |
| Consistency rule | Yes | Yes |
| Profit split | 100% | 90% |
| Payout frequency | Every 10 days | After 5 winning days |
| Minimum payout | — | $125 |
| Max contracts | 8 minis (1 mini = 10 micros) | 5 minis / 50 micros |
| Platforms | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Rithmic, Tickblaze | TopstepX (mandatory for new Combines in 2026; legacy third-party accounts honored) |
| Data fees | included in $87/mo sim-funded fee; live accounts ~$128/mo per exchange | included on TopstepX (per-trade commissions/exchange fees apply) |
| Value for money | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Trustpilot | ★ 3.8 | ★ 3.6 |
Highlighted cells are the more favourable of the two on that criterion. Prices change frequently — always verify on the firm's site.
Pick Elite Trader Funding if
- You keep more once funded: 100% versus 90%.
- Better rated by traders on Trustpilot (3.8).
Pick Topstep if
- You want the cheaper way in — $34 against $165.
- The evaluation is easier to pass (4/5 against 3/5).
- End-of-day trailing gives you more room than Elite Trader Funding's intraday trailing.
- Payouts come faster — after 5 winning days.
- Fewer minimum trading days (2 vs 5).
Visit Elite Trader Funding → Visit Topstep → Change account size or firms
Elite Trader Funding review · Topstep review · Not sure? Run the simulation
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