Elite Trader Funding vs Topstep
Every rule that actually affects your account — drawdown, daily loss, consistency, payout split, news, platforms — with a clear winner per category.
Rule by rule
Green = winner on that row. Ties show as "—".
| Rule | Elite Trader Funding | Topstep | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drawdown type | Trailing | Trailing | Elite Trader Funding |
| Daily loss limit | None | Optional add-on since April 14, 2026 ($1K/$2K/$3K by size). Always mandatory on Live Funded. | Elite Trader Funding |
| Payout split | 100% of first $12,500 then 90/10. $25K total sim payout cap per trader. | Post-Jan 2026: 90/10 from day one. Pre-Jan 2026: 100% first $10K then 90/10. | — |
| Min trading days | 5 | 0 | Topstep |
| Consistency rule | Pre-Aug 2024 accounts: 40%. Post-Aug 2024: no consistency rule. | Combine: 50% (best day < 50% of total). Funded Standard: none. Funded Consistency tier: 40%. | — |
| News trading | Yes | Yes | — |
| Weekend holding | No | No | — |
| Copy trading | Yes | Yes | — |
| Platforms | Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Rithmic, Quantower, Sierra Chart, ATAS, Bookmap | TopstepX (all new accounts), Quantower (exception) | — |
Real talk
What traders actually experience beyond the marketing copy.
Most plan variety. Static drawdown is unique and valuable. Fast Track at $75 is cheapest entry anywhere. But: $87/mo funded fee, 10-second hold time, $25K total sim cap, and the complexity of 6 plan types can be confusing.
6 plan types give real flexibility. Static drawdown (floor never moves) is genuinely unique. 1-Step intraday trailing is harsh. EOD is more forgiving but adds DLL. Safety Net locks drawdown once you profit enough.
100% on first $12.5K is generous. But $87/mo funded fee eats into profits. $25K total sim cap means you transition to live ($2K-$5K starting capital) relatively quickly. 10-second hold rule is enforced.
$87/mo funded fee (one of few firms charging monthly). 10-second minimum hold on ALL trades. $25K total sim payout cap. Fast Track has NO resets and 14-day time limit. After 20% profit growth, losing 35% triggers disqualification.
Most established firm. Free resets are huge. Automated trading allowed on TopstepX. But: all new accounts forced to TopstepX (no NinjaTrader/Tradovate choice). Post-payout MLL reset is dangerous. Scaling starts at only 2-3 contracts on funded.
EOD trailing is fair - intraday swings don't move the floor. Locks once profit exceeds drawdown amount. CRITICAL: After a payout, your MLL resets to $0 - one bad day right after withdrawing can blow the account instantly.
90/10 from day one for new traders. Post-payout MLL reset to $0 is the biggest hidden risk. Free resets are genuinely valuable. Back2Funded ($599-829) lets you revive a blown funded account.
After payout, MLL resets to $0 - extremely vulnerable. New accounts TopstepX only (no NinjaTrader/Tradovate). Funded starts at 2-3 contracts (must scale up). VPS/VPN usage PROHIBITED. Positions must close by 3:10 PM CT. $30 ACH payout fee.
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