Phidias PropFirm 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 | Phidias PropFirm | Topstep | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drawdown type | Trailing | Trailing | Phidias PropFirm |
| Daily loss limit | None | Optional add-on since April 14, 2026 ($1K/$2K/$3K by size). Always mandatory on Live Funded. | Phidias PropFirm |
| Payout split | 80/20 | Post-Jan 2026: 90/10 from day one. Pre-Jan 2026: 100% first $10K then 90/10. | — |
| Min trading days | 10 | 0 | Topstep |
| Consistency rule | Eval: NONE. Funded: 30% (no single day > 30%). 25K Static: NONE at any stage. | 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, Rithmic, Sierra Chart, MotiveWave, Quantower | TopstepX (all new accounts), Quantower (exception) | — |
Real talk
What traders actually experience beyond the marketing copy.
Potentially best pure value in the industry. $144.60 for 100K, 5% drawdown, $0 activation, no DLL, automation allowed. The 80/20 split is the main downside. Young firm - verify longevity.
5% EOD trailing is the most generous drawdown PERCENTAGE in the industry. $5,000 on $100K vs $3,000-$4,000 everywhere else. Locks at starting + $100.
80/20 split is below the 90/10 standard. But with prices this low and drawdown this generous, total ROI may still be better. Transition to live after 3 payouts or $75K cumulative.
80/20 split is below standard. Young firm. Consistency rule details unclear. 10 min trading days. $25K Static has only $500 drawdown.
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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