Take Profit Trader vs Topstep (2026): Which Futures Prop Firm Payouts Faster?

Take Profit Trader and Topstep are both futures-only prop firms, but they take very different approaches to everything after that. Take Profit Trader built its reputation on the fastest payout in the industry — day one, no cap, no minimum profitable days. Topstep is the oldest name in futures prop trading, with a proven 90/10 split and a gentler drawdown model on funded accounts.

This is a side-by-side comparison, not a ranking. The right choice depends on whether you value payout speed or drawdown forgiveness more.

Educational content only, not financial advice. Confirm current pricing and rules on each firm’s official site before paying — terms change frequently.

Fee model: Monthly vs monthly

Both firms charge recurring fees, just in different shapes. Take Profit Trader runs a monthly test fee (starting around $150 for a $25K account) plus a one-time $130 PRO activation. Topstep charges a monthly subscription for the Trading Combine plus a one-time $149 activation fee when funded.

If you pass on the first month, the cost difference is small. If you need multiple attempts, Take Profit Trader’s failed test resets for roughly $100, while Topstep charges a new subscription month. Either way, confirm the exact current pricing on the official site — both firms adjust fees periodically.

Drawdown: The real difference

The drawdown model is where these two diverge most sharply.

Take Profit Trader uses intraday trailing drawdown on its PRO accounts. The loss floor follows your peak equity tick-by-tick throughout the trading day. Give back open profit and the drawdown moves against you in real time. The PRO+ accounts, however, use end-of-day trailing drawdown, which is more forgiving.

Topstep uses end-of-day trailing drawdown on funded accounts, which only recalculates at the close. This is generally kinder to strategies with wide intraday swings.

If you hold through pullbacks, the EOD model matters. See EOD vs trailing drawdown explained for the full mechanics.

Payouts: Speed vs conditions

Take Profit Trader pays on day one with no cap and no minimum profitable days — as long as you are above the buffer (starting balance + max drawdown). PRO+ removes the buffer entirely.

Topstep requires 5 winning days of $200+ before the first payout. A strategy that makes its money in one or two big sessions can be blocked from a payout by this rule.

For payout speed, Take Profit Trader wins. For payout reliability over the long term, both firms have strong track records.

The bottom line

Pick Take Profit Trader if you want the fastest possible payouts and are comfortable with intraday trailing drawdown on the PRO account. Pick Topstep if you want the most established name in futures, forgiving EOD drawdown on funded accounts, and a proven 90/10 split. For the full breakdown of TPT’s fees, drawdown model and Trustpilot track record, read our Take Profit Trader review — and confirm current terms on the official site before paying.