How to Get Funded with Topstep: Rules and Payouts
Learn how to get funded with Topstep. This guide covers the Trading Combine evaluation, profit targets, drawdown rules, daily loss limits, consistency target, and the payout process for $50K, $100K, and $150K accounts.
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Bottom Line
- The Trading Combine evaluation requires hitting a profit target while adhering to a maximum loss limit and a daily loss limit, with the best day being under 50% of total profits.
- Topstep offers three account sizes: $50,000 with a $3,000 profit target, $100,000 with a $6,000 profit target, and $150,000 with a $9,000 profit target.
- The maximum loss limit is a trailing calculation based on the end-of-day balance and stops trailing once it reaches the initial starting balance.
- After passing the Trading Combine, traders receive an Express Funded Account with a 90/10 profit split, and payouts are processed in 1-3 business days with a minimum request of $125.
- To pass the evaluation, traders should manage the consistency target by keeping the best day under 50% of total profits and close positions by 3:10 PM CT daily.
Getting funded with Topstep requires passing their Trading Combine evaluation1. You must hit a profit target while staying within both a maximum loss limit and a daily loss limit, with your best day under 50% of total profits1. The evaluation can be completed in as few as 2 trading days1. Once funded, traders receive an Express Funded Account with a 90/10 profit split7.
This guide covers the requirements for each of Topstep's three account sizes, the rules during evaluation, and the payout process.
The Trading Combine
Topstep's evaluation is a one-step process called the Trading Combine1. Traders demonstrate their ability to hit a profit target while managing risk. The maximum loss limit uses a trailing calculation based on end-of-day balance2.
Account Sizes and Profit Targets
Topstep offers three account sizes1:
- $50,000 Account: $3,000 profit target, $2,000 maximum loss, $1,000 daily loss limit, up to 5 contracts123
- $100,000 Account: $6,000 profit target, $3,000 maximum loss, $2,000 daily loss limit, up to 10 contracts123
- $150,000 Account: $9,000 profit target, $4,500 maximum loss, $3,000 daily loss limit, up to 15 contracts123
Maximum Loss Limit
The maximum loss limit trails upward based on your peak end-of-day balance2. Once it reaches your initial starting balance, it stops trailing2. If your account balance hits the MLL, you fail the evaluation.
Daily Loss Limits
In addition to the overall maximum loss, Topstep enforces daily loss limits on most platforms3. Breaching the daily loss limit triggers auto-liquidation for the rest of the session, but it is classified as an objective, not a rule violation — it does not disqualify you from funding3.
TopstepX accounts created or reset after August 25, 2024 have no daily loss limit3.
Consistency Target
Your best trading day must be less than 50% of total profits1. If your best day exceeds 50%, the profit target increases accordingly1. This applies only to the Trading Combine1.
Position Closure Requirement
All positions must be closed by 3:10 PM CT daily4. Risk managers begin flattening positions at 3:08 PM CT4. No overnight or weekend positions are allowed4.
Evaluation Pricing
Topstep offers two pricing paths with identical evaluation rules5:
Standard Path
- $50,000 Account: $49/month plus $149 activation fee5
- $100,000 Account: $99/month plus $149 activation fee5
- $150,000 Account: $149/month plus $149 activation fee5
No Activation Fee Path
- $50,000 Account: $109/month with $0 activation fee5
- $100,000 Account: $159/month with $0 activation fee5
- $150,000 Account: $209/month with $0 activation fee5
What Happens After You Pass
After passing the Trading Combine, you receive an Express Funded Account (XFA)6. Activation takes minutes after paying the fee (Standard Path) or is immediate (No Activation Fee Path)8.
The XFA offers two paths to payout eligibility6:
- XFA Standard: 5 winning days of $150+ profit, maximum payout $5,0006
- XFA Consistency: 3 days traded with 40% consistency target, maximum payout $6,0006
Payout Structure
For traders who joined on or after January 12, 2026, the profit split is 90/10 from the start7. Traders who joined before that date receive 100% of the first $10,000 in payouts, then 90/107.
The minimum payout request is $1257. Processing takes 1-3 business days via Wise or ACH7.
Tips for Passing the Evaluation
Respect the Daily Loss Limit
On a $50,000 account, the daily loss limit is $1,0003. Risk no more than $200-$300 per trade to give yourself multiple attempts each session. Consider using TopstepX for the no daily loss limit advantage3.
Manage the Consistency Target
Keep your best day under 50% of total profits1. If you have a large winning day, trade additional sessions to dilute it.
Close Positions Before 3:10 PM CT
Set alerts or automated flattening before 3:10 PM CT4. Risk managers begin flattening at 3:08 PM CT4.
Automation and TradersPost
Topstep accounts can be connected to TradersPost through Tradovate. Topstep explicitly supports automated trading through the TopstepX API9. However, all automated trading must run from a personal device — VPS and VPN usage is prohibited9. Exploitative automation (sim fill exploitation, HFT, mass data entry) is prohibited10.
Conclusion
Getting funded with Topstep is straightforward through the Trading Combine1. The 2-day minimum pass time and three account tiers provide flexibility for different trading styles.
Verify all rules and pricing directly on the Topstep website before purchasing an evaluation.
References
1 Topstep Help Center - Consistency Target
2 Topstep Help Center - Maximum Loss Limit
3 Topstep Help Center - Daily Loss Limit
4 Topstep Help Center - Trading Hours and Products
5 Topstep Help Center - Pricing
6 Topstep Help Center - Express Funded Account Parameters
7 Topstep Help Center - Payout Policy
8 Topstep Help Center - Express Funded Account Activation
9 Topstep Help Center - TopstepX API Access
10 Topstep Help Center - Prohibited Conduct
