Comparison Engine

FTMO vs Topstep

Side-by-side rule comparison: FTMO (static balance drawdown) vs Topstep (Futures EOD trailing drawdown). Targets, daily loss, and payout rules compared.

Editorial Verdict & Recommendation

FTMO is best for Forex/CFD swing and day traders wanting static balance drawdown. Topstep is the premier choice for CME/CBOT futures day traders seeking rapid scaling and exchange compliance.

Best for FTMO:Swing traders, algorithmic MT5 EA users, and multi-asset CFD traders looking for generous drawdown cushions.

Best for Topstep:Intraday futures scalpers and order-flow traders who want 100% initial profit retention and TradingView integration.

View full FTMO rules •View full Topstep rules

Compare selected accounts side by side
Rule Parameter	Slot 1 · FTMO	Slot 2 · Topstep
Prop Firm	FTMO	Topstep
Account	$100,000 FTMO Challenge	$100,000 Futures Combine
Capital	$100,000	$100,000
Price	$540	$79
Fee	Refundable	Non-refundable
Target P1	10%	6%
Target P2	5%	—
Daily loss	5%	2%
Method	equity based	balance based
Max loss	10%	3%
Drawdown	static	end of day
Min days	4	2
Split	80% → 90%	90% → 100%
Payout	Bi-weekly (14 days)	Daily On-Demand (after 5 winning days)
News	Allowed	Allowed
Weekend	No	No
EA / Bot	Allowed	Allowed
Inactivity	30d	30d
Leverage	1:100	1:20 Futures margin
Platforms	MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, DXtrade	Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView
Last verified	2026-08-25	2026-08-25
Evidence	10 rules cited	10 rules cited

Slot 1 · FTMO

Slot 2 · Topstep

Prop Firmdiffers

FTMO

Topstep

Accountdiffers

FTMO

$100,000 FTMO Challenge

Topstep

$100,000 Futures Combine

Capital

FTMO

$100,000

Topstep

$100,000

Pricediffers

FTMO

$540

Topstep

$79

Feediffers

FTMO

Refundable

Topstep

Non-refundable

Target P1differs

FTMO

10%

Topstep

Target P2differs

FTMO

Topstep

—

Daily lossdiffers

FTMO

Topstep

Methoddiffers

FTMO

equity based

Topstep

balance based

Max lossdiffers

FTMO

10%

Topstep

Drawdowndiffers

FTMO

static

Topstep

end of day

Min daysdiffers

FTMO

Topstep

Splitdiffers

FTMO

80% → 90%

Topstep

90% → 100%

Payoutdiffers

FTMO

Bi-weekly (14 days)

Topstep

Daily On-Demand (after 5 winning days)

News

FTMO

Allowed

Topstep

Allowed

Weekend

FTMO

Topstep

EA / Bot

FTMO

Allowed

Topstep

Allowed

Inactivity

FTMO

30d

Topstep

30d

Leveragediffers

FTMO

1:100

Topstep

1:20 Futures margin

Platformsdiffers

FTMO

MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, DXtrade

Topstep

Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView

Last verified

FTMO

2026-08-25

Topstep

2026-08-25

Evidence

FTMO

10 rules cited

Topstep

10 rules cited

Frequently Asked Questions: FTMO vs Topstep

What is the main difference between FTMO and Topstep?

FTMO is best for Forex/CFD swing and day traders wanting static balance drawdown. Topstep is the premier choice for CME/CBOT futures day traders seeking rapid scaling and exchange compliance.

Drawdown Mechanism difference between FTMO and Topstep

FTMO uses a static 10% maximum loss calculated against initial account balance. Topstep uses an End-of-Day (EOD) trailing maximum drawdown that trails upward with unrealized trading gains.

Tradable Instruments & Venues difference between FTMO and Topstep

FTMO provides simulated CFD trading on Forex, Metals, Indices, and Crypto via MT4, MT5, cTrader, and DXtrade. Topstep provides direct market access to regulated Futures (ES, NQ, CL, GC) on NinjaTrader and TradingView.