TradeDay vs TopStep

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Category: Trading Guides | Author: Trading Brokers | Date: July 8, 2026

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving world of proprietary futures trading, aspiring traders seek platforms that offer transparent evaluation processes, competitive profit splits, and robust risk management. Two prominent names in this space are TradeDay and TopStep. Both firms provide simulated trading environments designed to assess trader performance, leading to funded accounts upon successful completion of their respective evaluations. This article presents an objective comparison of TradeDay and TopStep across key dimensions including company background, evaluation processes, profit splits, pricing structures, trading platforms, supported instruments, risk rules, scaling opportunities, and trader support.

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Company Background

TradeDay Overview

TradeDay is a Chicago‑based trading firm that focuses exclusively on futures markets. Having launched its evaluation program in recent years, the firm emphasizes a one‑phase assessment that gauges fundamental trading skills—profitability, risk management, and discipline—within a simulated environment. TradeDay’s mission centers on providing a full “virtual trading room,” complete with live market data, institutional‑grade research, and access to industry experts until traders earn funding.

TopStep Overview

TopStep, also headquartered in Chicago, has grown from its origins as a simulated trading evaluation venture to a leading technology platform for futures traders. The company’s flagship evaluation, known as the Trading Combine®, mirrors real market conditions under predefined performance and risk metrics. Upon passing this multi‑step process, traders gain access to firm capital and trade live futures. Over time, TopStep has refined its platform to include proprietary charting tools, integrated trade copying, and a structured path from simulated to live funded accounts.

Evaluation Processes

TradeDay Evaluation

TradeDay employs a single evaluation phase that traders subscribe to on a monthly basis. During this phase, participants must meet a profit target—scaled to their chosen account size—while adhering to drawdown limits. TradeDay offers three types of drawdown rules (trailing intraday, end‑of‑day, and static) and imposes position limits based on contract size. There is no set time limit to complete the evaluation; traders may progress at their own pace. Once the profit target is attained without breaching risk parameters, the trader is upgraded to a funded account and the monthly evaluation fee ceases.

TopStep Trading Combine

TopStep’s Trading Combine unfolds in two distinct stages. The first stage assesses profitability: traders subscribe for a monthly fee and must achieve a net profit target within the specified limits on winning days. The second stage evaluates consistent risk management: cumulative drawdown and daily loss thresholds must not be violated. Only upon satisfying both stages does the trader earn an “Express Funded Account.” Subsequent performance may qualify the trader for a “Live Funded Account,” which consolidates results from multiple funded accounts under standardized risk settings.

Profit Split and Payout Structures

TradeDay Profit Split

TradeDay offers a generous profit share from the outset. Traders retain a baseline percentage of profits on their funded accounts—starting at 80%, with the opportunity to increase up to 95% once cumulative profit milestones are reached. Payouts can be requested immediately upon funding, with no requirement for consistent trading activity. Traders are free to withdraw earnings at any time, subject only to the firm’s standard processing intervals.

TopStep Profit Split

TopStep’s payout model rewards early success with full profit retention. Traders keep 100% of their first segment of cumulative profits (up to a predetermined amount). After this threshold is surpassed, subsequent profits are split at 90% in the trader’s favor. Payouts can be requested once performance hurdles—such as a minimum number of non‑consecutive winning days—are crossed. Withdrawal limits and minimum payout amounts apply, and the trader’s maximum permissible loss resets to the account’s starting balance following each payout.

Pricing and Fees

TradeDay Pricing

TradeDay provides flexible subscription tiers corresponding to account sizes and evaluation styles: intraday, end‑of‑day, and static drawdown models. Promotional discounts reduce monthly fees substantially, making entry-level evaluations available for under sixty dollars per month. Profit targets and drawdown limits scale with account size (e.g., $50K, $100K, $150K), and position limits increase proportionally. Additional premium content—webinars, research, and live commentary—is available through a separate low‑cost membership.

TopStep Pricing

TopStep’s Trading Combine subscriptions come in three account sizes—$50K, $100K, and $150K buying power—with monthly fees starting below fifty dollars for the smallest account. Reset fees match the monthly subscription cost, allowing traders to restart the evaluation if risk rules are breached. Upon passing the evaluation, a one‑time activation fee applies to establish the funded account. No further subscription or activation fees are required for existing Express Funded Accounts, though moving to a Live Funded Account may entail additional conditions.

Trading Platforms and Technology

TradeDay Platforms

TradeDay supports multiple industry‑standard trading platforms, including NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, and Jigsaw. These integrations offer access to robust order execution, advanced charting, and third‑party plug‑ins. TradeDay’s proprietary “virtual trading room” consolidates data feeds, research publications, and live market commentary within the trader’s workflow until funding is achieved.

TopStep Platforms

TopStep has developed its own trading environment, TopStepX™, designed specifically for proprietary futures traders. It includes built‑in charting, customizable indicators, a trade copier for coaching sessions, and commission‑free order routing. In addition, TopStep offers support for third‑party platforms—such as NinjaTrader and Quantower—via direct integrations, leveraging reliable data feeds for low‑latency execution.

Supported Markets and Instruments

TradeDay Instruments

TradeDay focuses exclusively on futures contracts traded on major U.S. exchanges. Available instruments cover equity index futures, commodity futures, and micro‑contract variants. Traders can diversify across asset classes such as stock indices, energy, metals, and agricultural products. Commission schedules vary by contract, with fees debited per traded lot.

TopStep Instruments

TopStep similarly concentrates on U.S. futures markets, offering access to E‑mini equity indices, agricultural, energy, metals, and micro contracts. Traders may select instrument flexibility based on account rules, with maximum position limits set per combine stage. Commission structures are embedded in the trader’s evaluation subscription and funded account parameters, with clear breakdowns by contract type.

Risk Management Rules

TradeDay Risk Rules

TradeDay employs three risk frameworks: intraday trailing drawdown, end‑of‑day trailing drawdown, and static drawdown. Trailing drawdown limits adjust upward with realized profits, while static limits remain fixed. Position limits cap the number of contracts open at any moment. All evaluations require adherence to these parameters on every trading day, with no resets until the monthly subscription renews.

TopStep Risk Rules

TopStep’s Trading Combine defines both daily loss thresholds and overall drawdown limits. The daily loss limit prevents excessive single‑day drawdowns, while cumulative drawdown enforces account‑wide risk discipline. TopStep resets drawdowns only upon safety‑net conditions—such as the completion of a reset purchase or the transition to a funded account. Funded accounts carry forward similar risk boundaries, with automatic adjustments following profit withdrawals.

Account Scaling and Growth Opportunities

TradeDay Scaling

TradeDay offers scaling incentives through profit‑based milestones. As traders accumulate net gains, drawdown thresholds and profit splits improve, enabling larger account sizes and higher profit retention. There are no formal multi‑phase challenges; instead, flexible rules allow traders to progress naturally based on performance.

TopStep Scaling

TopStep’s pathway includes an “Express Funded Account” followed by potential elevation to a “Live Funded Account.” Consistent performance in multiple funded accounts triggers a migration to the live environment, where traders consolidate gains and operate under a unified balance across accounts. This tiered structure rewards discipline and sustained profitability, offering growth through increased buying power and withdrawal flexibility.

Customer Support and Resources

TradeDay Support

TradeDay maintains round‑the‑clock email support and offers a rich library of educational resources. Live webinars cover trading strategies, market analysis, and platform tutorials. Community interaction is fostered through industry expert Q&A sessions within the virtual trading room.

TopStep Support

TopStep provides dedicated help center articles, one‑on‑one coaching calls, and a community forum. Trader performance coaches offer feedback on trading plans, and weekly levels—educational milestones—guide skill development. A status updates portal and newsletter keep traders informed of system changes and performance metrics.

Conclusion and Comparison

Both TradeDay and TopStep cater to futures traders seeking funded capital through structured evaluations. TradeDay’s single‑phase, subscription‑based model emphasizes flexibility, immediate payouts, and a high profit split. TopStep’s multi‑stage Trading Combine offers a clear progression from evaluation to live funded trading, with an initial profit threshold for full retention and a tiered payout split thereafter. Pricing structures differ: TradeDay leverages promotional discounts on monthly fees, while TopStep employs a standardized subscription with reset and activation fees. Platform choices span industry‑standard tools and proprietary environments, supporting a broad range of futures instruments. Risk frameworks in both firms aim to instill discipline, though TradeDay’s static and trailing drawdowns contrast with TopStep’s daily loss and cumulative drawdown limits. Ultimately, the choice between TradeDay and TopStep depends on a trader’s preference for evaluation style, profit‑sharing nuances, and platform ecosystems. Both firms offer comprehensive support and resources to guide traders from simulated assessment to live market participation.

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