Quick Answer — Topstep Trading Combine — Quick Facts
- • Three sizes: $50K ($49/mo), $100K ($99/mo), $150K ($149/mo) — all require $149 activation fee
- • Profit targets: $3,000 / $6,000 / $9,000 (no time limit)
- • Max Loss Limit: trailing intraday — tracks live equity HWM, can trigger mid-session
- • Daily Loss Limit: $1K / $2K / $3K, resets 5 PM CT — hitting it is NOT a rule violation
- • Consistency rule: best winning day must stay under 50% of total cycle profit
- • Pass rate (2025): 16.8% of all Combines; 51.8% of participants advance to any funded level
Direct experience: 3+ years on Topstep's $50K Trading Combine, ~$17,000 paid via Wise. The account journey: Combine ($49/$99/$149/mo + $149 activation) → XFA dual-path since Feb 5, 2026 (Standard 5d/$5K vs Consistency 3d/$6K) → Live Funded for the 0.71% who advance. Account-by-account breakdown in Topstep accounts overview, full assessment in the Topstep review. Current pricing on Topstep.
The Topstep Trading Combine is a monthly subscription evaluation where you trade a simulated futures account under live market conditions and advance to real-money funding when you pass. Three sizes, one structure: hit a profit target, respect the trailing intraday drawdown, stay inside the daily loss limit, and keep your best day at 50% or less of total cycle profit.
I've been running the $50K Combine for 3+ years. Multiple passes, around $17,000 in cumulative payouts. This article covers every number you need to know before you subscribe. For the full account progression from Combine through Express Funded to Live, see the Topstep accounts overview.
The three Combine sizes: fees and specs
Every size uses the same structure. What changes is the profit target, the loss limits, and the contract caps.
| Spec | $50K Combine | $100K Combine | $150K Combine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $49 | $99 | $149 |
| Activation fee (one-time) | $149 | $149 | $149 |
| Profit target | $3,000 | $6,000 | $9,000 |
| Max Loss Limit (MLL) | $2,000 | $3,000 | $4,500 |
| Daily Loss Limit | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Max contracts (minis) | 5 | 10 | 15 |
| Max contracts (micros) | 50 | 100 | 150 |
Source: topstep.com/topstep-prop — verified April 2026.
The activation fee is the same $149 regardless of size, making the $50K the cheapest total entry point. Monthly fees continue billing until you pass, breach, or cancel. There is no one-time evaluation path. For the full pricing breakdown including Reset Credits and comparison scenarios, see Topstep pricing.
Drawdown mechanic: trailing intraday, not EOD
This is the number one thing traders get wrong about the Combine. The Max Loss Limit is trailing intraday, meaning it follows your highest live equity balance in real time during the session.
How it works in practice on a $50K Combine with a $2,000 MLL:
| Event | Live equity | MLL floor | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session open | $50,000 | $48,000 | Floor starts $2K below opening balance |
| +$800 trade | $50,800 | $48,800 | Floor trails up immediately |
| Position runs back -$600 | $50,200 | $48,800 | Floor does NOT move down — only trails up |
| New high +$1,200 | $51,200 | $49,200 | Floor trails up to $49,200 |
| Open position drops -$2,300 | $48,900 | $49,200 | Equity below floor — account closed |
The key difference from an end-of-day trailing drawdown: the floor never locks at starting balance on a Combine. It keeps climbing as your equity climbs. A session where you make $3,000 in the morning then give it all back breaks the Combine even though you started and ended flat. The MLL tracked the $3,000 high, the floor moved up $3,000, and when equity dropped back to starting balance it was already $1,000 below the new floor.
This is what makes the Combine harder than an EOD-trailing eval. Intraday management is not optional. For the full comparison of Combine intraday vs Express Funded EOD vs Live Account mechanics, see Topstep drawdown explained.
Daily Loss Limit: how it works and why hitting it isn't a violation
The Daily Loss Limit ($1K/$2K/$3K depending on size) is a separate mechanism from the MLL. When your daily losses reach the limit, Topstep auto-liquidates any open positions and locks trading for the rest of that day. The reset happens at 5 PM CT.
Critically: hitting the Daily Loss Limit is NOT a rule violation. The account stays open. You come back the next session at full standing. This is a protective floor, not an account-ender.
What the Daily Loss Limit does do:
- Forces discipline on bad-day spiraling — you cannot continue adding to losses once the limit is hit
- Protects the MLL — many accounts that would eventually breach the MLL are saved by the DLL cutting off the session
- Resets clean — after 5 PM CT you start fresh the next day with no running balance from the bad session
The MLL breach is the one that ends the Combine. The DLL is the safety net before that point.
The 50% consistency rule
The consistency rule: your single best winning day cannot exceed 50% of total cycle profit.
Formula: Best Day / Total Profit ≤ 50%
Two worked examples on a $50K Combine with a $3,000 target:
Failing the consistency check. Day 1: +$1,800. Next four sessions: +$200, +$300, +$400, +$300. Total: $3,000. Best day: $1,800. Concentration: $1,800 / $3,000 = 60%. Pass denied.
Passing the consistency check. Day 1: +$600. Day 2: +$500. Day 3: +$700. Day 4: +$800. Day 5: +$400. Total: $3,000. Best day: $800. Concentration: $800 / $3,000 = 27%. Pass.
The rule favors distributed-edge traders. A 1-trade wonder who bags $2,800 on a single NFP print and scrapes $200 across the remaining sessions fails this check even though the target is hit and the drawdown was never touched.
The fix is always the same: add more profitable sessions to lower the concentration ratio. Once you're above 50% on your best day, you cannot retroactively reduce that day's profit — you can only add sessions until the ratio drops below 50%.
The 50% rule applies during the Combine and continues into the Express Funded Account. For the full consistency-rule framework including how Topstep calculates "winning day" thresholds, see Topstep consistency rule.
Pass rate context
Topstep publishes its own cohort data on topstep.com/our-program. The 2025 numbers:
- 16.8% of all Combines pass
- 51.8% of participants advance to any funded level (meaning many traders restart and eventually pass)
- 33.3% of funded-level traders received payouts
- 0.71% of Express Funded Account traders reached the Live Funded Account
The 51.8% figure is the one worth holding onto. The 16.8% pass rate is per attempt. Traders who restart after a breach — using either a new subscription or a Reset Credit, can and do pass on later attempts. The path is narrow, but the majority of persistent traders get through to funded.
My own history is consistent with this. I didn't pass my first $50K Combine. Pacing strategy matters more than trading ability above a certain threshold.
Max contracts: position limits per size
The contract limits define simultaneous open positions, not daily volume.
| Combine size | Mini contracts | Micro contracts |
|---|---|---|
| $50K | 5 | 50 |
| $100K | 10 | 100 |
| $150K | 15 | 150 |
Mixing minis and micros is allowed within the equivalent cap. 5 minis equals 50 micros, so a trader holding 3 minis and 30 micros on a $50K Combine is at full capacity. For the detailed rules on how Topstep calculates mixed positions, see Topstep maximum contracts.
What happens after you pass
Pass the Combine and you advance automatically to the Express Funded Account (XFA). No application, no waiting period, the XFA opens when the Combine closes.
Since February 5, 2026, the XFA runs two paths:
- Standard Path: 5 winning days minimum + $5,000 cumulative profit minimum
- Consistency Path: 3 winning days minimum + $6,000 cumulative profit minimum
The XFA uses trailing EOD drawdown, not intraday. The MLL locks at starting balance once profits push the floor up to that level. This makes the XFA materially easier to navigate than the Combine from a drawdown-management standpoint.
The 50% consistency rule stays in effect at the XFA. Profit split for current sign-ups (post-January 12, 2026) is 90/10 in the trader's favor from the first dollar.
The Reset Credit Bank
Each monthly subscription renewal adds one Reset Credit to your account. A Reset Credit lets you reset the Combine back to starting conditions without purchasing a new account. The credit matches your account size and path. Unlike per-reset-fee models at other firms, Topstep's monthly subscribers accumulate credits passively over time.
For the full Reset Credit mechanics and how resets interact with the activation fee, see Topstep refund and reset policy.
Pass strategy for the $50K Combine
Three years on the $50K has produced a consistent playbook. The specifics of the $100K and $150K Combines are structurally identical, scale the dollar figures.
Pace the consistency rule first, profit target second. On a $50K with a $3,000 target, plan for $300-$500 profit days. Five days at $600 average is $3,000 with a 20% concentration. You have room for variance. Sizing for $1,200-$1,500 days compresses that margin fast.
The DLL is your session floor, not your target. A $1,000 DLL on $50K is a hard floor, not a soft one. Trading toward it loses you the session and risks your MLL buffer. Plan sessions to stay well inside $400-$500 intraday loss before cutting. The DLL is the ceiling on bad days, not the expected loss level.
Understand the intraday MLL math before every session. Before you open a position, know where your MLL floor sits. If you had a good previous session, the floor is higher than it was. Factor that into sizing. This is the habit that separates traders who pass from traders who get taken out by a position they thought was manageable.
Sit out high-variance news events. CPI, FOMC, NFP. The Combine's intraday trailing drawdown is unforgiving on wrong-side news moves. A 30-point NQ spike against you can close a session's worth of equity and move the MLL floor up before auto-liquidation triggers. Flat or reduced size through the print is the right call.
Don't chase the pass near month-end. The monthly subscription model creates a psychological trap, traders rush to pass before the next billing date. Rushed pass attempts produce oversized position days that blow the consistency rule. There is no time limit on the Combine. A clean pass on Day 30 is the same as Day 10. Don't let billing dates drive sizing decisions.
For a full strategy framework covering setup selection, scaling approach, and payout-cycle management, see Topstep best strategies and Topstep first payout strategy.
Common Combine failure modes
Intraday MLL breach on a recovery trade. Trader takes a $600 loss, price bounces, they add size to recover quickly. The recovery trade runs against them. The MLL floor moved up on earlier equity highs and the account closes at a point the trader thought was still safe. This is the most common single breach cause at the $50K level.
Consistency rule violation near the target. Trader hits $2,800 of a $3,000 target on 4 trading days, realizes one day accounted for $1,600 (57%), and then tries to pass quickly by closing the remaining $200 gap in small increments. The large day stays at 57%. No amount of small days fixes a 57% concentration without adding meaningful profit. Many traders underestimate how many additional sessions are needed.
Treating the DLL hit as a pass risk. The DLL does not end the Combine. Some traders who hit it once assume the account is compromised and trade defensively or recklessly afterward. Neither is correct. A DLL hit is a bad day. Come back the next session.
Platform switch mid-Combine. Switching from TopstepX to NinjaTrader or Tradovate mid-evaluation introduces platform-specific execution differences that add variance at the worst time. Pick one platform before you activate and stay on it. For platform details, see Topstep trading platforms and TopstepX platform guide.
Rules overview
For the full Topstep rulebook covering all account stages, including payout rules, restricted trading strategies, VPN policy, and copy trading, see Topstep rules overview. The Combine-specific drawdown mechanic in detail is at Topstep drawdown explained.
The Combine is the entry gate. Everything downstream, the XFA, the Live Funded Account, the payouts, depends on passing it cleanly. For the complete account progression architecture, see Topstep accounts overview. For pricing context and the activation-fee calculation, see Topstep pricing breakdown.
The bottom line
The Topstep Trading Combine runs $49/month ($50K), $99/month ($100K), or $149/month ($150K), plus a $149 activation fee. Pass conditions: hit the profit target ($3K/$6K/$9K), never let live equity touch the trailing intraday MLL floor, stay inside the Daily Loss Limit each session, and keep your best day at 50% or less of total cycle profit. The intraday trailing drawdown is the hardest part, it moves in real time and doesn't lock at starting balance the way EOD drawdowns do.
16.8% of Combines pass on a given attempt. 51.8% of participants eventually advance to a funded level. The traders who pass are the ones who pace the consistency rule deliberately, manage session exposure around the intraday MLL, and treat the DLL as a protective floor rather than a target. Pass and you go straight to the Express Funded Account, where the drawdown converts to EOD-trailing and the path to payouts opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the monthly fees for the Topstep Trading Combine?
As of April 2026, the Trading Combine costs $49/month for $50K, $99/month for $100K, and $149/month for $150K. Each size also requires a one-time $149 activation fee when you open the account. Topstep does not offer a one-time evaluation option, the Combine is subscription-only. Monthly fees continue until you pass, breach, or cancel.
What is the profit target for the Topstep Trading Combine?
Profit targets are $3,000 for the $50K Combine, $6,000 for $100K, and $9,000 for $150K. There is no time limit, you can take as long as needed as long as you stay within the drawdown and daily loss limits. The profit target is based on account balance, so you need your simulated account to reach $53K, $106K, or $159K respectively.
How does the trailing intraday drawdown work on the Trading Combine?
The Max Loss Limit trails your highest live equity balance in real time during the session, not just at the end of day. If your balance rises to a new high, the MLL floor lifts immediately. If your equity then drops to touch that floor at any point during the session, even momentarily, the account closes. The MLL is $2,000 on $50K, $3,000 on $100K, and $4,500 on $150K. Unlike EOD-trailing drawdowns, this one never locks at starting balance.
What is the Daily Loss Limit on the Topstep Trading Combine?
The Daily Loss Limit is $1,000 on $50K, $2,000 on $100K, and $3,000 on $150K. It resets at 5 PM CT each trading day. Hitting the Daily Loss Limit triggers an auto-liquidation of open positions, but it is NOT recorded as a rule violation. The account stays open, you are simply locked out of trading for the rest of that day. This is different from the MLL breach, which ends the account.
What is the 50% consistency rule on the Topstep Trading Combine?
The consistency rule requires that your single best winning day stays below 50% of your total cycle profit. If you have $3,000 in total profits but $1,600 came from one day, that is 53% and the pass is denied even if the profit target is met. The fix is always the same: add more profitable days to lower the concentration ratio below 50%. This rule applies during both the Combine and the Express Funded Account.
How many contracts can I trade in the Topstep Trading Combine?
The $50K Combine allows up to 5 mini contracts (or 50 micro contracts). The $100K allows 10 minis (100 micros). The $150K allows 15 minis (150 micros). These are simultaneous position limits, not daily volume limits. Mixing minis and micros is allowed within the equivalent cap. For the full position-limit breakdown across all account stages, see the maximum contracts article.
What is the pass rate for the Topstep Trading Combine?
As of 2025 cohort data published on topstep.com, 16.8% of all Combines pass. A broader metric shows 51.8% of participants advance to any funded level, meaning many traders restart and eventually pass. Only 33.3% of funded-level traders received payouts, and 0.71% of Express Funded Account traders advanced to the Live Funded Account. These are Topstep-published figures.
What happens after I pass the Topstep Trading Combine?
Passing the Combine advances you automatically to an Express Funded Account (XFA). Since February 5, 2026, the XFA offers two paths: the Standard Path (5 winning days minimum, $5,000 cumulative profit minimum) and the Consistency Path (3 winning days minimum, $6,000 cumulative profit minimum). The XFA uses a trailing EOD drawdown rather than the intraday version on the Combine.
Is there a time limit on the Topstep Trading Combine?
No. There is no maximum number of days to complete the Trading Combine. Your monthly subscription continues billing until you pass, breach, or cancel. This means slow and deliberate pacing is a valid strategy, especially for managing the 50% consistency rule. Each subscription renewal also adds one Reset Credit to your Reset Credit Bank.
What does an auto-liquidation on the Daily Loss Limit mean for my Combine?
When your losses for the day reach the Daily Loss Limit ($1K/$2K/$3K), Topstep auto-liquidates all open positions and locks your trading for the remainder of that day. This is a protective mechanism, not a penalty. The Combine account remains active and continues normally the next session. Only a Max Loss Limit breach terminates the account.
What is the Reset Credit Bank and how does it apply to the Combine?
Each monthly subscription renewal adds one Reset Credit to your Reset Credit Bank. A Reset Credit lets you reset a Combine back to starting conditions without purchasing a new account. The credit matches your account size and path. Instead of paying a separate reset fee each time, monthly subscribers accumulate credits passively. For the full Reset Credit mechanics, see the refund and reset policy article.
How does the $50K Combine compare to the $150K Combine?
The $50K Combine costs $49/month with a $3,000 profit target, $2,000 MLL, and a $1,000 Daily Loss Limit. The $150K costs $149/month with a $9,000 profit target, $4,500 MLL, and a $3,000 Daily Loss Limit. Contract limits scale from 5 minis to 15 minis. The percentage-based difficulty is similar across sizes, all three require the same 50% consistency rule and the same intraday trailing drawdown mechanic. The $150K offers more cushion in dollar terms but demands more total profit.
Can I use a VPN while trading the Topstep Trading Combine?
No. Topstep explicitly prohibits VPNs. Their Help Center states: "No, you cannot use a VPN while trading with Topstep." The TopstepX API additionally states all activity must be performed from your own device without VPS, VPNs, or remote access tools. A VPN connection triggers Error 403 Forbidden. For Topstep's full VPN policy, see Topstep VPN policy.
Which platforms can I use for the Topstep Trading Combine?
As of April 2026, the Trading Combine supports TopstepX (Topstep's proprietary platform with built-in TradingView charts), NinjaTrader, and Tradovate. ProjectX was shut down in 2026 and is no longer supported. TopstepX is the recommended platform and gained new capabilities following Topstep's April 1, 2026 acquisition of The Futures Desk. For a full setup guide, see TopstepX platform guide.