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⚔ Head-to-Head Updated 2026-05-22 · Both firms reviewed by Paul

Topstep vs Breakout (2026)

Side-by-side: drawdown, payouts, pricing, platforms. Topstep uses Intraday trailing, Breakout uses Static — these are different beasts.

Quick verdict
Entry price
Topstep
Drawdown protection
Tie
Paul-tested
Breakout
Profit split
Toss-up
Plans on offer
Topstep

Side-by-Side Specs

Dimension Topstep Breakout
Drawdown mechanicIntraday trailingStatic
Cheapest eval$49$95
Profit split90%90%
Payout frequencyNext Trading Day24/7
Max funding$150,000$200,000
Max payout$150,000
AssetsFuturesCrypto
PlatformsTopstepX, NinjaTrader, TradovateBreakout Terminal
Payout methodsWise, Wire / SWIFT, ACH, AeropayCrypto
Promo code
Paul-testedResearch-basedYes

Drawdown — The Single Most Important Difference

Topstep uses Intraday trailing while Breakout uses Static. Your risk approach needs to adjust when switching.

Topstep

Intraday trailing

MLL tracks intraday equity-high tick by tick. Spike up = floor raised instantly.

Breakout

Static

Fixed-dollar MLL — never moves. Simplest mechanic.

Account Plans Compared

Topstep offers 4 plans. Breakout offers 4 plans.

Topstep plans

  • Trading Combine $50K
    Starting $50,000 · $49 · 1d cycle
  • Trading Combine $100K
    Starting $100,000 · $99 · 1d cycle
  • Trading Combine $150K
    Starting $150,000 · $149 · 1d cycle
  • Express Funded $50K
    Starting $50,000 · 1d cycle

Breakout plans

  • 1-Step $25K (6% static)
    Starting $25,000 · $119 · 3d cycle
  • 1-Step $50K (6% static)
    Starting $50,000 · $219 · 3d cycle
  • 2-Step $50K (8% trailing)
    Starting $50,000 · $299 · 3d cycle
  • 2-Step $100K (8% trailing)
    Starting $100,000 · $549 · 3d cycle

Who Fits Which Firm

→ Pick Topstep if

  • You want a Intraday trailing mechanic
  • Entry price matters — $49 beats $95
  • Your strategy fits this firm's drawdown profile

→ Pick Breakout if

  • You want a Static mechanic
  • You trade Crypto — broader asset coverage
  • You want to diversify firm-risk alongside Topstep

FAQ — Topstep vs Breakout

Is Topstep or Breakout cheaper to start?

Topstep's cheapest evaluation is $49. Breakout's cheapest is $95. Topstep wins on entry price marginally.

What's the drawdown difference between Topstep and Breakout?

Topstep uses Intraday trailing. Breakout uses Static. These are fundamentally different — your risk model needs to change when switching between them.

Which firm has the better profit split?

Topstep: 90%. Breakout: 90%.

Has Paul personally tested both firms?

Topstep is research-based on this site — Paul has not yet completed a full evaluation cycle there. Breakout also Paul-tested with documented payouts.

Can I run both Topstep and Breakout accounts simultaneously?

Yes. Different prop firms have no shared compliance — running them in parallel is the standard playbook for funded traders looking to diversify firm-risk. Track each firm's rule changes independently.

Which firm pays out faster?

Topstep payout cadence: Next Trading Day. Breakout: 24/7. Method matters too — Wise and Plaid typically beat ACH and wire by 1-2 days.

Are there overlap restrictions if I trade both?

No cross-firm compliance overlap. Each firm 1099s independently for US residents. Cross-firm copy-trading rules only matter inside a single firm's account family.

If I had to pick one, what's the deciding factor?

Drawdown mechanic comes first. Both firms run trailing mechanics — winners decide on entry price and payout speed. After mechanic, evaluate payout speed and your strategy's drawdown profile.