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Topstep
⚔ Head-to-Head Updated 2026-05-16 · Both firms reviewed by Paul

Topstep vs Elite Trader Funding (2026)

Side-by-side: drawdown, payouts, pricing, platforms. Topstep uses Intraday trailing, Elite Trader Funding uses EOD-trailing (no lock) — these are different beasts.

Quick verdict
Entry price
Elite Trader Funding
Drawdown protection
Tie
Paul-tested
Neither
Profit split
Toss-up
Plans on offer
Elite Trader Funding

Side-by-Side Specs

Dimension Topstep Elite Trader Funding
Drawdown mechanicIntraday trailingEOD-trailing (no lock)
Cheapest eval$49$35
Profit split90%90/10 (up to 100/0)
Payout frequencyNext Trading DayDaily review post-Sep 17 2025
Max funding$150,000$250,000
Max payout$150,000
AssetsFuturesFutures
PlatformsTopstepX, NinjaTrader, TradovateUNKNOWN — ProjectX-powered (Tradovate/NinjaTrader/TradingView inferred)
Payout methodsWise, Wire / SWIFT, ACH, AeropayBank Transfer (via Rise), Crypto (via Rise), Local currency (via Rise)
Promo codeGOFUTURES (80% off)
Paul-testedResearch-basedResearch-based

Drawdown — The Single Most Important Difference

Topstep uses Intraday trailing while Elite Trader Funding uses EOD-trailing (no lock). Your risk approach needs to adjust when switching.

Topstep

Intraday trailing

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

Elite Trader Funding

EOD-trailing (no lock)

MLL trails end-of-day equity-high with no lock. Pure trailing-up.

Account Plans Compared

Topstep offers 4 plans. Elite Trader Funding offers 5 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

Elite Trader Funding plans

  • 1-Step $50K
    Starting $50,000 · $197 · 7d cycle
  • 1-Step $100K
    Starting $100,000 · $247 · 7d cycle
  • 1-Step $150K
    Starting $150,000 · $347 · 7d cycle
  • Diamond Hands $100K (EOD trailing)
    Starting $100,000 · $365
  • Live Elite (post-Elite Sim funded; min balance $1,250-$2,500)

Who Fits Which Firm

→ Pick Topstep if

  • You want a Intraday trailing mechanic
  • Your strategy fits this firm's drawdown profile

→ Pick Elite Trader Funding if

  • You want a EOD-trailing (no lock) mechanic
  • Entry price matters — $35 beats $49
  • You want to diversify firm-risk alongside Topstep

FAQ — Topstep vs Elite Trader Funding

Is Topstep or Elite Trader Funding cheaper to start?

Topstep's cheapest evaluation is $49. Elite Trader Funding's cheapest is $35. Elite Trader Funding wins on entry price marginally.

What's the drawdown difference between Topstep and Elite Trader Funding?

Topstep uses Intraday trailing. Elite Trader Funding uses EOD-trailing (no lock). These are fundamentally different — your risk model needs to change when switching between them.

Which firm has the better profit split?

Topstep: 90%. Elite Trader Funding: 90/10 (up to 100/0).

Has Paul personally tested both firms?

Topstep is research-based on this site — Paul has not yet completed a full evaluation cycle there. Elite Trader Funding is research-based — see the main review for the data sourcing methodology.

Can I run both Topstep and Elite Trader Funding 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. Elite Trader Funding: Daily review post-Sep 17 2025 . 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.