Home Compare Topstep vs Fundednext
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Topstep
⚔ Head-to-Head Updated 2026-05-22 · Both firms reviewed by Paul

Topstep vs Fundednext (2026)

Side-by-side: drawdown, payouts, pricing, platforms. Topstep uses Intraday trailing, Fundednext uses EOD-trailing + lock — these are different beasts.

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

Side-by-Side Specs

Dimension Topstep Fundednext
Drawdown mechanicIntraday trailingEOD-trailing + lock
Cheapest eval$49$299.99
Profit split90%95%
Payout frequencyNext Trading Day5 Days
Max funding$150,000$300,000
Max payout$150,000
AssetsFuturesForex, Futures
PlatformsTopstepX, NinjaTrader, TradovateNinjatrader, Tradingview, Tradovate, MatchTrader
Payout methodsWise, Wire / SWIFT, ACH, AeropaySkrill, PayPal, Crypto
Promo codeVIBES (30% off)
Paul-testedResearch-basedYes

Drawdown — The Single Most Important Difference

Topstep uses Intraday trailing while Fundednext uses EOD-trailing + 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.

Fundednext

EOD-trailing + lock

MLL trails up at end-of-day until it reaches starting balance, then locks. Intraday drops don't reset.

Account Plans Compared

Topstep offers 4 plans. Fundednext 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

Fundednext plans

  • Stellar 2-Step $50K
    Starting $50,000 · $299.99 · 21d cycle
  • Stellar 2-Step $100K
    Starting $100,000 · $549.99 · 21d cycle
  • Stellar 1-Step $50K
    Starting $50,000 · $299.99 · 2d cycle
  • Stellar Lite $50K
    Starting $50,000 · $299.99 · 21d cycle

Who Fits Which Firm

→ Pick Topstep if

  • You want a Intraday trailing mechanic
  • Entry price matters — $49 beats $299.99
  • Your strategy fits this firm's drawdown profile

→ Pick Fundednext if

  • You want a EOD-trailing + lock mechanic
  • You trade Forex — broader asset coverage
  • You want to diversify firm-risk alongside Topstep

FAQ — Topstep vs Fundednext

Is Topstep or Fundednext cheaper to start?

Topstep's cheapest evaluation is $49. Fundednext's cheapest is $299.99. Topstep wins on entry price by $250.99.

What's the drawdown difference between Topstep and Fundednext?

Topstep uses Intraday trailing. Fundednext uses EOD-trailing + lock. These are fundamentally different — your risk model needs to change when switching between them.

Which firm has the better profit split?

Topstep: 90%. Fundednext: 95%.

Has Paul personally tested both firms?

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

Can I run both Topstep and Fundednext 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. Fundednext: 5 Days. 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. Fundednext offers lock-protection on first profits — favors traders who scale slow. After mechanic, evaluate payout speed and your strategy's drawdown profile.