Topstep vs TradeDay
Side-by-side comparison across all 16 scoring variables. Topstep (63/100, Average) vs TradeDay (76/100, Good).
| — | Topstep 63 Average | TradeDay 76 Good |
|---|---|---|
| Score Dimensions | ||
| Payout Integrity30% | 6.3 | 7.8 |
| Rules Integrity22% | 6.3 | 7.7 |
| Rules Stability8% | 6.0 | 9.0 |
| Business Viability18% | 9.0 | 7.3 |
| Platform & Execution9% | 4.0 | 8.0 |
| Cost Fairness10% | 4.5 | 6.5 |
| Specifications | ||
| Payout Split | 90% (flat for new traders as of Jan 12, 2026) | 80% on first $50K profit, 90% on next $50K, 95% above $100K |
| Max Funded | $150,000 (Express Funded Account) | $150,000 |
| Payout Cap | $2,000/payout Standard, $3,000/payout Consistency — new $50K accounts from Apr 28, 2026 | None |
| Drawdown Model | Trailing EOD MLL — ratchets up with peak end-of-day balance, never resets down | Choice of Intraday Trailing / EOD Trailing / Static — three variants per account size |
| Min Days | 5 winning days required before payout request | Plan-dependent |
| Challenge Fee | $49–$149/month subscription | $125–$375/mo subscription depending on account size; $50K typical $165/mo |
| Fee Refundable | No — subscription model, no refund on payout | No — subscription model |
| News Trading | Allowed — no restrictions on futures news trading | Restricted on funded accounts during major releases |
| Platforms | TopstepX (proprietary, mandatory as of 2026) | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, R-Trader, Quantower |
| Payout Schedule | On demand after 5 winning days — processed 1-3 business days | Within-week processing |
| Visit → | Visit → | |
The Verdict
TradeDay (76/100, Good) is the higher-scoring of the two on our composite. Its standout dimensions are score 76/100 (good) — founders james thorpe (ex-ceo mercury derivatives, 15+ years futures) and steve miley (13 years head of technical analysis at merrill lynch / credit suisse) publicly named with strong institutional pedigree.|three drawdown options per account size (intraday / eod / static) — uncommon flexibility in the futures peer group.|95% top-tier split unlocks above $100k cumulative profit; tiered structure rewards consistency.. Topstep (63/100, Average) is still worth considering if cme futures traders who want the most established firm in the category and trade small enough that the new $2k payout cap does not bind. See each firm's Topstep review and TradeDay review for the full evidence.