FTMO vs Topstep: Which Is Better in 2026?

A detailed head-to-head comparison of FTMO and Topstep across trust scores, pricing, rules, profit splits, and payouts to help you choose the right prop firm.

Company Background & Trust

FTMO was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, holding a trust score of 93/100 with 4.8/5 stars from 42,210+ reviews. Topstep, founded in 2012 in Chicago, Illinois, USA, carries a trust score of 90/100 with 3.4/5 stars from 13,759+ reviews. FTMO leads on trust metrics, but both have demonstrated reliability in the prop trading space.

Rules & Evaluation Comparison

FTMO offers a 2-step evaluation with a profit target of 10% / 5% (2-Step) or 10% (1-Step), max drawdown of 10%, and daily drawdown of 5%. Topstep features a 1-step evaluation with a $3,000 – $9,000 profit target, Trailing max drawdown, and Based on account daily drawdown. Topstep has fewer evaluation steps, making it faster to get funded.

Pricing & Profit Splits

FTMO challenges start at $155 – $1,080 with a 80/20 – 90/10 profit split and bi-weekly payouts. Topstep starts at $49 – $149/mo with a 90/10 split and next-day payouts. When comparing value for money, consider not just the upfront cost but the profit split and payout frequency as key factors in your long-term earnings.

The Verdict

Choose FTMO if you prioritize a high trust score and generous profit splits. Choose Topstep if you value a simpler evaluation process and reliable payouts. Both are solid options — use our comparison tool to see the full side-by-side breakdown.