TopStep Challenges & Pricing April 2026

Topstep invented the Trading Combine. Every other futures prop firm evaluation on the market today is built on the model Michael Patak launched from the CBOT in 2012. Below you can play around with our interactive table and see how each of the Topstep challenges compare to one another in a side-by-side comparison. This page covers the three current Trading Combine challenges, the two pricing paths attached to each, and where each challenge actually fits different trading styles.

How the Topstep Trading Combine Differs From Every Other Futures Evaluation

The futures prop space is flooded with firms offering one-step evaluations, EOD trailing drawdown, profit targets at 6% of account size, and 10-day minimums. On paper, many of them look similar to Topstep. In practice, the Combine is structurally different in ways that matter once you actually start trading it.

Here is what separates the Topstep Trading Combine from challenges at Apex Trader Funding, Bulenox, My Funded Futures, and Tradeify:

• Two pricing paths per account size. Topstep is the only major futures firm that lets you choose between a lower monthly fee with a $149 activation fee at the end (Standard Path) or a higher monthly fee with zero activation fee (No Activation Fee Path). Every other firm pins you to one pricing structure.
• A minimum of 2 trading days. Most competitors require 5 to 10. The Combine can be passed in as few as 2 sessions if the 50% consistency target is respected and the profit target is hit. This is faster than Apex (7 days) and on par with MFFU (2 days).
• No time limit on any Combine. The subscription renews monthly until you pass, cancel, or breach. Competing firms typically cap evaluations at 30, 60, or 90 days.
• One free reset credit per monthly rebill. Every subscription renewal automatically deposits one reset credit into your Reset Bank. If you breach after your billing renewal date, you can restart without paying for a reset. As of August 2025, resets are no longer automatic at rebill. You choose when to use the credit.
• TopstepX platform exclusivity for new accounts. Every new Trading Combine must trade on TopstepX, Topstep's proprietary browser-based platform. No NinjaTrader, no Tradovate, no Quantower for new signups. Commission-free on the Combine.
• Platform-dependent daily loss limit. On TopstepX, the default Daily Loss Limit was removed in August 2024 and remains removed. On NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, or TradingView (legacy platforms), the DLL still applies. Since new Combines are TopstepX-only, new accounts effectively have no forced daily loss cap.
• Topstep covers one exchange data feed. The Combine includes CME data by default at no additional cost. NYMEX, COMEX, and CBOT access cost $133/month each if you need them.
• Back2Funded safety net after pass. If you breach your Express Funded Account before your first payout, Topstep provides up to two paid reactivations on the same account at the original size and policy. This is a post-pass feature, but it changes how aggressively you should approach the Combine knowing what comes next.

The trade-off is that the Combine is strict about what it tests. The 50% consistency target limits how much a single outlier day can move you toward the profit goal, the trailing Maximum Loss Limit rewards small consistent wins rather than home runs, and the mandatory TopstepX platform removes the option of using your preferred charting setup from day one.

Trading Combine Parameters by Account Size

Every Topstep challenge shares the same rulebook. What changes across the $50K, $100K, and $150K sizes is the capital exposure, profit target, drawdown room, contract access, and monthly fee.

Note on the $50K: The $50K Combine has a 4% drawdown (larger as a percentage than the 3% on the $100K and $150K). This gives you relatively more room to work with on the smallest account. The trade-off is the smaller contract limit.

The 1.5-to-1 Ratio That Defines Every Topstep Challenge

Every Topstep Combine shares the same structural ratio: the profit target is 1.5 times the Maximum Loss Limit. You need to make $1.50 of profit for every $1.00 of drawdown room you can absorb.

The $50K is the only Combine with the 1.5:1 ratio. The $100K and $150K both run at 2:1. This matters because the trailing nature of the Max Loss Limit means any sustained losing streak after a peak dramatically shrinks your working room. At 2:1, the math is tighter. You need to make twice as much as your drawdown ceiling, which leaves less margin for error during drawdown phases of the Combine.

With a 1:2 risk-reward ratio and a 50% win rate, either ratio is achievable in expectation. The difference shows up in practice when a multi-day drawdown after a peak forces you to rebuild toward a moving target. On the $50K, you have $2,000 of absolute room to absorb losses before a breach. On the $100K, you have $3,000. On the $150K, you have $4,500. But your profit target scales up faster than your drawdown.

Standard Path vs No Activation Fee Path

Topstep is the only major futures prop firm that gives you a choice at checkout between two pricing models for the same Combine. Same rules, same objectives, same account parameters. What changes is the split between your monthly subscription cost and your one-time activation fee after passing.

The breakeven math: On the $50K, the No Activation Fee Path costs more per month ($109 vs $49) but saves you the $149 activation fee at the end. The breakeven point is roughly 2.5 months. If you pass within 2 months, the No Activation path is cheaper. If you take 3+ months, the Standard path is cheaper.

Which Pricing Path Is Right For You

• Standard Path: Choose if you're still refining your strategy, expect to need multiple attempts, or are using the Combine as a training environment. The lower monthly cost keeps burn rate down while you build consistency. The activation fee is a one-time charge you only pay if you actually pass.
• No Activation Fee Path: Choose if you've already traded futures consistently, have a proven strategy, and are confident you can pass within 1 to 2 attempts. The higher monthly fee is offset entirely by the $149 activation fee you avoid.

Topstep also allows you to lock in your current price until you earn funding or for the life of your Combine. If you sign up at $49/month on the Standard Path, you continue at that rate through subsequent rebills even if promotional pricing changes.

How Resets Work During the Combine

Resets are a central feature of the Topstep Combine challenge experience. A reset restores your account to the starting balance with all rules reinstated. You keep your Combine subscription, you keep your price, and you keep your path. The only thing that changes is your P&L and trading history on the current Combine account.

Free Reset Credit on Every Monthly Rebill

Starting August 2025, Topstep stopped automatically resetting accounts at monthly rebill. Instead, each rebill deposits one Reset Credit into your Reset Bank. You choose when to use it.

This is a meaningful change from the old model where every rebill wiped your progress. If you're mid-Combine with a week left in your billing cycle and you're tracking toward the profit target, a rebill no longer forces a restart. You keep trading and only reset if you actually need to.

Paid Resets Mid-Cycle

If you breach your Max Loss Limit before your next rebill date, you can purchase a manual reset at the same price as your monthly fee. On the Standard Path, that's $49 for the $50K, $99 for the $100K, $149 for the $150K. On the No Activation Fee Path, reset fees match the higher monthly rates at $109, $159, and $209.

Reset Pricing Update as of February 5, 2026

Resets purchased on or after February 5, 2026 use the updated pricing shown in the pricing table above. Your monthly subscription rebill price is locked in at whatever you signed up for, so subscription prices don't change, but any reset purchases reflect current rates at the time of purchase.

The 50% Consistency Target and How It Actually Triggers

The 50% consistency target applies only during the Trading Combine. It does not apply to the Express Funded Account Standard variant after you pass. The rule: your best single trading day's profit must not exceed 50% of your profit target.

The formula: Best Day Profit ÷ Total Profit = Best Day %. That percentage must stay below 50%.

If your best day reaches or exceeds 50%, your profit target increases. The new target is calculated as: Best Day Profit ÷ 0.50 = New Minimum Total Profit Required.

Example on a $50K Combine

Your profit target is $3,000. On day 1, you make $1,800 in a single session. $1,800 ÷ $3,000 = 60%. The target now increases. $1,800 ÷ 0.50 = $3,600. You now need $3,600 total to pass, not $3,000.

If you then make $1,400 on day 2, your total is $3,200. Best day is still $1,800. $1,800 ÷ $3,200 = 56.25%. Still above 50%. Keep trading. Day 3 you add $600. Total is $3,800. Best day $1,800. $1,800 ÷ $3,800 = 47.4%. Under 50%. Combine passes.

The rule doesn't breach your account. It just pushes the finish line back. The practical implication: avoid oversized single sessions. Aim for $400 to $600 per day on the $50K, $800 to $1,200 on the $100K, or $1,500 to $2,250 on the $150K. Pacing the Combine is structurally rewarded.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Each Topstep Challenge

$50K Trading Combine

Strengths

• Cheapest entry into Topstep at $49/month on the Standard Path.
• Best drawdown ratio in the Topstep lineup: 1.5:1 profit target to Max Loss Limit (vs 2:1 on the $100K and $150K).
• Largest drawdown as a percentage of account size: 4%, compared to 3% on larger challenges. More absolute room per dollar of capital.
• $149 reset fee on breach is the lowest of the three sizes.
• Favored by new traders because the math is forgiving and the monthly burn rate is manageable if the Combine takes multiple months.

Weak Points

• Only 5 mini contracts or 50 micros maximum. Traders used to larger size need to adapt their position sizing.
• $3,000 profit target is fast to hit on a good streak, which means the 50% consistency target triggers easily. One $1,500+ day forces the target higher.
• Scaling Plan in the Express Funded Account restricts contract access early. You pass the $50K Combine with 5 minis available, but the XFA starts you at the lowest scaling tier.

$100K Trading Combine

Strengths

• 10 mini contracts or 100 micros. Real positional flexibility for traders with proven edge.
• $3,000 absolute drawdown room gives more cushion than the $50K in dollar terms.
• $99/month on the Standard Path is the middle-ground option for intermediate traders.
• 50% consistency target is easier to manage in percentage terms: $3,000 of room lets you have a $2,900 day without triggering the rule.

Weak Points

• Target-to-drawdown ratio is 2:1. Tighter than the $50K's 1.5:1. You need twice your drawdown in profit to pass.
• Drawdown as a percentage of account size is only 3%, less cushion proportionally than the $50K.
• Monthly cost of $99 on Standard Path ($159 on No Activation) adds up fast if the Combine takes 3+ months.
• Reset fee jumps to $99 per manual reset on Standard Path.

$150K Trading Combine

Strengths

• 15 mini contracts or 150 micros. Largest contract access Topstep offers.
• $4,500 absolute drawdown is the most room any Topstep Combine gives.
• Best fit for experienced futures traders with larger position sizing requirements, especially in ES or NQ where 10-15 contract positions are meaningful.
• Higher consistency target ceiling in absolute dollars: a $4,500 day doesn't trigger the 50% rule until your total profit is under $9,000.

Weak Points

• $149/month on Standard Path plus the $149 activation fee at the end. If the Combine takes 3 months, total cost is $596 to funded.
• No Activation Fee Path is $209/month, the highest monthly cost Topstep charges.
• Same 3% drawdown-to-balance ratio as the $100K. Larger capital doesn't buy you more proportional room.
• $9,000 profit target is ambitious. Traders who underestimate how long a $9,000 Combine takes in practice often burn through 3+ months of subscription before passing.
• Reset fee of $149 (or $209 on No Activation Fee Path) is the highest of the three sizes.

Choosing the Right Topstep Challenge for Your Style

If You're New to Futures Prop Trading

$50K Combine on the Standard Path. $49/month keeps burn rate low while you learn the Combine rules, figure out your platform, and build discipline. The 1.5:1 ratio is the most forgiving. If you breach, a reset is cheap at $49. Budget for 2 to 3 months to pass and use the free reset credit at each rebill if needed.

If You're an Intermediate Trader With a Proven Strategy

$50K or $100K on the No Activation Fee Path. If you've passed evaluations at other firms and know your edge, paying the higher monthly rate to avoid the $149 activation fee saves money if you pass quickly. The $100K gives more contract flexibility for established strategies.

If You Trade Larger Size in ES or NQ

$100K or $150K. The mini contract limits matter. 10 or 15 minis on ES at current volatility is real positional flexibility. If your edge requires 5+ contracts consistently, the $50K's 5-contract cap constrains you.

If You're Running Multiple Prop Firm Accounts

The $50K on the Standard Path at $49/month is one of the cheapest monthly fees in the futures prop space. Combined with the free reset credit at rebill and no time limit, it's structurally designed for traders who want a running evaluation alongside other firms. Compare against other options on the best futures prop firms page or browse current futures prop firm challenges directly.

If You Need Platform Flexibility

New Topstep Combines are TopstepX-only. If you rely on NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Sierra Chart, or other third-party platforms, Topstep isn't the right challenge for you in 2026. Look at firms that preserve platform choice at the evaluation stage.

What You Can Trade on Every Topstep Challenge

The instruments available on the Trading Combine are identical across the $50K, $100K, and $150K sizes. Topstep trades CME Group futures exclusively across four exchanges.

No stocks, options, spot forex, cryptocurrency, or CFDs. During periods of extreme volatility, Topstep may temporarily restrict specific instruments (gold has been restricted during news-driven spikes).

Combine-Specific Rules That Change After You Pass

Several rules in the Topstep Trading Combine do not carry into the Express Funded Account or Live Funded Account. Understanding which rules are Combine-only helps you plan your trading approach.

The biggest mental shift for traders who pass the Combine: your Scaling Plan in the Express Funded Account restricts contract access early. Passing the $150K Combine with 15 minis available doesn't mean you start the XFA with 15 minis. The XFA opens you at the lowest scaling tier and you build up through $5,000 profit milestones. Treat the Combine as unrelated to your funded account position sizing.

How to Start a Topstep Trading Combine

1. Go to topstep.com and create an account, or log into your existing dashboard.
2. Click 'Start a Trading Combine' in the vertical left menu of your dashboard.
3. Choose your path: Standard (lower monthly, $149 activation after passing) or No Activation Fee (higher monthly, $0 activation).
4. Pick your account size: $50K, $100K, or $150K.
5. Select your currency.
6. Accept the Trading Combine Account Rebill Agreement (required before payment).
7. Complete payment via credit or debit card.
8. Connect to TopstepX. The platform is browser-based and works on desktop and mobile. No third-party platform install required for new accounts.
9. Begin trading. Hit the profit target in at least 2 trading days while keeping your best day under 50% of the target.

Frequently Asked Questions About Topstep Challenges

How fast can I pass a Topstep Combine?

Two trading days is the official minimum, per Topstep's help center. In practice, most traders who pass take 2 to 4 weeks. Rushing typically triggers the 50% consistency target and extends the Combine.

Does the Combine have a time limit?

No. The subscription renews monthly until you pass, cancel, or breach. You can take as long as needed.

Can I switch from Standard Path to No Activation Fee Path mid-Combine?

No. Your pricing path is selected at signup and locked for the life of that Combine. To switch, you'd cancel the current Combine and start a new one on the other path.

What happens if I hit the Max Loss Limit?

Your Combine account is breached. You can use a reset credit (if available in your Reset Bank) or pay for a manual reset at your monthly fee rate to restart.

Is there a daily loss limit on the Combine?

On TopstepX (required for new accounts), the default Daily Loss Limit was removed in August 2024. You can optionally set a Personal DLL. On legacy platforms (NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, TradingView), the hard DLL still applies: $1,000 on $50K, $2,000 on $100K, $3,000 on $150K.

Can I trade multiple Combines at once?

Yes. You can run multiple Trading Combines simultaneously across any size. Each is an independent subscription.

What happens at monthly rebill if I haven't passed?

Your subscription renews at the same price and your account continues with your existing progress. One Reset Credit deposits into your Reset Bank that you can use whenever you want. As of August 2025, rebills no longer force an automatic reset.

Are there discount codes for Topstep Combines?

Topstep's promotional pricing ($49/$99/$149) has been consistently available for so long that most traders consider it the default price. Full list pricing is $165/$325/$375, but traders rarely pay that. Check current prop firm deals for active promotions.

Can I use algos or bots in the Combine?

Legitimate automated strategies are permitted through the TopstepX API. HFT, mass data entry, external data feeds, and AI-based algorithms designed to exploit the simulated environment are prohibited. All automated trading must run from a personal device. VPS and VPN usage are prohibited.

Is news trading allowed during the Combine?

Yes. You can hold positions through high-impact economic releases. Normal slippage and volatility apply, so the risk is on you.

Do I have to close all positions before market close?

Yes. All positions must be closed by 3:10 PM CT daily. Any open position at that time is auto-liquidated. The auto-close is not a breach, just a forced flat.

Bottom Line on Topstep Challenges

The Topstep Trading Combine remains one of the most structured evaluations in the futures prop space and the original model every competitor copied. The dual pricing path system (Standard vs No Activation Fee) is unique in the industry and gives traders real flexibility to match their confidence level and expected time-to-pass against the cost structure.

The $50K Combine at $49/month on the Standard Path is the clearest entry point for most new traders. The 1.5:1 profit-to-drawdown ratio, the lowest monthly fee, and the cheapest reset make it structurally easiest to absorb multiple attempts if needed. The $100K and $150K Combines are better fits for traders with proven strategies who need larger contract access.

The trade-offs are real: mandatory TopstepX for new accounts, a 50% consistency target that punishes outlier days, and a Scaling Plan in the Express Funded Account that restricts contract access after you pass. If any of those are dealbreakers, other firms may suit you better.

Review the full Topstep review for details on the Express Funded Account, Live Funded Account, and TopstepX platform. Compare Topstep against the full field on the best prop firms rankings, or read our guides on drawdown mechanics and passing a prop firm evaluation before starting your Combine