- Choose FTMO if: You trade forex, CFDs, or indices and want a one-time evaluation fee with no recurring charges.
- Choose Topstep if: You trade CME futures and want the original, most established Combine-style evaluation.
Table of Contents
FTMO and Topstep aren’t direct competitors in the traditional sense — FTMO is a forex and CFD prop firm while Topstep is a futures-only prop firm trading CME Group contracts. But both are the most recognised legacy name in their respective category, making this comparison the one most new traders search when deciding which market and firm to start with. This guide breaks down pricing, evaluation structure, profit split, and Trustpilot data across both firms so you can choose the right entry point for your trading style.
The problem: The most common mistake traders make comparing FTMO and Topstep is assuming the rules translate directly between markets. Forex traders moving into futures for the first time are often surprised by Topstep’s end-of-day drawdown mechanics and monthly subscription billing, which behaves very differently from FTMO’s one-time evaluation fee. Futures traders exploring FTMO, meanwhile, need to understand there is no CME contract access at all — only forex, CFDs, indices, and select stocks. Picking the wrong firm for your actual instrument focus wastes both the evaluation fee and weeks of trading time.
Quick Comparison
| FTMO | Topstep | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | €79 (~$85) per $10K 1-Step challenge | $49 per $50K Trading Combine (monthly) |
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 | 3.6 / 5 |
| Free Trial | Yes (Free demo challenge, same rules) | No |
| Best For | Forex and CFD traders who want a one-time fee and the industry’s most recognised brand | Futures traders who want the original, most established Combine-style evaluation |
| Ease of Use | 8 / 10 | 7 / 10 |
| Support Rating | 9 / 10 | 7 / 10 |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| Start FTMO Challenge → | Start Topstep Combine → |
Pros & Cons
- One-time evaluation fee with no recurring monthly charges
- 10-year track record since 2015 with $500M+ self-reported payouts
- Up to 90% profit split via Scaling Plan
- Four platform options: MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade
- Does not offer futures or CME contract access at all
- 80% base profit split, below the 90%+ some newer firms offer
- No instant funding option — must pass a 1- or 2-step evaluation first
- Pioneered the Trading Combine model that most futures prop firms now copy
- Over 13 years of operation with $102M+ paid to traders since 2012
- Up to 90% profit split with fast Express Funded Account payouts
- Deep CME futures coverage plus a 155,000+ member Discord community
- Monthly subscription fee stacks up if you don’t pass the Combine quickly
- TopstepX platform has documented reliability and freeze complaints
- Trustpilot rating has slipped into the 3.4-3.6 range from recent reviews
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
| Feature | FTMO | Topstep | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Focus | Forex, CFDs, indices, stocks | CME futures only | Tie |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.8/5 (46,885+ reviews) | 3.6/5 (14,500+ reviews) | FTMO |
| Fee Structure | One-time evaluation fee | Monthly subscription ($49+/mo) | FTMO |
| Max Profit Split | Up to 90% | Up to 90% | Tie |
| Operating Since | 2015 | 2012 | Topstep |
| Integrations | MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade | TopstepX, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, TradingView | — |
Final Verdict
Winner: FTMO
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trade futures with FTMO?
No, FTMO does not offer CME futures contracts. FTMO’s evaluations cover forex, CFDs, stock indices, commodities, and select individual stocks through MT4, MT5, cTrader, and DXtrade. Traders specifically wanting futures access need a dedicated futures prop firm like Topstep, Apex Trader Funding, or E8 Markets.
Does Topstep charge a recurring fee?
Yes, Topstep’s Trading Combine typically uses a monthly subscription model starting around $49 per month for a $50K account, unlike FTMO’s one-time evaluation fee. If you don’t pass the Combine within a couple of months, the recurring cost can add up compared to a single upfront FTMO challenge fee.
Why has Topstep’s Trustpilot rating dropped?
Multiple 2026 reviews cite reliability complaints, including platform freezes and order execution lag, following Topstep’s transition to its proprietary TopstepX platform in late 2025. This contributed to a rating decline from historical highs closer to 4.0-4.5 down to the 3.4-3.6 range seen across recent review aggregators.
Which firm has funded more traders?
Topstep reports having funded over 10,000 traders across 140+ countries and processed $102 million-plus in total payouts since 2012. FTMO reports over $500 million in self-reported payouts since 2015, though direct trader-count comparisons between the two firms are not consistently published by either company.
Is FTMO or Topstep better for beginners?
Neither firm is specifically designed for absolute beginners, but FTMO’s educational Account MetriX analytics and simpler one-time-fee structure may be easier to plan around. Topstep offers strong educational content and a large community, but its monthly billing model requires beginners to budget for multiple attempts if the Combine isn’t passed quickly.