Topstep vs BluSky Trading: prop firm rules compared
At the $50,000 account size, Topstep's evaluation allows a $2,000 max drawdown (end-of-day trailing, locks at breakeven) against BluSky Trading's $2,000 (end-of-day trailing), with the same $3,000 profit target. Both allow the same dollar drawdown at that size. Payouts are per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency at Topstep and daily mon–fri (launch / propel) · every 3 trading days (orbit) at BluSky Trading.
| Rule (evaluation phase) | TSTopstep | BSBluSky TradingLaunch (EOD) model |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 account | ||
| Profit target | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Daily loss limit | None | None |
| Max drawdown | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| $100,000 account | ||
| Profit target | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| Daily loss limit | None | None |
| Max drawdown | $3,000 | $2,500 |
| Firm-wide | ||
| Drawdown model | End-of-day trailing, locks at breakeven | End-of-day trailing |
| Consistency rule | Max 55% of total profit from one day | Max 50% of total profit from one day |
| Minimum trading days | 2 trading days | None |
| Profit split | 90/10 | 90/10 |
| Payout frequency | Per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency | Daily Mon–Fri (Launch / Propel) · every 3 trading days (Orbit) |
| Account sizes offered | $50,000 · $100,000 · $150,000 | $50,000 · $100,000 |
| Rules confidence | Rules verified | Rules verified |
BluSky Trading figures are for the Launch (EOD) model; it also sells: Launch 200K Static, Propel (EOD), Propel Static (150K / 200K), Propel 300K Static, Orbit (EOD), Orbit 200K Static.
Rules last checked against each firm's own documentation on . Firms change their rules often, so confirm the current terms on Topstep's site and BluSky Trading's site. Spotted a rule that changed? Tell us.
Where Topstep and BluSky Trading differ
- Drawdown model
- Topstep: End-of-day trailing
- BluSky Trading: End-of-day trailing on Launch, Propel and Orbit; static on Launch 200K Static, Propel Static, Propel 300K Static and Orbit 200K Static
- Consistency rule
- Topstep: Max 55% of total profit from one day
- BluSky Trading: Max 50% of total profit from one day on Launch and Launch 200K Static; max 34% of total profit from one day on Propel and Propel Static; max 21% of total profit from one day on Propel 300K Static; none on Orbit and Orbit 200K Static
- Minimum trading days
- Topstep: 2 trading days
- BluSky Trading: None on any plan
- Plans sold
- Topstep: One evaluation model
- BluSky Trading: 3 plans: Launch, Propel and Orbit
- Account sizes, all plans
- Topstep: $50K · $100K · $150K
- BluSky Trading: $25K · $50K · $100K · $150K · $200K · $300K
- Automated trading
- Topstep: Allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account
- BluSky Trading: No written answer on record
- Payouts
- Topstep: Per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency
- BluSky Trading: Daily Mon–Fri (Launch / Propel) · every 3 trading days (Orbit)
Topstep and BluSky Trading in brief
Topstep
One evaluation, the Trading Combine, traded on TopstepX. Its Maximum Loss Limit trails at end of day and locks at the starting balance. A 55% best-day consistency rule raises the target but never fails the account. The optional daily loss limit pauses trading and is not a violation.
BluSky Trading
Three plans: Launch (50% consistency), Propel (34%, or 21% on the 300K Static) and Orbit (no consistency rule; locks at the starting balance). Each trails at end of day or is static, depending on the size. No daily loss limit in the evaluation. The consistency rule never fails the account.
How these rules play out
On Topstep and BluSky Trading's Launch, Propel and Orbit plans the drawdown trails at end of day: the floor is recalculated once, from the closing balance, so open profit given back during the session does not raise it — but equity touching the floor during the session still counts. For example, at Topstep and BluSky Trading's Launch, Propel and Orbit plans a $50,000 account starts with its floor at $48,000, $2,000 under the start.
BluSky Trading's Launch 200K Static, Propel Static, Propel 300K Static and Orbit 200K Static plans use a static drawdown: the floor is set once, the drawdown below the starting balance, and does not move for the whole evaluation. For example, at BluSky Trading's Launch 200K Static, Propel Static, Propel 300K Static and Orbit 200K Static plans a $200,000 account starts with its floor at $198,000, $2,000 under the start.
On Topstep and BluSky Trading's Orbit plan the trailing floor stops rising once it reaches breakeven and stays there.
Topstep and BluSky Trading have no daily loss limit, so a losing day is bounded only by the max drawdown.
Topstep and BluSky Trading start the trading day at the same moment, 6:00 PM ET (5:00 PM CT).
A consistency rule caps how much of the total profit one day may carry. Topstep caps any single day at 55% of total profit, so it takes at least 2 profitable days to finish inside the rule. One day may then carry at most $1,650 of a $3,000 target. BluSky Trading's Launch and Launch 200K Static plans cap any single day at 50% of total profit, so it takes at least 2 profitable days to finish inside the rule. One day may then carry at most $1,500 of a $3,000 target and $3,000 of a $6,000 target. BluSky Trading's Propel and Propel Static plans cap any single day at 34% of total profit, so it takes at least 3 profitable days to finish inside the rule. One day may then carry at most $1,020 of a $3,000 target and $2,040 of a $6,000 target. BluSky Trading's Propel 300K Static plan caps any single day at 21% of total profit, so it takes at least 5 profitable days to finish inside the rule. One day may then carry at most $4,200 of a $20,000 target. BluSky Trading's Orbit and Orbit 200K Static plans apply no consistency rule in the evaluation, so one large day can count in full.
Topstep requires at least 2 trading days before a pass; BluSky Trading sets no minimum number of days.
On automated trading — a strategy or bot sending the orders — at Topstep it is allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account; BluSky Trading has no written answer on record. Written answers: Topstep (read ).
Choosing between Topstep and BluSky Trading
Topstep and BluSky Trading differ on 3 of the evaluation rules compared here: drawdown model, consistency rule and minimum trading days. If your trades often run into open profit that you give back before closing them, start with the drawdown: Topstep trails at end of day, while BluSky Trading trails at end of day or holds a static floor, depending on the plan. If one or two large days make up most of your profit, the consistency rule sets how fast you can finish: Topstep caps one day at 55% of total profit; BluSky Trading caps one day at 21–50% of total profit on some plans and has no cap on others. To finish in as few sessions as possible, compare the minimum days: Topstep needs at least 2 trading days, BluSky Trading sets no minimum.
Payout terms once funded — Topstep: Per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency; BluSky Trading: Daily Mon–Fri (Launch / Propel) · every 3 trading days (Orbit). Topstep sells one evaluation model; BluSky Trading sells 3 plans: Launch, Propel and Orbit. Each plan carries its own version of the rules above, which is why they are listed plan by plan. If a strategy or bot will send your orders, Topstep's written answer is allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account, and BluSky Trading has no written answer on record.
Read both rule sets against your own average day, then confirm the current terms on Topstep's site and BluSky Trading's site. PassTraq tracks challenges at both firms using the same rule presets shown here.
Topstep vs BluSky Trading: quick answers
Which has the larger drawdown at $50K, Topstep or BluSky Trading?
Neither: both allow $2,000 on a $50,000 evaluation (Topstep: end-of-day trailing; BluSky Trading: end-of-day trailing).
Does Topstep or BluSky Trading have a consistency rule?
Topstep: max 55% of total profit from one day. BluSky Trading: max 50% of total profit from one day on Launch and Launch 200K Static; max 34% of total profit from one day on Propel and Propel Static; max 21% of total profit from one day on Propel 300K Static; none on Orbit and Orbit 200K Static.
Which has a daily loss limit, Topstep or BluSky Trading?
Neither: both bound a losing day only by the max drawdown.
Can you trade with a bot or strategy at Topstep or BluSky Trading?
Topstep: allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account. BluSky Trading: no written answer on record.
More comparisons
Rules are sourced from each firm's official help centre and can change without notice — always confirm on the firm's site before buying an evaluation. Where a link is a partner link, it is marked as such.