Topstep vs FTMO Futures: 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 FTMO Futures' $2,000 (end-of-day trailing, locks at breakeven), 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 every 4 qualifying days (growth) / 5 (pro) at FTMO Futures.
| Rule (evaluation phase) | TSTopstep | FFFTMO FuturesGrowth 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 | $3,500 |
| $150,000 account | ||
| Profit target | $9,000 | $9,000 |
| Daily loss limit | None | None |
| Max drawdown | $4,500 | $5,000 |
| Firm-wide | ||
| Drawdown model | End-of-day trailing, locks at breakeven | End-of-day trailing, locks at breakeven |
| Consistency rule | Max 55% of total profit from one day | Max 40% 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 | Every 4 qualifying days (Growth) / 5 (Pro) |
| Account sizes offered | $50,000 · $100,000 · $150,000 | $50,000 · $100,000 · $150,000 |
| Rules confidence | Rules verified | Rules approximate |
FTMO Futures figures are for the Growth model; it also sells: Pro (hard daily loss).
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 FTMO Futures' site. Spotted a rule that changed? Tell us.
Where Topstep and FTMO Futures differ
- Daily loss limit
- Topstep: None
- FTMO Futures: None on Growth; hard, $1,000 at $50K on Pro
- Consistency rule
- Topstep: Max 55% of total profit from one day
- FTMO Futures: Max 40% of total profit from one day on Growth; max 50% of total profit from one day on Pro
- Minimum trading days
- Topstep: 2 trading days
- FTMO Futures: None on any plan
- Plans sold
- Topstep: One evaluation model
- FTMO Futures: 2 plans: Growth and Pro
- Payouts
- Topstep: Per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency
- FTMO Futures: Every 4 qualifying days (Growth) / 5 (Pro)
Topstep and FTMO Futures 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.
FTMO Futures
One evaluation in two plans, Growth or Pro. The max loss trails at end of day and locks at the starting capital. Pro adds a hard daily loss limit. Trades on NinjaTrader, Tradovate and TradingView; no Rithmic.
How these rules play out
On Topstep and FTMO Futures 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 FTMO Futures a $50,000 account starts with its floor at $48,000, $2,000 under the start.
On Topstep and FTMO Futures the trailing floor stops rising once it reaches breakeven and stays there.
A hard daily loss limit ends the evaluation: one day that loses that much fails the account. FTMO Futures' Pro plan sets it at $1,000 on $50,000. Topstep and FTMO Futures' Growth plan have no daily loss limit, so a losing day is bounded only by the max drawdown.
Topstep and FTMO Futures start the trading day at the same moment, 6:00 PM ET (5:00 PM CT); a daily loss limit counts from that reset, not from midnight.
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. FTMO Futures' Growth plan caps any single day at 40% of total profit, so it takes at least 3 profitable days to finish inside the rule. One day may then carry at most $1,200 of a $3,000 target. FTMO Futures' Pro plan caps 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.
Topstep requires at least 2 trading days before a pass; FTMO Futures 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; at FTMO Futures it is allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account. Written answers: Topstep (read ), FTMO Futures (read ).
Choosing between Topstep and FTMO Futures
Topstep and FTMO Futures differ on 3 of the evaluation rules compared here: daily loss limit, consistency rule and minimum trading days. 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; FTMO Futures caps one day at 40–50% of total profit. If you keep trading after a losing morning, look at what the daily loss limit does: Topstep has no daily loss limit; FTMO Futures fails the account at its daily loss limit on some plans and has no limit on others. To finish in as few sessions as possible, compare the minimum days: Topstep needs at least 2 trading days, FTMO Futures sets no minimum.
Payout terms once funded — Topstep: Per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency; FTMO Futures: Every 4 qualifying days (Growth) / 5 (Pro). Topstep sells one evaluation model; FTMO Futures sells 2 plans: Growth and Pro. Each plan carries its own version of the rules above, which is why they are listed plan by plan.
Read both rule sets against your own average day, then confirm the current terms on Topstep's site and FTMO Futures' site. PassTraq tracks challenges at both firms using the same rule presets shown here.
Topstep vs FTMO Futures: quick answers
Which has the larger drawdown at $50K, Topstep or FTMO Futures?
Neither: both allow $2,000 on a $50,000 evaluation (Topstep: end-of-day trailing; FTMO Futures: end-of-day trailing).
Does Topstep or FTMO Futures have a consistency rule?
Topstep: max 55% of total profit from one day. FTMO Futures: max 40% of total profit from one day on Growth; max 50% of total profit from one day on Pro.
Which has a daily loss limit, Topstep or FTMO Futures?
Topstep: no daily loss limit. FTMO Futures: no daily loss limit on Growth; a hard limit that fails the account ($1,000 at $50K) on Pro.
Can you trade with a bot or strategy at Topstep or FTMO Futures?
Topstep: allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account. FTMO Futures: allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account.
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.