Topstep vs Take Profit Trader: 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 Take Profit Trader's $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. Both apply a consistency rule (Topstep: max 55% of total profit from one day; Take Profit Trader: max 50% of total profit from one day). Payouts are per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency at Topstep and daily (pro, once the buffer is reached) at Take Profit Trader.
| Rule (evaluation phase) | TSTopstep | |
|---|---|---|
| $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 | $3,000 |
| $150,000 account | ||
| Profit target | $9,000 | $9,000 |
| Daily loss limit | None | None |
| Max drawdown | $4,500 | $4,500 |
| 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 50% of total profit from one day |
| Minimum trading days | 2 trading days | 3 trading days |
| Profit split | 90/10 | 80/20 (PRO) · 90/10 (PRO+) |
| Payout frequency | Per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency | Daily (PRO, once the buffer is reached) |
| Account sizes offered | $50,000 · $100,000 · $150,000 | $25,000 · $50,000 · $75,000 · $100,000 · $150,000 |
| Rules confidence | Rules verified | Rules verified |
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 Take Profit Trader's site. Spotted a rule that changed? Tell us.
Where Topstep and Take Profit Trader differ
- Consistency rule
- Topstep: Max 55% of total profit from one day
- Take Profit Trader: Max 50% of total profit from one day
- Minimum trading days
- Topstep: 2 trading days
- Take Profit Trader: 3 trading days
- Account sizes, all plans
- Topstep: $50K · $100K · $150K
- Take Profit Trader: $25K · $50K · $75K · $100K · $150K
- Trading day resets
- Topstep: 6:00 PM ET (5:00 PM CT)
- Take Profit Trader: 5:00 PM ET (4:00 PM CT)
- Automated trading
- Topstep: Allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account
- Take Profit Trader: Not allowed in the evaluation or on a funded account
- Profit split
- Topstep: 90/10
- Take Profit Trader: 80/20 (PRO) · 90/10 (PRO+)
- Payouts
- Topstep: Per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency
- Take Profit Trader: Daily (PRO, once the buffer is reached)
Topstep and Take Profit Trader 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.
Take Profit Trader
One evaluation, the Test, followed by a PRO funded account. The drawdown trails at end of day in the Test and stops trailing at the starting balance. No daily loss limit. A 50% consistency rule raises the goal but never fails the account. Minimum 3 trading days.
How these rules play out
On Topstep and Take Profit Trader 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 Take Profit Trader a $50,000 account starts with its floor at $48,000, $2,000 under the start.
On Topstep and Take Profit Trader the trailing floor stops rising once it reaches breakeven and stays there.
Topstep and Take Profit Trader have no daily loss limit, so a losing day is bounded only by the max drawdown.
Topstep starts the trading day at 6:00 PM ET (5:00 PM CT) and Take Profit Trader starts the trading day at 5:00 PM ET (4:00 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. Take Profit Trader 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; Take Profit Trader requires at least 3 trading days before a pass.
On automated trading — a strategy or bot sending the orders — at Topstep it is allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account; at Take Profit Trader it is not allowed in the evaluation or on a funded account. Written answers: Topstep (read ), Take Profit Trader (read ).
Choosing between Topstep and Take Profit Trader
Topstep and Take Profit Trader differ on 2 of the evaluation rules compared here: 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; Take Profit Trader caps one day at 50% of total profit. To finish in as few sessions as possible, compare the minimum days: Topstep needs at least 2 trading days, Take Profit Trader needs at least 3 trading days.
Once funded, the profit split is 90/10 at Topstep and 80/20 (PRO) · 90/10 (PRO+) at Take Profit Trader. Payout terms — Topstep: Per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency; Take Profit Trader: Daily (PRO, once the buffer is reached). If a strategy or bot will send your orders, Topstep's written answer is allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account, and Take Profit Trader's written answer is not allowed in the evaluation or on a funded account.
Read both rule sets against your own average day, then confirm the current terms on Topstep's site and Take Profit Trader's site. PassTraq tracks challenges at both firms using the same rule presets shown here.
Topstep vs Take Profit Trader: quick answers
Which has the larger drawdown at $50K, Topstep or Take Profit Trader?
Neither: both allow $2,000 on a $50,000 evaluation (Topstep: end-of-day trailing; Take Profit Trader: end-of-day trailing).
Does Topstep or Take Profit Trader have a consistency rule?
Topstep: max 55% of total profit from one day. Take Profit Trader: max 50% of total profit from one day.
Which has a daily loss limit, Topstep or Take Profit Trader?
Neither: both bound a losing day only by the max drawdown.
Can you trade with a bot or strategy at Topstep or Take Profit Trader?
Topstep: allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account. Take Profit Trader: not allowed in the evaluation or 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.