Topstep vs The5ers 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 The5ers Futures' $2,000 (end-of-day trailing), with the same $3,000 profit target. Both allow the same dollar drawdown at that size. Topstep applies a consistency rule (max 55% of total profit from one day); The5ers Futures' consistency rule is not verified. Payouts are per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency at Topstep and bi-weekly (every 14 days) at The5ers Futures.
| Rule (evaluation phase) | TSTopstep | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 account | ||
| Profit target | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Daily loss limit | None | None |
| Max drawdown | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| 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 | not verified — check the firm's site |
| Minimum trading days | 2 trading days | None |
| Profit split | 90/10 | 80/20 |
| Payout frequency | Per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency | Bi-weekly (every 14 days) |
| Account sizes offered | $50,000 · $100,000 · $150,000 | $25,000 · $50,000 |
| Rules confidence | Rules verified | Rules approximate |
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 The5ers Futures' site. Spotted a rule that changed? Tell us.
Where Topstep and The5ers Futures differ
- Minimum trading days
- Topstep: 2 trading days
- The5ers Futures: None
- Account sizes, all plans
- Topstep: $50K · $100K · $150K
- The5ers Futures: $25K · $50K
- Automated trading
- Topstep: Allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account
- The5ers Futures: No written answer on record
- Profit split
- Topstep: 90/10
- The5ers Futures: 80/20
- Payouts
- Topstep: Per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency
- The5ers Futures: Bi-weekly (every 14 days)
Topstep and The5ers 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.
The5ers Futures
One evaluation, Day Trade or Swing. A 6% profit target and a 4% end-of-day trailing max loss, with no published daily loss limit. A 40% consistency rule delays the pass but is never a breach. BlackArrow only; no Rithmic.
How these rules play out
On Topstep and The5ers 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 The5ers Futures a $50,000 account starts with its floor at $48,000, $2,000 under the start.
On Topstep the trailing floor stops rising once it reaches breakeven and stays there.
Topstep and The5ers Futures 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).
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.
Topstep requires at least 2 trading days before a pass; The5ers 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; The5ers Futures has no written answer on record. Written answers: Topstep (read ).
Choosing between Topstep and The5ers Futures
Topstep and The5ers Futures differ on one of the evaluation rules compared here, the minimum trading days. To finish in as few sessions as possible, compare the minimum days: Topstep needs at least 2 trading days, The5ers Futures sets no minimum.
Once funded, the profit split is 90/10 at Topstep and 80/20 at The5ers Futures. Payout terms — Topstep: Per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency; The5ers Futures: Bi-weekly (every 14 days). If a strategy or bot will send your orders, Topstep's written answer is allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account, and The5ers Futures 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 The5ers Futures' site. PassTraq tracks challenges at both firms using the same rule presets shown here.
Topstep vs The5ers Futures: quick answers
Which has the larger drawdown at $50K, Topstep or The5ers Futures?
Neither: both allow $2,000 on a $50,000 evaluation (Topstep: end-of-day trailing; The5ers Futures: end-of-day trailing).
Which has a daily loss limit, Topstep or The5ers Futures?
Neither: both bound a losing day only by the max drawdown.
Can you trade with a bot or strategy at Topstep or The5ers Futures?
Topstep: allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account. The5ers Futures: no written answer on record.
How many trading days do Topstep and The5ers Futures require?
Topstep: 2 trading days. The5ers Futures: no minimum. Topstep's consistency rule still means at least 2 profitable days.
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.