Topstep vs FTMO Futures: Which Offers Better Futures Accounts?

Choosing between futures prop firms can be challenging, especially when two established names offer different evaluation models, pricing structures, and risk rules. On one side, FTMO has expanded from its well-known CFD challenge into a dedicated futures product, FTMO Futures, with Growth and Pro subscription tracks. On the other, Topstep has built a long-standing reputation in the futures space with its single-phase Trading Combine model. Both provide simulated trading with real market data, but the right choice depends on your trading style, risk tolerance, and payout preferences. This review breaks down the key differences to help you decide.

Overview of FTMO Futures

FTMO Futures is a newer entrant in the futures prop space, launched in mid-September 2026. It offers traders a simulated futures environment using live CME market data, with a path from evaluation to a Sim-Funded Account and potentially a Live Funded Account. The product is designed to mirror FTMO’s CFD offering but with futures-specific rules.

Key highlights include:

• Platforms supported: NinjaTrader, Tradovate, and TradingView.

• Payout split: Traders keep 90% of simulated profits, with FTMO retaining 10%.

• No activation fee and no intraday trailing drawdown.

• News trading is allowed, and there is no consistency rule on Sim-Funded Accounts.

• Up to three Sim-Funded Accounts can be held simultaneously, with no maximum total capital allocation.

FTMO itself reports over $650 million paid to traders since 2015, with more than 4.5 million customers worldwide. However, it is important to note that all FTMO Futures accounts are demo accounts with fictitious funds until a Live Funded Account is offered.

FTMO Futures Plan Options & Pricing

FTMO Futures offers two account models - Growth and Pro, across three account sizes: $50K, $100K, and $150K. Both tracks use a monthly subscription model, which is different from FTMO’s classic CFD one-time fee structure.

Growth Plan

The Growth plan is designed for traders who want easier rules and more frequent payout opportunities. Key specifications from the $50K model are as follows:

• $50K Account: $119/month, Profit Target $3,000, Max Drawdown $2,000, Soft Daily Loss $1,000, Payout Cap $2,500, Consistency Rule 40%.

• $100K Account: $169/month, Profit Target $6,000, Max Drawdown $3,500, Payout Cap $3,000, Consistency Rule 40%.

• $150K Account: $229/month, Profit Target $9,000, Max Drawdown $5,000, Payout Cap $4,000, Consistency Rule 40%.

On the FTMO Futures Growth accounts, the daily loss limit is “soft,” meaning a breach closes open positions and pauses trading until the next trading day rather than terminating the account. Payouts are available every 4 qualifying days, with a withdrawable amount of 50% of profit above initial capital.

Pro Plan

The Pro plan targets traders who want full profit access and higher payout caps. It features a hard daily loss limit, and a 1:1 Profit Target-to-Max Drawdown ratio on some tiers. For example:

• $50K Pro: $139/month, Profit Target $3,000, Max Drawdown $3,000, Hard Daily Loss $1,000, Payout Cap $5,000, Consistency Rule 50%.

• $100K Pro: $199/month, Profit Target $6,000, Max Drawdown $4,500, Payout Cap $6,000.

• $150K Pro: $269/month, Profit Target $9,000, Max Drawdown $6,000, Payout Cap $8,000.

Pro traders can withdraw 100% of their profit above initial capital, and payouts are requested every 5 qualifying days. The hard daily loss limit means breaching it permanently terminates the account.

Topstep Overview

Topstep is a futures-only prop firm with a longer track record in the industry. Its core evaluation is the Trading Combine, a single-phase model where traders must hit a profit target while respecting trailing drawdown and daily loss limits. Unlike FTMO Futures’ two-track system, Topstep focuses on a simpler, well-established single-step evaluation.

Topstep operates on a monthly subscription model, with account sizes ranging from $50K to $150K and beyond. It supports NinjaTrader, TopstepX, and other partnered platforms. Payouts are available weekly or daily after meeting specific profit criteria, and the firm is known for its transparent rules and community support.

(Note: Topstep details are based on general knowledge; the provided sources do not include Topstep-specific information.)

Core Comparison: FTMO Futures vs Topstep

The following table compares the main features of the two firms:

Key Differences

Evaluation Structure

FTMO Futures offers two distinct tracks: Growth (softer rules, easier qualification) and Pro (hard daily loss limit from the evaluation onward, full profit withdrawal). Topstep uses a single-phase Trading Combine, which is a familiar and straightforward model for futures traders.

Subscription vs. One-Time

Both FTMO Futures and Topstep use monthly subscription models. This is a departure from FTMO’s classic CFD challenge, which uses a refundable one-time fee. If you fail the evaluation, you must pay the subscription again to retry.

Rules & Consistency

Both firms enforce consistency rules to prevent single-day gambling. FTMO applies a 40% consistency rule for Growth and 50% for Pro during the evaluation, but no consistency rule on Sim-Funded Accounts. Topstep also uses consistency metrics, though the exact thresholds differ. FTMO allows news trading and does not have an intraday trailing drawdown. Topstep also permits news trading, but you should always read the latest rules on the official websites.

Which Should You Choose?

Your choice depends on your trading style and priorities. Ask yourself:

• Do you primarily trade index futures (like NQ/ES) or commodities/micro contracts?

• Are you looking for a trailing drawdown or a hard daily loss limit?

If you value easier qualification and a soft daily loss limit, FTMO’s Growth plan is attractive. If you want higher payout caps and full profit withdrawal, the Pro plan is designed for you, but it comes with a hard daily loss limit that can terminate the account instantly. If you prefer a single-step evaluation with a proven futures-only track record, Topstep’s Trading Combine may be a better fit.

FTMO’s brand reputation is strong, with a 4.8/5 Trustpilot score for the wider CFD offering. However, the dedicated FTMO Futures Trustpilot page shows a more mixed picture, with 46% one-star reviews among 143 total reviews. This suggests that while the product is credible, trader experiences vary - so read the rules carefully and consider both positive and negative feedback.

Final Thoughts

Both FTMO Futures and Topstep offer legitimate paths to simulated funded futures trading. FTMO Futures brings the backing of a well-established prop firm, a clear two-track system, and scaling plans. Topstep offers a simpler single-phase evaluation with a long-standing futures community. Neither is “better” universally - it depends on your risk tolerance, trading schedule, and whether you prefer soft or hard daily loss limits.

As with any prop firm, most traders do not pass evaluations. Never risk money you cannot afford to lose, and always read the latest official rules before purchasing. For FTMO, you can explore the official information on the FTMO Futures page and review the FAQ. For Topstep, visit the official website to verify current terms and pricing.