Prop Firms/Topstep vs The Funded Trader

Topstep vs The Funded Trader: Which Prop Firm Is Better in 2026?

Side-by-side comparison of rules, drawdown limits, payout ratios, and evaluation structure. Both firms tracked automatically with FundedOps — no more manual rule-checking.

Max DrawdownTrailing MLL — $2k (50k) / $3k (100k) / $4.5k (150k); trails up on end-of-day balance, breach monitored in real time (incl. unrealized P&L), locks at starting balance
Profit Target6%
Payout90/10 split from first dollar (100% of first $10k only for pre-Jan-12-2026 members)
Categoryfutures
Adding a Daily Loss Limit at checkout doubles XFA payout caps (limited-time offer)

The Funded Trader

Full review
Max DrawdownRoyal: 5% daily / 10% static · Knight Pro: 5% daily (soft breach) / 8% trailing (locks at start balance once 8% up)
Profit TargetRoyal: 8% (P1) / 5% (P2) · Knight Pro: 10% (one phase)
PayoutKnight Pro: 80% anytime payouts · up to 95% via VIP program (Royal & Knight Pro)
Categoryforex
Weekend holding IS allowed on Royal & Knight Pro (all phases and funded); EAs, cBots & trade copiers allowed on Royal (not on DXtrade/Match-Trader); 20–30% off Royal Pro promos running
RuleTopstepThe
Max DrawdownTrailing MLL — $2k (50k) / $3k (100k) / $4.5k (150k); trails up on end-of-day balance, breach monitored in real time (incl. unrealized P&L), locks at starting balanceRoyal: 5% daily / 10% static · Knight Pro: 5% daily (soft breach) / 8% trailing (locks at start balance once 8% up)
Drawdown TypeTrailingBoth
Profit Target6%Royal: 8% (P1) / 5% (P2) · Knight Pro: 10% (one phase)
Payout Ratio90/10 split from first dollar (100% of first $10k only for pre-Jan-12-2026 members)Knight Pro: 80% anytime payouts · up to 95% via VIP program (Royal & Knight Pro)
Min Trading DaysMin 2 days to pass Combine (one-day pass not allowed); funded payout via 5 winning days ($150+) or 3-day Consistency pathRoyal: 5 days per phase · Knight Pro: none, but 3 profitable days of 0.25%+ (Daily March) required
News Trading Allowed
Weekend Holding
Consistency RuleCombine: best day must stay below 50% of the profit target; funded (XFA) Consistency path: 40%Knight Pro funded: 50% Steadfast Gains — best day must stay under 50% of net profit to withdraw; none stated on Royal

Topstep — Overview

Topstep is one of the longest-running and most trusted US futures prop firms. They pioneered many of the evaluation models used industry-wide. The Combine has one rule (don't touch the trailing Maximum Loss Limit, which ratchets up on end-of-day balance) and a consistency target — your best day must stay below 50% of the profit target, so you can't one-shot the pass. An optional Daily Loss Limit can be added at checkout; hitting it pauses the day rather than failing the account.

One of the most established and trusted firms in the industry
Clean 90/10 split from the first dollar with a well-documented payout policy
Low monthly fees ($49–$149) for the Combine
Consistency rules: best day <50% of profit target in the Combine; 40% on the funded Consistency payout path
MLL breach is checked in real time against unrealized P&L — an open trade can liquidate the account

The Funded Trader — Overview

The Funded Trader runs several challenge families with rules that vary by type. Royal is the two-phase flagship: 8%/5% targets, 5% daily / 10% static drawdown, 5 minimum days per phase, unlimited time, EAs and trade copiers allowed, and weekend holding permitted — but no news trading. Knight Pro is a one-phase route: 10% target against a 5% daily (soft-breach) and 8% trailing drawdown that locks at the starting balance, no minimum days (3 profitable days of 0.25%+ required), news trading allowed, anytime 80% payouts, and a 50% Steadfast Gains consistency rule once funded. VIP status raises the split to 95%. Daily drawdown resets at 5pm ET on both.

Weekend and overnight holding allowed on Royal and Knight Pro (all phases + funded)
EAs, cBots, and trade copiers allowed on Royal (except DXtrade/Match-Trader)
Anytime payouts on Knight Pro funded accounts (80%, up to 95% VIP)
No news trading on Royal challenges (allowed on Knight Pro only)
Knight Pro funded: 50% Steadfast Gains rule gates withdrawals after big days

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