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CypherTicks vs Topstep: Head-to-Head Comparison (2026)

CypherTicks

5.0
United Kingdom Futures
VS

Topstep

8.0 A
United States Futures
Key Differences
Price $69 vs $49

Verdict: Who Wins?

CypherTicks 2 wins
2 - 4
Topstep 4 wins Decisive Win
Overall Rating 8.0 vs 5.0 Decisive
TrustPilot 4.3 vs 3.6 Clear
Starting Price $49 vs $69 Decisive
Profit Split Both 90% Tie
Safety Grade A vs Decisive
Trust Score 75/100 vs 41/100 Decisive
Challenge Variety 6 vs 3 options Narrow

Best For:

Budget-conscious traders Topstep
Trust & reputation Topstep
Fast payouts CypherTicks

Visual Comparison

CypherTicks Topstep

Head-to-Head Comparison

CypherTicks Metric Topstep
5.0/10 PFM Score 8.0/10
4.3/5 (9) TrustPilot 3.6/5 (14,382)
- Safety Grade A
41 D Trust Score 75 B+
90% Profit Split 90%
2% of starting balance (Daily Loss Limit, Evaluation only; removed on funded accounts) Daily Drawdown $2,000 max loss limit ($50K) / $3,000 ($100K) / $4,500 ($150K)
On demand (no fixed payout date, minimum 5 trading days) Payout Frequency On-demand
$69 Starting Price $49
White-Label Technology Proprietary
Volumetrica, DeepCharts Platforms Topstep X
No Direct Path to Funded Yes
United Kingdom Country United States
Jan 2025 Established Jan 2010
6 options Challenge Options 3 options

Price Comparison by Account Size

Cheapest challenge price at each account size (where both firms offer the same size)

Account Size CypherTicks Topstep Savings
$50K $109 $49 Save $60
$100K $229 $99 Save $130

CypherTicks vs Topstep: Detailed Analysis

CypherTicks and Topstep are both Futures firms. Topstep has been in business longer, established in 2010, while CypherTicks was founded in 2025.

Pricing

In terms of pricing, Topstep is more affordable with challenges starting at $49, which is $20 less than CypherTicks's starting price of $69. CypherTicks offers 6 challenge options, while Topstep offers 3.

Account Sizes

On account sizing, CypherTicks offers account sizes from $10 to $100 across 4 funding tiers, while Topstep offers account sizes from $50 to $150 across 3 funding tiers. Picking the right tier matters because both the entry cost and the maximum capital you can scale to are tied to the account size you start with.

Trading Platforms

For trading platforms, CypherTicks supports Volumetrica and DeepCharts, while Topstep runs on Topstep X. If you already trade on a specific platform, this can be the deciding factor between the two.

Profit Split & Payouts

CypherTicks offers 90% profit split, while Topstep offers 90%. CypherTicks pays out On demand (no fixed payout date, minimum 5 trading days), and Topstep pays out On-demand.

Risk & Drawdown Rules

Risk rules are a key difference for funded traders: CypherTicks lists its daily drawdown as "2% of starting balance (Daily Loss Limit, Evaluation only; removed on funded accounts)", while Topstep lists "$2,000 max loss limit ($50K) / $3,000 ($100K) / $4,500 ($150K)". Always confirm the drawdown type before buying, since a trailing rule behaves very differently from a static end-of-day one.

Payout Methods

When it comes to getting paid, CypherTicks supports withdrawals via Rise and Crypto, while Topstep pays out through Wise, ACH and International Wire / SWIFT.

Trust & Safety

For trust and reputation, CypherTicks has a 4.3/5 TrustPilot rating with 9 reviews, while Topstep has 3.6/5 with 14,382 reviews.

Who Should Choose Which

So who should pick which? CypherTicks is the stronger choice for fast payouts, while Topstep is the better fit for budget-conscious traders and trust & reputation.

Overall, Topstep edges ahead winning 4 out of 6 categories we compared. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs - both firms have their strengths.

Pros & Cons

CypherTicks
Pros
90/10 profit split on all funded accounts; no activation fee on CypherOne; news trading fully allowed with no blackout windows; copy trading allowed via DeepCharts; no minimum trading days and no time limit on the CypherOne evaluation; payouts processed within 24 business hours or less via Rise or direct crypto; straight-to-funded CypherInstant option with no evaluation.
Cons
CypherOne is a recurring monthly subscription; if it lapses the evaluation account is closed and all progress and profit are lost. Profit from trades closed under 10 ticks or under 60 seconds is deducted while losses always count. Bots, AI and fully automated systems are prohibited. No overnight holds: all positions are liquidated at 3:15 PM CST. A 10-day inactivity rule closes accounts. CypherInstant accounts cannot be reset and carry a stricter 20% consistency rule. All purchases are final.
Topstep
Pros
90% profit split, instant payouts, no activation fee, pass in as little as 2 days, Chicago-based since 2010
Cons
Trailing max loss limit (not static daily DD), TrustPilot rating 3.6, monthly subscription billing

Active Deals & Promo Codes

CypherTicks

No active deals

Topstep
$20 off No Activation Fee Trading Combine (any size). Up to 5 uses per trader.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, CypherTicks or Topstep?

Topstep scores higher overall, winning 4 out of 6 comparison categories including Overall Rating, Starting Price, Safety Grade. However, the best choice depends on your trading goals and priorities.

Which is cheaper, CypherTicks or Topstep?

Topstep has the lower starting price at $49. CypherTicks offers 6 challenge options starting from $69, while Topstep offers 3 options starting from $49.

Which has better reviews, CypherTicks or Topstep?

CypherTicks has a higher TrustPilot rating of 4.3/5. CypherTicks has 9 reviews while Topstep has 14,382.

Which offers a higher profit split, CypherTicks or Topstep?

CypherTicks offers a higher maximum profit split. CypherTicks offers 90% while Topstep offers 90%.

How fast do CypherTicks and Topstep pay out?

CypherTicks has On demand (no fixed payout date, minimum 5 trading days) payouts while Topstep offers On-demand payouts. Payout speed can be an important factor when choosing a prop firm.

Are CypherTicks and Topstep legit?

Both firms have been independently verified by PropFirmMap. CypherTicks holds a unrated safety grade and a 4.3/5 TrustPilot rating. Topstep holds a A safety grade and a 3.6/5 TrustPilot rating. Safety grades are based on payout history, community trust signals, and regulatory transparency.

Which is better for beginners, CypherTicks or Topstep?

Topstep may be more accessible for beginners due to its lower entry price. When starting out, consider challenge cost, drawdown rules, and profit split. Use the comparison table above to find which firm fits your experience level and risk tolerance.

Not sold on either? Explore alternatives

See the closest-matched prop firms ranked head-to-head against each contender, with live 2026 prices and safety grades.