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Halcyon Trader Funding vs Topstep: Head-to-Head Comparison (2026)

Halcyon Trader Funding

4.7 D
United States Futures
VS

Topstep

8.0 A
United States Futures
Key Differences
Safety D vs A Price $129 vs $49

Verdict: Who Wins?

Halcyon Trader Funding 1 wins
1 - 4
Topstep 4 wins Decisive Win
Overall Rating 8.0 vs 4.7 Decisive
Starting Price $49 vs $129 Decisive
Profit Split Both 90% Tie
Safety Grade A vs D Decisive
Trust Score 80/100 vs 13/100 Decisive
Platform Choice 6 vs 1 platforms Decisive

Best For:

Budget-conscious traders Topstep
Trust & reputation Topstep
Fast payouts Halcyon Trader Funding

Visual Comparison

Halcyon Trader Funding Topstep

Head-to-Head Comparison

Halcyon Trader Funding Metric Topstep
4.7/10 PFM Score 8.0/10
- TrustPilot 3.6/5 (14,382)
D Safety Grade A
13 F Trust Score 80 A
90% Profit Split 90%
No daily loss limit; trailing drawdown (Lite) or end-of-day drawdown (Prime) Daily Drawdown $2,000 max loss limit ($50K) / $3,000 ($100K) / $4,500 ($150K)
On demand Payout Frequency On-demand
$129 Starting Price $49
White-Label Technology Proprietary
Trading View, Quantower, Volumetrica, Rithmic, Tradesea, WealthCharts Platforms Topstep X
No Direct Path to Funded Yes
United States Country United States
- Established Jan 2010
3 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 Halcyon Trader Funding Topstep Savings
$50K $192 $49 Save $143
$150K $359 $199 Save $160

Halcyon Trader Funding vs Topstep: Detailed Analysis

Halcyon Trader Funding and Topstep are both Futures firms.

Pricing

In terms of pricing, Topstep is more affordable with challenges starting at $49, which is $80 less than Halcyon Trader Funding's starting price of $129. Halcyon Trader Funding offers 3 challenge options, while Topstep offers 3.

Account Sizes

On account sizing, Halcyon Trader Funding offers account sizes from $25 to $150 across 3 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, Halcyon Trader Funding supports Trading View, Quantower, Volumetrica, Rithmic, Tradesea and WealthCharts, 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

Halcyon Trader Funding offers 90% profit split, while Topstep offers 90%. Halcyon Trader Funding pays out On demand, and Topstep pays out On-demand.

Risk & Drawdown Rules

Risk rules are a key difference for funded traders: Halcyon Trader Funding lists its daily drawdown as "No daily loss limit; trailing drawdown (Lite) or end-of-day drawdown (Prime)", 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, Halcyon Trader Funding supports withdrawals via Rise, while Topstep pays out through Wise, ACH and International Wire / SWIFT.

Trust & Safety

For trust and reputation, Topstep has 3.6/5 with 14,382 reviews. Safety grades: Halcyon Trader Funding D, Topstep A.

Who Should Choose Which

So who should pick which? Halcyon Trader Funding 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 5 categories we compared. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs - both firms have their strengths.

Pros & Cons

Halcyon Trader Funding
Pros
90% profit split; no consistency rule or daily loss limit on Halcyon Lite; one-time evaluation fee with no monthly subscription; 1 minimum trading day to pass a Lite evaluation; news trading, copy trading and automated/algo trading permitted; rewards paid via Rise (Riseworks) with 3-business-day processing.
Cons
Day-trading only, all positions must be flat by 4:45 PM EST (no overnight or weekend holding); trailing drawdown counts unrealized profit and never moves back down; maximum of 5 approved rewards per Lite account before a required transition; HFT bots prohibited; the legacy Flagship Evaluation/Funded program is being wound down through 2026-07-31.
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

Halcyon Trader Funding

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, Halcyon Trader Funding or Topstep?

Topstep scores higher overall, winning 4 out of 5 comparison categories including Overall Rating, Starting Price, Safety Grade. However, the best choice depends on your trading goals and priorities.

Which is cheaper, Halcyon Trader Funding or Topstep?

Topstep has the lower starting price at $49. Halcyon Trader Funding offers 3 challenge options starting from $129, while Topstep offers 3 options starting from $49.

Which offers a higher profit split, Halcyon Trader Funding or Topstep?

Halcyon Trader Funding offers a higher maximum profit split. Halcyon Trader Funding offers 90% while Topstep offers 90%.

How fast do Halcyon Trader Funding and Topstep pay out?

Halcyon Trader Funding has On demand payouts while Topstep offers On-demand payouts. Payout speed can be an important factor when choosing a prop firm.

Are Halcyon Trader Funding and Topstep legit?

Both firms have been independently verified by PropFirmMap. Halcyon Trader Funding holds a D safety grade. 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, Halcyon Trader Funding 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.