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Shark Futures vs Topstep: Head-to-Head Comparison (2026)

Shark Futures

5.6 B
Lithuania Futures
VS

Topstep

7.9 A
United States Futures
Key Differences
Safety B vs A Price $40 vs $49

Verdict: Who Wins?

Shark Futures 4 wins
4 - 3
Topstep 3 wins
Overall Rating 7.9 vs 5.6 Decisive
TrustPilot 4.6 vs 3.6 Decisive
Starting Price $40 vs $49 Clear
Profit Split Both 90% Tie
Safety Grade A vs B Clear
Trust Score 80/100 vs 42.2/100 Decisive
Challenge Variety 8 vs 3 options Clear
Platform Choice 3 vs 1 platforms Narrow

Best For:

Budget-conscious traders Shark Futures
Trust & reputation Topstep
Fast payouts Shark Futures

Visual Comparison

Shark Futures Topstep

Head-to-Head Comparison

Shark Futures Metric Topstep
5.6/10 PFM Score 7.9/10
4.6/5 (24) TrustPilot 3.6/5 (14,382)
B Safety Grade A
42.2 D Trust Score 80 A
90% Profit Split 90%
Basic: None (Trailing Max DD only). Instant PRO $25K: None. Instant PRO $50K-$150K & PRO: Daily Loss Limit (soft breach) equal to Trailing Max DD on PRO; $1,500/$3,000/$4,500 on Instant PRO 50K/100K/150K. Daily Drawdown $2,000 max loss limit ($50K) / $3,000 ($100K) / $4,500 ($150K)
On-demand (no daily limit; processed within 24h) Payout Frequency On-demand
$40 Starting Price $49
Proprietary Technology Proprietary
Quantower, Atas, Volumetrica Platforms Topstep X
No Direct Path to Funded Yes
Lithuania Country United States
Feb 2026 Established Jan 2010
8 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 Shark Futures Topstep Savings
$50K $53 $49 Save $4
$100K $106 $99 Save $7
$150K $153 $199 Save $46

Shark Futures vs Topstep: Detailed Analysis

Shark Futures and Topstep are both Futures firms. Topstep has been in business longer, established in 2010, while Shark Futures was founded in 2026.

Pricing

In terms of pricing, Shark Futures is more affordable with challenges starting at $40, which is $9 less than Topstep's starting price of $49. Shark Futures offers 8 challenge options, while Topstep offers 3.

Account Sizes

On account sizing, Shark Futures offers account sizes from $25 to $150 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, Shark Futures supports Quantower, Atas and Volumetrica, 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

Shark Futures offers 90% profit split, while Topstep offers 90%. Shark Futures pays out On-demand (no daily limit; processed within 24h), and Topstep pays out On-demand.

Risk & Drawdown Rules

Risk rules are a key difference for funded traders: Shark Futures lists its daily drawdown as "Basic: None (Trailing Max DD only). Instant PRO $25K: None. Instant PRO $50K-$150K & PRO: Daily Loss Limit (soft breach) equal to Trailing Max DD on PRO; $1,500/$3,000/$4,500 on Instant PRO 50K/100K/150K.", 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, Shark Futures supports withdrawals via Rise, Crypto, ACH, International Wire / SWIFT and SEPA, while Topstep pays out through Wise, ACH and International Wire / SWIFT.

Trust & Safety

For trust and reputation, Shark Futures has a 4.6/5 TrustPilot rating with 24 reviews, while Topstep has 3.6/5 with 14,382 reviews. Safety grades: Shark Futures B, Topstep A.

Who Should Choose Which

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

This is a close matchup with Shark Futures winning 4 and Topstep winning 3 of the categories we compared. The right choice depends on what matters most to you as a trader.

Pros & Cons

Shark Futures
Pros
One-phase evaluation, $0 activation fee on Basic, 90/10 profit split, on-demand payouts via Rise, EOD trailing drawdown, no consistency on the Basic challenge funded side as low as 35% ($25K), scaling path to $750K live capital, Volumetrica/Quantower/ATAS supported.
Cons
Brand-new firm (registered Feb 2026, launched April 2026); only 24 TrustPilot reviews; trailing max drawdown locks at starting balance (never above); 50% consistency on Basic eval (evaluation only); 6-day minimum to payout on PRO, 8-day minimum on Instant PRO; Mac users limited (Volumetrica/ATAS Windows-based, Deepchart web-based only).
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

Shark Futures

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, Shark Futures or Topstep?

Both firms are competitive. Shark Futures wins in 4 categories while Topstep wins in 3. The best choice depends on what you prioritize: pricing, profit split, trust ratings, or payout speed.

Which is cheaper, Shark Futures or Topstep?

Shark Futures has the lower starting price at $40. Shark Futures offers 8 challenge options starting from $40, while Topstep offers 3 options starting from $49.

Which has better reviews, Shark Futures or Topstep?

Shark Futures has a higher TrustPilot rating of 4.6/5. Shark Futures has 24 reviews while Topstep has 14,382.

Which offers a higher profit split, Shark Futures or Topstep?

Shark Futures offers a higher maximum profit split. Shark Futures offers 90% while Topstep offers 90%.

How fast do Shark Futures and Topstep pay out?

Shark Futures has On-demand (no daily limit; processed within 24h) payouts while Topstep offers On-demand payouts. Payout speed can be an important factor when choosing a prop firm.

Are Shark Futures and Topstep legit?

Both firms have been independently verified by PropFirmMap. Shark Futures holds a B safety grade and a 4.6/5 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, Shark Futures or Topstep?

Shark Futures 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.