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Topstep vs Trade The Pool: Head-to-Head Comparison (2026)

Topstep

8.0 A
United States Futures
VS

Trade The Pool

7.2 A
United Kingdom Stocks
Key Differences
Split 90% vs 80%

Verdict: Who Wins?

Topstep 2 wins
2 - 4
Trade The Pool 4 wins Our Pick
Overall Rating 8.0 vs 7.2 Clear
TrustPilot 4.3 vs 3.6 Clear
Starting Price $47 vs $49 Narrow
Profit Split 90% vs 70% (eval), up to 80% (funded) Decisive
Safety Grade Both A Tie
Trust Score 82.4/100 vs 80/100 Narrow
Challenge Variety 18 vs 3 options Decisive

Best For:

Budget-conscious traders Trade The Pool
Maximum profit potential Topstep
Trust & reputation Trade The Pool

Visual Comparison

Topstep Trade The Pool

Save 10% on Trade The Pool today

CODE INVEST from $47
Save 10% Now Verified deal

Head-to-Head Comparison

Topstep Metric Trade The Pool
8.0/10 PFM Score 7.2/10
3.6/5 (14,382) TrustPilot 4.3/5 (596)
A Safety Grade A
80 A Trust Score 82.4 A
90% Profit Split 70% (eval), up to 80% (funded)
$2,000 max loss limit ($50K) / $3,000 ($100K) / $4,500 ($150K) Daily Drawdown Day Trade: 2% daily / 4% max static | Swing: 3% daily / 7% max static
On-demand Payout Frequency Every 14 days
$49 Starting Price $47
Proprietary Technology Proprietary
Topstep X Platforms Trader Evolution
Yes Direct Path to Funded No
United States Country United Kingdom
Jan 2010 Established Jan 2021
3 options Challenge Options 18 options

Price Comparison by Account Size

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

Account Size Topstep Trade The Pool Savings
$50K $49 $230 Save $181
$100K $99 $435 Save $336

Topstep vs Trade The Pool: Detailed Analysis

Topstep and Trade The Pool are both Futures firms. Topstep has been in business longer, established in 2010, while Trade The Pool was founded in 2021.

Pricing

In terms of pricing, Trade The Pool is more affordable with challenges starting at $47, which is $2 less than Topstep's starting price of $49. Topstep offers 3 challenge options, while Trade The Pool offers 18.

Account Sizes

On account sizing, Topstep offers account sizes from $50 to $150 across 3 funding tiers, while Trade The Pool offers account sizes from $2 to $200 across 9 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, Topstep supports Topstep X, while Trade The Pool runs on Trader Evolution. If you already trade on a specific platform, this can be the deciding factor between the two.

Profit Split & Payouts

Topstep offers 90% profit split, while Trade The Pool offers 70% (eval), up to 80% (funded). Topstep pays out On-demand, and Trade The Pool pays out Every 14 days.

Risk & Drawdown Rules

Risk rules are a key difference for funded traders: Topstep lists its daily drawdown as "$2,000 max loss limit ($50K) / $3,000 ($100K) / $4,500 ($150K)", while Trade The Pool lists "Day Trade: 2% daily / 4% max static | Swing: 3% daily / 7% max static". Always confirm the drawdown type before buying, since a trailing rule behaves very differently from a static end-of-day one.

Payout Methods

Topstep supports withdrawals via Wise, ACH and International Wire / SWIFT.

Trust & Safety

For trust and reputation, Topstep has a 3.6/5 TrustPilot rating with 14,382 reviews, while Trade The Pool has 4.3/5 with 596 reviews. Safety grades: Topstep A, Trade The Pool A.

Who Should Choose Which

So who should pick which? Topstep is the stronger choice for maximum profit potential, while Trade The Pool is the better fit for budget-conscious traders and trust & reputation.

Overall, Trade The Pool 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

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
Trade The Pool
Pros
Unique stocks & ETFs prop firm (12,000+ instruments). By The5ers team. 4.3 TrustPilot with 81% 5-star. Scale up to $4M. Both day trade and swing accounts.
Cons
Only 70% profit split (low vs competitors). Stocks only — no forex/futures/crypto. $0.005/share commission. Cannot hold through earnings/dividends.

Active Deals & Promo Codes

Topstep
$20 off No Activation Fee Trading Combine (any size). Up to 5 uses per trader.
Trade The Pool
10% OFF 10% off all challenges

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Topstep or Trade The Pool?

Trade The Pool scores higher overall, winning 4 out of 6 comparison categories including TrustPilot, Starting Price, Trust Score. However, the best choice depends on your trading goals and priorities.

Which is cheaper, Topstep or Trade The Pool?

Trade The Pool has the lower starting price at $47. Topstep offers 3 challenge options starting from $49, while Trade The Pool offers 18 options starting from $47.

Which has better reviews, Topstep or Trade The Pool?

Trade The Pool has a higher TrustPilot rating of 4.3/5. Topstep has 14,382 reviews while Trade The Pool has 596.

Which offers a higher profit split, Topstep or Trade The Pool?

Topstep offers a higher maximum profit split. Topstep offers 90% while Trade The Pool offers 70% (eval), up to 80% (funded).

How fast do Topstep and Trade The Pool pay out?

Topstep has On-demand payouts while Trade The Pool offers Every 14 days payouts. Payout speed can be an important factor when choosing a prop firm.

Are Topstep and Trade The Pool legit?

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

Which is better for beginners, Topstep or Trade The Pool?

Trade The Pool 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.