Skip to main content

Topstep vs TX3 Futures: Head-to-Head Comparison (2026)

Topstep

8.0 A
United States Futures
VS

TX3 Futures

5.8 C
United Arab Emirates Futures
Key Differences
Safety A vs C Price $49 vs $168

Verdict: Who Wins?

Topstep 5 wins Decisive Win
5 - 1
TX3 Futures 1 wins
Overall Rating 8.0 vs 5.8 Decisive
TrustPilot 3.6 vs 3.3 Clear
Starting Price $49 vs $168 Decisive
Profit Split Both 90% Tie
Safety Grade A vs C Decisive
Trust Score 80/100 vs 51.7/100 Decisive
Platform Choice 3 vs 1 platforms Narrow

Best For:

Budget-conscious traders Topstep
Trust & reputation Topstep

Visual Comparison

Topstep TX3 Futures

Head-to-Head Comparison

Topstep Metric TX3 Futures
8.0/10 PFM Score 5.8/10
3.6/5 (14,382) TrustPilot 3.3/5 (4,303)
A Safety Grade C
80 A Trust Score 51.7 C
90% Profit Split Up to 90%
$2,000 max loss limit ($50K) / $3,000 ($100K) / $4,500 ($150K) Daily Drawdown End-of-day trailing drawdown ($2,000/$3,000/$4,500 for 50K/100K/150K)
On-demand Payout Frequency Every 3 days (early payout); on-demand (pro payout)
$49 Starting Price $168
Proprietary Technology White-Label
Topstep X Platforms Trading View, NinjaTrader, Tradovate
Yes Direct Path to Funded No
United States Country United Arab Emirates
Jan 2010 Established -
3 options Challenge Options 1 option

Price Comparison by Account Size

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

Account Size Topstep TX3 Futures Savings
$100K $99 $168 Save $69

Topstep vs TX3 Futures: Detailed Analysis

Topstep and TX3 Futures are both Futures firms.

Pricing

In terms of pricing, Topstep is more affordable with challenges starting at $49, which is $119 less than TX3 Futures's starting price of $168. Topstep offers 3 challenge options, while TX3 Futures offers 1.

Account Sizes

On account sizing, Topstep offers account sizes from $50 to $150 across 3 funding tiers, while TX3 Futures offers a single $100 account. 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 TX3 Futures runs on Trading View, NinjaTrader and Tradovate. 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 TX3 Futures offers Up to 90%. Topstep pays out On-demand, and TX3 Futures pays out Every 3 days (early payout); on-demand (pro payout).

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 TX3 Futures lists "End-of-day trailing drawdown ($2,000/$3,000/$4,500 for 50K/100K/150K)". 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 TX3 Futures has 3.3/5 with 4,303 reviews. Safety grades: Topstep A, TX3 Futures C.

Who Should Choose Which

Across the use cases we scored, Topstep is the stronger choice for budget-conscious traders and trust & reputation.

Overall, Topstep edges ahead winning 5 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
TX3 Futures
Pros
Pay once per model with no monthly subscription; keep up to 90% of simulated profits; fast payouts (pro payout anytime, early payout after 10 days then every 3 days, 1 business day processing); end-of-day trailing drawdown judged on the daily close rather than intraday noise; no minimum trading days or time limit; trade on Tradovate, NinjaTrader or TradingView with a CQG data feed; broker-backed by TX3 Markets; $35M+ reportedly paid to 8,000+ traders.
Cons
TrustPilot score is a mediocre 3.3/5 across 4,303 reviews; recent reviews cite payout denials, frequent rule changes and a disruptive platform migration following the TopTier Trader rebrand; a 30% consistency rule on funded accounts can restrict withdrawals; some traders report cross-firm flagging and account bans.

Active Deals & Promo Codes

Topstep
$20 off No Activation Fee Trading Combine (any size). Up to 5 uses per trader.
TX3 Futures

No active deals

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Topstep or TX3 Futures?

Topstep scores higher overall, winning 5 out of 6 comparison categories including Overall Rating, TrustPilot, Starting Price. However, the best choice depends on your trading goals and priorities.

Which is cheaper, Topstep or TX3 Futures?

Topstep has the lower starting price at $49. Topstep offers 3 challenge options starting from $49, while TX3 Futures offers 1 options starting from $168.

Which has better reviews, Topstep or TX3 Futures?

Topstep has a higher TrustPilot rating of 3.6/5. Topstep has 14,382 reviews while TX3 Futures has 4,303.

Which offers a higher profit split, Topstep or TX3 Futures?

Topstep offers a higher maximum profit split. Topstep offers 90% while TX3 Futures offers Up to 90%.

How fast do Topstep and TX3 Futures pay out?

Topstep has On-demand payouts while TX3 Futures offers Every 3 days (early payout); on-demand (pro payout) payouts. Payout speed can be an important factor when choosing a prop firm.

Are Topstep and TX3 Futures legit?

Both firms have been independently verified by PropFirmMap. Topstep holds a A safety grade and a 3.6/5 TrustPilot rating. TX3 Futures holds a C safety grade and a 3.3/5 TrustPilot rating. Safety grades are based on payout history, community trust signals, and regulatory transparency.

Which is better for beginners, Topstep or TX3 Futures?

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.