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Topstep vs Vanquish Trader: Head-to-Head Comparison (2026)

Topstep

8.0 A
United States Futures
VS

Vanquish Trader

5.1 C
United States Stocks
Key Differences
Safety A vs C Split 90% vs 100% Price $49 vs $99

Verdict: Who Wins?

Topstep 4 wins
4 - 3
Vanquish Trader 3 wins
Overall Rating 8.0 vs 5.1 Decisive
TrustPilot 3.9 vs 3.6 Clear
Starting Price $49 vs $99 Decisive
Profit Split 100% vs 90% Decisive
Safety Grade A vs C Decisive
Trust Score 80/100 vs 46.8/100 Decisive
Challenge Variety 10 vs 3 options Clear

Best For:

Budget-conscious traders Topstep
Maximum profit potential Vanquish Trader
Trust & reputation Topstep
Fast payouts Vanquish Trader

Visual Comparison

Topstep Vanquish Trader

Head-to-Head Comparison

Topstep Metric Vanquish Trader
8.0/10 PFM Score 5.1/10
3.6/5 (14,736) TrustPilot 3.9/5 (114)
A Safety Grade C
80 A Trust Score 46.8 D
90% Profit Split 100%
$2,000 max loss limit ($50K) / $3,000 ($100K) / $4,500 ($150K) Daily Drawdown No daily loss limit. Maximum drawdown 5% on Options plans (intraday trailing) and 5% on Advanced Options plans (end-of-day trailing).
On-demand Payout Frequency Daily
$49 Starting Price $99
Proprietary Technology White-Label
Topstep X Platforms DXTrade
Yes Direct Path to Funded No
United States Country United States
Jan 2010 Established -
3 options Challenge Options 10 options

Price Comparison by Account Size

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

Account Size Topstep Vanquish Trader Savings
$50K $49 $250 Save $201
$100K $99 $500 Save $401
$150K $199 $750 Save $551

Topstep vs Vanquish Trader: Detailed Analysis

Topstep and Vanquish Trader are both Futures firms.

Pricing

In terms of pricing, Topstep is more affordable with challenges starting at $49, which is $50 less than Vanquish Trader's starting price of $99. Topstep offers 3 challenge options, while Vanquish Trader offers 10.

Account Sizes

On account sizing, Topstep offers account sizes from $50 to $150 across 3 funding tiers, while Vanquish Trader offers account sizes from $10 to $150 across 5 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 Vanquish Trader runs on DXTrade. 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 Vanquish Trader offers 100%. Topstep pays out On-demand, and Vanquish Trader pays out Daily.

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 Vanquish Trader lists "No daily loss limit. Maximum drawdown 5% on Options plans (intraday trailing) and 5% on Advanced Options plans (end-of-day trailing).". 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, Topstep supports withdrawals via Wise, ACH and International Wire / SWIFT, while Vanquish Trader pays out through Rise Pay.

Trust & Safety

For trust and reputation, Topstep has a 3.6/5 TrustPilot rating with 14,736 reviews, while Vanquish Trader has 3.9/5 with 114 reviews. Safety grades: Topstep A, Vanquish Trader C.

Who Should Choose Which

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

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

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
Vanquish Trader
Pros
100% profit split on Performance Accounts with no payout caps. One-step evaluation with no time limit and no daily loss limit. Payout requests available daily once eligible. No activation fee after passing. Unlimited resets at a discounted rate. Options and Advanced Options plans from $10K to $150K on DXTrade.
Cons
Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States/DC, excluding U.S. territories. Recurring monthly subscription that must keep being paid after passing, not a one-off fee ($99 to $1,499/mo). 30% consistency rule applies in evaluation AND on the Performance Account. No overnight positions: all trades auto-liquidate at market close. The firm's own terms put the evaluation pass rate at 10% to 12%.

Active Deals & Promo Codes

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

No active deals

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Topstep or Vanquish Trader?

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

Which is cheaper, Topstep or Vanquish Trader?

Topstep has the lower starting price at $49. Topstep offers 3 challenge options starting from $49, while Vanquish Trader offers 10 options starting from $99.

Which has better reviews, Topstep or Vanquish Trader?

Vanquish Trader has a higher TrustPilot rating of 3.9/5. Topstep has 14,736 reviews while Vanquish Trader has 114.

Which offers a higher profit split, Topstep or Vanquish Trader?

Vanquish Trader offers a higher maximum profit split. Topstep offers 90% while Vanquish Trader offers 100%.

How fast do Topstep and Vanquish Trader pay out?

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

Are Topstep and Vanquish Trader legit?

Both firms have been independently verified by PropFirmMap. Topstep holds a A safety grade and a 3.6/5 TrustPilot rating. Vanquish Trader holds a C safety grade and a 3.9/5 TrustPilot rating. Safety grades are based on payout history, community trust signals, and regulatory transparency.

Which is better for beginners, Topstep or Vanquish Trader?

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.