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Topstep vs Velotrade: Head-to-Head Comparison (2026)

Topstep

8.0 A
United States Futures
VS

Velotrade

5.7 C
Hong Kong Crypto
Key Differences
Safety A vs C Price $49 vs $32

Verdict: Who Wins?

Topstep 3 wins
3 - 3
Velotrade 3 wins
Overall Rating 8.0 vs 5.7 Decisive
TrustPilot 4 vs 3.6 Clear
Starting Price $32 vs $49 Decisive
Profit Split Both 90% Tie
Safety Grade A vs C Decisive
Trust Score 80/100 vs 33.6/100 Decisive
Challenge Variety 16 vs 3 options Decisive

Best For:

Budget-conscious traders Velotrade
Trust & reputation Topstep

Visual Comparison

Topstep Velotrade

Head-to-Head Comparison

Topstep Metric Velotrade
8.0/10 PFM Score 5.7/10
3.6/5 (14,382) TrustPilot 4/5 (8)
A Safety Grade C
80 A Trust Score 33.6 F
90% Profit Split 80-90% (+20% fee add-on for profit split up to 90%)
$2,000 max loss limit ($50K) / $3,000 ($100K) / $4,500 ($150K) Daily Drawdown Classic 1-Step: 4% daily / 7% max (Static). Classic 2-Step: 5% daily / 10% max (Static). PRO 1-Step: 3% daily / 3% max (Static).
On-demand Payout Frequency On-demand
$49 Starting Price $32
Proprietary Technology Proprietary
Topstep X Platforms cTrader
Yes Direct Path to Funded No
United States Country Hong Kong
Jan 2010 Established Nov 2025
3 options Challenge Options 16 options

Price Comparison by Account Size

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

Account Size Topstep Velotrade Savings
$50K $49 $244 Save $195
$100K $99 $446 Save $347

Topstep vs Velotrade: Detailed Analysis

Topstep and Velotrade are both Futures firms. Topstep has been in business longer, established in 2010, while Velotrade was founded in 2025.

Pricing

In terms of pricing, Velotrade is more affordable with challenges starting at $32, which is $17 less than Topstep's starting price of $49. Topstep offers 3 challenge options, while Velotrade offers 16.

Account Sizes

On account sizing, Topstep offers account sizes from $50 to $150 across 3 funding tiers, while Velotrade offers account sizes from $5 to $200 across 6 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 Velotrade runs on cTrader. 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 Velotrade offers 80-90% (+20% fee add-on for profit split up to 90%). Topstep pays out On-demand, and Velotrade pays out On-demand.

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 Velotrade lists "Classic 1-Step: 4% daily / 7% max (Static). Classic 2-Step: 5% daily / 10% max (Static). PRO 1-Step: 3% daily / 3% 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 Velotrade has 4/5 with 8 reviews. Safety grades: Topstep A, Velotrade C.

Who Should Choose Which

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

This is a close matchup with Topstep winning 3 and Velotrade 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
Velotrade
Pros
Crypto-native from day one; EOD trailing drawdown (never intraday); No consistency rule; News trading allowed; Weekend holding allowed; On-demand payouts; Up to 90% profit split; Built by founders of original Velotrade (est. 2016, $2.5B+ paid out)
Cons
New crypto prop entity (Velotrade Re Limited incorporated Nov 2025); Only 8 TrustPilot reviews so far; 1-Step Pro variant only available at $5K size; Crypto-only (no forex/futures); Single platform offering

Active Deals & Promo Codes

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

No active deals

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Topstep or Velotrade?

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

Which is cheaper, Topstep or Velotrade?

Velotrade has the lower starting price at $32. Topstep offers 3 challenge options starting from $49, while Velotrade offers 16 options starting from $32.

Which has better reviews, Topstep or Velotrade?

Velotrade has a higher TrustPilot rating of 4/5. Topstep has 14,382 reviews while Velotrade has 8.

Which offers a higher profit split, Topstep or Velotrade?

Topstep offers a higher maximum profit split. Topstep offers 90% while Velotrade offers 80-90% (+20% fee add-on for profit split up to 90%).

How fast do Topstep and Velotrade pay out?

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

Are Topstep and Velotrade legit?

Both firms have been independently verified by PropFirmMap. Topstep holds a A safety grade and a 3.6/5 TrustPilot rating. Velotrade holds a C safety grade and a 4/5 TrustPilot rating. Safety grades are based on payout history, community trust signals, and regulatory transparency.

Which is better for beginners, Topstep or Velotrade?

Velotrade 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.