The5ers vs TopStep: Head-to-Head Prop Firm Comparison for 2026

At a Glance: The5ers vs TopStep

If you’re debating between The5ers and TopStep for your next prop firm challenge, the differences go far deeper than just profit splits or challenge fees. Both firms are highly rated (4.3/5 for The5ers, 4.5/5 for TopStep) and offer unique structures, but their rules, costs, and profit mechanics are built for very different types of traders.

For a more granular, customizable breakdown, try the side-by-side comparison tool.

Challenge Structure & Costs

The5ers

• One-time challenge fee: $95 (6K account) up to $875 (100K account)
• Profit target: 6% (e.g., $6,000 → $6,360)
• Drawdown: 6% max, 3% daily (e.g., $100K account: $6,000 max loss, $3,000 daily)
• Minimum trading days: 3
• Unlimited time to complete
• No news trading, no weekend holding, no EAs

The5ers’ one-time fee is higher upfront, but there are no recurring costs. Their 6% profit target is among the lowest in the industry, and you aren’t pressured by a time limit. The minimum trading days are also lower than most, enabling faster evaluation if you’re consistent. However, the tight 3% daily drawdown means a single bad day can end your challenge.

TopStep

• Monthly subscription: $49 (50K), $99 (100K), $149 (150K)
• Profit target: 6%
• Drawdown: 4% max, 2% daily (e.g., $100K account: $4,000 max loss, $2,000 daily)
• Minimum trading days: 5
• Unlimited time to complete (as long as you pay)
• News trading allowed, no weekend holding, no bots

TopStep’s monthly fee looks cheaper, but if you take several months to pass, total costs can add up—three months on a $100K account costs $297. The 6% profit target matches The5ers, but drawdown limits are even tighter (4%/2%). Unlike The5ers, TopStep requires 5 minimum trading days and imposes a 50% consistency rule: at least half your profit must come from more than one day, which can trip up high-volatility traders.

Drawdown Rules: How Much Room for Error?

The5ers: 6% Max, 3% Daily

For a $100K account, your absolute max loss is $6,000, and you can’t lose more than $3,000 in a single day. These limits reset each day, not intraday. The tight daily loss limit means that aggressive intraday swings, even if recovered by close, can still fail the challenge.

TopStep: 4% Max, 2% Daily

On a $100K TopStep account, the max trailing drawdown is $4,000, and the daily loss cap is $2,000. The real twist: on standard accounts, the trailing drawdown is calculated on end-of-day balance, so you can recover from intraday dips as long as you finish above the threshold. However, on TopStep PRO accounts, the trailing drawdown is intraday, which is much stricter.

Profit Split & Payout Speed

The5ers: 50/50 to 100% (Scaling)

Initial profit split is 50/50, but as you scale up, you can reach a 100% payout at the highest levels. For example, if you earn $8,000 in profit on a $100K account, you keep $4,000 at first—unless you’ve scaled up. Payout frequency depends on account level and scaling stage, but is not as frequent as TopStep’s weekly model.

TopStep: 90/10 (Trader Keeps 90%)

From the start, you keep 90% of profits. Earn $8,000? You take home $7,200. Payouts are processed weekly, so you can withdraw profits every seven days—useful for those relying on regular cash flow.

Tradable Instruments & Platforms

The5ers

• Forex pairs, metals, indices (no stocks, no futures)
• Leverage: 1:30 (e.g., $100K account can control up to $3M notional)
• No news trading, no weekend holding, no EAs (no automated bots)

If you’re a spot forex or CFD trader, The5ers covers most major pairs, gold, and popular indices. But if you want to trade futures, crypto, or stocks, you’re out of luck. Automated strategies aren’t allowed—even for discretionary traders who use EAs for execution.

TopStep

• Futures only—CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX contracts
• Full contract leverage (e.g., 1 S&P 500 futures contract = control of $200,000+ notional)
• News trading allowed, but no weekend holding, no bots

TopStep is laser-focused on futures. If you want to trade ES, NQ, CL, GC, or other US futures, this is one of the few prop firms with a direct path to a real live funded futures account. However, you can’t trade forex, stocks, or use algorithmic bots.

Scaling & Career Path

The5ers: Account Doubling to $4M

For each milestone you hit (profit targets, risk adherence), The5ers doubles your account size. You can theoretically scale from a $100K account up to $4 million. At higher scaling levels, your profit split improves—potentially up to 100%. But, each scaling step requires consistent performance under the same tight drawdown and trading restrictions.

TopStep: Express to Live Funded Account

TopStep offers a unique pathway: after passing the challenge, you start on an "Express Funded" account. Consistent performance here leads to a "Live Funded" account with real capital at a registered FCM (Futures Commission Merchant)—not just simulated or internal funding. This is rare among prop firms, especially in the futures space. Scaling is more about capital responsibility and payout limits than raw account size, but the transition to trading real money is a significant career milestone.

Payout Rules & Speed

• The5ers: Payout speeds vary by scaling level and account type. Not as frequent as TopStep’s weekly schedule. Some accounts require minimum profit or trading days before first withdrawal.
• TopStep: Weekly payouts after passing the challenge and consistency checks. Funds are available every seven days, with few restrictions for Express Funded accounts.

If regular cash flow is critical, TopStep’s weekly payout can be a decisive factor. The5ers requires more patience, especially at the lower scaling rungs.

Non-Obvious Trade-Offs

• Time Pressure: The5ers’ unlimited time and low minimum trading days are ideal for traders who can’t trade daily or want to wait for ideal setups. TopStep’s subscription model incentivizes speed—every extra month costs more.
• Consistency Target: TopStep’s 50% consistency rule can disqualify traders who make most of their profit in one or two big trades. If you’re a swing trader or rely on occasional large wins, this can be a hidden hurdle.
• Instrument Limitations: The5ers’ lack of futures and TopStep’s lack of forex means your trading style may not fit either. Neither allows automated trading, but The5ers is stricter about news trading and EAs.
• Scaling Realities: The5ers’ scaling to $4M sounds impressive, but very few traders reach this level. Each step doubles the account, but also resets risk controls and profit targets. TopStep’s live capital path is more regulated, but doesn’t promise massive notional size.
• Drawdown Calculations: TopStep’s EOD trailing drawdown (on most accounts) is more forgiving for intraday volatility, while The5ers’ daily drawdown is absolute—no recovery intraday.

Who Should Choose The5ers?

The5ers is best for:

• Forex, metals, or index CFD traders who want spot products and don’t need futures.
• Traders who need time flexibility—no time limit, only 3 trading days required.
• Ambitious scalers aiming to build up to multimillion-dollar accounts.
• Those who dislike ongoing fees—pay once, trade as long as you need.

However, you must be comfortable with:

• Very tight risk controls (6%/3%)
• No news trading or EAs
• Lower starting profit split (50/50)

For full details and user reviews, check the The5ers review.

Who Should Choose TopStep?

TopStep is best for:

• Futures traders—especially those wanting to trade CME, CBOT, NYMEX, or COMEX contracts.
• Traders seeking a path to real, regulated capital (not just simulated prop accounts).
• Those who value frequent payouts—weekly withdrawals are possible.
• Traders who want to trade around news events—no bans here.

However, TopStep is not for:

• Forex or stock traders
• Anyone who can’t meet the 50% consistency rule
• Automated or bot traders

For a deep dive into rules and real trader feedback, see the TopStep review.

Bottom Line: Which Should You Choose?

Both The5ers and TopStep are legitimate, high-quality prop firms—but the right fit depends on your instruments, risk tolerance, and trading style.

• Choose The5ers if: You trade forex/CFDs, want an unlimited timeframe, and are comfortable with strict daily drawdown. Scaling to $4M is your long-term goal.
• Choose TopStep if: You trade futures, want a 90/10 split from day one, and value weekly payouts. You’re aiming for an institutional career path with real capital, and you can maintain profit consistency.

If you’re still unsure, use the side-by-side comparison tool or check each firm’s financial health grades to see which matches your risk profile.