Head-to-Head Comparison

City Traders Imperium vs TopStep

An honest, data-driven comparison to help you pick the right prop firm. We compare drawdown rules, challenge costs, profit splits, trading conditions, and more — no bias, just facts.

City Traders Imperium

4.3

Dubai-based prop firm established in 2018 offering evaluation and instant funding with static drawdown. Features a monthly salary option and scaling to $4M.

Visit City Traders Imperium

TopStep

4.5

One of the original futures prop firms with a proven track record. Offers a structured Trading Combine evaluation and path to live funded trading with real capital.

Visit TopStep

Side-by-Side Comparison: City Traders Imperium vs TopStep

Metric

City Traders Imperium

TopStep

Max Drawdown

10%

Daily Drawdown

Profit Target

10%

Profit Split

80/20 → 100%

90/10

Challenge Cost

$39 - $549

$49 - $149/mo

Trading Period

Unlimited

Min Trading Days

Leverage

1:30

Full contract leverage

Instruments

Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Metals

Futures (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX)

Account Sizes

$2.5K, $5K, $10K, $20K, $50K, $100K

$50K, $100K, $150K

Scaling

Scale up to $4M with 10% profit milestones

Path from Express Funded to Live Funded account with real capital

News Trading

Allowed

Weekend Holding

Allowed

Not Allowed

EA / Bots

Allowed

Not Allowed

Rating

4.3/5

4.5/5

The Verdict: City Traders Imperium vs TopStep

The best choice depends on your trading style, risk tolerance, and goals. Here's our breakdown by trader profile:

Best for Beginners

City Traders Imperium

City Traders Imperium offers more forgiving drawdown rules, making it easier for newer traders to get started.

Best for Aggressive Traders

City Traders Imperium

City Traders Imperium provides 10% max drawdown allowance, giving aggressive trading styles more breathing room.

Best for Long-term Scaling

City Traders Imperium

City Traders Imperium offers better scaling potential: Scale up to $4M with 10% profit milestones.

Best for Overall Value

TopStep

TopStep earns 4.5/5 in our analysis, with a strong balance of rules, cost, and trader experience.

City Traders Imperium Pros & Cons

Static drawdown (does not trail)

Monthly salary up to $500 per account

Profit split scales to 100%

Low entry from just $2.5K accounts

Weekend and overnight holding allowed

Lower leverage (1:30)

Smaller starting accounts compared to rivals

Must prove EA ownership on some plans

KYC process can be slow

Limited to traders from 60+ countries

TopStep Pros & Cons

Established since 2012 with proven track record

Path to real live funded account

Low monthly subscription cost

EOD trailing drawdown (not intraday)

Weekly payouts available

Futures only (no forex)

50% consistency target required

Daily loss limit on some platforms

Intraday trailing drawdown on PRO accounts

No automated trading bots

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, City Traders Imperium or TopStep?

It depends on your trading style. City Traders Imperium offers 10% max drawdown and a 80/20 → 100% profit split, while TopStep offers 4% max drawdown and a 90/10 split. TopStep has a higher overall rating at 4.5/5.

What is the cheapest option between City Traders Imperium and TopStep?

City Traders Imperium challenges start at $39 - $549, while TopStep starts at $49 - $149/mo. Compare account sizes and what's included before choosing based on price alone.

Can I use EAs or trading bots with City Traders Imperium and TopStep?

City Traders Imperium allows EAs/bots. TopStep does not allow them. Always verify the latest rules on each firm's website.

What are the drawdown rules for City Traders Imperium vs TopStep?

City Traders Imperium has a 10% max drawdown and 5% daily drawdown. TopStep has a 4% max drawdown and 2% daily drawdown. Use our free Drawdown Calculator to find your safe lot size for either firm.

How long do I have to pass the City Traders Imperium vs TopStep challenge?

City Traders Imperium gives you Unlimited. TopStep gives you Unlimited. Both require a minimum of 0 and 5 trading days respectively.

Which firm has a better profit split, City Traders Imperium or TopStep?

City Traders Imperium offers a 80/20 → 100% profit split, while TopStep offers 90/10. Higher profit splits mean more of your trading profits go to you.