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Editorial verdict
FTMO vs Topstep (2026): CFD Forex vs Futures — Not the Same Decision
A side-by-side breakdown of FTMO and Topstep — profit splits, payout speed, drawdown rules, platforms, and a clear verdict on which firm wins for which trader profile.
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Category scoreboardFTMO leads 7–1 · 4 tied
FTMO · 74 tied1 · Topstep
Profit split
90%
90%
Editorial score
9.2
8.5
Max allocation
$2M
$500K
Our verdict
Editorial verdict · Updated May 2026
These two don’t actually compete for the same trader. FTMO funds CFD/forex traders; Topstep funds futures traders on CME products. If you’re a US resident, the decision is nearly made for you: FTMO doesn’t accept US clients, and Topstep does. For everyone else it comes down to instrument and rules — FTMO uses forgiving static drawdown and allows overnight and weekend holds, while Topstep uses trailing drawdown and forces every position flat at session close. Choose by asset class first, then by rules.
- Profit SplitTie
- Drawdown TypeFTMO
- Payout SpeedTopstep
- Holding RulesFTMO
- US AccessTopstep
- Track RecordTopstep
- Max AllocationFTMO
Side-by-side: FTMO vs Topstep
Winning value on each row is marked. Ties are flagged. Empty cells mean we don't have that data point yet.
Spec
FTMO
Topstep
Score
9.2 / 10
8.5 / 10
Profit Split
90%
90%tie
Payout Frequency
Bi Weekly
On Demand
Drawdown Type
Static
Trailing
Max Allocation
$2M
$500,000
Min Trading Days
0
—
Founded
2015
2012
Platforms
MT4 · MT5 · cTrader · DXTrade
NinjaTrader · Quantower · TradingView
Assets
Forex · Crypto · Indices · Commodities · Stocks
Futures
Payout Methods
Bank wire · Skrill · Crypto
ACH · Bank wire
EAs Allowed
Yes
Yestie
News Trading
Yes
Yestie
Overnight Holding
Yes
No
Weekend Holding
Yes
No
Copy Trading
No
—
Scaling Plan
Yes
Yestie
Pick FTMO if…
Pick FTMO if you trade forex, indices, crypto, commodities or stock CFDs, want forgiving static drawdown, or need to hold positions overnight or across the weekend. It’s the wrong firm only if you trade futures or live in the US — both of which point you to Topstep instead.
Pick Topstep if…
Pick Topstep if you trade futures (ES, NQ, CL, GC and the rest) or you’re a US resident with no CFD option. The trade-offs are real: a trailing drawdown that punishes giving back profit, and a force-flat-at-close rule that rules out swing trades. In return you get the most structured path to funded in the futures world and a 2012 track record.
Frequently asked questions
Can I compare FTMO and Topstep on price directly?
Not cleanly — they sell different products. FTMO prices CFD challenges by account size; Topstep prices a futures Trading Combine by contract limit. Compare them on fit (asset class, drawdown, holding rules), not headline fee.
I’m a US trader — which should I pick?
Topstep. FTMO doesn’t accept US-resident clients, while Topstep is built around the CFTC-regulated futures route that’s the cleanest legal path for US funded traders.
Which has easier drawdown rules?
FTMO. Its static drawdown fixes your loss floor at the starting balance, while Topstep’s trailing drawdown follows your equity high and can end the account on a normal retrace after a winning run.
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