Topstep vs Earn2Trade: Which Futures Prop Firm Wins in 2026?
A data-driven head-to-head on price, drawdown, profit split, payouts and platforms.
If you're comparing Topstep vs Earn2Trade, you're weighing two futures prop firms that both trade futures and micros but take different routes to funding. Topstep is one of the most established names in the space, funding traders since 2012 with on-demand payouts. Earn2Trade is a veteran that has funded traders since 2016 via the Gauntlet Mini and a structured Trader Career Path.
Both are worth a look, but they diverge on price, drawdown style, profit split and track record. Below we break Topstep and Earn2Trade down head-to-head so you can pick the one that fits your capital and style.
| Metric | Topstep | Earn2Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
| Trustpilot | 4.4 | 4.7 |
| Founded | 2012 | 2016 |
| Evaluation | 1-Step | 1-Step (Gauntlet Mini / Trader Career Path) |
| Drawdown | trailing | trailing (EOD) |
| Profit split | 100% first $10K then 90% | Up to 80% |
| Consistency rule | None on funded (Express) | 30% on Gauntlet Mini (challenge stage only) |
| First payout | 5 winning days | — |
| Max allocation | $150K | $200K |
| Round-turn commission | Approx $4.00 per round-turn per contract | Broker-rate commissions (Rithmic/CQG) |
| Platforms | 4 supported | 7 supported |
Topstep vs Earn2Trade: evaluation model
Topstep runs a 1-Step model, and lets you run up to 5 accounts at once. Earn2Trade runs a 1-Step (Gauntlet Mini / Trader Career Path) model. Both are one-step at heart, so you're funded after clearing a single target under the firm's risk rules — the difference is in those rules, which we cover next.
Pricing & commissions
Topstep charges Approx $4.00 per round-turn per contract. Earn2Trade charges Broker-rate commissions (Rithmic/CQG). Always check each firm's coupons page for the live discount before you buy.
Drawdown & risk rules
Topstep uses a trailing drawdown; Earn2Trade uses a trailing drawdown — broadly similar in feel, so the tie-breaker is the consistency rule. Topstep: None on funded (Express). Earn2Trade: 30% on Gauntlet Mini (challenge stage only).
Profit split & payouts
Topstep pays 100% first $10K then 90%, with a first payout after 5 winning days. Earn2Trade pays Up to 80%. On the split, Topstep has the edge. For anyone planning to withdraw serious profit, the split and payout cadence are worth reading in full on each firm's payouts page.
Trading platforms
Topstep supports NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Quantower and more; Earn2Trade supports NinjaTrader, Sierra Chart, TradingView, Quantower and more. Earn2Trade gives you more charting choice (7 vs 4). Both handle order-flow trading, so platform choice is rarely the deciding factor here.
Who should choose which?
- Long track record (since 2012)
- On-demand payouts
- 100%→90% split
- Long track record (since 2016)
- Up to $200K accounts
- Huge platform selection
Want the full breakdown? Read our Topstep review and Earn2Trade review, or grab the latest Topstep coupon codes.
Verdict — Topstep wins overall
This is a close matchup. Topstep wins overall (score 8.2 vs 8.1) on a stronger profit split, a longer track record. Earn2Trade is still a strong pick if you want more platform choice.
FAQ
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