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TopStep vs Earn2Trade 2026

Futures Prop Firm Showdown

Complete comparison of two top-rated CME futures funding platforms

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Feature Comparison

Feature Comparison
Metric TopStep Earn2Trade
Challenge Fee $225 - $399 $298 - $398
Account Sizes $25K, $50K, $100K, $200K $5K, $10K, $25K, $50K, $100K, $200K
Profit Split 80% trader / 20% firm 80% trader / 20% firm
Daily Drawdown 5% 5%
Total Drawdown 10% 10%
Trading Instrument CME Micro Futures CME Micro Futures
Scaling Levels Growth Ladder Up to 8 scaling phases
Free Practice Account Limited Yes, full access
Key Difference: TopStep wins on price and proven track record, while Earn2Trade offers smaller starting account sizes ($5K) and more extensive practice opportunities. Choose TopStep for budget traders, Earn2Trade for those wanting practice before investing.

TopStep: Industry Veteran

TopStep has been operating for over 12 years and has funded thousands of traders successfully. The platform is known for its straightforward evaluation process, consistent rules, and reliable payouts. TopStep focuses exclusively on CME micro futures trading.

TopStep Advantages

  • Longest track record in the industry (12+ years)
  • Lowest challenge fees of the two ($225 starting)
  • Simple, consistent rule set across all accounts
  • Proven payout infrastructure and reliability
  • Strong trader community and resources
  • Growth Ladder provides clear scaling path

TopStep Limitations

  • Minimum account size is $25K (no smaller options)
  • Less modern platform UI compared to newer firms
  • Limited practice account resources
  • Fewer account tier options than Earn2Trade

Earn2Trade: Modern Innovation

Earn2Trade is a newer but rapidly growing prop firm focusing on trader success and support. The company offers more flexibility in account sizes and emphasizes educational content and practice opportunities to help traders succeed.

Earn2Trade Strengths

  • Smallest starting account size ($5K) for beginners
  • Full free practice trading account
  • Modern, user-friendly platform interface
  • More aggressive scaling opportunities (8 phases)
  • Responsive customer support team
  • Regular educational webinars and coaching

Earn2Trade Considerations

  • Slightly higher challenge fees than TopStep
  • Newer company with less historical track record
  • Stricter enforcement on some trading rules
  • Growth through scaling not guaranteed

Challenge Fee Analysis

TopStep Pricing (2026)

$25K Challenge: $225 | $50K: $299 | $100K: $349 | $200K: $399

TopStep maintains some of the lowest challenge fees in the entire prop trading industry. For a $25K account, you're investing just $225 to access real trading capital.

Earn2Trade Pricing (2026)

$5K Challenge: $298 | $10K: $298 | $25K: $298 | $50K: $348 | $100K: $398 | $200K: $398

Earn2Trade charges flat fees per account size, making smaller accounts more accessible. The $298 fee applies to $5K-$25K accounts, which is higher per-dollar than TopStep's $25K, but allows $5K and $10K starts.

Budget Consideration: For a beginner with limited capital, Earn2Trade's $5K account at $298 may be better than TopStep's $25K at $225, since you're investing less total capital. For experienced traders, TopStep's $25K at $225 offers better value.

Trading Rules & Strategy Support

TopStep Trading Rules

TopStep prohibits news trading during major economic announcements and requires end-of-day position closing. Hedging is not allowed, and automated trading systems are banned. Scalping is permitted within reason, and swing trading is fully supported. The firm enforces a 1:1 risk-reward minimum.

Earn2Trade Trading Rules

Earn2Trade has similar restrictions to TopStep but allows slightly more flexibility in some areas. News trading is restricted, but the firm is more lenient on position hold times. Scalping is permitted, and swing trading is fully allowed. Earn2Trade also enforces the 1:1 risk-reward ratio requirement.

Both firms focus on teaching risk management and consistent profitability rather than aggressive leverage trading. This makes them suitable for traders of various experience levels.

Scaling & Long-Term Growth Potential

TopStep's Growth Ladder

TopStep uses their proprietary "Growth Ladder" system to scale funded traders. As you remain profitable and maintain rule compliance, your account size increases through defined rungs. The system is straightforward and transparent about what growth looks like.

Earn2Trade's Scaling (8 Phases)

Earn2Trade offers up to 8 scaling phases for traders who perform well. This more aggressive scaling system rewards consistent profitability with faster account growth. Traders can potentially reach $1M+ accounts after multiple scaling phases.

For long-term income seekers, Earn2Trade's 8-phase scaling offers more aggressive growth potential. TopStep's Growth Ladder is more conservative but reliable.

Practice & Educational Resources

TopStep: Offers limited free practice opportunities. Most traders jump directly into the challenge. Educational resources include community forums and occasional webinars, but not comprehensive training programs.

Earn2Trade: Provides full access to a free practice trading account with simulated money. New traders can practice unlimited before paying for a challenge. Regular educational webinars, coaching sessions, and detailed video tutorials help traders prepare for success.

For beginners unsure about prop trading, Earn2Trade's extensive practice resources are invaluable. Experienced traders may find TopStep's direct challenge approach more efficient.

FAQ

Can I practice before starting the challenge?
Earn2Trade offers unlimited free practice. TopStep's practice options are more limited. If practice is important to you, Earn2Trade is the clear choice.
What's the minimum account size I can start with?
TopStep's minimum is $25K. Earn2Trade allows starting with just $5K, making it more accessible to traders on a tighter budget.
How long does the challenge typically take?
Both firms typically see challenges completed in 30-90 days. The time depends on your trading frequency and consistency. Neither firm has strict time limits—you trade until you hit the profit target.
Which firm scales faster?
Earn2Trade's 8-phase system allows more aggressive scaling than TopStep's Growth Ladder. However, both require consistent profitability before scaling. Scaling speed depends on your trading results, not the firm.
Are payouts reliable from both firms?
Yes, both are reliable. TopStep has longer history (12+ years), so it has a proven track record. Earn2Trade also pays consistently, though as a newer firm, it has less historical data.

Who Should Choose Each?

Choose TopStep if: You're an experienced trader with at least $25K to invest in the challenge, value lowest fees, and want the longest-established firm with proven reliability. TopStep is perfect for traders who prefer straightforward rules and a simple evaluation process.

Choose Earn2Trade if: You want to start small ($5K), need extensive practice and educational resources, and value modern platform design. Earn2Trade is ideal for newer traders wanting comprehensive support before and during their evaluation.

Many traders use Earn2Trade first to practice and learn, then graduate to TopStep's higher account sizes as they gain experience. Both are excellent, legitimate firms.

Promotional Offers 2026

Both TopStep and Earn2Trade run seasonal discounts and promotional campaigns. PropFirmDealFinder tracks all current offers, allowing you to find the best pricing before starting your challenge.

Current discounts can reduce challenge costs by 15-30%, making the investment significantly more affordable. Always check PropFirmDealFinder for active codes before purchasing a challenge.

Get the Best Deal Today

Both TopStep and Earn2Trade offer legitimate funding opportunities for CME futures traders. Check PropFirmDealFinder for current discount codes and promotional rates.

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Related Pages

Best Prop Firms 2026 Prop Firm Comparison Table DayTraders Discount Funded Futures Discount 🏠 All Deals
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