Earn2Trade vs TopStep
Earn2Trade and TopStep are the two heavyweights in futures trading evaluations. Traders often struggle choosing the right path to professional funding. Earn2Trade offers huge scaling potential, aiming for maximum career growth. TopStep prioritizes lightning fast funding and superior performance coaching. We compare both options to find the perfect prop trading path for you.
Best for: Experienced traders targeting long-term capital goals up to $400,000, Traders who prioritize stellar, responsive customer service above all else
Best for: Futures traders who already follow a written risk plan, Disciplined traders who can pass evaluation rules without overtrading
Professional funding with stellar support.
We recognize Earn2Trade as a highly reputable prop firm offering structured pathways for futures traders seeking funded accounts. Overall, the platform stands out due to its longevity, clarity in evaluation design, and consistent commitment to providing exceptional customer service.
Pros
- Customer support is exceptionally responsive, professional, and personalized.
- Clear, established scaling path available up to a $400,000 funded account.
- Programs (TCP and Gauntlet Mini) cater to different trading time horizons.
- Proven track record with eight years in business and high funding numbers.
Cons
- Some users feel the 10-day evaluation period should be shortened.
- The need for frequent Rithmic account login resets frustrates some traders.
- The programs are designed specifically for experienced futures traders, not beginners.
A serious funded-trader path for disciplined futures traders
Topstep gives futures traders a structured route toward funded accounts, but the value depends on rule discipline, total attempt cost, and understanding payout eligibility before purchase.
Pros
- Transparent official pricing table for the main Trading Combine paths.
- A funded-account pathway can reduce the need to risk large personal capital upfront.
- Payout policy and account rules are documented in the help center.
- The 90/10 profit split is straightforward once eligibility requirements are met.
Cons
- Monthly fees, resets, activation fees, and data add-ons can compound quickly.
- Payout eligibility includes day-count and consistency requirements that may frustrate traders.
- The program is not suitable for undisciplined or brand-new futures traders.
- Paths cannot be changed after purchase, so a wrong path choice can be expensive.
AboutEarn2Trade
Earn2Trade functions as a critical bridge between skilled retail traders and established proprietary trading firms. They have been in the business for over eight years, helping participants earn professional funding.
Their programs involve passing structured examinations designed to test your ability to trade futures products effectively. Success in these evaluations leads directly to trading a live account with a partner firm. Notably, this program is suitable only for experienced individuals; it's not suggested for beginner traders. 💡
AboutTopStep
Topstep sells simulated Trading Combine evaluations that can lead to an Express Funded Account and, for qualifying traders, a Live Funded Account. The platform is not a broker replacement or a guaranteed income product. It is a rules-based evaluation and funding pathway for traders who can demonstrate consistency in futures markets.
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Maximum Capital Target
Earn2Trade targets much higher long-term capital goals than TopStep.
Earn2Trade focuses on maximizing career growth for funded traders. The Trader Career Path® (TCP) goal is scaling up to a $400,000 funded account. This provides serious upside potential for disciplined individuals. TopStep offers three account sizes during the evaluation phase up to $150,000 buying power. While reliable, the capital ceiling is significantly lower than Earn2Trade. TopStep does allow managing up to five funded accounts for scalability. Choose Earn2Trade if your primary goal is maximizing the capital you manage eventually. TopStep is better if you prioritize funding speed over maximum capital size initially. If you consistently need a massive capital base to execute your futures strategy, Earn2Trade offers the better path.
Speed to Funding
TopStep gets traders funded significantly faster than Earn2Trade options.
TopStep allows traders to pass the Trading Combine® evaluation in as little as two winning days. This is exceptionally fast access to an Express Funded Account. You must still demonstrate consistency and follow the rules. Earn2Trade offers The Gauntlet Mini™ which requires a 10-day minimum trading period. The Trader Career Path® (TCP) path requires longer, tiered progress before funding occurs. TopStep is superior for traders who already have high confidence and want instant funding access. Earn2Trade offers a slightly longer evaluation period, focusing on proving consistency. If speed to capital is your absolute priority, TopStep provides the quickest runway to trading a live account.
Pricing Clarity
TopStep is fully transparent with costs; Earn2Trade does not list pricing.
TopStep clearly publishes its required monthly subscription costs ranging from $49 to $149/month. This transparency lets you easily budget the evaluation phase. TopStep also clearly states the $149 one-time activation fee post-pass. Earn2Trade’s pricing for its various evaluation programs is not explicitly stated on the public pages. Users must often purchase or inquire to determine the exact monthly subscription fee. This lack of transparency can frustrate potential applicants. TopStep wins due to straightforward, accessible pricing for all three evaluation levels. Earn2Trade requires users to subscribe to its monthly billing without clear listed prices. Clear costs help new traders choose the plan that best fits their initial budget commitment.
Payout Structure
TopStep offers faster and much more frequent payouts than Earn2Trade.
TopStep processes payouts daily, enabling funded traders to receive money up to four times per month. Traders need only five winning days greater than $150 to qualify for a payout. This structure provides reliable, frequent cash flow. Earn2Trade also offers flexible withdrawals, describing the process as easy and simple once funded. However, the exact frequency and minimum requirements are not specified in the same detail as TopStep. Earn2Trade offers unique Crypto Payouts. If frequent access to your profits is vital, TopStep’s structure is demonstrably better and more frequent. Earn2Trade offers payout flexibility that includes modern cryptocurrency options. TopStep is ideal for traders treating their funded account as a source of steady, reliable monthly income.
Trading Platform & Tools
TopStep provides a superior, proprietary trading and coaching tool suite.
TopStep has developed its proprietary platform, TopstepX™, built specifically for prop firm traders. This platform includes commission-free trading and advanced features like charts from The Tilt™ Indicator. TopstepX is repeatedly praised for being user-friendly. Earn2Trade provides advanced journaling assistance via an external tool called journalytix®. This focuses heavily on performance tracking and strict risk management. The core trading platform is not proprietary. TopStep offers a better integrated and dedicated environment for trading with unique analysis tools. Earn2Trade relies on external tools to monitor performance discipline. TopStep integrates trading and coaching tools brilliantly. Traders who value an exclusive, commission-free trading experience should prefer TopStep’s TopstepX™ platform.
Customer Support
Earn2Trade has a higher rated support experience with exceptional responsiveness.
Earn2Trade's customer support receives outstanding reviews, achieving a stellar 4.8 TrustPilot rating. Users frequently report technicians responding quickly, often fixing account issues within minutes. Support is highly personalized and professional. TopStep offers ‘Kick-Ass Trader Support’ via both call and chat options. Users consistently praise their support as being reliable and responsive. TopStep also fosters community via free coaching and a large Discord chat. Earn2Trade wins narrowly here due to the exceptional volume of specific praise for rapid response times and personalized service. Both companies offer high-quality support structures. If you foresee needing rapid technical help or personalized human interaction, Earn2Trade appears to have a slight service edge.
Career Path Design
Earn2Trade provides distinct, purpose-built paths; TopStep uses a singular Combine.
Earn2Trade offers two distinct evaluation programs: the Trader Career Path® (TCP) and The Gauntlet Mini™. The TCP is built for long-term scaling up to $400,000, while the Mini is for rapid 10-day funding. TopStep uses a singular, straightforward program called the Trading Combine® across all three account sizes. The focus is consistent rules and rapid assessment for the Express Funded Account. Earn2Trade provides tailored experiences, allowing traders to select a path matching their specific goal: rapid funding or long-term scaling. TopStep offers versatility within one program structure. Choose Earn2Trade if you need a distinct path that maps directly to exponential capital growth (TCP).
Since pricing is billed every 30 days, we focus on the differences between the two main evaluation programs offered.
Trader Career Path®
Best For: Traders aiming for significant scaling Other Features:
- Test skills with $25,000, $50,000, or $100,000 virtual accounts
- Fixed drawdown limits
- Meet targets and progress with the firm
- Goal of reaching a $400,000 funded trading account
This program is designed for traders who want a clear path for growth. If you are serious about building a trading career and scaling your capital, the TCP program is an excellent choice. It provides tiered virtual accounts to help you prove your long-term consistency.
- Virtual accounts of $25,000, $50,000, or $100,000 available
- Fixed drawdown feature
- Scaling plan to reach a $400,000 funded trading account
- Progress is monitored to join a trading firm
- Get funded after trading only 10 days
- Advanced journaling with journalytix
- Requires strict risk management regime
- Focused on Intraday Traders
- Billed every 30 days
Topstep currently lists Trading Combine prices by account size and path. Standard Path pricing is $49/month for 50K, $99/month for 100K, and $199/month for 150K, plus a $149 activation fee for each Express Funded Account earned. The No Activation Fee Path is $95/month, $149/month, or $229/month for the same account sizes. Resets cost the same as the monthly rebill, taxes may apply at checkout, and optional data add-ons can increase total cost.
- $149 activation fee if an XFA is earned
- Lower monthly cost
- Same reset price as monthly rebill
- $149 activation fee if an XFA is earned
- Larger evaluation account
- For traders who need more room than 50K
- $149 activation fee if an XFA is earned
- Highest listed Standard Path monthly price
- For larger futures strategies
- Higher monthly price
- No activation fee when passed
- Best for traders confident they can pass quickly
Pricing Notes
- TopStep clearly lists its monthly costs ranging from $49 to $149 depending on the account size chosen.
- Earn2Trade's specific monthly subscription costs are not openly disclosed in the provided information.
- Once funded, TopStep requires a one-time $149 Activation Fee for the Express Funded Account, which Earn2Trade does not mention.
- Both Earn2Trade and TopStep operate on a recurring monthly subscription model for the evaluation phase.
- The evaluation price for Earn2Trade depends entirely on whether you choose the TCP or The Gauntlet Mini™ program.
Pricing Head-to-Head
User Reviews
Earn2Trade maintains an excellent 4.7-star rating across thousands of detailed reviews on Trustpilot. Reviewers consistently praise the company's dedicated customer support.
Users frequently mention specific staff members for their kindness, high professionalism, and rapid response times (often just minutes) when solving issues like account resets or technical queries. This efficient and human touch has built significant trust, even from skeptics who initially feared the platform was not transparent.
The support I received was truly outstanding. Staff member Ysmarlin cared about solving my issue and made me feel completely taken into account. While other team members also tried, her attention was exceptional and earned my trust.
Topstep is most compelling for disciplined futures traders who want structure and can treat the fee as an evaluation cost. It is risky for buyers who focus only on the funded-account headline and ignore total attempt cost or payout rules.
I’ve traded funded accounts with several firms, and the customer service at TopStep is unmatched. They genuinely care about your success. Special shoutout to Julia who helped me resolve a complex account issue quickly.
Our Verdict
Choosing between Earn2Trade and TopStep means deciding your ultimate goal: maximum capital growth or maximum speed and cash flow. Both Earn2Trade and TopStep are top-tier prop firm evaluations for futures traders. You won't risk your own money with either provider. TopStep wins in speed and transparency, while Earn2Trade delivers superior capital opportunity. Earn2Trade’s superpower is its massive $400,000 capital scaling goal using the Trader Career Path®. Earn2Trade is better for long-term career planning and provides distinct paths like The Gauntlet Mini™. Plus, Earn2Trade boasts slightly higher rated, exceptionally responsive customer support. TopStep shines with extreme speed, offering funding in as little as two days through the Trading Combine®. TopStep provides crucial clarity with up-front pricing and faster cash flow access. You can get paid up to four times monthly using the excellent TopstepX™ platform. The deciding factor should be your goal size versus required cash flow. If you need maximum capital ($400k) and exceptional service, choose Earn2Trade. If fast funding, predictable pricing, and frequent payouts are essential, TopStep is your perfect fit. Both Earn2Trade and TopStep provide strong, reliable funding opportunities for serious traders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which firm allows for greater potential funded capital, Earn2Trade or TopStep?
Earn2Trade offers the potential to scale your capital up to an impressive $400,000 via the Trader Career Path® program. TopStep's maximum starting buying power is $150,000. Earn2Trade is better for maximizing potential future capital.
Is TopStep faster to getting funded than Earn2Trade?
Yes, TopStep offers the absolute fastest path, potentially funding you in two successful trading days. Earn2Trade’s rapid evaluation, The Gauntlet Mini™, requires a minimum of ten trading days. TopStep is the clear choice for speed.
How often can I take payouts from Earn2Trade versus TopStep?
TopStep processes payouts daily, allowing funded traders to receive money up to four times per month. Earn2Trade offers flexible and easy withdrawals, but the frequency is not specified. TopStep offers much more reliable, frequent cash flow.
Does Earn2Trade have a dedicated trading platform like TopStep's TopstepX™?
No, Earn2Trade does not feature a proprietary trading environment like Topstep’s TopstepX™. TopStep actively supports its exclusive platform, which includes commission-free trading. Earn2Trade provides advanced performance tracking via journalytix.
Is the activation fee higher for Earn2Trade or TopStep?
TopStep requires a clear one-time $149 Activation Fee once you pass the Combine evaluation. Earn2Trade does not mention a required activation fee in the provided information. This fee is an extra cost only for TopStep traders.
Can I receive profit payouts in cryptocurrency with TopStep or Earn2Trade?
Earn2Trade explicitly offers the flexibility of convenient Crypto Payouts for withdrawals. TopStep only mentions standard daily payout processing. If crypto payments are important, Earn2Trade supports them directly.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.