Earn2Trade vs Topstep: Compared Rule by Rule for 2026
Earn2Trade and Topstep sit on opposite sides of the prop-firm rulebook, and the choice between them tends to come down to two or three specific numbers rather than brand. Both operate in the futures category, both accept Tradovate and Rithmic accounts, and both publish monthly payout figures. The commonalities end at the drawdown mechanic.
At 100K: Earn2Trade from $315/month, Topstep from $99/month.
Side-by-side comparison
| Rule | Earn2Trade | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Futures (CME) | Futures (CME) |
| Watchlist | No | on watchlist |
| Evaluation | 1-Step (Gauntlet Mini / Trader Career Path) | 1-Step (Combine) |
| Account sizes | $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, $200K | $50K, $100K, $150K |
| Fee (100K) | $315/month | $99/month |
| Profit split | 50 to 80% | 90% |
| Max drawdown (100K) | $3,500 | $3,000 |
| Drawdown type | End-of-day trailing | End-of-day trailing |
| Daily loss (100K) | $2,200 | n/a |
| Consistency rule | 30% | 55% |
| Min trading days | 0 | n/a |
| First payout | n/a | 3 days |
| News trading | Allowed | Allowed |
| EAs / bots | Allowed | Allowed (limited) |
| Weekend holding | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| US traders | Yes | Yes |
| Trustpilot | Trustpilot profile |
Verdict
Pick Earn2Trade if the trailing drawdown lock behaviour of Earn2Trade matches your session windows. Pick Topstep if its fee structure suits your trading budget, or the headline split materially affects your annual take. In practice, day-trading scalpers gravitate to whichever firm keeps their per-trade cost lowest; multi-day swing traders weight the drawdown mechanic more heavily.
Heads up: Topstep has announced model changes in the past 90 days. We re-audit watchlisted firms every 7 days; double-check the live rules page before purchasing.
Earn2Trade strengths
Long track record (since 2016), strong reputation, structured education path, weekly payouts
Earn2Trade weaknesses
Subscription model, slower scaling than newer competitors, no forex/CFDs
Topstep strengths
14 year track record, live funded account pathway, breakeven drawdown lock
Topstep weaknesses
Monthly subscription model, tightest drawdown in industry, slower monthly payouts