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. On the numbers that matter, Topstep prices its 100K challenge at "49/month, roughly several dozen dollars below Earn2Trade, and Topstep advertises a headline split of one hundred percent.
Side-by-side comparison
| Rule | Earn2Trade | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Futures (CME) | Futures (CME) |
| Audited variants | 2 | 3 on watchlist |
| Evaluation | 1-Step (Gauntlet Mini / Trader Career Path) | 1-Step (Combine) |
| Account sizes | $25K to $200K | $50K, "00K, "50K |
| Fee (100K) | ~"50/month (TCP100) | "49/month |
| Profit split | 80/20 (flat) | 90% (100% first "0K legacy only) |
| Max drawdown | ~$2K to $2.5K (fixed floor) | ~3% Trailing (locks at breakeven) |
| Drawdown type | Trailing | Trailing |
| Daily loss | None (drawdown-based) | 2% (optional on eval; enforced on Live) |
| Consistency rule | 30% (eval) | Soft (40% on XFA path) |
| Min trading days | 10 (TCP) | 1 winning day ($200+) |
| Payout speed | Weekly (Wednesdays) | 3 to 7 days |
| Payout frequency | Weekly | Weekly (50% / $5K cap, $6K on XFA) |
| News trading | Allowed | Allowed |
| EAs / bots | Allowed | Allowed (limited) |
| Weekend holding | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Scaling cap | Scales to $400K | Multiple accounts + Live Funded |
| US traders | Yes | Yes |
| Trustpilot | 4.7 (2,800+) | 3.5 (10,000+) |
| Value score | 82 | 79 |
Verdict
Pick Earn2Trade if the trailing drawdown lock behaviour of Earn2Trade matches your session windows. Pick Topstep if the "49/month entry fee at the 100K tier changes your break-even maths, or the one hundred percent 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 (2%/3%), slower monthly payouts