FundedNext vs Topstep: Compared Rule by Rule for 2026
Two firms, two operating philosophies. FundedNext was founded in 2022 out of Dhaka; Topstep followed in 2012 from Chicago, and the product design reflects that lineage. FundedNext focuses on forex, indices, metals and crypto on MT4, MT5 and cTrader, while Topstep covers US futures on the same execution stack. That alone makes them shortlisted together only when a trader is choosing an asset class rather than a firm. On the numbers that matter, Topstep prices its 100K challenge at "49/month, roughly a hundred dollars below FundedNext, and Topstep advertises a headline split of one hundred percent.
Side-by-side comparison
| Rule | FundedNext | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Forex, Indices, Metals, Crypto, Energies | Futures (CME) |
| Audited variants | 7 | 3 on watchlist |
| Evaluation | 1-Step or 2-Step (Stellar) | 1-Step (Combine) |
| Account sizes | $6K to $200K | $50K, "00K, "50K |
| Fee (100K) | ~$549 | "49/month |
| Profit split | 80 to 90% (95% add-on) | 90% (100% first "0K legacy only) |
| Max drawdown | 10% | ~3% Trailing (locks at breakeven) |
| Drawdown type | Static | Trailing |
| Daily loss | 5% | 2% (optional on eval; enforced on Live) |
| Consistency rule | 40% | Soft (40% on XFA path) |
| Min trading days | 5 | 1 winning day ($200+) |
| Payout speed | 24 hours guaranteed | 3 to 7 days |
| Payout frequency | Bi-weekly / On-demand | Weekly (50% / $5K cap, $6K on XFA) |
| News trading | Allowed in evaluation; 40% news-profit rule on funded accounts | Allowed |
| EAs / bots | Allowed | Allowed (limited) |
| Weekend holding | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Scaling cap | $4M | Multiple accounts + Live Funded |
| US traders | Yes | Yes |
| Trustpilot | 4.5 (71,000+) | 3.5 (10,000+) |
| Value score | 89 | 79 |
Verdict
Pick FundedNext if you want MT4, MT5 or cTrader access to forex, indices and metals. Pick Topstep if you want US futures on Rithmic or Tradovate rather than spot FX, or the "49/month entry fee at the 100K tier changes your break-even maths. Traders who plan to hold overnight or through news should read the specific policy on each firm's site before committing capital.
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.
FundedNext strengths
95% profit split (Stellar), 15% profit share during challenge, news trading allowed in evaluation, 24hr payout guarantee
FundedNext weaknesses
Newer firm (2022), 40% news-profit rule on funded accounts, UAE/Bangladesh HQ
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