Are you looking to get into the world of trading futures but don’t quite have the trading capital needed?
If so, then a TopStep funded account might be for you. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a professional trader to be accepted into their funded account trader program.
Let’s take a closer look at what the TopStep funded trading account is all about below.
What Is A TopStep Funded Account?
TopStep Funded Accounts allow you to earn funding to trade popular CME group products on their platform. In order to be awarded a Funded Account, you must first complete the two-step evaluation process of the TopStep Trading Combine.
They do this to verify you are a serious, successful trader before giving you capital through the Trading Combine. The Trading Combine is less a test of your trading skills than a test of your ability to follow rules and manage risks.
Topstep increases your buying power by further leveraging your profits, not by increasing your funding, so if you’re a successful trader, your buying power will still increase.
The TopStep Trading Combine program is designed for traders who qualify for the chance to be promoted to the status of funded trader. Once qualified, traders can actively day trade with the firm’s cash across14 trading platforms.
You can read more about the TopStep Trader program including the difference between a Combine and Funded account in our in-depth TopStep Trader review here.
How Long Does It Take To Get Funded With TopStep?
After completing all the required steps, you can get funded in as little as 8 days however, it can take up to two weeks. When your account is ready, TopStep will email you your login details.
In order to get your account set up, you will need to complete the following:
- Complete your Funded Account Agreement
Here’s a quick tip: Make sure to keep an eye out for the confirmation email TopStep sends. You will need to verify your email address in order to complete the application and avoid delays. - Submit your payment for live market data
Make sure you submit your payment as soon as possible. This will ensure that TopStep enables your account ASAP.
Once finished, quickly review the rules. There are a few key things to note for the TopStep funded account regarding commissions and fees.
Your Funded Account will be considered abandoned if you do not complete the steps above.
TopStep Trader Features
Traders can become professional futures traders with TopStepTrader, which provides all the tools they need to improve their day trading skills.
No-Fee Trading Platform
There are no fees for the Combine Trader account however, a Funded Account will incur fees and commissions involved with trading on futures exchanges.
Charts
TopStep contains all the basic charts you would expect to be a profitable trader, such as:
- Candlestick charts
- Line graphs
- Bar charts
- Point & figure
- Heike nashi
- Renko
Trader Education and Coaching
There are options for free coaching as well as paid personalized coaching programs that include:
- Daily live trading classes
- Profit Targets
- Trading psychology lessons
- Private Trader group chats
- Watch professionals trade in real-time
TopStep Trader Pricing
TopStep Trader offers different membership options starting from $165/month increasing to $375/month. You do have the option to start with a 14-day free trial with no requirement to input your credit card details which is nice.
Below are the monthly membership packages available:
- $50k Buying Power – $165/month.
- $100k Buying Power – $325/month.
- $150k Buying Power – $375/month.
As long as you are in the Trading Combine, Topstep will continue to charge monthly fees, but those disappear once you graduate to a funded account.
The TopStep Trader platform has a ton of rules and pricing variations which you should definitely familiarize yourself with in order to qualify and maintain your funded trader status.
For example, once you have passed the Trading Combine, you will no longer be charged the monthly subscription and there are no more account resets. An account reset during the Trading Combine can be done for $99.
Once you are trading the funded account, monthly exchange fees will now apply. Some trading platforms cost money during the Trading Combine while others are free. On top of that, for a funded account you will be charged commission fees and exchange fees that typically range from $0.72 to $4.30.
If you were to subscribe to CME, CBOT, NYMEX, & COMEX to trade all of the Permitted Products, your monthly cost could be between $464 – $488 per month. Many traders opt for focusing on specific exchanges to keep the costs down.
Again, it’s worth reading the fine print regarding the fees involved with a funded account as they differ from the Combine Account.
TopStep Funded Account Review Summary
Founded by Michael Patak in 2012, TopStep Trader is great if you’re looking to develop your futures trading skills without risking a ton of your own capital.
The platform and trading environment will help you manage your risk, refine trading strategies, and become a disciplined trader just like the pros.
If you consider yourself a seasoned veteran, then TopStep Trader is a great platform to test out your skills in the Trading Combine. Who knows, the educational content alone could take you to the next level.
Three months should be long enough to decide if it’s 100% right for you.
