Introduction
If you’ve been exploring futures prop firms, you’ve probably heard this question a hundred times, “Which is better, Topstep or My Funded Futures?” Both are popular choices for traders looking to scale up without risking personal capital. But depending on your trading style and goals, one might fit you better than the other.
In this blog, we’ll break down Topstep and My Funded Futures side by side, focusing on pricing, rules, payouts, and long-term value, so you can make an informed choice.
Topstep Overview
Topstep has been around for over 13 years and is one of the most recognized names in futures trading evaluations. It’s where many traders begin their prop trading journey.
Key Highlights
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Monthly Evaluation Fee, $49 for a 50K account
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One-Time Activation Fee (after passing), $149 per funded account
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Profit Target, $3,000 for a 50K account
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Consistency Rule, Your best trading day cannot exceed 50% of total profits
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No Daily Loss Limit, Traders can manage their risk as they see fit
Example:
If your goal is $3,000 and you make $2,000 in one day, you’ll need $4,000 total to pass (since $2,000 is more than 50% of your profits).
Topstep’s in-house platform, TopstepX, even allows you to set auto-liquidation rules, useful for keeping your trades within consistency limits.
Topstep Payout Structure
To qualify for payouts, you need:
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Five winning days with at least $150 profit per day
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After that, you can withdraw 50% of profits up to $5,000
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Once you reach 30 winning days, you get 100% of profits
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Minimum payout, $125
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No buffer required (but payouts reduce available drawdown)
Example:
If you withdraw $2,000 (50% cap), you’ll only have $1,000 of drawdown left, meaning less cushion for future trades.
Verdict:
Topstep is ideal for beginners. It’s affordable, has simple rules, and offers structure to develop discipline, though the activation fee and profit caps can add up over time.
My Funded Futures Overview
My Funded Futures (MFFutures) has gained popularity for offering more flexibility and faster payouts. The plan most comparable to Topstep is the 50K Scale Plan.
Key Highlights
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Monthly Fee, $120 (with discount code “NICK”)
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Profit Target, $3,000
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Max Drawdown, $2,000 (end-of-day)
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Consistency Rule, Applies only in evaluation, not after funding
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Evaluation Duration, Minimum of 2 trading days
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News Trading, Allowed (Topstep prohibits this once funded)
With the optional Flex 50K Add-On, you get higher payout caps, bringing more long-term profitability potential.
My Funded Futures Payout Structure
For the Scale Plan:
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Five winning days of $100 or more required
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Withdraw 50% of profits up to $6,000 per payout
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Profit Split, 80% to trader, 20% to firm
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Minimum payout, $250
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Loss Limit Reset, After first payout, can’t fall below $50,100
Example:
If you earn $5,000 total profit, you can withdraw $2,500 (50%), keep $2,500 in the account, and after the 80/20 split, take home $2,000.
Bonus, You can trade during news events, a huge plus for scalpers and event-driven traders.
The Pro Plan Advantage
My Funded Futures’ Pro Plan takes things up a notch:
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No payout cap, keep everything you earn (minus profit split)
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Same evaluation rules as Scale Plan
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Request payouts every 14 calendar days
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Buffer target required (account size + drawdown)
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Transition to live balance trading once threshold is hit
Why It Stands Out:
When on sale (25% off, for example), a 50K Pro Plan can drop to around $170, still cheaper than Topstep’s full cost, with more payout freedom and flexibility.
Which One Should You Trade
It depends on where you are in your trading journey:
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Beginners or semi-profitable traders, go with Topstep. The $49 entry fee is low-risk, the platform is beginner-friendly, and it helps you build consistency.
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Intermediate to advanced traders, choose My Funded Futures Pro Plan, especially during discounts. The lack of payout caps and flexible rules make it ideal for consistent, profitable traders looking for scale.
Cost Comparison (50K Account Example):
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Topstep, $49 + $149 = $198 total
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My Funded Futures Scale, $120 total
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Savings, Around $78 with My Funded Futures, plus faster payout cycles
Final Thoughts
Both firms are reputable, transparent, and trader-friendly, but they cater to different levels of trading maturity. Topstep is a great starting point, while My Funded Futures offers better scalability and freedom once you’re consistent.
If you’re confident in your strategy and want fewer restrictions, My Funded Futures Pro Plan is the clear winner. But if you’re just starting out or want to test the waters affordably, Topstep remains one of the best entry-level prop firms in the futures space.