Alpha Futures vs Topstep: rules and payouts side by side
Which costs less to reach a funded account?
$85
Topstep's cheapest funded $50K route; Alpha Futures states no price we can compare.
Read · topstep.com · Link to this fact
Alpha Futures not stated · Topstep $85 · price plus activation fee, first-time pass judged
By Alexander Burnett (editor) Last updated Data read by our script
How we got this
How: Every value comes from the US Futures Prop Access Ledger: Alpha Futures' and Topstep's own pages, read by our script from a US network address on 11 November 2026, with the firm's quote and the page address. How we checkHow we make moneyCorrections
Term by term from each firm's own pages, read 11 November 2026. Facts in each firm's words: we don't rate firms or pick a winner. Alpha Futures: partly read, so a gap may be on a page we couldn't read.
Side by side: Alpha Futures and Topstep
Both state a 90% split; only Topstep publishes a payout rate
6 measures · read 11 Nov 2026
Each measure has its own scale from zero. A flat plate means the firm states no figure.
Static viewthe figures are written out beside this chart
| Measure | Alpha Futures | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest $50K route judgedprice plus activation fee, first-time pass (judged) | not stated | $85 |
| Profit splitthe trader’s share, in the firm’s own words | 90% | 90% |
| Payout minimumthe smallest payout you can ask for | not stated | $125 |
| Payout rateeach firm’s own figure; periods differ, so not ranked | not stated | 33.3% |
| Pass rateeach firm’s own figure; periods differ, so not ranked | not stated | 16.8% |
| Terms stated our arithmeticof the 16 key terms we compare | 13 | 16 |
Where both sit on price
Topstep costs less than the median; Alpha Futures states no $100K price
25 futures firms · read 11 Nov 2026
Alpha Futures not stated · Topstep $129 · median of 25 firms $248 (our arithmetic)
Futures, 25 firms: cheapest TradeDay $108, median $248 (our arithmetic), dearest Phidias $900.
Where they differ
The terms traders compare first. only where both firms state one plain figure; tap Source for the firm's own words.
- Cheapest $50K route to funded judged Price plus activation fee, first-time pass; no resets or data fees Only Topstep prices oneAlpha Futures:Topstep: $85$85 a month + $0 activation
In fulltopstep.com
Trading Combine 50K (No Activation Fee path, RTA on): $85 (monthly) + $0 activation
- Profit split Same splitAlpha Futures: 90% Same90%
Sourcehelp.alpha-futures.com
All withdrawal requests are the amount that will be removed from your trading account, trader received 90% of this request.
help.alpha-futures.comTopstep: 90% Same90/10 (trader 90%)Sourcehelp.topstep.com
90/10 profit split — you keep 90%
help.topstep.com - Payout schedule and minimumAlpha Futures: up to 4 times a month, every 5 winning days of $200+; …Minimum: Zero $200; Standard $500; Advanced $1,000
In fullhelp.alpha-futures.com
up to 4 times a month, every 5 winning days of $200+; up to 50% of profit per request; Direct uses profit targets instead
Traders have the ability to pay themselves up to 4 times a month. Request every 5 winning trading days of $200 profit, or more
help.alpha-futures.comTopstep: XFA Standard: after 5 winning days of $150+…; …Minimum $125In fullhelp.topstep.com
XFA Standard: after 5 winning days of $150+, up to 50% of balance per request, capped at $2,000 (50K), $3,000 (100K) or $5,000 (150K); XFA Consistency caps $3,000/$4,000/$6,000; Live: daily after 30 winning days
5 winning days of $150+ Net P&L. Days don't need to be consecutive.
help.topstep.com - Consistency ruleAlpha Futures: Zero and Standard 40% for withdrawals; Advanced none; Direct 20%
Sourcehelp.alpha-futures.com
Traders that choose the Zero Account must also adhere to a 40% Consistency Rule
help.alpha-futures.comTopstep: Trading Combine: 55% consistency target; …In fulltopstep.com
Trading Combine: 55% consistency target; XFA Consistency path: best day max 40% of net profit
Consistency Target: 55%
topstep.com - Drawdown Both: end-of-dayAlpha Futures: End-of-dayevery plan: EOD trailing from the highest end-of-day…; …
In fullalpha-futures.com
every plan: EOD trailing from the highest end-of-day balance; stops trailing at the starting balance
Every plan uses an EOD trailing Maximum Loss Limit, based on the highest end-of-day balance. It stops trailing at the starting balance.
alpha-futures.comTopstep: End-of-dayend-of-day trailing: Max Loss Limit trails the highest…; …In fulltopstep.com
end-of-day trailing: Max Loss Limit trails the highest end-of-day balance (set at the end of each day); Express Funded locks at $0, its starting balance
This limit is based on your highest end-of-day balance and does not go down if you lose money the next day.
topstep.com - US traders What the firms say, not a view on legality. DifferAlpha Futures: US not on its restricted list
In fullhelp.alpha-futures.com
yes (US not on restricted list; ACH payouts to US bank accounts offered)
To be able to trade with us, you need to be either a resident or a citizen of a non-restricted country.
help.alpha-futures.comTopstep: Says it serves US tradersIn fullhelp.topstep.com
yes (stated: US-only payout methods for 'U.S. domestic Traders'; US not on ineligible list)
Aeropay is a Pay by Bank service for U.S. domestic Traders
help.topstep.com - Platforms None in commonAlpha Futures:
AlphaTrader (in-house), TradingView (via Plus500)…In fullhelp.alpha-futures.com
AlphaTrader (in-house), TradingView (via Plus500), WealthCharts, DeepCharts (Volumetrica), Quantower
AlphaTrader Our in house developed platform
help.alpha-futures.comTopstep:
TopstepX (own platform, built by ProjectX Trading LLC)Sourcetopstep.com
Trade on TopstepX™ with trader-built performance and risk management tools.
topstep.com
Alpha Futures states 13 and Topstep 16 of the 16 terms we compare on their own pages, read 11 November 2026, according to TradingLookup's US Futures Prop Access Ledger (November 2026).
Every term side by side
| Term | Alpha Futures | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| Cheapest 50K route to funded judged | Not stated on the pages we read | $85 $85 (monthly) + $0 activationIn fulltopstep.comTrading Combine 50K (No Activation Fee path, RTA on): $85 (monthly) + $0 activation |
| Plans priced | 8 plans, from $89 In fullalpha-futures.comAdvanced 100K Evaluation: $349 (monthly); Advanced 150K Evaluation: $489 (monthly); Advanced 50K Evaluation: $209 (monthly); Standard 100K Evaluation: $239 (monthly); Standard 150K Evaluation: $349 (monthly); Standard 50K Evaluation: $129 (monthly); Zero 100K Evaluation: $279 (monthly); Zero 25K Evaluation: $89 (monthly)
| 3 plans, from $85 In fulltopstep.comTrading Combine 100K (No Activation Fee path, RTA on): $129 (monthly); Trading Combine 150K (No Activation Fee path, RTA on): $199 (monthly); Trading Combine 50K (No Activation Fee path, RTA on): $85 (monthly)
|
| Activation fee | Not read: the page blocked our reader | Standard path: $149 one-time per XFA In fullhelp.topstep.comStandard path: $149 one-time per XFA; No Activation Fee path: none
|
| Reset fee | evaluation resets from $79 (varies by plan and size) In fullhelp.alpha-futures.comevaluation resets from $79 (varies by plan and size); qualified resets $399-$999 (Zero/Standard)
| equal to the monthly price on the plan card (e.g. $85 for 50K) In fullhelp.topstep.comequal to the monthly price on the plan card (e.g. $85 for 50K); 1 reset credit per monthly rebill
|
| Rules | ||
| Drawdown | every plan: EOD trailing from the highest end-of-day balance In fullalpha-futures.comevery plan: EOD trailing from the highest end-of-day balance; stops trailing at the starting balance
| end-of-day trailing: Max Loss Limit trails the highest end-of-day… In fulltopstep.comend-of-day trailing: Max Loss Limit trails the highest end-of-day balance (set at the end of each day); Express Funded locks at $0, its starting balance
|
| Consistency rule | Zero and Standard 40% for withdrawals In fullhelp.alpha-futures.comZero and Standard 40% for withdrawals; Advanced none; Direct 20%
| Trading Combine: 55% consistency target In fulltopstep.comTrading Combine: 55% consistency target; XFA Consistency path: best day max 40% of net profit
|
| Payouts | ||
| Profit split | 90% Same Sourcehelp.alpha-futures.com
| 90/10 (trader 90%) Same Sourcehelp.topstep.com
|
| Payout schedule | up to 4 times a month, every 5 winning days of $200+ In fullhelp.alpha-futures.comup to 4 times a month, every 5 winning days of $200+; up to 50% of profit per request; Direct uses profit targets instead
| XFA Standard: after 5 winning days of $150+, up to 50% of balance per… In fullhelp.topstep.comXFA Standard: after 5 winning days of $150+, up to 50% of balance per request, capped at $2,000 (50K), $3,000 (100K) or $5,000 (150K); XFA Consistency caps $3,000/$4,000/$6,000; Live: daily after 30 winning days
|
| Payout minimum | Zero $200 In fullhelp.alpha-futures.comZero $200; Standard $500; Advanced $1,000
| $125 Sourcehelp.topstep.com
|
| Payout method | ACH (US bank accounts), wire, SWIFT, Wise, Rise In fullhelp.alpha-futures.comACH (US bank accounts), wire, SWIFT, Wise, Rise; paid in USD
| ACH and Aeropay (US banks), Wire/SWIFT, Wise (China, Canada, UK only)… In fullhelp.topstep.comACH and Aeropay (US banks), Wire/SWIFT, Wise (China, Canada, UK only), transfer to Topstep Brokerage (US); $30 processing fee shown for ACH example
|
| Pass or payout rates it publishes | Not stated on the pages we read | 2025: 16.8% of Trading Combines passed In fulltopstep.com2025: 16.8% of Trading Combines passed; 33.3% of funded-level participants received a payout; 0.71% of XFA traders called up to Live
|
| Access | ||
 US traders | US not on its restricted list In fullhelp.alpha-futures.comyes (US not on restricted list; ACH payouts to US bank accounts offered)
| Says it serves US traders In fullhelp.topstep.comyes (stated: US-only payout methods for 'U.S. domestic Traders'; US not on ineligible list)
|
| Platforms | ||
| Platforms | AlphaTrader (in-house), TradingView (via Plus500)…In fullhelp.alpha-futures.comAlphaTrader (in-house), TradingView (via Plus500), WealthCharts, DeepCharts (Volumetrica), Quantower
| TopstepX (own platform, built by ProjectX Trading LLC)Sourcetopstep.com
|
| Company | ||
| Company | Alpha Futures Limited (company number 15655643) Sourcealpha-futures.com
| TopstepTrader, LLC (Trading Combine and XFA) In fulltopstep.comTopstepTrader, LLC (Trading Combine and XFA); TopstepFunded LLC (Live); parent Topstep LLC
|
| Where it is registered | England and Wales (Harpenden) In fullalpha-futures.comEngland and Wales (Harpenden); terms governed by English law
| Topstep LLC: Delaware LLC In fulltopstep.comTopstep LLC: Delaware LLC; TopstepFunded LLC: Illinois LLC; address Chicago, IL; terms governed by Delaware law
|
| Regulatory status it states | Group broker ACG Markets is stated to be FSA regulated In fullalpha-futures.comGroup broker ACG Markets is stated to be FSA regulated; Alpha Futures' own regulatory status not stated
| Affiliate Topstep Brokerage LLC is stated to be a registered IB and NFA… In fulltopstep.comAffiliate Topstep Brokerage LLC is stated to be a registered IB and NFA member (NFA ID 0567079); the prop programme entity is not stated to be registered
|
Not stated means not on the pages we read; it does not mean "no". Where both firms state one plain figure, less marks the lower cost or payout minimum, or the higher profit split, and more the other side. Values are each firm's own words (measured) unless tagged judged.
More on each firm
Alpha FuturesPartly read: 13 pages · 13 of 16 terms stated
Other comparisons
Any two of the 50 futures prop firms in the ledger: the prop firm comparison. The pairs traders search for most each have a page:
| Comparison | Cheaper route to funded judged | Bigger profit split |
|---|---|---|
| Topstep vs Apex Trader Funding | Only Topstep prices one | Apex Trader Funding, 100% vs 90% |
| Take Profit Trader vs Topstep | Only Topstep prices one | Only Topstep states one figure |
| Tradeify vs Topstep | Only Topstep prices one | Same, 90% |
| Bulenox vs Apex Trader Funding | Only Bulenox prices one | Only Apex Trader Funding states one figure |
| Take Profit Trader vs Apex Trader Funding | Neither prices one | Only Apex Trader Funding states one figure |
| MyFundedFutures vs Topstep | Topstep, $68 less | Only Topstep states one figure |
| Tradeify vs Take Profit Trader | Neither prices one | Only Tradeify states one figure |
| Lucid Trading vs Topstep | Only Topstep prices one | Same, 90% |
| Apex Trader Funding vs MyFundedFutures | Only MyFundedFutures prices one | Only Apex Trader Funding states one figure |
| Apex Trader Funding vs Tradeify | Neither prices one | Apex Trader Funding, 100% vs 90% |
| Lucid Trading vs Tradeify | Neither prices one | Same, 90% |
| MyFundedFutures vs Take Profit Trader | Only MyFundedFutures prices one | No single figure at either |
| Lucid Trading vs Take Profit Trader | Neither prices one | Only Lucid Trading states one figure |
Where this comes from
- One source
- The US Futures Prop Access Ledger (provisional): 2387 of 2616 quotes matched the saved page text. CSV.
- US access
- Graded as on the ledger: says it serves US traders, US not on its restricted list, or not stated.
- The 50K route
- Price plus activation fee, first-time pass (judged). See cost per payout.
- How much each firm states
- Counted term by term on the Fine Print Index.
Spotted a mistake? Tell us, with evidence. Fixes are logged on the corrections page.