Topstep Payout Rules: Fast, Clean Withdrawals

This guide breaks down exactly how Topstep payouts work—eligibility, request mechanics, timelines, profit splits, and the sneaky bits that trip traders up (like the MLL reset). If you follow the cycles and manage buffers like a pro, payouts are predictable.

Learned from testing: I've studied Topstep's rulebook inside and out—Trading Combine parameters, Express Funded requirements, trailing drawdown mechanics, and the funded-stage restrictions that trip up most futures traders. The breakdowns here come from real evaluation experience and community feedback across hundreds of traders.

The biggest trap at Topstep is misunderstanding the trailing drawdown—it follows your equity high, not your balance, and that distinction has blown more accounts than any other single rule. I broke down every rule with real examples and compliance strategies in my complete Topstep rules guide, including drawdown mechanics, consistency requirements, and payout structures. For the absolute latest, check Topstep's website or their Help Center.

Quick Snapshot — Payouts at a Glance

Topstep’s payout framework is simple once you know the knobs to turn:

• Profit split: Keep 100% of your first $10,000 in total payouts; then 90/10 (you keep 90%).
• Eligibility trigger: 5 non-consecutive winning days since your last approved payout. Each must hit the minimum Net PnL threshold shown in your dashboard.
• Express Funded (sim): Per request, up to $5,000 or 50% of balance (whichever is lower).
• Live Funded: Per request, up to 50% of balance after 5 winning days. After 30 Live winning days, you unlock daily payouts up to 100% of balance (note: a 100% pull typically closes the Live account).
• Processing time: Approval typically a few business days; delivery depends on method (ACH/Wise/wire) and bank rails.
• Crucial reset: After any payout, your Maximum Loss Limit (MLL) resets to $0. Plan withdrawals around that reality.

Payout Rules by Account Type

Express Funded Account (Sim)

• What you can request: Up to $5,000 or 50% of account balance per request.
• When you can request: Once you’ve logged 5 winning days (non-consecutive) since your last approved payout. After payment, the 5-day counter resets.
• Split mechanics: All Express payouts count toward your lifetime first $10K at 100%; beyond that you’re on 90/10.

Why Express exists: It’s a proving-ground stage that pays real money while you demonstrate repeatability. Think of it as “paid internship” before full promotion to Live.

Live Funded Account

• What you can request: Up to 50% of balance per payout after 5 winning days.
• Daily payouts (100% access): After 30 non-consecutive winning days in Live, you can request daily and take up to 100% of the account balance (minimum request applies). A full 100% withdrawal generally closes the Live account—use with intent.
• Promotion path: Many traders are moved to Live after a series of successful Express payouts; risk can accelerate or slow this based on behavior.

Why Live matters: Fewer training wheels, more flexibility. Treat it like a professional account: schedule withdrawals, protect your cushion, and size with MLL in mind.

Profit Split & Lifetime Counters

• First $10,000 = 100% yours. This is lifetime across your funded accounts, not “per account.”
• After $10K total payouts: Split shifts to 90/10 (you keep 90%).
• Counter discipline: Keep a simple tracker of lifetime payouts so you know when you flip to 90/10 and can plan requests around tax/cash-flow considerations.

Step-by-Step: Requesting a Payout

1. Confirm eligibility
   • Funded stage (Express or Live).
   • 5 winning days since your most recent approved payout; each must meet the Net PnL threshold shown in your dashboard.
2. Open the payout request
   • Choose method (e.g., ACH/Wise/wire/SWIFT).
   • Ensure your KYC and banking details match—mismatches are the #1 avoidable delay.
3. Choose the amount
   • Express: ≤ $5,000 or 50% of balance (lower of the two).
   • Live: ≤ 50% of balance (until daily-payout unlock at 30 Live wins, then up to 100%).
   • Leave a small cushion; don’t request the absolute max.
4. Submit—then stop trading
   • Trading while your request is pending can alter your eligibility/balance at the wrong moment.
5. Receive funds & reset plan
   • After payout, MLL resets to $0. Re-evaluate size, stop placement, and target pacing for the next sessions.

Practical Tips to Avoid Delays (or Denials)

• Freeze activity post-submission. Don’t let a tiny drawdown or a fee nudge you under a threshold.
• Request slightly under max. Leave “breathing room” so your post-payout start isn’t a tightrope.
• Batch wins on purpose. Knock out your 5 winning days early in the week; request on a non-event day.
• Pick faster rails when timing matters. Domestic ACH/Wise can be quicker than international wires; plan around holidays.
• Keep docs clean. A mismatched name, expired ID, or wrong bank nickname is an easy, painful delay.

Platform Note (2025): TopstepX Is the Default

• New Combines and resets run on TopstepX (browser-based). You’ll get TradingView charts, one-click size, and session-close helpers.
• If you’re legacy on third-party platforms for older funded accounts, expect that to remain grandfathered while new activity routes to TopstepX.

Bottom line: Whatever your platform feelings, execution is stable. Focus on risk process and payout cadence.

Common Payout Rejection Reasons (and Quick Fixes)

1) Missing a valid “winning day.”

• Symptom: You think you have 5, but one day is under the Net PnL minimum after fees/commissions.
• Fix: Export day-by-day PnL. Verify net, not gross. If you came in a few dollars short, add one more clean day before requesting.

2) Requesting over the cap.

• Symptom: Express request > $5,000 or >50% of balance; Live request >50% without 30 Live wins unlocked.
• Fix: Recalculate off the actual current balance in the app. Request ≤ allowable max.

3) Trading after submission.

• Symptom: You submit, then take a small trade out of habit—nudging eligibility or balance.
• Fix: Create a personal rule: once submitted, platform closed until confirmation.

4) KYC/banking mismatch.

• Symptom: Name variations, expired ID, or a Wise/ACH profile that doesn’t match your account.
• Fix: Align everything before requesting. Screenshot confirmations for your records.

5) “All-in-one” first withdrawal from Live.

• Symptom: You try to yank too much, crush your MLL to zero, and struggle next week.
• Fix: Stagger withdrawals. Keep enough buffer to survive a normal drawdown cycle.

Buffer & MLL Math: Worked Examples

Understanding MLL resets and percent caps is the difference between smooth payouts and chaos.

Example A — Express Funded (Sim)

• Balance: $9,800
• Express cap: 50% of balance or $5,000 (lower of the two) → $4,900 max request.
• You request $4,500. Payout clears; MLL resets to $0.
• New starting risk: You now have no loss cushion. Next session, size small until you rebuild $300–$500 of realized buffer.

Example B — Live Funded (Before Daily Unlock)

• Balance: $14,200
• Live cap: 50% → $7,100 max request.
• You request $5,000 to keep more runway. After payout, MLL = $0.
• New plan: Run half-size for a few sessions, aim to rebuild $800–$1,200 cushion before scaling.

Example C — Live Daily Payouts Unlocked

• You’ve recorded 30 Live winning days.
• Balance: $12,000 → you can request up to 100% (minimum applies).
• Pulling 100% generally closes the account. Prefer staged draws (e.g., 30–40%) unless you intend to reset or rotate capital.

Advanced Scheduling: How Pros Time Their Payouts

• Cycle around event risk. Request before CPI/FOMC weeks so you restart with minimal exposure when volatility spikes.
• Use “double Fridays.” Bank 5th win Thursday, request Friday morning; you’ll likely start the following week fresh.
• Quarter-end strategy. If taxes matter, cluster payouts at quarter boundaries—still leaving enough buffer to trade sanely post-reset.
• Size down post-payout. Treat the first 2–3 sessions after payout like a new Combine—tight stops, single setups, smaller targets.

Frequently Asked Questions About Topstep Payout Rules

What is the Topstep profit split?

Topstep uses a two-phase profit split: 50/50 on the first $5,000 in total funded account profits, then 90/10 permanently from $5,001 onward. The 50% early-phase rate is the lowest starting split in the major futures prop firm market — most competitors start at 70% (Alpha Standard), 90% flat (Lucid, TopOne), or 100% (Tradeify Growth first $15K). At $5,000 in early-phase profits, Topstep pays out $2,500 versus $4,500 at a 90/10 flat firm — a $2,000 direct income loss in the ramp period. Past $5K cumulative, Topstep's 90/10 rate matches the market standard.

How long does it take to reach the 90/10 split at Topstep?

The $5,000 threshold to reach permanent 90/10 is calculated on cumulative total funded account profits — not per-cycle but across all your payouts combined. A trader generating $2,500/month would reach the 90/10 threshold after 2 full monthly cycles. A trader generating $1,000/month would take 5 cycles. The ramp is a one-time transition — once your lifetime funded profit exceeds $5,000, all subsequent profits pay at 90/10 indefinitely. The first $5K is a one-time tax on your funded account career at Topstep.

How does Topstep's payout schedule work?

Topstep processes payouts via Rise on business days. Requests submitted on weekends queue for processing on Monday. Processing time after submission is typically 1–3 business days. The minimum payout request amount and minimum trading day requirements are specified in your funded account dashboard. Topstep does not offer weekend settlement (unlike Tradeify's 7-day processing) or same-day settlement (unlike TopOneFutures). For time-sensitive payout needs, Tradeify or TopOneFutures offer faster operational windows.

Does Topstep have a consistency rule?

Yes — Topstep funded accounts enforce a consistency rule that caps your best trading day as a percentage of total cycle profits at payout. The commonly cited threshold is 40%, matching Alpha Standard/Zero, MyFundedFutures, and LucidPro. A best day exceeding 40% of the cycle total blocks the payout until additional trading days dilute the ratio below the cap. The consistency calculation resets after each approved payout. Traders with highly asymmetric days — one monster session surrounded by flat or small days — regularly run into this gate.

What drawdown type does Topstep use?

Topstep uses end-of-day trailing drawdown on funded accounts. The drawdown floor adjusts once per day at session close based on your highest end-of-day closed balance — intraday peaks don't move the trail. The trail locks permanently once your balance exceeds the starting funded balance by the drawdown amount. After lock, the floor is fixed for the account's lifetime. This EOD mechanics model is industry standard among well-structured firms and far more forgiving than intraday trailing alternatives.

Does Topstep have a daily loss limit?

Yes — Topstep funded accounts enforce a daily loss limit that suspends trading for the session when intraday losses hit the threshold. Hitting the DLL is a recoverable session event — trading resumes the next session. The DLL amount scales with account size. This is a session lockout, not account termination — the Max Loss Limit (the trailing drawdown floor) is the account-terminating threshold. On bad days, always monitor which threshold you're approaching.

What account sizes does Topstep offer?

Topstep offers funded accounts at $50K and $150K tiers through its primary evaluation track. A $25K Starter account is available for lower-capital entry. Topstep also offers Express funded accounts — a paid instant-activation path — at various sizes. Verify the current lineup on the Topstep website for accurate current pricing and size availability, as the product lineup has evolved across their decade-plus of operation.

What platforms does Topstep support?

Topstep supports a wide range of platforms via CME Group data access including NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Sierra Chart, Quantower, and ATAS through Rithmic or CQG data feeds. Topstep's platform breadth is one of its genuine competitive advantages — the firm officially supports more platforms than most competitors. Sierra Chart in particular is available through Topstep when many newer firms don't support it. Confirm current platform availability and feed compatibility on Topstep's platform page.

Does Topstep allow news trading?

Topstep does not enforce a mandatory news buffer window on funded accounts — traders can enter positions during major economic releases including NFP, CPI, and FOMC announcements. This aligns Topstep with Tradeify, Lucid, and MyFundedFutures. Topstep does require all positions to be closed before the weekend (typically 4 PM ET Friday) — an overnight/weekend hold restriction that newer firms like Tradeify have removed.

Does Topstep allow overnight trading?

Topstep requires all positions to close before the weekend — typically by 4 PM ET on Friday. Intraday and inter-session overnight holds during the trading week (Monday through Thursday night) are permitted depending on account type and overnight margin availability. Swing traders who hold positions across the weekend cannot do so with a standard Topstep funded account. Traders with multi-day strategies that span the weekend need an alternative firm — Tradeify, Lucid, and TopOneFutures all permit weekend holds.

How does Topstep's evaluation work?

Topstep uses a one-step evaluation (Trading Combine) where traders must hit a profit target while staying within a trailing drawdown and daily loss limit. The evaluation has a monthly subscription fee and no fixed time limit. There's a minimum of 10 profitable trading days before the evaluation can be passed. Topstep also offers Express Funded accounts — a paid direct-to-funded path that skips the evaluation entirely. The 10-day minimum is one of the more demanding evaluation-day requirements in the market; many competitors have no minimum or a 5-day threshold.

How does Topstep compare to Tradeify on payouts?

Tradeify wins on payout structure across nearly every metric. Tradeify Growth and Lightning pay 100% on the first $15K — Topstep pays 50% on the first $5K. Tradeify Select Flex has zero funded consistency rule — Topstep enforces ~40%. Tradeify processes 7 days a week including weekends — Topstep is business days only. Tradeify allows weekend holds — Topstep requires weekend close. The only categories where Topstep has an advantage are brand longevity and platform breadth.

How does Topstep compare to Lucid Trading on payouts?

Lucid Trading starts at 90/10 from the first dollar on all funded accounts — Topstep starts at 50/50 for the first $5K. LucidFlex has zero funded consistency rule — Topstep enforces ~40%. Both process via Rise in comparable windows. Lucid's one-time evaluation fee model means a quick passer pays less total lifetime subscription cost. Topstep's broader platform support (Sierra Chart, ATAS) is a genuine advantage for traders who depend on those specific tools. For standard NinjaTrader and Tradovate users, Lucid's 90/10 from day one is significantly more favorable.

Is the Topstep 50/50 split actually a problem in practice?

It depends on your payout velocity. If you generate $1,000–$2,000 per month consistently, the 50% early phase lasts 3–5 months and costs $500–$1,000 in foregone income versus a 90/10 flat firm. If you're generating $5,000+/month, the early phase lasts only 1 month and costs $2,500 once — bearable for access to specific platforms or operational features. The problem is most acute for slower-generating accounts where the 50% phase drags on for multiple months. At $1,000/month, you're leaving $2,500 on the table compared to a 90/10 flat firm over the ramp period.

Why do traders still choose Topstep despite the 50/50 early split?

Topstep's brand longevity (founded 2012), massive payout history ($300M+ documented), platform breadth, CME Group partnerships, and community size attract traders who prioritize operational certainty over early-phase income maximization. Topstep's Coaching program and educational resources retain a segment of developing traders who value the support structure. Some traders who started their prop career at Topstep years ago have remained out of familiarity and trust built over multiple successful payout cycles. The 50/50 split is genuinely suboptimal — but trust, platform access, and institutional credibility are real factors in the decision.

Notes & Policy Watch

• Winning day thresholds are defined in the app—always check the current minimum Net PnL per day before counting.
• Daily payout unlock is tied to Live winning days specifically; Express wins don’t substitute.
• Method selection matters. Domestic ACH/Wise often beats international wires for speed; plan large transfers early in the week.

Bottom Line

Topstep payout system is built to reward consistency without black-box delays: 5 winning days → request, Express ≤$5K or 50%, Live ≤50% (until daily unlock at 30 Live wins), 100% of first $10K then 90/10, and an MLL that resets to $0 after every withdrawal. Trade the rules, stage your payouts, and protect your runway—do that, and the system pays cleanly.