Side-by-side comparison
Topstep vs The5ers
Rules, drawdown model, fees, and trading conditions compared side by side. Data verified from official sources.
Topstep vs The5ers: Full Comparison
| Rule | | |
|---|---|---|
| Drawdown | EOD trailing EOD trailing max loss: the limit trails up on the end-of-day closing balance, not on intraday unrealised peaks. CME futures accounts. | Static Balance-based static drawdown. 3% daily loss limit, 6% max overall loss (stop-out level). |
| Consistency rule | Varies | Varies |
| Risk per trade cap | Capped Scaling Plan caps max contracts by account balance (e.g. $50K = 5 minis / 50 micros); buying power scales with end-of-day balance. | Capped 2% max risk per single position (Bootcamp and Hyper Growth); trading with no stop-loss or a stop risking over 2% is a violation. |
| News trading | Yes Allowed in all phases; only bars entering a full max-size position into scheduled major news. | Varies Holding through news is allowed; High Stakes accounts bar new orders 2 min before/after high-impact news. |
| Weekend holding | No Futures day-trading only, positions auto-flatten daily (~3:10 PM CT); no overnight or weekend holds. | Yes Overnight and weekend holding permitted across programs. |
| EAs / bots | Varies Automation permitted via the TopstepX/ProjectX API; no firm-published statement that the API is the ONLY route. Full detailAutomation permitted via the TopstepX/ProjectX API; no firm-published statement that the API is the ONLY route. Bans VPS/VPN/remote servers outright (all activity must originate from the trader's own device), plus HFT and SIM-fill-exploit algos. | Varies EAs allowed but bans copy-trading/signals, tick scalping, latency/reverse/hedge arbitrage, HFT and emulators. |
| Daily loss limit | - | 3% |
| Overall loss limit | - | 6% |
| Profit split | up to 90% 90/10 on Express Funded Accounts (100% of the first $10K for traders who joined before Jan 12 2026). Full detail90/10 on Express Funded Accounts (100% of the first $10K for traders who joined before Jan 12 2026). Live Funded: up to 100% daily after 30 winning days. Crypto only via CME Micro Bitcoin/Ether futures. | up to 100% High Stakes starts at 80% and rises toward 100% as the account scales; Hyper Growth pays 75% up to $300K, 80-100% above. |
| Fee refund | No Subscription-based pricing, not one-time fee. | Varies High Stakes fee is refunded once funded; Hyper Growth and Bootcamp fees are not listed as refundable. |
| Platforms | TopstepX | MT5 |
| Assets | Futures, Indices | FX, Metals, Indices |
| Account sizes | $50K, $100K, $150K | $5K, $10K, $20K |
| Payout methods | - | Bank wire, Crypto, Skrill |
Last verified: 2026-09-29 (Topstep), 2026-09-29 (The5ers). Always verify current terms on each firm's official site before purchasing.
Also consider·VelotradeMulti-asset prop trading,
one account for all markets.
Multi-asset · Hong Kong · Est. 2016
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