Topstep vs Tradeify: which one should you buy?
A fourteen-year payout record against no evaluation and no activation fee. A head-to-head on the things that actually decide it in 2026.
These two firms sit at opposite ends of the futures prop market. Topstep is the incumbent — fourteen years old, rigid rules, unmatched credibility. Tradeify is the challenger — no evaluation on its Lightning plan, and a single one-time fee. Here is how they actually compare in 2026.
Read this first: Tradeify renamed its whole lineup in 2026. Advanced is now Select and Straight to Sim Funded is now Lightning. Any review still describing Tradeify's static drawdown is out of date — all three plans use end-of-day trailing.
Side by side
| Topstep | Tradeify | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 | 2023 |
| Evaluation | Required | None on Lightning |
| Drawdown | EOD trailing | EOD trailing |
| Entry cost | $49/mo | $139/mo or $159 once |
| Profit split | 100% first $10k, then 90% | 90% |
| Activation fee | $149 | None |
| Payout speed | 1–2 days | 1–3 days |
Where Topstep wins
- Fourteen years of documented payouts. No other futures firm comes close.
- The first $10,000 of profit is yours at 100%.
- A 50% consistency rule — one of the most generous in the industry.
- Genuinely excellent education and performance coaching.
Where Tradeify wins
- Lightning skips the evaluation entirely — funded rules from day one.
- Select and Lightning are single one-time payments, no monthly bleed.
- No activation fee once you are funded, where Topstep charges $149.
Both firms now use end-of-day drawdown. This comes down to track record versus convenience — not risk rules.
Our verdict
For a first funded account, Topstep. The track record is worth the premium and the education pays for itself. Once you know your style and you are consistently profitable, Tradeify Lightning is the better economics — no evaluation, no activation fee and a flat 90% split.
Next step
Put it into practice
Compare every firm against what you just read, then grab the live offer before you buy.