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Prop Firm Education

Prop Firm Education

Is Topstep Legit? Here's the Evidence

Real rules, a verified payout record & a trading community large enough to hold any prop firm accountable. See exactly what backs up Topstep's legitimacy here.

Team Topstep

August 14, 2026

Prop Firm Education

What is futures trading?

New to trading futures? This guide explains what futures contracts are, why they're popular with day traders, and how Topstep helps you learn risk management.

Team Topstep

July 1, 2026

Prop Firm Education

Topstep Community is everywhere now

The best free trading community is now on Reddit, Twitch, and Kick. Join 400,000+ futures traders on the best free trading community in the prop firm space.

Team Topstep

June 3, 2026

Prop Firm Education

The real-time trading experience futures traders have been waiting for

Looking for a prop firm with fast payouts? See how Topstep combines instant payouts, fast support, and a platform built for active futures traders.

Team Topstep

June 1, 2026

Prop Firm Education

Why trading commissions matter in trading and why Topstep is reintroducing them

Discover why trading commissions are vital for realistic simulation. Learn how Topstep’s new fee structure builds better habits for live futures trading.

Team Topstep

April 30, 2026

Prop Firm Education

Topstep vs Lucid Trading: Payout rules, consistency, and what really matters

Compare Topstep vs Lucid Trading payout rules, consistency targets, and $50K account ceilings. See which prop firm offers higher trader take-home.

Team Topstep

April 14, 2026

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Topstep and Affiliated Entities
Topstep disclaimer. Topstep LLC and its affiliates (collectively, “Topstep”) provide information on this website for general informational purposes only. Testimonials appearing on Topstep’s websites may not be representative of other clients or customers and are not a guarantee of future performance or success. Use of the information on Topstep’s websites is at your own risk and Topstep and its partners, representatives, agents, employees, and contractors assume no responsibility or liability for any use or misuse of such information. Topstep does not provide tax, legal, investment, or accounting advice. You should consult your own advisors before engaging in any transaction.

The following entities are affiliated but separate entities and wholly owned subsidiaries of Topstep LLC.
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‍Introducing brokerage services are offered through Topstep Brokerage LLC (“Topstep Brokerage”), a registered introducing broker and a member of the National Futures Association. More information about the firm may be found here under NFA ID# 0567079. Please review Topstep Brokerage’s Risk Disclosures Statement. Futures accounts are not protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC).

Simulated trading program services, comprising the Trading Combine, and the Express Funded Account, and Topstep Labs experiments are operated by TopstepTrader, LLC (“TopstepTrader”). Please review the Risk Disclosures.

Live funded proprietary trading firm services are operated by TopstepFunded LLC (“TopstepFunded”). TopstepFunded offers live funded proprietary trading firm for individuals demonstrating proficiency in TopstepTrader’s simulated trading evaluation program. Please review the Risk Disclosures.

The TopstepX trading platform is a trading platform designed to help retail traders develop sound habits, discipline, and risk management. It is developed and owned by ProjectX Trading LLC (“TopstepX”). Additional information and terms of use can be found here and here.

TopstepTV is a digital media network offering real-time trading insights and education owned and operated by TopstepTV LLC (“TopstepTV”). Please review the TopstepTV Risk Disclosures.

The Futures Desk is an online proprietary trading firm that evaluates and funds retail futures traders owned by TS TFD Buyer, LLC (“The Futures Desk”). Additional information and terms and conditions can be found here and here.

General Risk Disclosures
Commodity trading involves substantial risk of loss. All investments involve risk, and not all risks are suitable for every investor. The value of investments may fluctuate and as a result, clients may lose more than their original investment. The past performance of a financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Please carefully consider whether it is appropriate for you to engage in futures trading in light of your personal financial circumstances. You should only use funds that you can afford to lose without affecting your financial security or lifestyle, and only a portion of those funds should be used to support a single trade because you cannot expect to profit on every trade. To learn more about the risks of trading, please visit our Risk Disclosure.

System Risk. Trading through an electronic trading or order routing system exposes you to risks associated with system or component failure. System response and account access times may vary due to a variety of factors, including trading volumes, market conditions, system performance, and other factors.

Trading Combine and Topstep Labs Experiments. The Trading Combine, Express Funded Accounts and Topstep Labs experiments are realistic simulations of trading under actual market conditions and are difficult to pass even for experienced traders. Simulated performance results have certain limitations. Unlike an actual performance record, simulated results do not represent actual trading. Also, because the trades have not actually been executed, the results may have under- or over-compensated for the impact, if any, of certain market factors, such as lack of liquidity. Simulated trading programs, in general, are also subject to the fact that they are designed with the benefit of hindsight. Simulated trading does not involve financial risk, and no simulated trading record can completely account for the impact of financial risk in actual trading. For example, the ability to withstand losses or adhere to a particular trading program in spite of trading losses are material points which can also adversely affect actual trading results. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profit or losses similar to those shown.

2025 Trader Performance Statistics. From January through December 2025, (a) 16.8% of all Trading Combines initiated were successfully completed and afforded the opportunity to advance to the Funded Level, (b) 51.8% of individual participants who entered one or more Trading Combines advanced to the Funded Level in at least one of their Trading Combines, (c) 33.3% of all individual participants at the Funded Level received a payout, and (d) 0.71% of individual participants trading in an Express Funded Account were called up to a Live Funded Account. The Funded Level includes both Express Funded Accounts and Live Funded Accounts, with the aggregate of such accounts used in the percentage determination. These statistics reflect performance in both a simulated trading environment and a live trading environment and are not indicative of future results.

NO INVESTMENT ADVICE. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS WEBSITE CONSTITUTES INVESTMENT ADVICE, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE THE SOLICITATION, ENDORSEMENT, OR RECOMMENDATION OF THE PURCHASE OR SALE OF ANY FUTURES OR OTHER FINANCIAL PRODUCT. THE WEBSITE CONTENT IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS CONSTITUTING AN OFFER, SOLICITATION, ENDORSEMENT, OR RECOMMENDATION TO BUY OR SELL ANY FUTURES OR OTHER FINANCIAL PRODUCT AND SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS INVESTMENT ADVICE.