Introduction
Proprietary trading programs that offer simulated evaluation and real capital funding have become an established pathway for traders seeking to demonstrate skill without risking personal assets. Among the leaders in this domain are Earn2Trade and TopStep. Each provider offers structured challenges, risk controls, fee arrangements, and profit distribution models. This article compares their key components, including program design, cost structures, evaluation criteria, risk management rules, payout frameworks, platform support, and educational resources. The goal is to present an objective overview that allows traders to assess which program aligns best with their trading approach and objectives.
Program Design and Structure
Earn2Trade Offerings
Earn2Trade presents two main programs:
- The Gauntlet Mini: A concise evaluation aimed at intraday futures traders. Participants select an account size, ranging from smaller to larger notional capitals. They must trade across at least ten market sessions while meeting a predefined profit target equal to six percent of their starting balance. Daily and overall drawdown thresholds are enforced to maintain risk discipline. Successful candidates earn a live trading account issued by a partner firm, carrying identical risk limits.
- The Trader Career Path: A subscription-based progression system that begins with simulated capital. Entry levels include multiple tiers of virtual balances. Traders must satisfy profit objectives and adhere to risk limits similar to the Gauntlet Mini. Upon meeting the criteria, individuals receive a funded account and gain access to a scaling ladder, enabling increases in capital allocation up to the program’s maximum limit. Resets and reentries are managed through subscription billing cycles.
TopStep Offerings
TopStep centers its evaluation on futures markets through a two-phase process:
- The Trading Combine: A monthly subscription exercise where traders choose a simulated account size. Objectives include reaching a set profit target while maintaining a consistent trading approach, defined by capping the largest single-session profit at half of the overall goal. Risk controls limit daily and overall drawdown. Passing this evaluation qualifies the trader for an Express Funded Account.
- Express Funded Account and Live Funded Account: Following Combine completion, traders pay an activation fee to transition to a real capital account with identical risk parameters but no further profit objectives. As traders accumulate equity gains, they progress through a predefined scaling plan that increases buying power and account size. Upon achieving higher equity thresholds, individuals are upgraded to Live Funded Accounts with expanded limits.
Fee Structure and Costs
Earn2Trade Fees
Earn2Trade’s fee model combines one‑time charges and subscription payments:
- Gauntlet Mini Enrollment: A one‑off setup fee aligns with chosen account size. This fee is deducted from the first profit withdrawal once funded. Fees scale with capital tier.
- Trader Career Path Subscription: A recurring monthly subscription covers simulated evaluation access. Each billing cycle includes one reset option. Additional resets and a fixed activation fee apply when transitioning to live funding.
TopStep Fees
TopStep employs a subscription plus activation fee arrangement:
- Trading Combine Subscription: Monthly fees correspond to the selected evaluation tier. Subscriptions continue until the trader succeeds or cancels.
- Resets: Traders may purchase evaluation resets at the same rate as the subscription fee. These resets are restricted to the Combine phase.
- Activation Fee: Upon meeting Combine requirements, traders pay a flat fee to activate their initial funded account. This fee applies for each new funded account earned.
- Market Data Fees: Basic market data access is included. Depth‑of‑market data is optional for an additional monthly charge. Platform access fees may apply when using third‑party software.
Evaluation Criteria and Objectives
Profit Goals
- Earn2Trade Gauntlet Mini: Requires achieving six percent net profit relative to the starting balance.
- Trader Career Path: Profit goals vary by entry tier but maintain proportional targets intended to mirror live account expectations.
- TopStep Combine: Targets are typically set at five to six percent of the chosen simulated balance, with consistency requirements preventing large single‑session swings.
Risk Management Rules
- Daily Drawdown Limits: Both programs enforce caps on daily losses to prevent excessive drawdown in a single session. Percentages or absolute dollar values are tied to account size.
- Maximum Drawdown Limits: Cumulative loss thresholds restrict overall drawdown relative to the highest account peak. Exceeding these limits invalidates the evaluation.
- Minimum Trading Days: Earn2Trade requires a defined minimum number of trading days to ensure evaluation over multiple sessions. TopStep enforces at least two sessions due to its consistency rule.
- Position and Contract Limits: Both providers cap maximum position sizes based on account tier, ensuring uniform risk across participants.
Profit Distribution and Payouts
Earn2Trade Profit Split
Traders who complete the evaluation receive a funded account with an eighty/twenty profit split in their favor. Eighty percent of net profits are paid out to the trader, while the program retains twenty percent. This split remains constant across all account sizes and scaling levels.
TopStep Profit Split
TopStep’s payout framework allows traders to keep one hundred percent of the first tranche of profits up to a set threshold. Beyond that threshold, profit distribution shifts to a ninety/tenth split in favor of the trader. Payout requests are restricted to a maximum number per calendar month.
Supported Instruments and Platforms
Earn2Trade Supported Platforms
- Futures contracts traded on major U.S. exchanges.
- Compatible with multiple trading platforms provided free during evaluation and live trading stages, including popular third‑party terminals and proprietary journaling software for performance tracking.
TopStep Supported Platforms
- Futures markets accessed via industry‑standard data feeds.
- Platform options include leading third‑party applications and proprietary interfaces. Market data packages may influence platform availability.
Account Development and Scaling
Earn2Trade Scaling Path
Traders progress through live capital tiers by withdrawing profits and meeting new objectives tied to each scale level. Automatic account upgrades adjust risk parameters while maintaining drawdown reserves. The program caps maximum capital allocation at the highest tier offered.
TopStep Scaling Plan
Within funded accounts, traders advance through several buying power brackets as their account equity increases. Each bracket presents greater contract limits and equity requirements. Once the uppermost threshold is achieved, traders are promoted to a higher‑tier funded account class with enhanced limits and similar risk conditions.
Educational Materials and Community Support
Both Earn2Trade and TopStep provide educational resources to support trader development:
- Webinars and Tutorials: Video sessions covering market mechanics, strategy selection, risk controls, and trading psychology.
- Documentation and Guides: Written manuals outlining program rules, evaluation criteria, and best practices.
- Community Channels: Forums or chat groups where participants discuss tactics, share insights, and collaborate.
- Performance Analytics Tools: Access to trade journaling and analytics software to review performance metrics, track risk exposures, and refine strategies.
Conclusion
Earn2Trade and TopStep each deliver comprehensive frameworks for futures traders seeking funding through structured evaluations. Earn2Trade emphasizes a clear progression ladder, combining one‑time fees with subscription services and a consistent profit split. TopStep offers a familiar monthly combine format, dynamic consistency objectives, and a tiered payout approach that rewards early profit retention. Both programs enforce discipline through daily and overall drawdown limits, minimum trading periods, and position caps.
Traders should consider the evaluation pace, cost structure, profit distribution model, and platform preferences when choosing between these two leading programs. A thorough understanding of each program’s rules and financial commitments will help align the trader’s objectives with the path that best supports skill demonstration and risk management.
