Atlas Funded vs Topstep
On the numbers: Topstep pays the higher profit split; Atlas Funded has the cheaper entry point; Atlas Funded rates higher on Trustpilot. The right choice depends on which of those you weigh most - the rules, pricing and payout detail below is where they really separate.
At a glance
| Atlas Funded | Topstep | |
|---|---|---|
| TradingBay Rating | 7.6 | 7.9 ★ |
| Category | Forex | Futures |
| Founded | 2024 | 2012 |
| Profit Split | Up to 80% | 90% ★ |
| Payout Cycle | Bi-weekly | Weekly |
| Account Sizes | $5K–$400K | $50K–$150K |
| Cheapest Challenge | $38 ★ | $149 |
| Platforms | MT5, TradeLocker, Match-Trader | TopstepX |
| Trustpilot | 4 ★ | 3.7 |
Which is cheaper at $50K and $100K?
Prices shown in each firm's own currency or billing model, so not every size has a like-for-like winner.
| Atlas Funded | Topstep | |
|---|---|---|
| $25K account | $148 | - |
| $50K account | $228 | $49/mo |
| $100K account | $368 | $99/mo |
| $200K account | $668 | - |
Rules head-to-head
Drawdown type is the rule that catches most traders out - read it before the profit split.
| Atlas Funded | Topstep | |
|---|---|---|
| Rules grade | C - Flexible headline rules, demanding fine print | B - Simple core rule; payout caps and consistency gates add friction ★ |
| Drawdown type | Static max overall loss on 1 Step (7%), 1 Step Pro (6%), 2 Step (10%), 2 Step Pro (8%), 3 Step (8%) and Access funded stage (6%); trailing on Instant Funded (5%, locks at breakeven after 5% profit) and $1 Pay Later 1-Step (8%) | Trailing Maximum Loss Limit - the 'One Rule' ($2,000/$3,000/$4,500 for 50K/100K/150K); set at end of day from the balance high, locks once it reaches the starting balance ($0 after first funded payout) |
| Daily loss limit | 1 Step 4%, 1 Step Pro 3%, 2 Step 5%, 2 Step Pro 5%, 3 Step 4%, Instant 3%, Access/Pay Later 5% (3% funded) - based on previous day's highest balance or equity, resets midnight UTC | Optional add-on at checkout ($1,000/$2,000/$3,000); hitting it blocks trading until next session but is not a rule break. Adding it (Responsible Trading Advantage) doubles XFA payout caps and discounts the subscription $10-$30/month |
| Profit target | 1 Step 11%; 1 Step Pro 9%; 2 Step 9%/5%; 2 Step Pro 8%/5%; 3 Step 6%/6%/6%; Pay Later 2-Step 6%/4%; $0/$1 Access 4%; Instant none | Combine: $3,000 (50K), $6,000 (100K), $9,000 (150K) |
| Consistency rule | None on standard evaluations; Instant Funded 20%; $1 Pay Later 1-Step funded 25% (blocks payout, not a breach) | Combine: best day cannot exceed 50% of total profits. Express Funded Consistency payout path: largest day at or below 40% of total net profit |
| News trading | Allowed during evaluation (before, during and after major news) | Permitted |
| EAs / automation | Allowed on all stages, evaluation and funded | Automation allowed with conditions; trade copiers permitted; no support or remediation for bot malfunctions |
| Weekend holding | Allowed - overnight and weekend holding permitted at all stages | Not possible - positions must be flat by 3:10 PM CT daily; trading day runs 5:00 PM CT to 3:10 PM CT |
| Min trading days | 1 Step 5 (1% profit/day), 1 Step Pro 4 (1%/day), 2 Step 5/phase (0.5%/day), 2 Step Pro 5/phase (0.5%/day), 3 Step 4/phase (0.5%/day), Instant 5 (1%/day); waivable via add-on | None to pass the Combine (possible in as little as 2 days); funded payout eligibility needs 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 trading days (Consistency) |
| Time limit | Unlimited on all models | No time limit; monthly subscription rebills until you pass or cancel, with a free reset credit on each rebill |
Payouts head-to-head
| Atlas Funded | Topstep | |
|---|---|---|
| Profit split (full terms) | 80% default, upgradeable to 100% via checkout add-on (+20% fee); Pro models add 5-15% of evaluation-phase profits | 90/10 from the first dollar (accounts opened from 12 Jan 2026); members who joined earlier keep 100% of their first $10,000 lifetime profit |
| Payout frequency | Default: first reward 14 days after first funded trade, then every 14 days (Instant: 28 then 14; 1 Step Pro: every 30); weekly / bi-weekly / on-demand via add-ons; 24h Payout Reward Guarantee | On demand during CME market hours once eligible; XFA cycles need 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at <=40% consistency (Consistency); LFA unlocks daily payouts after 30 winning days |
| First payout | After 14 days by default (Instant Funded: 28 days; 1 Step Pro: 30 days); on-demand or weekly with add-ons | Funded traders can request a first payout in as little as 3 days (Consistency path); Standard path needs 5 winning days of $150+; no profit-since-last-payout requirement on the first payout |
| Minimum payout | $100 | $125 |
| Scaling | Scaling plan available for consistently profitable traders (reviewed individually); maximum active funded allocation is $400,000 per trader (e.g. 4 x $100K). Challenge fee refunded on the 4th payout (5th on Instant Funded); 1 Step Pro pays 15% of evaluation profits on the 3rd reward, 2 Step Pro pays 5% (Step 1) + 10% (Step 2). | Contract limits scale with account balance per the Scaling Plan; payouts that drop the balance to a lower tier reduce maximum contract size. Payout caps rise per request count is not used - instead LFA invitation removes caps entirely |
Who should choose which?
· You want the cheaper entry ($38 vs $149).
· You'd rather not trade under a consistency rule.
· You swing trade and hold over the weekend.
· You want an instant-funded option with no evaluation.
· Independent reputation matters to you (Trustpilot 4 vs 3.7).
· The headline profit split matters most (90% vs 80%).
· You want clearer, more stable rules (rules grade B vs C).
Is Atlas Funded better than Topstep?
It depends what you weigh: Topstep pays the higher profit split; Atlas Funded has the cheaper entry point; Atlas Funded rates higher on Trustpilot.
Which is cheaper, Atlas Funded or Topstep?
Atlas Funded has the lower-priced entry challenge ($38 vs $149).
Does Atlas Funded or Topstep allow EAs?
Atlas Funded: Allowed on all stages, evaluation and funded. Topstep: Automation allowed with conditions; trade copiers permitted; no support or remediation for bot malfunctions.
Can US traders join Atlas Funded or Topstep?
Atlas Funded: not stated. Topstep: yes, the US is not on its restricted list.
Which pays out faster, Atlas Funded or Topstep?
Atlas Funded: Default: first reward 14 days after first funded trade, then every 14 days (Instant: 28 then 14; 1 Step Pro: every 30); weekly / bi-weekly / on-demand via add-ons; 24h Payout Reward Guarantee. Topstep: On demand during CME market hours once eligible; XFA cycles need 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at <=40% consistency (Consistency); LFA unlocks daily payouts after 30 winning days.
Terms last verified against each firm's own site: 2026-10-16 / 2026-06-12. How we rate.