How to Pass the Topstep Evaluation (2026): Rules, Tips, Mistakes

Category: Prop Firms | Date: 2026-09-24

What Is the Topstep Trading Combine?

The Trading Combine is Topstep's evaluation. You trade a simulated account with real market data, reach a profit target without breaching the maximum loss, and earn an Express Funded Account. There is no time limit.

The rules below were re-read from Topstep's help center on 2026-09-24. Topstep changed several of them during 2026 — its platform, pricing and consistency target among them — so older guides, including an earlier version of this one, quote numbers that no longer apply.

Topstep Combine Rules (2026)

Account	Profit target	Maximum loss (end-of-day trailing)	Optional daily loss limit	Max size
$50K	$3,000	$2,000	$1,000	5 minis / 50 micros
$100K	$6,000	$3,000	$2,000	10 minis / 100 micros
$150K	$9,000	$4,500	$3,000	15 minis / 150 micros

Maximum Loss Limit

The maximum loss trails your end-of-day balance: after a winning day the floor moves up, and it never moves back down. Topstep monitors breaches in real time, including open P&L. This is the one rule that ends a Combine outright.

Daily Loss Limit

The daily loss limit is an optional add-on chosen at checkout. If you add it and hit it, Topstep liquidates your positions and stops trading for the rest of that day, but the account stays open — it is not a rule violation.

Consistency Target

Your best single day should stay at or below 55% of the profit target. If it goes over, your profit target rises to best day divided by 0.55. For example, a $2,000 best day on a $50K Combine raises the target from $3,000 to about $3,636. You do not fail; you just have more to make.

Platform and Pricing

New Combines run on TopstepX, Topstep's own platform; independent reviews report it has been TopstepX-only for new accounts since July 2026. Pricing has two paths that cannot be switched after purchase: $49, $99 or $199 per month for the 50K, 100K and 150K plus a $149 activation fee each time you earn a funded account, or $95, $149 and $229 per month with no activation fee.

Strategies That Work in the Topstep Combine

Trade Small Early

Most failed Combines end in the first few sessions, usually from trading too large. Start at your minimum size and scale only after several controlled sessions. With a $2,000 maximum loss on the 50K, a handful of full-size losing trades can end the account.

Set Your Own Daily Stop

Whether or not you add Topstep's daily loss limit, set a personal daily stop well inside your maximum loss — for example $500 to $700 on a 50K. The trailing floor means every loss after a good day comes out of a smaller cushion.

Spread Profits Across Several Days

To keep your best day under 55% of the target, you need at least two meaningful winning days, and in practice several. Aiming for steady $300 to $600 days on a 50K keeps the target from moving.

Respect News Volatility

FOMC, Non-Farm Payrolls and CPI releases can move index futures several times their normal range in seconds. Sit out the minutes around major releases unless your plan is built for them.

Common Reasons Combines Fail

Revenge trading after a losing morning — doubling size to recover is the fastest route to the maximum loss.
Forgetting that the maximum loss trails: a strong day raises the floor for the rest of the Combine.
One outsized winning day that pushes the consistency target up and forces extra trading.
Holding open trades through high-impact news without a plan.
Not tracking P&L against the floor in real time.

After You Pass

Funded accounts pay 90/10 from the first dollar. You request payouts after 5 winning days of $150 or more (Standard path) or 3 days within a 40% consistency limit (Consistency path), with a $125 minimum. You can hold up to 5 active Express Funded Accounts, and TopstepX includes a copier for your own accounts. Topstep's terms require all trading to originate from your personal device and prohibit VPS and remote servers, so cloud-hosted copiers do not fit Topstep accounts.

Trading at Other Firms Too

Many traders run a Topstep Combine alongside accounts at firms that issue Tradovate or Rithmic logins, such as Lucid Trading or Take Profit Trader. Signal Trade App copies those accounts from one leader and gives you a TradingView-based chart, order flow tools and a trade journal; it does not connect to Topstep accounts. Start a trial — $30 for the first month, then $15/month, card required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Topstep Combine rules in 2026?

For the 50K, 100K and 150K: profit targets of $3,000, $6,000 and $9,000; end-of-day trailing maximum loss of $2,000, $3,000 and $4,500; an optional daily loss limit; and a consistency target where your best day should stay at or below 55% of the profit target.

Does Topstep have a consistency rule?

Yes, a consistency target. Your best day should stay at or below 55% of the profit target. If it goes over, the target rises to best day divided by 0.55; the Combine is not failed.

Is the Topstep daily loss limit mandatory?

No. It is an optional add-on at checkout. If you add it and hit it, trading stops for the day but the account stays open.

How much does the Topstep Combine cost?

$49, $99 or $199 per month for the 50K, 100K and 150K plus a $149 activation fee per funded account earned, or $95, $149 and $229 per month with no activation fee, according to Topstep's help center.

How long do I have to pass the Topstep Combine?

There is no time limit. The monthly fee continues until you pass or cancel.

What platform does the Topstep Combine use?

New Combines use TopstepX, Topstep's own platform. Independent reviews report it has been TopstepX-only for new accounts since July 2026.

What is the profit split once funded?

90/10 in your favour from the first dollar, with payouts after 5 winning days of $150+ or 3 days within a 40% consistency limit.

Can I use a trade copier on Topstep?

Topstep allows copying across your own accounts, including with TopstepX's built-in copier, but requires all trading to originate from your personal device and prohibits VPS and remote servers. Signal Trade App does not connect to Topstep accounts.

Start Copy Trading Free

Signal Trade App lets you copy one trade across unlimited prop firm accounts in under 50ms. Sign up free with a 5-day Pro trial (credit card required, no charge during trial).