Topstep vs TradeDay (2026): rules, payouts, fees and AI visibility compared

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Data refreshed 24 Sep 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan · Topstep facts verified by BrokerCatalogue research desk (from the firm's own site) on 2026-09-24 · TradeDay facts verified by BrokerCatalogue research desk (from the firm's own site) on 2026-09-24

Topstep

AI visibility score 31.4 / 100 · AI visibility rank #4 · Founded 2012

Topstep is a proprietary trading firm based in Chicago, United States, founded in 2012. It offers one-step evaluations on futures. Funded accounts go up to $150,000. The profit split is 90% (100%…

Open the Topstep profile

TradeDay

AI visibility score 2.6 / 100 · AI visibility rank #25 · Founded 2020

TradeDay is a proprietary trading firm based in Chicago, United States, founded in 2020. It offers one-step evaluations on futures. Funded accounts go up to $150,000. The profit split is 80% Funded…

Open the TradeDay profile

Topstep (Chicago, United States, founded 2012) scores 31.4 / 100 on the Q3 2026 AI Visibility Index (rank #4 of 76 prop firms), named in 39% of AI answers, runs One-step evaluations, funds accounts up to $150,000, pays a 90% (100% of first $10,000) profit split and offers NinjaTrader, TopstepX, TradingView. TradeDay (Chicago, United States, founded 2020) scores 2.6 / 100 on the Q3 2026 AI Visibility Index (rank #25 of 76 prop firms), named in 4% of AI answers, runs One-step evaluations, funds accounts up to $150,000, pays a 80% Funded Sim, 90% Funded Live (50/50 below $4k net profit on some plans) profit split and offers Jigsaw, Quantower, Rithmic, Tradovate.

Verdict at a glance

  • Topstep leads on AI visibility, how often AI names it, AI sentiment, track record and profit split.
  • TradeDay leads on platform choice.
  • Level on choice of evaluation models, asset-class range and maximum allocation.

Scored on 9 measurable dimensions where both prop firms have verified data. Dimensions missing for either side are excluded rather than guessed. This is a data summary, not a recommendation.

Topstep vs TradeDay: side-by-side data

CriteriaTopstepTradeDay
AI visibility score31.4 / 1002.6 / 100
AI visibility rank#4#25
Named in AI answers39%4%
AI sentiment (0–100)394
Founded20122020
HeadquartersChicago, United StatesChicago, United States
Evaluation modelsOne-stepOne-step
Asset classesFuturesFutures
PlatformsNinjaTrader, TopstepX, TradingViewJigsaw, Quantower, Rithmic, Tradovate
Maximum allocation$150,000$150,000
Profit split90% (100% of first $10,000)80% Funded Sim, 90% Funded Live (50/50 below $4k net profit on some plans)
Challenge fee from$49/month ($50K Combine)$45 (25k)
Account sizes$50k, $100k, $150k$25k, $50k, $100k, $150k
Payout frequencyon demand (instant payouts after 5 winning days or 3-day consistency path)day-one payouts (min 1 to 5 days to payout by plan)
Daily drawdown limitnone (optional Daily Loss Limit $1,000 on $50K)none
Maximum drawdowntrailing $2,000 on $50K (4%, end-of-day)trailing $1,000 on 25k (intraday or end-of-day by plan)
Minimum trading days21
Time limitnonenone
News tradingYesNot verified
Weekend holdingNoNo
EAs / algos allowedRestrictedNot verified
Broker backingTopstep Brokerage LLC (NFA-registered introducing broker, affiliate)Not verified
Statusactiveactive

Highlighted cells mark the stronger value where a direction is objectively better (e.g. more licences, lower fees). "Not verified" means the field is not yet in our catalogue for that prop firm — we never fill gaps with estimates.

AI visibility by engine: Topstep vs TradeDay

EngineTopstepTradeDay
ChatGPT561.5
Perplexity38.60.5
Gemini33.97.8
Claude17.94.5
Google AI Mode41.61.6
Google AI Overview30.70
Google top-100.20

Scores 0–100 from the Pipswire AI Visibility Index, Q3 2026. Higher means the engine names the firm more often and more favourably.

Topstep vs TradeDay: common questions

Which prop firm do AI assistants recommend more, Topstep or TradeDay?

Topstep scores higher on the Q3 2026 Pipswire AI Visibility Index (31.4 / 100 vs 2.6 / 100), which measures how often ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude and Google name a firm when traders ask which prop firm to use.

What profit split do Topstep and TradeDay pay?

Topstep pays 90% (100% of first $10,000); TradeDay pays 80% Funded Sim, 90% Funded Live (50/50 below $4k net profit on some plans) (as published on each firm's site when we last checked).

Which is cheaper to start, Topstep or TradeDay?

Entry-level challenge fees start at $49/month ($50K Combine) at Topstep and $45 (25k) at TradeDay. Fees change often and discounts are common, so treat these as the floor.

Which platforms do Topstep and TradeDay support?

Topstep: NinjaTrader, TopstepX, TradingView. TradeDay: Jigsaw, Quantower, Rithmic, Tradovate.

How do the drawdown rules compare at Topstep and TradeDay?

Topstep: maximum drawdown trailing $2,000 on $50K (4%, end-of-day), daily none (optional Daily Loss Limit $1,000 on $50K). TradeDay: maximum drawdown trailing $1,000 on 25k (intraday or end-of-day by plan), daily none.

Keep comparing

Topstep

TradeDay

Risk warning: prop firms are not regulated brokers or investment firms. Evaluations are paid, fees are usually non-refundable, most accounts are simulated, and a firm can change its rules or stop paying out. Most participants fail the evaluation. Nothing on this page is financial advice; read the firm's terms before you pay. Full risk disclosure.