Blue Guardian vs TopStep -- Cheapest Option

TopStep offers better value per dollar of trading capital. At $49 for a $50,000 account, you pay less per $10K of buying power than Blue Guardian's $99 for $10,000. Over 3 attempts, that saves you 150 in fees. Updated March 2026.

Verdict -- Cheapest Option

Recommendation: TopStep is the better choice -- cheapest option.

	Blue Guardian	TopStep
Cheapest Account Fee	$99	$49
Cheapest Account Size	$10,000	$50,000
Fee per $10K Capital	$99	$10
Cost of 3 Attempts	$297	$147
Profit Split (start)	85%	90%
Profit Split (max)	85%	90%
Payout Frequency	Bi-weekly	Weekly

Cost Analysis

The sticker price is not the real cost of a prop firm challenge. Most traders need 3-5 attempts to pass, so multiply the fee accordingly. Blue Guardian's cheapest account ($10,000) costs $99 per attempt. TopStep's cheapest ($50,000) costs $49.

Cost per dollar of capital is a better metric than raw fee. Blue Guardian charges 99 per $10K of capital. TopStep charges 10 per $10K. The firm with the lower ratio gives you more buying power for your money.

Profit splits determine your long-term earnings. Blue Guardian starts at 85% (up to 85%), while TopStep starts at 90% (up to 90%). A 10% difference in profit split matters far more than a $50 difference in challenge fees over a year of funded trading.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Blue Guardian or TopStep?

TopStep starts at $49, making it the cheaper option. However, compare the cost per dollar of trading capital: Blue Guardian gives you $10,000 for that fee, while TopStep gives you $50,000 for $49.

How much do multiple attempts cost for Blue Guardian vs TopStep?

If it takes 3 attempts (industry average), Blue Guardian costs $297 total, while TopStep costs $147. At 5 attempts, Blue Guardian costs $495 vs $245 for TopStep.

Which firm has the better profit split, Blue Guardian or TopStep?

Blue Guardian offers 85-85% profit split. TopStep offers 90-90%. TopStep has a higher maximum split. The profit split matters more than fees over time, since you will earn from it every month once funded.

Other Comparisons: Blue Guardian vs TopStep