TopStep vs The5%ers
The main difference between TopStep and The5%ers is drawdown type: TopStep uses trailing eod (floor moves up at end of day) while The5%ers uses static (floor never moves). TopStep charges from $49, The5%ers from $95. Profit splits: 90-90% vs 50-100%. Updated March 2026.
TopStep uses trailing eod (floor moves up at end of day) with a 2% daily loss limit and 90-90% profit split. The5%ers uses static (floor never moves) with a 4% daily loss limit and 50-100% profit split. TopStep starts from $49; The5%ers from $95.
If you want more forgiving drawdown rules, The5%ers is the better choice. Static drawdown means your profits create genuine breathing room, while TopStep's trailing eod (floor moves up at end of day) raises the floor as you profit. The5%ers offers a higher maximum profit split (100% vs 90%), which adds up significantly over time.
| TopStep | The5%ers | |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation Type | 1-step | 2-step |
| Drawdown Type | Trailing EOD (floor moves up at end of day) | Static (floor never moves) |
| Daily Loss Limit | 2% | 4% |
| Max Drawdown | 3% | 4% |
| Profit Target | 6% | 6% |
| Min Trading Days | None | 3 |
| Profit Split | 90-90% | 50-100% |
| Payout Frequency | Weekly | Bi-weekly |
| News Trading | allowed | allowed |
| Overnight Holding | No | Yes |
| Weekend Holding | No | Yes |
| EA / Bots | Allowed | Allowed |
| Markets | futures | forex, indices, commodities |
| Platforms | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView | MT5 |
| Cheapest Account | $49 ($50,000) | $95 ($20,000) |
Scalping / Day Trading
The5%ers allows overnight holding, giving more flexibility. The5%ers's static drawdown is more forgiving for scalpers.
Swing Trading
The5%ers is better — allows weekend holding. TopStep requires you to flatten before close.
Budget-Conscious
TopStep is cheaper to start ($49 vs $95).
TopStep is the better fit if you trade futures exclusively. The EOD trailing drawdown gives you flexibility during the session since the floor only updates at the close, which suits active day traders who have intraday swings.
- +Monthly subscription — cancel anytime ($49-149/mo)
- +100% of first $10K profit, then 90%
- +No minimum trading days
- +Weekly payouts
TopStep supports NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView and processes payouts weekly. News trading is fully allowed, so you can trade NFP, FOMC, and CPI without restrictions. Automated trading with EAs is permitted.
The5%ers is the better fit if you focus on forex and CFDs. The static drawdown means every dollar of profit adds to your safety cushion, making it ideal for traders who build equity gradually and want protection from losing streaks.
- +Static drawdown — simple, forgiving
- +News trading fully allowed
- +Overnight and weekend holding allowed
- +Scaling up to $4M account size
The5%ers supports MT5 and processes payouts bi-weekly. News trading is fully allowed, so you can trade NFP, FOMC, and CPI without restrictions. Both overnight and weekend holding are permitted, giving swing traders full flexibility. Automated trading with EAs is permitted.
Choosing between TopStep and The5%ers comes down to three things: the markets you trade, how much drawdown flexibility you need, and your budget. If you trade futures, TopStep is your only option here. If you trade forex or indices or commodities, go with The5%ers. TopStep is cheaper to get started at $49 vs $95.
The biggest structural difference is drawdown type: TopStep uses trailing eod (floor moves up at end of day) while The5%ers uses static (floor never moves). Static drawdown is objectively more forgiving because profits create a permanent cushion. Trailing drawdown follows your equity peaks, meaning you can lose an account even while net profitable. If you are still undecided, take the firm finder quiz for a personalized recommendation based on your trading style, risk tolerance, and budget.