Vigil Trust Audit
TopStep Trust Score
TopStep is a legitimate prop trading firm with a Vigil trust score of 85/100, rated "Highly Trusted". Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA, the firm has an estimated $150M+ in total payouts and a 4.5/5 Trustpilot rating from 4,800 reviews.
Highly Trusted
Score out of 100 based on fundamentals, payouts, reputation, and regulatory standing.
Our Assessment
TopStep scores 85/100 on Vigil's trust audit, placing it in the "Highly Trusted" category. This score reflects a comprehensive analysis across four weighted dimensions: company fundamentals (22/25), payout track record (27/30), community reputation (21/25), and regulatory standing (15/20). This is one of the highest scores in our database, indicating a firm with a strong track record and minimal risk to traders.
The payout track record is the strongest area for TopStep, scoring 27/30. With an estimated $150M+ in total payouts processed within 1-3 business days, the firm has demonstrated a consistent willingness to pay traders. Company fundamentals score well at 22/25, reflecting a US-registered (Illinois) entity with an estimated 100-200 employees -- indicators of a real, staffed business rather than a shell operation.
No red flags have been identified in our audit, which is a positive signal. Combined with a 4.5/5 Trustpilot rating from 4,800 reviews, TopStep presents a reliable profile for prop traders. We recommend starting with a smaller account size to test the firm's operations before scaling up.
History and Track Record
TopStep was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA. With 14 years in operation, TopStep is one of the more established prop firms in the industry. Longevity matters in prop trading because firms that survive multiple market cycles and continue paying traders demonstrate a sustainable business model.
The firm is registered as a US-registered (Illinois) entity and employs an estimated 100-200 people. With estimated total payouts of $150M+, TopStep has moved significant capital to traders. This volume of payouts is a strong indicator that the firm has a functional payout infrastructure and is not operating a model where very few traders ever receive funds. Payouts are typically processed within 1-3 business days.
TopStep supports NinjaTrader, Quantower, R|Trader Pro, TopstepX and operates in the futures space. The OG futures prop firm. Monthly subscription model (not one-time fee). EOD trailing drawdown. Must flatten before market close.
Score Breakdown
Company Information
Founded
2012
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Registration
US-registered (Illinois)
Employees (est.)
100-200
Payout Track Record
Total Payouts (est.)
$150M+
Payout Speed
1-3 business days
Supported Platforms
Strengths
- +One of the oldest prop firms (est. 2012)
- +Futures-focused with CME exchange data
- +Based in Chicago financial district
- +Simple one-step evaluation
- +Strong community and education resources
Weaknesses
- -Futures only, no forex or crypto
- -Monthly subscription model on some plans
- -Trailing drawdown can be restrictive
What Traders Say
Based on 4,800 reviews. Traders overwhelmingly report positive experiences with TopStep.
With 4,800 reviews, TopStep has a meaningful sample size that provides a reasonable picture of trader experiences. The most commonly cited positives include one of the oldest prop firms (est. 2012) and futures-focused with cme exchange data.
Common complaints from traders include futures only, no forex or crypto and monthly subscription model on some plans. However, these issues appear to affect a minority of traders given the overall positive rating. We recommend reading recent Trustpilot reviews yourself, as trader experiences can change as firms update their policies and systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TopStep legit?
TopStep is a legitimate prop trading firm with a Vigil trust score of 85/100, rated "Highly Trusted". Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA, the firm has an estimated $150M+ in total payouts and 4,800 Trustpilot reviews.
Is TopStep trustworthy?
TopStep has a Vigil trust score of 85/100, rated "Highly Trusted". The score is based on company fundamentals (22/25), payout track record (27/30), community reputation (21/25), and regulatory standing (15/20).
What is TopStep's Trustpilot rating?
TopStep has a 4.5/5 rating on Trustpilot based on 4,800 reviews. This is an excellent rating, indicating overwhelmingly positive trader experiences.
How fast does TopStep pay out?
TopStep typically processes payouts within 1-3 business days. The firm has an estimated $150M+ in total payouts to date.
Are there any red flags with TopStep?
No significant red flags have been identified for TopStep at this time. The firm scores 85/100 on Vigil's trust audit.
Is TopStep a scam?
TopStep is not a scam. It is a US-registered (Illinois) company founded in 2012, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA, with approximately 100-200 employees. The firm has paid out an estimated $150M+ to traders. No red flags have been identified.
Where is TopStep based?
TopStep is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The firm was founded in 2012 and has an estimated 100-200 employees. It is registered as a US-registered (Illinois) entity.
Does TopStep actually pay traders?
Yes, TopStep pays traders. The firm has an estimated $150M+ in total payouts, with payouts typically processed within 1-3 business days. Traders rate the firm 4.5/5 on Trustpilot based on 4,800 reviews.
Trust scores are calculated by Vigil using a weighted framework across four categories: Company Fundamentals (25 pts), Payout Track Record (30 pts), Community Reputation (25 pts), and Regulatory Standing (20 pts). Scores are updated quarterly based on the latest available data. Last updated March 2026.