Topstep: EAs, copy trading and challenge rules
What Topstep allows for the terminal, the copier and automated strategies, then the rules and prices of its challenges.
Checked on September 17, 2026
Automated trading allowed with conditions
- Terminal (trade-manager EA)You decide, the EA places and manages the order.Allowed
- Copier (between your accounts)Copying someone else’s account is forbidden everywhere.Allowed
- Automated strategyA program decides and places orders on its own.With conditions
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- Chicago, USA
- Platforms
- NinjaTrader, Tradovate, in-house platform
- Max split
- 90%
- Trustpilot
- 3.4/513,721 reviews
What the firm says
Topstep and automated trading
- Automated strategies and robots allowed through the TopstepX / ProjectX API, HFT excluded; Topstep neither assists with nor covers a robot’s errors.
- All trading must originate from your own machine: VPSs, VPNs and remote servers are forbidden.
- A copier can replicate your trades between your own accounts.
Challenges
Topstep challenges
| Account | Type | Price | Target | Max daily loss | Max loss | Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Combine 50K | 1 step | $49/mo | 6% | — | 4%end-of-day trailing | 90% |
| Trading Combine 100K | 1 step | $99/mo | 6% | — | 3%end-of-day trailing | 90% |
| Trading Combine 150K | 1 step | $149/mo | 6% | — | 3%end-of-day trailing | 90% |
Prices recorded on July 24, 2026, excluding promotions. Check on www.topstep.com before buying. Monthly subscription, plus a $149 activation fee once the Combine is passed.
Rules
The rules to know before trading
- Minimum trading days
- Not specified
- News trading
- Not specified
- Weekend holding
- Restricted
- Payouts
- Per cycle of winning days, capped by account size
- Consistency rule
- Yes (Combine target and XFA payout path)
- Scaling plan
- Yes
With Kara
Your Topstep accounts in Kara
Topstep offers in-house platform, NinjaTrader, and Tradovate, which Kara does not connect to: Kara connects to MetaTrader 4 and 5, cTrader and Rithmic.
The manual chapter on prop firmsFAQ
Topstep in short
Does Topstep allow EAs?
Yes, with conditions: Topstep allows automated strategies within a defined framework. A trade-manager EA, which places and manages the order you decided, is allowed. Automated strategies and robots allowed through the TopstepX / ProjectX API, HFT excluded; Topstep neither assists with nor covers a robot’s errors.
Can I copy trades between my Topstep accounts?
Yes, copying between your own accounts is allowed. A copier can replicate your trades between your own accounts.
How much does a Topstep challenge cost?
From $49 to $149 per month depending on the account, prices recorded on July 24, 2026 excluding promotions. Monthly subscription, plus a $149 activation fee once the Combine is passed.
Does Kara work with Topstep?
Not directly: Topstep offers in-house platform, NinjaTrader, and Tradovate, and Kara connects to MetaTrader 4 and 5, cTrader and Rithmic.
Other futures prop firms
Apex Trader Funding- MyFundedFutures
Earn2Trade- TradeDay
Take Profit Trader- Tradeify
Elite Trader Funding- Alpha Futures
- BluSky Trading
- Funded Futures Network
Kara is not affiliated with any prop firm. These rules come from the firm's pages and from public reports cited as sources; they change: read them again before buying a challenge.
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Connect an account. Look at what it shows. Decide after.
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