Topstep vs Alpha Futures: the rules compared
Topstep and Alpha Futures differ most in drawdown type, daily loss limit and evaluation fee. Topstep offers end-of-day and static drawdowns, while Alpha Futures uses an end-of-day drawdown on every plan. Topstep sets a daily loss limit on 3 of 7 evaluations ($500 to $5,000), while Alpha Futures sets a daily loss limit on 3 of 9 evaluations ($500 to $2,000).
The verdicts at 50K
Cheaper to start
Alpha Futures$129 against $198 to reach a funded account.
Runs your bot
TopstepAlpha Futures does not allow automated trading.
Each firm’s 50K plan whose rules treat a trader with no edge best, or its least expensive when none is simulated.
7 rules differ
- Price$49 a month$129 a month
- Activation$149$0
- Reset$49$109
- Best day, evaluation55%50%
- First payout5 winning days of $150 or more5 trading days and 5 winning days of $200 or more
- Largest payout$2,000$3,000
- Automated tradingAllowed with conditionsBanned
Plans on record
Topstep sells 7 plans from 25K to 250K, while Alpha Futures sells 13 plans from 25K to 150K.
Evaluation fee
Topstep charges $49 to $199 a month and $75 to $499 once, while Alpha Futures charges $89 to $489 a month and $349 to $859 once.
Activation fee
Topstep charges a $0 to $149 activation fee, while Alpha Futures charges no activation fee.
Drawdown type
Topstep offers end-of-day and static drawdowns, while Alpha Futures uses an end-of-day drawdown on every plan.
Daily loss limit
Topstep sets a daily loss limit on 3 of 7 evaluations ($500 to $5,000), while Alpha Futures sets a daily loss limit on 3 of 9 evaluations ($500 to $2,000).
Consistency
Topstep caps the evaluation's best day at 55% of the profit on 6 of 7 plans, while Alpha Futures caps the evaluation's best day at 40% to 50% of the profit on 6 of 9 plans.
Minimum trading days
Topstep asks for at least 2 trading days, while Alpha Futures asks for at least 1 to 2 trading days.
First payout
Topstep pays a first payout after 5 winning days of $150 or more, while Alpha Futures pays a first payout after 5 trading days, depending on the size.
Automated trading
Topstep allows automated trading with conditions, while Alpha Futures bans automated trading.
What they share
- Billing: Monthly and one-time plans
- Profit split: 90%
Topstep: Allowed with conditions
Topstep allows automated and algorithmic trading with conditions. Bots and automated strategies may trade through the TopstepX / ProjectX API, under the platform rules, with high-frequency trading banned, orders sent from the trader's own device, and not on Live Funded Accounts.
Checked 21 Oct 2026 · Source: help.topstep.com
Alpha Futures: Banned
Alpha Futures bans automated and algorithmic trading. Bots, AI and other automated trading are banned on every account; only a signal indicator is allowed, with the trader placing and managing each trade by hand. A strategy tested on AlgoLift can only be traded there by hand.
Checked 16 Oct 2026 · Source: help.alpha-futures.com
Topstep and Alpha Futures, topic by topic across each firm’s plans on saleShowHide
| Topic | Topstep | Alpha Futures |
|---|---|---|
| Plans on record | 7 plans, 25K to 250K | 13 plans, 25K to 150K |
| Evaluation fee | $49 to $199 a month and $75 to $499 once | $89 to $489 a month and $349 to $859 once |
| Billing | Monthly and one-time plans | Monthly and one-time plans |
| Activation fee | $0 to $149 | None |
| Drawdown type | End of day and static | End of day on every plan |
| Daily loss limit | $500 to $5,000 on 3 of 7 evaluations | $500 to $2,000 on 3 of 9 evaluations |
| Consistency | Best day at most 55% (1 with none) | Best day at most 40% to 50% (3 with none) |
| Minimum trading days | 2 trading days | 1 to 2 trading days |
| First payout | After 5 winning days of $150 or more | After 5 trading days, depending on the size |
| Profit split | 90% | 90% |
| Funded accounts at once | Up to 5 | Not yet verified |
| Automated trading | Allowed with conditions | Banned |
25K
- Topstep Labs 25K Static$75 once, $1,000, static
- Alpha Futures Zero 25K$89 a month, $1,000, end of day
- Alpha Futures Direct 25K$349 once, $1,000, end of day
50K
- Topstep 50K Combine$49 a month, $2,000, end of day
- Topstep Labs 50K Static$149 once, $2,000, static
- Alpha Futures Zero 50K$139 a month, $2,000, end of day
- Alpha Futures Standard 50K$129 a month, $2,000, end of day
- Alpha Futures Advanced 50K$209 a month, $1,750, end of day
- Alpha Futures Direct 50K$519 once, $2,000, end of day
100K
- Topstep 100K Combine$99 a month, $3,000, end of day
- Alpha Futures Zero 100K$279 a month, $3,000, end of day
- Alpha Futures Standard 100K$239 a month, $3,000, end of day
- Alpha Futures Advanced 100K$349 a month, $3,500, end of day
- Alpha Futures Direct 100K$689 once, $3,000, end of day
150K
- Topstep 150K Combine$199 a month, $4,500, end of day
- Alpha Futures Standard 150K$349 a month, $4,500, end of day
- Alpha Futures Advanced 150K$489 a month, $5,250, end of day
- Alpha Futures Direct 150K$859 once, $4,500, end of day
Only Topstep sells 250K.
Topstep or Alpha Futures?
At 50K, the Topstep Labs 50K Static costs $149 to fund on a first attempt and the Alpha Futures Standard 50K $129.
Topstep offers end-of-day and static drawdowns, while Alpha Futures uses an end-of-day drawdown on every plan. Topstep sets a daily loss limit on 3 of 7 evaluations ($500 to $5,000), while Alpha Futures sets a daily loss limit on 3 of 9 evaluations ($500 to $2,000). Topstep charges $49 to $199 a month and $75 to $499 once, while Alpha Futures charges $89 to $489 a month and $349 to $859 once. Topstep caps the evaluation's best day at 55% of the profit on 6 of 7 plans, while Alpha Futures caps the evaluation's best day at 40% to 50% of the profit on 6 of 9 plans. Topstep pays a first payout after 5 winning days of $150 or more, while Alpha Futures pays a first payout after 5 trading days, depending on the size. Topstep charges a $0 to $149 activation fee, while Alpha Futures charges no activation fee. Topstep asks for at least 2 trading days, while Alpha Futures asks for at least 1 to 2 trading days. Topstep allows automated trading with conditions, while Alpha Futures bans automated trading.
On a first attempt with no reset, the Alpha Futures Standard 50K costs $129 ($129 evaluation (1 month)) against $149 for the Topstep Labs 50K Static ($149 evaluation). Resets and extra months can change the order.
Topstep allows automated and algorithmic trading with conditions. Bots and automated strategies may trade through the TopstepX / ProjectX API, under the platform rules, with high-frequency trading banned, orders sent from the trader's own device, and not on Live Funded Accounts. Alpha Futures bans automated and algorithmic trading. Bots, AI and other automated trading are banned on every account; only a signal indicator is allowed, with the trader placing and managing each trade by hand. A strategy tested on AlgoLift can only be traded there by hand.
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Replay of trade 1210 from an AlgoLift engine backtest of a research strategy on NQ, 13 February 2025: real bars, the trade still open.
Simulated results. They have inherent limitations. Read the full statementHide the statement
These results are based on simulated or hypothetical performance results that have certain inherent limitations. Unlike the results shown in an actual performance record, these results do not represent actual trading. Also, because these trades have not actually been executed, these results may have under-or over-compensated for the impact, if any, of certain market factors, such as lack of liquidity. Simulated or hypothetical trading programs in general are also subject to the fact that they are designed with the benefit of hindsight. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to these being shown.
Test yours
Run your strategy through both rulebooks at once.
One backtest, both accounts, every rule, before you pay either fee.
- 1Describe it to Algo, or build it yourself
- 2Backtest it on years of real futures data
- 3Replay every trade under your firm's rules
Rules checked against the firms’ own pages, most recently on 21 October 2026. This is a summary of each firm’s published rules, not financial advice and not a recommendation of any firm. Firms change their rules and prices; read the firm’s own page before you buy. Facts are paraphrased and linked to their source. Firm names are used only to say which firm a rule belongs to; they belong to their owners, and AlgoLift is not affiliated with or endorsed by any firm.