Founded in 2012 by CME floor trader Michael Patak, Topstep literally invented the "Trading Combine" evaluation model. 12+ years later, is the OG still the best choice for Dubai and UAE futures traders?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2012, Chicago, Illinois |
| Evaluation Type | 1-step Trading Combine |
| Account Sizes | $50K, $100K, $150K |
| Monthly Cost | $49 / $99 / $149 (Standard Path) |
| Activation Fee | $149 (or No Activation Fee path at higher monthly rate) |
| Profit Target | $3,000 / $6,000 / $9,000 |
| Drawdown Type | EOD Trailing (end-of-day balance highs) |
| Max Drawdown | $2,000 / $3,000 / $4,500 |
| Profit Split | 100% of first $10K, then 90/10 |
| Min Trading Days | 2 days to pass (funded in as little as 2 days) |
| Payout Speed | 1-3 business days (ACH, Wire, Wise) |
| Platforms | TopstepX, Quantower, Tradovate, R Trader Pro |
| Trustpilot | 4.3/5 from 11,500+ reviews |
| Total Paid Out | $378M+ (as of Feb 2026) |
Topstep's evaluation is straightforward: pass a single-step Trading Combine by hitting your profit target without breaching the maximum drawdown. Minimum 2 trading days required. No time limit — trade until you pass or decide to stop.
The key mechanic is the EOD trailing drawdown. Your Maximum Loss Limit (MLL) starts below your initial balance (e.g., $48,000 on a 50K account) and trails up based on your end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. This is a significant advantage over firms like Apex that use intraday trailing, where a winning trade that reverses mid-session can breach your drawdown before the day even ends.
Topstep uses a monthly subscription model. You pay every month until you pass the evaluation. This is the single biggest difference from one-time-fee firms like Lucid Trading.
| Account | Monthly Fee | Profit Target | Max Drawdown | Max Contracts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50K Small | $49/month | $3,000 (6%) | $2,000 (4%) | 5 contracts |
| 100K Medium | $99/month | $6,000 (6%) | $3,000 (3%) | 10 contracts |
| 150K Large | $149/month | $9,000 (6%) | $4,500 (3%) | 15 contracts |
After passing, you pay a $149 activation fee (Standard Path) to unlock your funded Express Funded Account. A "No Activation Fee Path" exists but comes with a higher monthly subscription rate.
Topstep's profit split structure has changed recently. For accounts opened before January 2026, traders keep 100% of the first $10,000 in profits, then 90% after that. For new accounts since January 2026, the split is 90/10 from the start, and the first 4 payouts are limited to 50% of available balance.
Payouts are processed via ACH, wire transfer, and Wise. Processing typically takes 1-3 business days. Payouts can be requested daily after meeting minimum thresholds. For UAE traders, Wise is the recommended method — it avoids the bank-blocking issues that plague direct wire transfers to Emirates NBD or FAB accounts. See our UAE payment methods guide.
| Feature | Topstep 50K | Lucid Trading 50K |
|---|---|---|
| Fee Structure | $49/month + $149 activation | $65 one-time (50% off) |
| Drawdown Type | EOD Trailing | EOD Trailing |
| Profit Target | $3,000 (6%) | $3,000 (6%) |
| Profit Split | 90/10 (100% first $10K legacy) | 100% first $10K, then 90/10 |
| Activation Fee | $149 | $0 |
| Payout Speed | 1-3 business days | ~15 minutes |
| Funded Consistency | None | None |
| Eval Consistency | None | 50% rule |
| Min True Cost | $198+ (1 month + activation) | $65 |
Topstep is a solid but not optimal choice for Dubai-based futures traders. The EOD drawdown and lack of funded consistency rules are genuine advantages. The 12-year track record is unmatched in the industry, and if trust matters to you above all else, Topstep deserves serious consideration.
However, the monthly subscription model works against UAE traders for two reasons. First, if you don't pass quickly, costs accumulate — and at $49-149/month, it adds up fast. Second, UAE traders benefit disproportionately from 0% tax, which means every dollar saved on fees is a dollar kept. Lucid's $65 one-time fee preserves that advantage far better than Topstep's recurring charges.
For payouts, Topstep's 1-3 day processing via Wise is fine — not exceptional, but workable. It avoids the bank-blocking issues that UAE traders face with direct wires. But it doesn't match Lucid's 15-minute PayPal payouts, which are essentially instant for Dubai traders.
Topstep is the most established futures prop firm in the world, and it shows. But the monthly fees, activation cost, and slower payouts make Lucid Trading a better fit for cost-conscious Dubai traders.
Lucid Trading LucidFlex 50K — $65 one-time, no activation, 15-minute payouts, EOD drawdown. Same protection, fraction of the cost.
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