Topstep review
Updated September 28, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
Topstep charges no account fee and no inactivity fee, so the cost of holding a futures account is $0 a year. It suits beginners who want to try futures trading on a demo account first, and who can start from a $49 minimum deposit.
Key facts
- Best for
- Beginners testing futures with a demo account before risking real money.
- Minimum deposit
- $49↗
- Stock trade fee
- $0.50↗
- Account fee
- $0↗
- Inactivity fee
- $0↗
- Markets
- Futures↗
- Regulators
- National Futures Association (NFA) - registered introducing broker, Topstep Brokerage LLC, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) registered FCM / NFA member, Plus500US Financial Services LLC↗
- Investor protection
- SIPC up to USD 500,000↗
- Deposit and withdrawal fees
- 1% processing fee on debit card deposits and withdrawals; wire fee $10 outbound, $0 inbound↗
- Platforms
- TopstepX↗
- Legal entity
- Topstep LLC↗
- Headquarters
- United States↗
- Support channels
- Email, Phone, Help-centre, Community↗
- Features
- Demo account, Futures
- Pricing model
- Low fees
- Audience
- Beginners
- Official website
- topstep.com
Facts checked September 26, 2026, 7 sources
Pros and cons
Pros
- No account fee, ranking 1 of 142 brands on that measure
- No inactivity fee, ranking 1 of 56 brands on that measure
- A demo account is offered, so beginners can practise before funding
- Trades cost $0.50 per side
Cons
- Only futures markets are offered, so there is no share dealing
- A processing fee applies on debit card deposits and withdrawals, and outbound wires cost money
- The minimum deposit of $49 ranks 134 of 218 brands, so it is not the lowest entry point
Who it suits
- Beginners who want to practise futures on a demo account before committing money
- Traders comfortable with leverage and a single market
- People who want low account costs and will not leave a balance sitting
Who should look elsewhere
- Share and ETF investors, who should look at CFI instead
- Anyone wanting a wide range of markets or SIPP and ISA style accounts
- People who need a bigger selection of deposit rails than CFI offers
How it compares on our data
Topstep sits at the top of our rankings for the two fees that quietly drain an untouched account. It ranks 1 of 142 brands on the account fee and 1 of 56 on the inactivity fee, both at $0. The minimum deposit ranks 134 of 218, and the trade fee ranks 107 of 166 at $0.50.
Deposit protection
Client assets at Topstep sit under the SIPC up to USD 500,000. Registration runs through the National Futures Association, which records Topstep Brokerage LLC as a registered introducing broker, and a Commodity Futures Trading Commission registered FCM and NFA member held by a separate affiliate: National Futures Association (NFA) registered introducing broker, Topstep Brokerage LLC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) registered FCM / NFA member, Plus500US Financial Services LLC. The legal entity behind the service is Topstep LLC, based in the US, so US rules are the ones that apply.
How Topstep compares
9.1 vs 9.4
9.1 vs 8.7
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Where Topstep is available
- Available
- United States
- Licence in United States
- National Futures Association (NFA) - registered introducing broker, Topstep Brokerage LLC (0567079), checked September 26, 2026
- Licence in United States
- Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) registered FCM / NFA member, Plus500US Financial Services LLC (0001398), checked September 26, 2026
Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What does it cost to keep a Topstep account?+
The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so leaving a balance untouched does not cost extra. Each trade is charged $0.50. The debit card deposit and withdrawal processing fee still applies, and an outbound wire carries a charge.
How much do I need to start trading?+
The minimum deposit is $49, which ranks 134 of 218 brands we track, so it is higher than many rivals. A demo account is offered, so you can learn the platform before putting in that amount.
What markets can I trade on Topstep?+
Topstep covers futures only. If you want shares, ETFs or funds in the same account, CFI offers a broader selection. For a single market with leverage, the futures list is the whole offer.
Is my money protected at Topstep?+
Client assets at Topstep sit under the SIPC up to USD 500,000, and registration is recorded with the National Futures Association for Topstep Brokerage LLC as an introducing broker. A Commodity Futures Trading Commission FCM and NFA member registration is held by a separate affiliate: National Futures Association (NFA) registered introducing broker, Topstep Brokerage LLC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) registered FCM / NFA member, Plus500US Financial Services LLC. The account is US based.
Which platforms and apps can I use?+
Trading runs through TopstepX, the platform named for the service. A demo account is available on the same setup, which lets you rehearse orders before you fund anything.
Who is Topstep aimed at?+
The service is built with beginners in mind, and the demo account is a deliberate part of that. It suits people learning futures, not seasoned multi-asset investors. Anyone wanting shares or bonds should look elsewhere.
How do I get help?+
Support runs on email, phone and help centre, so you can reach the team by phone or email, browse the help centre, or ask the community. For questions about a specific order, phone is the faster route.
Does Topstep charge for deposits and withdrawals?+
A processing fee applies to debit card deposits and withdrawals. Outbound wires cost more, while inbound wires carry no charge. Card funding is the costlier rail, so a bank transfer is cheaper for moving larger sums.
Sources
- help.topstepbrokerage.com/en/articles/15033686-are-there-... checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Inactivity fee
“In addition to commission fees, the following fees may apply: NFA Regulatory Fee $0.01 per side, Exchange Fee, Wire Fee outbound $10 / inbound $0, Auto-Liquidation Fee $10 per contract”
- topstep.com checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Support channels
“Support: Trader Support, Help Center, Status Page, Discord”
- topstep.com/terms-of-use checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Headquarters, Legal entity
“Topstep LLC, a Delaware limited liability company”
- topstep.com/topstep-prop checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Audience, Features, Markets, Minimum deposit
“Built for traders still learning”
- nfa.futures.org/BasicNet/basic-search-landing.aspx checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Investor protection, Regulators, Licences
- topstepbrokerage.com checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Deposit and withdrawal fees, Pricing model, Platforms
“Debit card funding (including Apple Pay and Google Pay) is subject to a 1% processing fee for deposits and withdrawals.”
- topstepbrokerage.com/commissions-and-fees checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Account fee, Stock trade fee
“Topstep Brokerage does not charge additional platform or routing fees.”
Compiled from 7 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Retail accounts that lose money.
Related by the facts
Topstep
Beginners testing futures with a demo account before risking real money.