Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
bunq vs Topstep
Where bunq and Topstep differ
| Compare |  bunq |  Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | €10 | $49 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto | Futures |
| Regulators | De Nederlandsche Bank, SIPC | 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 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | Bunq app | TopstepX |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0.50 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | 1% processing fee on debit card deposits and withdrawals; wire fee $10 outbound, $0 inbound |
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Key differences
- Topstep scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only bunq offers De Nederlandsche Bank, SIPC.
- Regulators: only Topstep offers National Futures Association (NFA) registered introducing broker, Topstep Brokerage LLC, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) registered FCM / NFA member, Plus500US Financial Services LLC.
- Founded is lower at Topstep: 2010 vs 2012.
- Markets: only bunq offers Stocks, ETFs, Crypto.
- Markets: only Topstep offers Futures.
- Platforms: only bunq offers Bunq app.
- Platforms: only Topstep offers TopstepX.
- Support channels: only Topstep offers Chat, Phone, Community.
- Features: only bunq offers Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile app.
Our verdict on each
bunq
bunq suits beginners who want a modest minimum deposit, fractional shares and a mobile app for stocks, ETFs and crypto. Its published minimum is €10, but investors wanting a broader market selection or more support channels may prefer an alternative.
Topstep
Topstep suits beginners who want a low-cost route into futures prop trading, pairing a challenge price of $49 with a profit split of 90% that is competitive without topping the table. The brokerage account adds an account fee of $0 and payouts Every 2 weeks, so it suits a funded account you plan to grow.
Score breakdown
| Area | bunq | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9 | 9.4HigherAccount fees are $0, the inactivity fee is $0 and the challenge costs $49, against a site median of €56.56. |
| Offer | 8.7 | 9.7Higher90% paid Every 2 weeks on a 2 step evaluation, with markets limited to futures. |
| Trust | 9.1 | 9.5Higher |
Availability and regulation
| Country | bunq | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Not confirmed | |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 71344 | Not confirmed |
What we checked
bunq
- bunq.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- help.bunq.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Topstep
- topstep.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- topstepbrokerage.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- nfa.futures.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- help.topstepbrokerage.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | bunq | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Brokers for beginners | 5 of 88 | 17 of 88 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | bunq | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile app | Demo account, Futures |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Low fees |
| Audience | Beginners | Beginners |
| Legal entity | BUNQ US BD LLC | Topstep LLC |
| Headquarters | Netherlands | United States |
| Founded | 2012 | 2010Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | bunq | Topstep | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0.50highest quarter | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
Median across 91 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
bunq
Pros
- The minimum deposit is €10.
- The available features include fractional shares, crypto and a mobile app.
- Regulatory listings include De Nederlandsche Bank in NL and SIPC in the US.
Cons
- Support runs through email and help centre only.
- The available markets cover stocks, ETFs and crypto.
- The stated EU investor protection is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
Topstep
Pros
- Entry is priced at $49 for a 2 step evaluation, with a profit split of 90%.
- The brokerage account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so an account left open does not slowly bleed money.
- Payouts arrive Every 2 weeks, a steadier rhythm than a single monthly cycle.
Cons
- The split of 90% leaves a share of profits with the firm, where Apex Trader Funding shares 100%.
- Markets are futures only, against 80.6% of the brands here that cover stocks.
- Topstep ranks 7 of 21 on challenge price, and Alpha Capital Group lists $27 for its own challenge.
Who each suits
bunq
Who it suits
- Beginners comfortable investing through a mobile app.
- Investors interested in fractional shares.
- Retail investors focused on stocks, ETFs and crypto.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for CFI users seeking a minimum deposit below €10.
- Not for eToro users seeking forex, CFDs or futures alongside the markets listed at stocks, etfs and crypto.
- Not for Vantage users seeking a minimum deposit below €10.
Topstep
Who it suits
- Beginners testing futures prop trading, since beginners lists beginners and demo account and futures includes a demo account.
- Traders who want low running costs on a funded account: an account fee of $0, an inactivity fee of $0 and 90% kept of profits.
- Anyone weighing entry price against share, since Funding Pips runs challenge prices of $29 to $555, a different price point to Topstep's $49.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who want the whole profit, since Apex Trader Funding shares 100% against the 90% kept here.
- Anyone trading stocks, ETFs or crypto, because the market list is futures.
- Budget-first buyers, since Alpha Capital Group lists $27 for its challenge.
Current offers
bunq
Current offer
First period offer
No fees for buying or selling stocks for first 3 months: 0% for 3 months
Up to €100,000 in completed buy and sell orders
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Topstep
Current offer
Discount code
Responsible Trading Advantage discounts: Up to $30/month
Add a Daily Loss Limit to unlock exclusive benefits, including larger payout caps and discounts on eligible accounts; listed as -$10 / -$20 / -$30 on the $50K / $100K / $150K accounts
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Topstep Trading Combine monthly discount: -$10 to -$30
One-time activation fee paid after passing the Trading Combine; discount is shown alongside the eligible account price
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
bunq
What is bunq's minimum deposit?+
bunq lists a minimum deposit of €10. This makes the platform relevant to readers comparing entry requirements for stock, ETF and crypto investing.
Which markets are available on bunq?+
bunq offers stocks, etfs and crypto. Its market choice therefore centres on shares, funds tracking baskets of assets and digital assets through the app.
Topstep
How much does the Topstep challenge cost?+
The evaluation fee is $49, and the same figure is listed as the minimum deposit, so that is the outlay before any trading. For context, the median challenge price across the brands here is €56.56. A failed attempt means paying the fee again to try, so treat it as a cost of repeated attempts rather than a single ticket.
What profit do I keep and how quickly are payouts made?+
Once funded, you keep 90% of the profit, and payouts go out Every 2 weeks. The split is a percentage of profit rather than a flat fee, so a thin month does not eat into it. The cadence matters as much as the percentage for cash flow, since a good month reaches your account sooner with a frequent schedule.
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