Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CapTrader vs Topstep
Where CapTrader and Topstep differ
| Compare |  CapTrader |  Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000 | $49Lower |
| Stock trade fee | $2 | $0.50Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Futures |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawal, bank transfer deposits | 1% processing fee on debit card deposits and withdrawals; wire fee $10 outbound, $0 inbound |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App | TopstepX |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | 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 | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Options contract fee | €2 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Account fee ($0), Inactivity fee ($0).
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Key differences
- Topstep scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 8.9.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Topstep: $49 vs $2,000.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Topstep: $0.50 vs $2.
- Markets: only CapTrader offers Stocks, ETFs, Forex.
- Platforms: only CapTrader offers Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App.
- Platforms: only Topstep offers TopstepX.
- Support channels: only Topstep offers Email, Chat, Phone.
- Features: only CapTrader offers Mobile app, Fractional shares.
- Features: only Topstep offers Futures.
Our verdict on each
CapTrader
CapTrader suits experienced traders who want stocks, forex, CFDs, options, futures, crypto, bonds and funds under one roof with no account or inactivity fee. The catch is the entry size: a minimum deposit of $2,000 puts it out of reach for a small first account.
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 | CapTrader | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Account fee and inactivity fee of $0 and $0 set against a $2,000 entry and $2 a trade. | 9.4HigherAccount fees are $0, the inactivity fee is $0 and the challenge costs $49, against a site median of €56.56. |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.7Higher90% paid Every 2 weeks on a 2 step evaluation, with markets limited to futures. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.5 |
Pick CapTrader if, pick Topstep if
Pick CapTrader if markets matter most.
Pick Topstep if cost, offer, minimum deposit, and stock trade fee matter most.
The bill, worked out
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
CapTrader
$96
48 × $2 + 1 × $0
Topstep
$24
48 × $0.50 + 1 × $0
Topstep costs $72 less.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Also worth a look
ActivTrades has minimum deposit at $0, against $2,000 for CapTrader and $49 for Topstep.
ActivTrades reviewHow they place
| Ranking | CapTrader | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Futures trading platforms | 4 of 83 | 12 of 83 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CapTrader | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional shares | Demo account, Futures |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Topstep LLC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2010 |
| Support channels | Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CapTrader | Topstep | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000highest quarter | $49above the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $2highest quarter | $0.50highest quarter | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CapTrader
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so instruments do not need splitting across brokers.
- Platform choice of Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop and Trading App covers desktop terminals and mobile trading.
- Trading costs read plainly: $2 a stock trade and €2 an options contract.
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $2,000 ranks 197 of 213 on our data, against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage.
- Stock trade fee of $2 ranks 124 of 161, while eToro charges $0 a trade.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or chat channel listed.
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
CapTrader
Who it suits
- Traders running a mixed book of stocks, etfs and forex rather than one narrow market.
- Anyone who dislikes dormant account charges, with an inactivity fee of $0.
- Desktop users who prefer the Trader Workstation TWS or CapTrader Desktop over a simple app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small first-time accounts: CFI starts at $0 and Vantage at $5, well below CapTrader's $2,000.
- Cost-first stock buyers: eToro charges $0 a trade against CapTrader's $2.
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
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
CapTrader
What is the minimum deposit?+
The minimum deposit is $2,000, which is the main hurdle for a first account. On our data that places CapTrader at 197 of 213. CFI takes $0 and Vantage $5, so a smaller start is easy elsewhere.
Are there account or inactivity fees?+
Neither applies. The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so leaving money untouched does not trigger a charge. CapTrader ranks 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 56 on inactivity fee.
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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