Updated October 12, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Coinbase vs Topstep
Where Coinbase and Topstep differ
| Compare |  Coinbase |  Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Crypto, FuturesCovers more | Futures |
| Regulators | Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) MiCA, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Alabama Securities Commission Money Transmitter License 509, Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), IE CBI | 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 | Advanced, Exchange | TopstepX |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $49 |
| 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 |
| Maximum retail leverage | 10x | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Regulators: only Coinbase offers Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) MiCA, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Alabama Securities Commission Money Transmitter License 509.
- 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 Coinbase offers Crypto.
- Platforms: only Coinbase offers Advanced, Exchange.
- Platforms: only Topstep offers TopstepX.
- Features: only Coinbase offers Crypto, Mobile app.
- Features: only Topstep offers Demo account, Futures.
Our verdict on each
Coinbase
Coinbase buying and selling of Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin and hundreds of other cryptocurrencies defines its secure online platform. It is a United States crypto platform for investors who want simple management alongside professional grade tools, learning guides plus staking rewards and business services.
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 | Coinbase | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.4Account 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 | 9.4 | 9.5Higher |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Coinbase | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Futures trading platforms | 8 of 83 | 14 of 83 |
What we checked
Coinbase
- coinbase.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- expressvpn.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- coingecko.com: 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
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Coinbase | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Mobile app | Demo account, Futures |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Coinbase Luxembourg S.A. | Topstep LLC |
| Headquarters | Luxembourg | United States |
| Founded | 2012 | 2010Lower |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre, Community |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Coinbase | Topstep | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $49above the median | $10 |
| 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 100 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Coinbase
Pros
- Buy, sell, transfer and store hundreds of cryptocurrencies in one place
- Professional grade charting, live order books and deep liquidity for active traders
- Self custody wallet plus mobile onchain trading across millions of assets
Cons
- Crypto centred range gives little outside digital assets and related derivatives
- Advanced charting and order book tools may feel demanding for complete beginners
- Business, prime and developer options add layers beyond simple buy and sell
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
Coinbase
Who it suits
- Investors focused on Bitcoin, Ethereum and wider crypto markets
- Traders wanting charting, order books and futures style contracts
- Businesses seeking crypto trading, custody and payment infrastructure
Who should look elsewhere
- Investors seeking mainly stocks rather than digital assets
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
Coinbase
What cryptocurrencies can you trade on Coinbase?+
You can buy, sell, transfer, store and manage hundreds of cryptocurrencies. The range described includes Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin. You handle them through a secure online platform with straightforward management features.
Does Coinbase offer futures trading?+
You can use derivatives such as futures and perpetual style futures contracts. You can go long or short with up to 10x leverage on the newer contracts. These products carry high risk and your capital is at risk.
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.
Other options to compare
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