Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Instant Funding vs Topstep
Where Instant Funding and Topstep differ
| Compare |  Instant Funding |  Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Profit split | 80% to 90% | 90% |
| Evaluation steps | Instant | 2 step |
| Account sizes | $625 to $4,000,000 (USD and ZAR) | $50K, $100K, $150K buying power |
| Payout frequency | First payout 14 days after first trade, then every 7 days | Every 2 weeks |
| Challenge price | Not confirmed | $49 |
| Maximum drawdown | 10% | Not confirmed |
| 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 |
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Key differences
- Topstep scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.0.
- Founded is lower at Topstep: 2010 vs 2021.
- Support channels: only Topstep offers Phone.
Our verdict on each
Instant Funding
Instant Funding suits traders who want a funded account without a staged evaluation, since its steps are listed as instant. The profit split of 80% to 90% is the trade-off to weigh: it sits under the 100% of Funding Pips and the 100% of Apex Trader Funding.
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 | Instant Funding | 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 | 9.2Offer spans $625 to $4,000,000 (USD and ZAR) of accounts and a 10% cap, with room to start small or scale up. | 9.7Higher90% paid Every 2 weeks on a 2 step evaluation, with markets limited to futures. |
| Trust | 8.8 | 9.5Higher |
How they place
| Ranking | Instant Funding | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Prop trading firms | 4 of 37 | 7 of 37 |
What we checked
Instant Funding
- instantfunding.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Topstep
- topstep.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- nfa.futures.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Instant Funding | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | IF Pro Ltd (trading name Instant Funding); payment agent Acello Ltd | Topstep LLC |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United States |
| Founded | 2021 | 2010Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Brokers
| Fact | Instant Funding | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $49 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0.50 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Markets | Not confirmed | Futures |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Features | Not confirmed | Demo account, Futures |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | 1% processing fee on debit card deposits and withdrawals; wire fee $10 outbound, $0 inbound |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | TopstepX |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Instant Funding | Topstep | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Challenge price | Not confirmed | $49below the median | $75 |
| Profit split | 80% to 90%at the median | 90%at the median | 90 |
| Maximum drawdown | 10%at the median | Not confirmed | 10% |
Median across 26 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Instant Funding
Pros
- The steps are listed as instant, so there is no staged evaluation to sit through before a funded account starts.
- Payouts run on a published rhythm, First payout 14 days after first trade, then every 7 days, rather than a discretionary request.
- Account sizes are listed as $625 to $4,000,000 (USD and ZAR), so the same rules cover a small starting balance and the larger end of the range.
Cons
- The 80% to 90% split leaves less of each payout than Funding Pips and Apex Trader Funding, which pay 100% and 100%.
- The 10% limit is the loose end of the range Alpha Capital Group offers, which runs 4% to 10%.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre, with no phone line listed for account problems.
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
Instant Funding
Who it suits
- Traders who want funding without a staged evaluation, since steps are listed as instant.
- Traders who can hold position sizes inside a 10% drawdown cap.
- Traders who prefer cash arriving on a known schedule, First payout 14 days after first trade, then every 7 days.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who want the whole profit, since Funding Pips and Apex Trader Funding pay 100% and 100%.
- Traders who want a firmer risk rule, since Alpha Capital Group runs a drawdown of 4% to 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
Instant Funding
Current offer
Discount code
30% off Clarity and Original - code IF30: 30% off
Single-use code; no minimum spend; not valid on Evolve; 20% off again on Jan 15
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
BFBOOST: 10% off
Multi-use code; includes four free add-ons and double PlusPoints
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
BF2090: 20% off
Multi-use code; includes a free 90% profit split add-on and double PlusPoints
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
BFNEW: 42% off Instant Funding, IF Micro and IF1
New customers only; not for returning purchasers or account will be voided
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
BF1: 37% off plus a free $2,000 IF1 account
All customers; spend $100 after discount or more in one purchase; free $2,000 IF1 account sent by email code on Dec 15; one per trader
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
Instant Funding
Is there an evaluation to pass before trading?+
The steps are listed as instant, so there is no multi-stage challenge to clear first. Account sizes are listed as $625 to $4,000,000 (USD and ZAR), which covers a small starting balance and the larger end of the range, with the same rules at each size.
How often are payouts made?+
Payouts follow First payout 14 days after first trade, then every 7 days. The rhythm is stated in advance, so a trader can plan cash movements around the calendar instead of waiting on a discretionary decision. The share kept from each payout is 80% to 90%.
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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