Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Kraken vs Topstep
Where Kraken and Topstep differ
| Compare |  Kraken |  Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1Lower | $49 |
| Stock trade fee | $0Lower | $0.50 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Crypto, FuturesCovers more | Futures |
| Regulators | Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (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 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25 | 1% processing fee on debit card deposits and withdrawals; wire fee $10 outbound, $0 inbound |
| Platforms | Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop, Kraken Wallet | TopstepX |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Maximum retail leverage | Up to 10x | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Topstep scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.2.
- Regulators: only Kraken offers Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority.
- 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.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Kraken: $1 vs $49.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Kraken: $0 vs $0.50.
- Markets: only Kraken offers Stocks, ETFs, Forex.
- Platforms: only Kraken offers Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop.
- Platforms: only Topstep offers TopstepX.
- Features: only Kraken offers Crypto, Mobile app.
- Features: only Topstep offers Demo account, Futures.
Our verdict on each
Kraken
Kraken suits beginners and experienced investors who want stocks, ETFs and crypto together through app and desktop access. Stock dealing is priced at $0 with entry at $1 and funding terms shown as Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25 for cost planning across small balance accounts.
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 | Kraken | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Stock dealing is priced at $0 with entry at $1. | 9.4HigherAccount fees are $0, the inactivity fee is $0 and the challenge costs $49, against a site median of €56.56. |
| Offer | 9.0Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex accessed through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop. | 9.7Higher90% paid Every 2 weeks on a 2 step evaluation, with markets limited to futures. |
| Trust | 9.3Registers cite 1010381 and 31000270997766. | 9.5Higher |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Kraken | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
How they place
| Ranking | Kraken | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Futures trading platforms | 6 of 83 | 12 of 83 |
| Brokers for beginners | 10 of 88 | 17 of 88 |
Pick Kraken if, pick Topstep if
Pick Kraken if minimum deposit, stock trade fee, and markets matter most.
Pick Topstep if offer matter most.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Kraken | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Mobile app | Demo account, Futures |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Audience | Beginners, ExperiencedCovers more | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Topstep LLC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2010 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre, Community |
Prop firms
| Fact | Kraken | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge price | Not confirmed | $49 |
| Profit split | Not confirmed | 90% |
| Evaluation steps | Not confirmed | 2 step |
| Account sizes | Not confirmed | $50K, $100K, $150K buying power |
| Payout frequency | Not confirmed | Every 2 weeks |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Kraken | Topstep | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1below the median | $49above the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0.50highest quarter | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Kraken
Pros
- Stock trades priced at $0 within a model shown as commission free.
- Entry at $1, below $50 at eToro for smaller starting balances.
- Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex, pairing stocks and ETFs with crypto and futures.
Cons
- Support runs on help centre only, without phone or live chat help found at many rivals.
- Card funding terms run Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25, which adds cost next to bank transfer options.
- Entry at $1 sits above $0 at ActivTrades and €0 at XTB for tight budgets.
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
Kraken
Who it suits
- You want stocks plus crypto in stocks, ETFs and forex in a single login rather than an equity only account at XTB.
- You want app led dealing through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop with modest entry at $1 rather than higher entry at eToro at $50.
Who should look elsewhere
- You want phone or chat help rather than help centre only, consider XTB or ActivTrades for wider contact choice.
- You want the lowest cash entry rather than $1, consider ActivTrades at $0 or XTB at €0.
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
Kraken
What does Kraken charge for stock trades+
Stock dealing is priced at $0 and Kraken describes its model as commission free. Bank funding is framed separately as Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25, so card use adds cost while bank transfer terms remain distinct. Check the fee schedule before placing orders.
What is the minimum deposit to open an account+
Account entry is set at $1. That level sits below $50 at eToro, yet above $0 at ActivTrades and €0 at XTB. It keeps starting balances modest while leaving room for funding charges.
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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