Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Markets.com vs Topstep
Where Markets.com and Topstep differ
| Compare |  Markets.com |  Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100 | $49Lower |
| Stock trade fee | $0Lower | $0.50 |
| Inactivity fee | $10 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds, Spread betting | Futures |
| Regulators | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, ASIC | 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 | no deposit or withdrawal fees | 1% processing fee on debit card deposits and withdrawals; wire fee $10 outbound, $0 inbound |
| Platforms | Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4, MT5 | TopstepX |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 72.4% | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.6% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Account fee ($0).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Regulators: only Markets.com offers CySEC, FCA, FSCA.
- 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 Topstep: $49 vs $100.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Markets.com: $0 vs $0.50.
- Inactivity fee is lower at Topstep: $0 vs $10.
- Markets: only Markets.com offers Stocks, ETFs, Forex.
- Markets: only Topstep offers Futures.
- Platforms: only Markets.com offers Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4.
- Platforms: only Topstep offers TopstepX.
- Support channels: only Topstep offers Chat, Community.
Our verdict on each
Markets.com
Markets.com suits retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting under a single account with no commission charged on share dealing. Stock trades carry fees of $0 and the account fee is $0, though the $100 minimum deposit and an inactivity charge of $10 are the figures to weigh.
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 | Markets.com | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9Commission-free model: stock trades at fees of $0, account fee of $0, currency conversion of 0.6%. | 9.4HigherAccount fees are $0, the inactivity fee is $0 and the challenge costs $49, against a site median of €56.56. |
| Offer | 9.7 | 9.790% paid Every 2 weeks on a 2 step evaluation, with markets limited to futures. |
| Trust | 9.9Higher | 9.5 |
Pick Markets.com if, pick Topstep if
Pick Markets.com if trust and stock trade fee matter most.
Pick Topstep if cost, minimum deposit, and inactivity fee matter most.
Availability and regulation
| Country | Markets.com | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Not confirmed | |
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| South Africa | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | FCA 481853 | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | Markets.com | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Brokers for beginners | 14 of 88 | 17 of 88 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Markets.com | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app, Copy trading, Demo account, Crypto | Demo account, Futures |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Audience | Beginners, ExperiencedCovers more | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Finalto Financial Services Limited | Topstep LLC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2010 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Markets.com | Topstep | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100above the median | $49above the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0.50highest quarter | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $10above the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 72.4%above the median | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.6%above the median | Not confirmed | 0.45% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Markets.com
Pros
- Stock trades carry fees of $0 on a commission-free model, so placing a share trade is not chargeable
- The account fee is $0, which ranks Markets.com at 1 of 138 brands on that measure
- Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees, so moving money on and off the account stays cheap
Cons
- An inactivity charge of $10 catches dormant balances, placing Markets.com at 35 of 56 brands on that measure
- The minimum deposit of $100 is heavy, ranking at 148 of 213 brands, so a smaller opening balance rules it out
- A currency conversion fee of 0.6% sits on top of the commission-free model, so currency trades cost more than the share trades priced at $0
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
Markets.com
Who it suits
- Retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting inside a single account
- Investors who trade often enough to clear the $100 minimum and steer clear of the $10 inactivity charge
- UK residents who want the account run by Finalto Financial Services Limited under the FCA
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone opening with a small balance, since the $100 minimum deposit compares with a site median of €4.64 while CFI takes $0 and Vantage takes $5
- Long term holders of an idle balance, because an inactivity charge of $10 applies
- Traders who mainly want forex and the lowest way in, since CFI and Vantage set minimum deposits at $0 and $5
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
Markets.com
Does Markets.com charge commission on shares?+
The pricing model is commission-free, and stock trades carry fees of $0 on the trade itself. Currency conversion of 0.6% and an inactivity charge of $10 sit outside that figure, so regular traders should build both into the running cost.
Is there a monthly or annual account fee?+
Fees run $0 on the account, which ranks Markets.com at 1 out of 138 brands on that measure. Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees as well, so funding the account and taking money back out stay clear of extra 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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