Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Nectaro vs Topstep
Nectaro
Topstep
Higher score in this comparison
Nectaro vs Topstep: the differences
| Compare | NectaroReviewVisitVisit | TopstepReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | €50 | $49 |
| Stock trade fee | €0 | $0.50 |
| Account fee | €0 | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | €0 | $0 |
| Markets | Bonds | Futures |
| Regulators | Latvijas Banka (Bank of Latvia) | 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 Nectaro withdrawal fee | 1% processing fee on debit card deposits and withdrawals; wire fee $10 outbound, $0 inbound |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | TopstepX |
| Account types | Corporate | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Topstep scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 8.7.
- Regulators: only Nectaro offers Latvijas Banka (Bank of Latvia).
- 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.
- Markets: only Nectaro offers Bonds.
- Markets: only Topstep offers Futures.
- Pricing model: only Nectaro offers Commission free.
- Pricing model: only Topstep offers Low fees.
- Audience: only Nectaro offers Experienced.
Our verdict on each
Nectaro
Nectaro suits investors in Europe seeking bond exposure with modest entry requirements, as the minimum deposit sits at €50 and the minimum investment per position is aligned for small portfolios. Support runs through email and help centre, while protection and cost structure suit patient income focused investors.
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 | Nectaro | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2Inactivity charge sits at €0 which supports low holding costs | 9.4HigherAccount fees are $0, the inactivity fee is $0 and the challenge costs $49, against a site median of €56.56. |
| Offer | 8.4Coverage centres on bonds for income style allocations | 9.7Higher90% paid Every 2 weeks on a 2 step evaluation, with markets limited to futures. |
| Trust | 8.5Oversight by Latvijas Banka (Bank of Latvia) supports account safeguards | 9.5Higher |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Nectaro | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Brokers for beginners | 11 of 90 | 19 of 90 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Nectaro | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Latvia | Latvijas Banka (Bank of Latvia) 27-55/2023/3 | Not confirmed |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Nectaro | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Demo account, Futures |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Audience | Experienced, BeginnersCovers 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 |
P2P lending
| Fact | Nectaro | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Target return | 10% to 14% | Not confirmed |
| Minimum investment | €50 | Not confirmed |
| Buyback guarantee | No | Not confirmed |
Pros and cons
Nectaro
Pros
- Account fee is €0 and No Nectaro withdrawal fee
- Stock trade fee is €0 with pricing following commission free
- Inactivity fee is €0, helpful if you buy and hold bonds
Cons
- Buyback guarantee is absent, so you carry full credit exposure on notes
- Range is limited to bonds, which feels narrow beside Interactive Brokers
- Support runs on email and help centre only, which limits urgent contact options
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
Nectaro
Who it suits
- Income focused investors who prefer bonds over shares and funds
- Small portfolio holders and firms wanting corporate access
- Buy and hold savers who value low custody charges
Who should look elsewhere
- Active equity traders who want broad share dealing should look at Interactive Brokers for wider market choice
- Investors who need phone support should consider Merrill Edge rather than relying on email help
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
Country by country
| Country | Nectaro | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | Yes | No |
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| Bulgaria | Yes | No |
| Croatia | Yes | No |
| Cyprus | Yes | No |
| Czechia | Yes | No |
| Denmark | Yes | No |
| Estonia | Yes | No |
8 of 30 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Nectaro
What can I trade with Nectaro?+
Coverage centres on bonds, so holdings focus on debt rather than shares or funds. You should pair Nectaro with another broker if equity or fund holdings matter for diversification. This keeps return expectations tied to issuer strength and credit conditions.
What fees will I pay at Nectaro?+
Account fee is €0 and inactivity fee is €0, while stock trade fee is €0. No Nectaro withdrawal fee helps keep cash movements predictable for savers. You should still allow for bank charges that sit outside the platform price list.
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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Related by the facts
Nectaro
Topstep