MONSTER MATCHUP
Topstep vs TradeDay
Two of the cleanest futures rulebooks, different split philosophies.
8.4 Topstep VS 8.0 TradeDay
01
Side by Side
checked 2026-08-12| Metric | Topstep | TradeDay |
|---|---|---|
| Monster Score | 8.4 | 8.0 |
| Verdict | DECENT, WITH CATCHES | DECENT, WITH CATCHES |
| BULL$#!T TAX | VERY LOW | LOW |
| Markets | FUTURES | FUTURES |
| Platforms | TradingView, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic | TradingView, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic |
| Structure | Trading Combine + Funded Account | TradeDay Evaluation |
| Profit split | 50% baseline, scales with tenure | 50% baseline → up to 90% upgrade path |
| Consistency | None | None |
02
The Catch, Compared
before you payTopstep
- The subscription never stops. Unlike one-time-fee competitors, Topstep charges monthly while you trade the Combine and the funded account. It's transparent, but it's a running cost, and it's the main reason value scores lower than rule clarity.
- Funded accounts have TWO limits. A static Max Loss Limit AND a trailing drawdown that locks in profits. The trailing drawdown on funded accounts is the thing that catches traders who get greedy after a good run. Both numbers are in plain sight, read both.
TradeDay
- 50% baseline split. TradeDay's starting split is 50/50, with paths to 90% via their upgrade. Compare that against the 80/20 norm before you decide. Clarity has a price.
- Dollar targets scale with account. Targets are fixed dollar amounts per account size ($1,500 on $25k, etc.), concrete and fair, but not a percentage you can compare at a glance. Do the maths against your style.
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