The Basics
Topstep is always innovating — and Topstep Labs is where that shows up first. You've probably had ideas a prop firm should try. An account structure that made sense. A feature that could help. A program you wished existed. Labs is where those ideas get tested for real.
Not just concepts — actual experiments you can trade right now. Every drop is limited; when it's gone, it's gone. Some Labs ideas graduate into the full Topstep experience. Others won't. But every drop teaches us something. This article tracks every Labs offering as it launches — full details and dates, all in one place.
👉 You can also visit topstep.com/labs to see what's live and sign up to stay in the know.
How Topstep Labs Works
We drop an experiment. A new Labs offering goes live as a limited drop.
You trade it. Real Traders, real data. This is how we find out if an idea actually works.
We see what works. Some experiments make it out of the lab and into the full Topstep program.
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Initiative | Launch Date |
$25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026 |
$250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026 |
$3K Challenge | August 2026 |
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value |
Buying Power | $25,000 |
Profit Target | $2,000 |
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥) |
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro |
Consistency Target | 50% |
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500 |
Funded Activation Fee | Free |
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration. |
Resets | Not Available |
Accounts Available for Purchase | Quantities Limited |
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value |
Path | Choose Consistency or Standard |
Payout Cap | $4,000 |
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥) |
Max Contracts: | 2 mini / 20 micro (no scaling) |
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500 |
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value |
Tier Size | $25,000 |
Starting Balance | $5,000 minimum |
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $500 |
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 2 micro |
$250K Freedom Trading Combine Parameters
$250K Freedom Trading Combine Parameters
It's our second Topstep Labs drop, a new evaluation account with $250,000 in buying power - our biggest yet. Structured like our Standard Trading Combines with Daily Loss Limit (DLL), the $250K Freedom Trading Combine has a Profit Target of $15,000 and Max Loss Limit (MLL) of $10,000.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value |
Buying Power | $250,000 |
Profit Target | $15,000 |
Max Loss Limit | $10,000 Trailing End of Day |
Max Contracts | 25 mini / 250 micro |
Consistency Target | 50% |
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $5,000 |
Price | $499 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration. |
Resets | Not Available |
Funded Activation Fee | Free! |
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value |
Path | Standard |
Payout Cap | $25,000 |
Max Loss Limit | $10,000 |
Max Contracts: | 25 mini / 250 micro |
Scaling Plan
Balance | Lots |
Below $1,500 | 3 Lots |
$1,500 - $2,000 | 4 Lots |
$2,000 - $3,000 | 5 Lots |
$3,000 - $4,500 | 10 Lots |
$4,500 - $6,000 | 15 Lots |
$6,000 - $8,000 | 20 Lots |
Above $8,000 | 25 Lots |
Learn more about how the Scaling Plan works here.
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value |
Tier Size | $150,000 |
Starting Balance | $10,000 minimum |
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $5,000 |
Max Contracts | 15 mini |
Please note: once moved to a Live Funded Account, the Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters and be treated as a $150K.
$3K Challenge Parameters
$3K Challenge Parameters
Our third Labs drop! Make $3,000. Do it again. Keep $3,000. The $3K Challenge is a 2 round challenge for $49, one time. Clear the Challenge Round to advance to the Payout Round, pass the Payout Round and earn a fixed $3,000 Payout, paid one time. Then the account closes out.
The $3,000 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. It isn't tied to your account balance, and there's no 90/10 split — you keep all $3,000.
$3K Challenge Parameters
Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round |
Starting Balance | $0 | $0 |
Profit Target | $3,000 | $3,000 |
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥) |
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None |
Max Contracts | 10 micros / 1 mini | 10 micros / 1 mini |
Consistency Target | None | None |
Activation Fee | — | Free |
Path | — | Standard only |
Scaling Plan | — | None |
Resets | None | None |
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split. |
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done. |
You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That’s separate from the 5 Express Funded Account (XFA) limit. There is no limit on how many Challenges you can have in the Challenge Round.
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static |
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000 |
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500 |
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
I missed out on the $25K Offering. Can I purchase later?
No. Once a Topstep Labs offering is gone, it's gone. Although some Labs ideas graduate into the full Topstep experience, it's not guaranteed. If it happens, we'll let you know!
Will the $25k Static Trading Combine Rebill each month?
No. The $25k Static Trading Combine has a one-time fee — no Rebill, no subscription. Please note, this Trading Combine expires 90 days after purchase. If you haven't passed by then, it will close automatically.
$250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine
$250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine
Is this a limited release and can I buy more than one?
Yes, there are limited quantities available for this purchase. First come first serve. There is no limit on how many a single Trader can purchase. Once all spots are sold, it's no longer available for purchase.
How much does it cost?
$499 one-time fee. There is no subscription — you pay once. The Responsible Trading Discount does not apply even though a DLL is automatic.
What is the Payout cap on the funded account?
$25,000 per Payout - our biggest Payout cap yet!
Is this a subscription?
No. This is a one-time purchase. There is no recurring billing, no rebills, and no resets.
Who is eligible to purchase this?
All Traders — new and existing — can purchase the $250K Freedom Trading Combine, as long as remaining spots are available.
Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine?
Yes, this is a separate product and does not replace or affect any existing Trading Combines you may have.
Where do I find the $250K Freedom Trading Combine?
Visit the Topstep Labs page. The $250K Freedom Trading Combine will be displayed as an offer with all the details and a button to purchase if available.
What is the starting balance and Daily Loss Limit (DLL) in the Live Funded Account?
The Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters with a minimum starting balance of $10,000. Your account size will be based on the average of all active, eligible XFAs including any activated from the $250K Freedom Trading Combine(s). Based on the account size, your starting DLL will be set as per. the Dynamic Live Risk Expansion guidelines.
$3K Challenge
$3K Challenge
Can I buy more than one?
Yes. There's no cap on how many you can buy, and the Challenge is repeatable — you can buy and run another one. One limit to know: you can only have 5 Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That's separate from the 5 Express Funded Account® (XFA) limit.
Example: if you hold 5 XFAs and 10 Challenges, up to 5 of those Challenges can advance to the Payout Round at once.
Is this a limited time offering?
Yes, this release is limited availability; first come, first serve. There is no limit on how many a single Trader can purchase. Once all spots are sold, it's no longer available for purchase.
Is this a subscription?
No. One-time purchase. No Rebills, no Resets.
How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a payout?
In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $3,000 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is “passed”. In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $3,000 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you’ll see an option to request the $3,000 payout in your dashboard. That’s it!
There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass a Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to be activated.
Is there a Payout cap on this account?
There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $3,000 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
What happens if I'm called up to Live?
You can’t be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, your Challenges and Payout Round stay open and eligible.
If I’m already in an LFA, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
Yes! You can still trade, pass, and activate the Payout round, even if you're in an Live Funded Account.
If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $3K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Are there restricted products for the $3K Challenge?
Yes. You cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros Learn more here.