The Trading Combine® is how you prove your trading ability without risking your own capital. It's a simulated account with one rule and two objectives. Meet them, and you've earned your Express Funded Account®.
Rule
Do not let your account balance hit or go below the Maximum Loss Limit (MLL)
Objectives
Reach and maintain your Profit Target
Meet the Consistency Target — your best single day should stay below 50% of your Profit Target to avoid increasing your Consistency Target.
Maximum Position Size
The maximum number of contracts you can hold open at one time, per account. Micros and minis count at a 10:1 ratio.
Account Size | Max Contracts | Max Micros |
$50K | 5 | 50 |
$100K | 10 | 100 |
$150K | 15 | 150 |
Hint: You're never required to trade the maximum. Fewer contracts is always allowed.
⚠️ Please note: The Micro to Mini ratio functionality is available for the Trading Combine and Express Funded Account. It is not currently available for the Live Funded Account.
FAQs
Can I have more than one Trading Combine?
Can I have more than one Trading Combine?
Yes. There's no limit on how many active Trading Combines you can have at once. There are limits on how many you can purchase each month. Learn more here.
If you have multiple accounts, double-check which one you're trading on before you start. Topstep isn't responsible for trades made on the wrong account.
⚠️ Single Profile Policy:
All Trading Combines, Express Funded Accounts, and Live Funded Accounts must be under 1 Topstep profile.
Multiple profiles are a Terms of Use violation and can result in account closure or suspension.
If you've accidentally created a second profile, contact Trader Support.
To update your name or email, follow these steps instead.
Do I need to purchase a data subscription?
Do I need to purchase a data subscription?
No. Level 1 (Top of Book) live data is included in your Topstep membership at no extra cost. Level 2 (Depth of Market) is available as an upgrade for DOM or Ladder traders. See Level 1 and Level 2 Market Data for details.
What happens after I pass?
What happens after I pass?
The account will close, and the subscription will be canceled. You'll get an email and can activate your Express Funded Account® directly from your dashboard. See step-by-step activation instructions here.
Please note: The status update can take up to 30 minutes. If it still shows Active after 30 minutes, verify your Consistency Target has been met.
👉 A few things to keep in mind:
Passed on a Friday? You can pay the Activation Fee immediately, but your XFA won't be available to trade until markets reopen at 5 PM CT Sunday.
Trading day hours: The trading day runs from 5:00 PM CT through 3:10 PM CT the next calendar day. Trades placed after 5:00 PM CT (e.g., 6:30 PM CT Tuesday) count toward Wednesday's activity.
Profits don't transfer. Money made in the Trading Combine does not carry over to your Express Funded Account.
Can I change my account size?
Can I change my account size?
No. Account sizes can't be changed after purchase. If your purchase was made within the last 28 days and your account has had no trading activity, contact Trader Support to review your account for a refund so you can purchase the correct size. After 28 days or if any trading has occurred, refunds are not available.
Can I use automated trading strategies?
Can I use automated trading strategies?
Yes, with conditions. Topstep won't help set up or troubleshoot automated strategies, and no exceptions are made for errant trades or malfunctions. Test on your Practice Account first and review Prohibited Conduct and Do's and Don'ts of SIM Fills before going live. You can also use a trade copier to duplicate trades across multiple accounts. See What is a Trade Copier?
📚 If you're new to Topstep or the Trading Combine, reading the following resources will enhance your experience: