HOTFTMO raises max funded to $400K — our review updatedNEWFundedNext now pays 90% profit split on all funded accountsDEALThe5ers free evaluation — limited spots this weekUPDATEE8 Markets drawdown rules updated — see our revised reviewHOTFTMO raises max funded to $400K — our review updatedNEWFundedNext now pays 90% profit split on all funded accountsDEALThe5ers free evaluation — limited spots this weekUPDATEE8 Markets drawdown rules updated — see our revised review
Head-to-Head Comparison

Topstep vs Bulenox Side-by-side breakdown — fees, rules, payouts, and our verdict

Topstep
Est. 2012
4.5
out of 5.0
from $49/mo challenge fee
100% first $25K then split profit split
Visit Topstep → Full review →
VS
Bulenox
Est. 2022
4.1
out of 5.0
from $16 challenge fee
Up to 90% profit split
Visit Bulenox →
🏷 Code:
Full review →

Quick Verdict

Overall Score
Topstep
Lower Entry Fee
Bulenox
Higher Profit Split
Topstep
Larger Max Account
Bulenox

Full Comparison

Metric Topstep Bulenox
Our Score 4.5/5 4.1/5
Challenge Fee from $49/mo from $16 ✓
Profit Split 100% first $25K then split ✓ Up to 90%
Max Account $750,000 (5 accounts) $2,750,000 (scaled via 11 accounts) ✓
Evaluation Type One-Step Combine (futures) One-Step (Option 1 or Option 2)
Drawdown Type Daily loss limit + EOD trailing EOD (Option 2) or Trailing (Option 1) — trader's choice
Min Trading Days 2 trading days minimum ✓ 5-10 days depending on option
Time Limit No fixed limit on Combine No fixed limit
Platforms TopstepX (exclusive platform) NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic, Quantower
Payout Speed Standard cycle Weekly
News Trading ✓ ✓
Weekend Hold ✗ ✓
EAs / Robots ✗ ✓
Fee Refundable ✗ ✗
Founded 2012 2022
HQ Chicago Illinois US United States

Score Breakdown

Customer Support Topstep: 9 · Bulenox: 7.8
Value for Money Topstep: 8 · Bulenox: 8.6
■ Topstep ■ Bulenox

Topstep and Bulenox both show up on most "best prop firm" shortlists, but they are built for different traders. Topstep scores 4.5/5 on our review and has been paying traders since 2012 (14 years); Bulenox scores 4.1/5 and has been paying traders since 2022 (4 years). The table below puts every rule side by side — this intro is the short version.

On entry cost, Topstep charges from $49/mo and Bulenox charges from $16 for its standard evaluation. The profit split is 100% first $25K then split at Topstep versus Up to 90% at Bulenox — but a bigger split only matters if the payout actually arrives, so weigh it against the payout-speed row. The drawdown models differ: Topstep uses daily loss limit + eod trailing, Bulenox uses eod (option 2) or trailing (option 1) — trader's choice. That single rule changes how much room you really have on a losing day, so check the "Drawdown Explained" guide if the distinction is new to you.

Topstep does not allow weekend holding and Bulenox allows it. If your strategy carries positions across the weekend, that alone should decide this comparison for you.

Pros & Cons

Topstep

✅ Pros
• Operating continuously since 2012 — the longest run of any futures prop firm, period
• The subscription model, $49 a month for the 50K Combine, makes repeated attempts cheap
• Real educational depth, especially useful if futures specifically are new to you
• Up to 5 Express Funded accounts, $750,000 combined
❌ Cons
• Daily loss limit plus an end-of-day trailing drawdown together — that combination is less forgiving than Apex's intraday-only approach
• No weekend holding
• Even the fastest Combine option needs a 2-day minimum, so there's a floor on how quickly you can move through it
• Month after month of subscription fees can add up to more than a one-time evaluation fee elsewhere, if you need a few tries

Bulenox

✅ Pros
• EAs and algo trading, fully allowed on funded accounts — the only major futures firm here that doesn't restrict this
• A free NinjaTrader 8 license is bundled in, which is a real cost saved
• Pick your drawdown style: Option 1 trailing, Option 2 end-of-day. Your call
• Weekly payouts, a faster cycle than several competitors
❌ Cons
• A 40% consistency rule at payout time has drawn real, repeated complaints — one big day followed by smaller ones is the pattern that gets flagged most often
• Only 3 simultaneous accounts, nowhere near Apex's 20
• The whole acquisition model leans heavily on promo codes, which means standard pricing can shift — always check current terms directly before you commit
Topstep
4.5/5
Visit Topstep →
Read full review
Bulenox
4.1/5
Code:
Visit Bulenox →
Read full review

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Compare more firms: Full comparison table →