Overview of Subscription and Performance Model
Topstep operates on a structured performance evaluation system that begins with a simulated Trading Combine. Participants subscribe to the Trading Combine by selecting a target account size and paying a recurring monthly membership fee. The evaluation assesses trading skills against predefined benchmarks for profit targets, maximum drawdown, and consistency. Once a participant meets these benchmarks within the simulated environment, they earn the right to access a funded live trading account. The subscription model ensures that traders demonstrate sustained performance before trading with firm capital, while the fee schedule aligns cost with the size of the simulated account chosen.
Membership Fee Structure
Subscription fees vary according to the selected Trading Combine account size. For the smallest tier, participants pay forty‑nine dollars per month. The mid‑level tier carries a monthly fee of ninety‑nine dollars. The highest tier, offering the largest simulated account, requires a monthly commitment of one‑hundred‑forty‑nine dollars. These membership fees provide continuous access to the trading simulation platform, including real‑time market data, trading tools, and educational resources. Fees recur on a monthly cycle until the participant either passes the evaluation or cancels the subscription. No portion of a paid fee is refundable after payment has processed, irrespective of the participant’s performance or decision to discontinue trading.
Activation Fee and Non‑Refundable Finality
Upon successful completion of the Trading Combine, participants incur a one‑time Activation Fee to unlock a live funded account. The Activation Fee is uniform across all account sizes and is charged only once, immediately following the evaluation milestone. This charge grants access to the live trading environment, including order routing infrastructure and risk‑management support. All Activation Fees are deemed final and non‑refundable. Once the Activation Fee processes, participants relinquish the ability to seek reimbursement under any circumstance. This policy underscores the firm’s commitment to maintaining clear and consistent financial terms for participants transitioning into live trading.
Reset and Reset‑at‑Rebill Mechanisms
Participants who exceed the Maximum Loss Limit during the Trading Combine may restore their eligibility through the purchase of a Reset. A Reset reinstates the original simulated account balance, resets accrued losses, consistency metrics, and renews the count of trading days. The cost of a Reset corresponds to the chosen account size and does not alter the next scheduled subscription billing date. The Reset mechanism ensures traders can recover from adverse simulated sessions without extending their evaluation period indefinitely.
In addition to standard Resets, a complimentary Reset‑at‑Rebill feature exists. If a participant’s trading combine account is ineligible for funding due to excessive losses on the day before their monthly renewal, the system automatically applies a Reset immediately after the subscription fee processes. This complimentary Reset restores account parameters at no additional charge beyond the standard membership fee. Although this mechanism does not refund the monthly fee itself, it preserves the participant’s chance to meet performance targets for the upcoming billing cycle without incurring extra cost.
Subscription Cancellation Process
Participants maintain full control over their membership status and may cancel their subscription at any time through their online dashboard. To initiate cancellation, the member must access the billing section of their account profile, select the active Trading Combine subscription, and confirm cancellation. Cancellation can be set to take effect at the end of the current billing cycle, allowing continued access until the period concludes, or to terminate immediately, revoking access upon confirmation. In either case, cancellation prevents future recurring charges but does not entitle the participant to a refund of any fees already collected for the active cycle. The non‑refundable policy applies equally to all subscription payments once the transaction completes.
First Payout Fee Rebate
Although standard practice classifies all membership and activation payments as final, Topstep offers a targeted fee rebate aimed at partially offsetting the cost of Trading Combine participation. When a newly funded trader requests their first profit payout, the firm automatically refunds an amount equivalent to the most recent monthly subscription fee. This rebate occurs only once per participant and applies exclusively to the fee paid immediately prior to activating the funded account. The rebate effectively reduces the net cost of the final evaluation month and serves as an incentive for traders to progress through the performance assessment. It does not, however, alter the non‑refundable nature of any prior payments or the Activation Fee.
Scope of Refund‑Like Mechanisms
Beyond the one‑time rebate tied to the first profit payout and the complimentary Reset‑at‑Rebill, no additional refund programs or credits exist. All standard subscription payments, Reset purchases, and the Activation Fee remain irrevocable once processed. Participants may not request retroactive reimbursement for months in which they did not complete the evaluation or for partial subscription periods. The firm’s policy prohibits compensation for unused platform time, downtime, or unexecuted trades. Traders must therefore plan financial commitment to the Trading Combine with the understanding that fees are commitments to service access rather than deposits against future trading losses.
Handling Billing Errors and Unauthorized Charges
In rare instances of billing discrepancies or suspected unauthorized charges, participants should engage support channels promptly to seek resolution. The support team can investigate transaction records, verify cancellation status, and address processing errors. While the standard policy maintains non‑refundability of valid charges, support may provide credits or corrective adjustments if an error in billing or technical fault is confirmed. For unresolved disputes or persistent unauthorized billing after cancellation, traders may pursue charge disputes through their payment provider or financial institution. Timely reporting of any irregular charges increases the likelihood of satisfactory resolution.
Conclusion
The Topstep fee framework establishes clear guidelines for subscription costs, evaluation resets, and transition into live trading through an Activation Fee. All membership payments and activation charges are fixed, final, and non‑refundable, reinforcing the participant’s obligation to fully engage with the platform once fees process. Complementary mechanisms—such as the Reset‑at‑Rebill feature and the First Payout Fee Rebate—offer limited relief from the cost burden but do not constitute open refund policies. Traders retain control over subscription status but should plan contributions with the understanding that financial commitments cannot be reversed. In cases of billing errors, prompt contact with support is the recommended path to dispute or correct any unauthorized charges.
