TOPSTEP ALTERNATIVE
QATS vs Topstep
Topstep is an established futures prop firm whose Trading Combine runs on TopstepX with a 90% split and API automation. Crypto is limited to CME Micro BTC and ETH, flat by the afternoon; QATS offers 24/7 crypto perpetuals, TradingView webhooks and USDT payouts.
- Rules compared
- 14
- Sources
- 5
- Checked
- Oct 29, 2026
QATS
Choose QATS if you want
- 17 crypto perpetuals traded 24/7 instead of CME micros closed by the afternoon
- TradingView alert webhooks and a chart-side ticket
- USDT payouts
- Smaller $10K accounts
TOPSTEP
Topstep may suit you if you want
- CME futures across all major markets
- A 90% profit split
- API automation on TopstepX
- A long-established futures prop brand
RULE BY RULE
QATS vs Topstep: the rules in plain words
- Yes allowed or offered
- Limited allowed with conditions
- No not allowed
- Not published the firm does not say
| Rule | QATS | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| How you trade cryptoPerpetuals work like a crypto exchange. CFDs use broker prices. | Perpetual futures, like on a crypto exchange | CME Bitcoin and Ether futures |
| Cheapest priceLowest published price to start a challenge. | $49/mo | $49/mo |
| Profit targetProfit you need to pass (1-step or phase 1). | 10% | $3K on 50K |
| Max lossLose this much of the starting balance in total and the account fails. | 6%End-of-day trailing | $2K on 50KEnd-of-day trailing |
| Daily loss limitThe most you can lose in one day. | 4% | Optional |
| Minimum trading daysDays you must trade before you can pass. | 2 | None |
| Profit splitYour share of the profit you make. | 80% | 90% |
| PayoutsWhen you can withdraw your profit. | After 5 winning days | After 5 winning days |
| Bots & APICan a program place trades for you? | Yes | Limited |
| TradingViewCan you place trades from TradingView charts or alerts? | Yes | No |
| Paid in cryptoCan you get your payout in crypto, such as USDT? | Yes | No |
| Crypto leverageHighest leverage on crypto. 20× means $1 controls $20. | 20× | Exchange margin |
In plain words
Topstep: Futures firm; crypto only as CME micros that close each afternoon.
QATS: Crypto and TradFi perpetuals; bots, API and TradingView webhooks allowed.
“Not published” means the firm does not state that rule. See all prop firms side by side
Full wording of every rule, with context
- Allowed
- With conditions
- Banned
- Not published
- Reportedfrom review sites
| Rule | QATS | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Program | ||
| What you trade | 17 crypto perpetuals and 33 TradFi perpetuals, simulated on Binance and Bybit market data | CME futures; crypto only as Micro BTC/ETH, flat by 3:10 PM CT |
| Challenge types | 1-step evaluation (Crypto and TradFi) | Trading Combine (1-step) |
| Entry price | $10K Crypto: $69/month, or $49/month + $149 on pass, or $95 once | $49/month for the 50K Combine; $149 Express Funded activation fee |
| Risk rules | ||
| Profit target | 10% (Crypto) · 6% (TradFi) | $3K on 50K · $6K on 100K |
| Daily loss limit | 4% on Crypto · no separate daily cap on TradFi evaluations | Optional daily limit ($1K on 50K) |
| Maximum loss | 6% end-of-day trailing, stops at the starting balance (Crypto) | EOD trailing: $2K on 50K · $3K on 100K |
| Minimum trading days | 2 | None |
| Consistency rule | Best day ≤ 40% of profit (Crypto evaluation only) | 55% consistency target (Combine) |
| Payouts | ||
| Profit split | 80% | 90% |
| Payouts | 5 winning days; up to 50% of profit per request; $100 minimum; USDT | Five winning days of $150+ or a 40% consistency path; Aeropay, ACH, wire, Wise; no crypto |
| Platforms & automation | ||
| Platforms | QATS Trader terminal, QATS Trade for Chrome, Trader API, Bot Builder | TopstepX |
| Crypto leverage | 20× BTC/ETH · 10× large caps · 5× others | Exchange margin on CME micro crypto futures |
| Bots / API | AllowedAPI, TradingView webhooks, Bot Builder | API bots allowedvia TopstepX (not on Live Funded) |
| TradingView automation | Personal webhook for alerts and Pine strategies, plus a chart-side order ticket | TopstepX cannot connect to TradingView (official help) |
How QATS works
QATS evaluations are 1-step. On Crypto you trade 17 perpetual futures with Binance and Bybit market data, 24/7. Every account size has a 10% target, a 4% daily loss limit and a 6% end-of-day trailing maximum loss that stops trailing at the starting balance. Pass, accept the funded terms and trade a simulated funded account with an 80% profit split.
- QATS Trader terminalTrade manually with the same server-side risk checks.
- TradingViewWebhooks for alerts and Pine strategies, or QATS Trade for Chrome.
- Trader APISend orders from your own code.
- Bot BuilderBuild a strategy without writing code.
A free sandbox lets you test before you pay.
Where these figures come from
Topstep figures were checked on . Rules change often — confirm on the firm’s site before buying.
Frequently asked questions
01Is QATS a good Topstep alternative?
QATS suits traders who want 17 crypto perpetuals traded 24/7 instead of CME micros closed by the afternoon and TradingView alert webhooks and a chart-side ticket. Topstep may suit you better if you want cME futures across all major markets.
02Does Topstep allow trading bots?
“Custom automated strategies and bots are allowed” through the TopstepX API; HFT is banned and there is no API on Live Funded accounts. QATS allows bots, API trading, TradingView webhooks and Bot Builder strategies under the same server-side risk checks as manual orders.
03What is the profit split at Topstep compared with QATS?
Topstep: 90%. QATS: 80%, locked to the account at purchase.
04Are Topstep and QATS accounts simulated?
QATS evaluations and initial funded accounts are simulated; payouts follow the plan’s published eligibility rules. Most prop firms, including Topstep, also run evaluations in a simulated or demo environment — check the firm’s terms for funded accounts.
Topstep is a trademark of its owner. QATS is not affiliated with Topstep. This comparison uses publicly available information and may not reflect later changes.