Which is better, trailing or end-of-day drawdown?

It depends on your style. EOD doesn't punish you for intraday swings and only the day's close matters. Trailing follows your balance peak and can cut margin even without closing a trade. Neither is 'better' — it's which one fits how you trade.

Can I use TraderPilot with both firms?

Yes. TraderPilot works with TopStep and TakeProfitTrader accounts. You enter each firm's risk parameters and the risk engine enforces them for you.

Which one has better payouts?

Payout policies change often and each firm adjusts them. Before choosing, compare on the official sites: how frequently you can withdraw, minimum amounts and conditions. Don't decide on the evaluation price alone.

Comparison

TopStep vs TakeProfitTrader: which one fits you?

Two of the most-used futures prop firms, with one key difference: how they calculate drawdown. Here's what that means for your evaluation.

— Summary

In one line

TopStep is the most established firm with the largest community; TakeProfitTrader stands out with an end-of-day drawdown that doesn't punish intraday swings. If you trade with a lot of back-and-forth during the day, TakeProfitTrader's EOD model is usually more comfortable. If you value track record and training resources, TopStep is hard to beat. In both, what decides your result is risk management — not the firm.

— Comparison

TopStep and TakeProfitTrader side by side

	TopStep	TakeProfitTrader
Track record	One of the oldest in the space	Newer, fast-growing
Drawdown type	Trailing drawdown	End-of-day (EOD) drawdown
When the limit moves	Follows your balance peak	Adjusts at the day's close
Phases	Evaluation → funded	Evaluation → funded
Profit target	By account size	By account size
Payout focus	By account stage	Geared to early payouts
Platforms	Several, incl. NinjaTrader	Several, incl. NinjaTrader
Community & education	Very large	Growing
Works with TraderPilot

Prop firm rules and prices change often. Always verify the current terms on each firm's official site.

— In detail

Trailing drawdown vs end-of-day drawdown

This is the difference that matters most. Trailing drawdown follows your highest balance — including unrealized gains — and never moves down. If you climb and then give back part of that gain, the limit that moved up stays there and leaves you less room.

End-of-day (EOD) drawdown only recalculates once a day, at the close. During the session, intraday swings don't move your limit. That gives the trader more breathing room within the day, as long as they close the session above the threshold.

Rule of thumb: if your operation has many intraday entries and exits, an EOD drawdown forgives the swings. If you hold positions with large floating profit, trailing can move your limit without you closing anything.

How to choose by your style

There is no 'best' firm in the abstract: there is one that fits better with how you trade.

Scalper or active intraday trader: the EOD model reduces the pressure of every tick against you eating your margin.
You trade rarely and let winners run: check carefully how trailing treats your floating equity.
You're just starting: the education ecosystem and community matter — TopStep has the edge there by sheer volume.
You want to withdraw soon: compare each firm's payout policy before choosing.

The mistake that blows evaluations at both

Most evaluations aren't lost to a bad strategy: they're lost to a risk-management mistake. A red day bigger than allowed, one extra contract, a trade outside the schedule, or not stopping when the daily limit is hit.

It doesn't matter whether the firm uses trailing or EOD: the trader who survives is the one with hard rules who follows them without exception. That's why it helps when risk control doesn't depend on your discipline at the worst moment of the day.

The real cost of an evaluation

The evaluation price is only one part. The real cost includes resets when you fail, possible activation fees when moving to funded, and the time it takes to pass. A 'cheap' evaluation you reset three times ends up costing more than a pricier one you pass on the first try.

Look at the full package: entry price, reset cost, payout conditions and what happens if you break a rule. And above all, count how much each failed attempt costs you for not respecting your own limit.

— TraderPilot

Where TraderPilot fits

TraderPilot doesn't replace TopStep or TakeProfitTrader: it helps you pass either one's evaluation. The risk engine enforces the limit you set — trailing or end-of-day — and blocks the trade before it breaks a rule.

Set daily loss and drawdown to match your firm's rules
Contract cap and time window so you never trade off-schedule
Auto-flatten and lockout when the target or daily limit is hit
Works the same with TopStep and TakeProfitTrader accounts

— Questions

TopStep vs TakeProfitTrader — common questions

Neither is 'easy': both demand discipline. The difference is the drawdown type. For an active intraday operation, TakeProfitTrader's end-of-day model usually gives more room during the session. For a slower style, the difference matters less.

— Keep exploring

GuideTrailing drawdown explained

ComparisonBest futures prop firm

GuideHow to pass the TopStep evaluation

IntegrationTakeProfitTrader integration

Pass your evaluation with risk control on your side.

One-time payment, 1-year license. Works with TopStep and TakeProfitTrader.