What you are signing up for
An evaluation is a test performed on a simulated account. You pay a fee for the right to take this test. If you reach the profit target—the specific amount of money you need to earn to pass—without breaking any risk rules, you become a "funded" trader.
- The Trading Pit Futures: They offer a "Futures Prime" model. For a $50,000 account, you pay a one-time fee of $99. There is no monthly subscription.
- Top One Futures: They have many options. Their "Elite Access" is very cheap to start, with a $39 entry fee, but you must pay an activation fee (between $139 and $359) once you pass. Other plans like "Elite Challenge" have a monthly subscription until you pass.
How hard each one is
The most important rule is the drawdown, which is the maximum amount you are allowed to lose before your account is closed. Both firms use a "trailing" drawdown. This means the loss limit follows your highest balance; if you gain $500, your loss limit also moves up by $500.
- The Trading Pit: Their trailing drawdown is calculated at the end of the day. This is better for beginners because it doesn't move while you are in a trade. Crucially, it stops moving once it reaches your starting balance, so it never "eats" your initial capital once you are in profit.
- Top One Futures: Most of their plans also use end-of-day trailing. However, some specific accounts like "S2F Sim Pro" use intraday trailing, which moves in real-time as your profit fluctuates. This is much harder because a trade that is winning and then pulls back could hit your limit.
How long it takes
In this industry, time is often your enemy.
- The Trading Pit: You have a maximum of 30 days to pass the test. You must trade for at least 3 unique days. If you don't reach the target in 30 days, you fail.
- Top One Futures: Most of their plans (except Elite Access) have no time limit. You can take months to reach your goal, which removes the pressure to overtrade.
Where beginners fail
Most beginners lose their accounts because of two things: the consistency rule and specific trading restrictions.
The consistency rule means you cannot make all your profit in a single "lucky" day.
- The Trading Pit: Your best day cannot exceed 40% of your total profit target.
- Top One Futures: This varies by plan, ranging from 15% to 45%. If you choose "Instant" funding, the rule is 20%.
Specific restrictions:
- Top One Futures: They have a "10-second rule." Every trade must stay open for at least 10.01 seconds. If you close trades faster, you lose the profit. Also, they strictly prohibit EAs (automated trading bots).
- The Trading Pit: They allow EAs and do not have a minimum time for trades, which is much more flexible for different styles.
What happens if you make it
If you pass, you start earning real money.
- Profit Split: This is the percentage of the profit you keep. Top One gives you 90%, while The Trading Pit gives you 80%.
- Withdrawals: The Trading Pit requires you to have 5 winning days of at least $200 each before your first payout. Top One requires a minimum of $250 to $500 depending on the account type.
- Platforms: The Trading Pit offers a huge variety, including NinjaTrader, ATAS, and TradingView. Top One focuses on Project X, Quantower, and Black Arrow.
If it is your first time
If you are a complete beginner, The Trading Pit is generally a safer environment because their drawdown rules are easier to understand and more protective once you are in profit. However, you must be confident you can reach the target in 30 days.
If you prefer to trade very slowly without any calendar pressure, Top One Futures is better because of their "no time limit" policy on most plans, though you must be careful with their "10-second rule" and the fact that you cannot use any automated help.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper for a first attempt, The Trading Pit or Top One Futures?
Top One Futures is cheaper to start if you choose the "Elite Access" plan, which costs only $39. However, you must remember that Top One requires an activation fee after passing (e.g., $189 for a 50k account). The Trading Pit costs $99 for a 50k account with no activation fees, making the total cost to reach a funded stage lower in many cases.
Does The Trading Pit or Top One Futures have more restrictive consistency rules?
Top One Futures can be more restrictive depending on the plan; for example, their "Instant" accounts have a 20% consistency rule, meaning no single day can account for more than 1/5th of your profit. The Trading Pit uses a 40% consistency rule for its Prime Challenges, which gives the beginner more room for one or two very successful days.
Which firm allows more time to pass the evaluation, The Trading Pit or Top One Futures?
Top One Futures is the winner regarding time, as most of its challenges (Elite Challenge, Elite Daily) have no time limit. The Trading Pit requires you to complete the evaluation within 30 days, which can create psychological pressure for a beginner who is still learning.
Can I use automated trading bots (EAs) in both The Trading Pit and Top One Futures?
No, there is a big difference here. The Trading Pit allows the use of EAs and automated strategies. In contrast, Top One Futures strictly prohibits EAs and bots on all account types, allowing only manual trading. If you plan to use any automated assistance, The Trading Pit is your only option between the two.
