Moneta Funded vs Topstep: Why Compare These Two Prop Firms?
Moneta Funded and Topstep are two prop firms specializing in futures contract trading. Both offer access to capital without risking your own funds, but their conditions differ on several key points: challenge price, profit split, drawdown type, platforms, and payment timelines. This comparison helps you choose the prop firm that best matches your trader profile.
Moneta Funded is a recent firm with an excellent reputation (Trustpilot 4.8/5), while Topstep is a historical player in the futures prop firm market, present for several years with a solid reputation (Trustpilot 4.3/5). For a market overview, see our prop firm comparison and our ranking of the best prop firms in 2026.
The choice between these two firms depends on several factors. A beginner futures trader will seek the lowest entry price, while an experienced trader will prioritize platform quality and payment speed. Let's examine point by point the differences between Moneta Funded and Topstep.
Challenge Price: Comparison
Moneta Funded
Moneta Funded offers a challenge starting at $42, one of the lowest prices on the futures prop firm market. Accounts range from $10,000 to $100,000 individually, with a combined allocation of up to $2.3 million. This aggressive pricing makes it an attractive option for traders who want to test their skills without investing much. For $42, a trader gets access to a $10,000 account, less than 0.5% of the total capital.
Topstep
Topstep offers challenges with prices varying by account size. Accounts range from $25,000 to $150,000. Topstep's pricing is generally higher than Moneta Funded, but the firm benefits from a solid reputation and a longer track record that reassures many traders. See our complete Topstep review for all condition details.
Price verdict: Moneta Funded wins clearly with a $42 challenge, significantly more affordable than Topstep for small budgets. This is a major advantage for traders discovering futures prop firms who want to limit their initial investment.
Challenge Conditions: Profit Target and Phases
Moneta Funded applies a two-phase model with a target of 5% in phase 1 and 10% in phase 2. Topstep also uses a two-phase model with a standard profit target for the futures market, generally around 10% for the first phase.
The 5% target of Moneta Funded for the first phase is more accessible than the standards of some competitors that require 8 to 10%. This allows traders to validate the first step faster and with less pressure. On a $50,000 account, phase 1 represents only $2,500 in profit, versus $5,000 at a firm requiring 10%.
To prepare your challenge and structure your approach, see our trading plan to pass a challenge and our checklist before starting.
Drawdown: Trailing vs Static
This is where the two firms differ most. Moneta Funded applies a trailing drawdown of 8%. Topstep also uses a drawdown system that can be trailing depending on the plan chosen, with important nuances in the calculation.
The trailing drawdown is the most restrictive rule that exists in prop firms: it calculates the loss limit relative to the peak equity reached, not the initial balance. To understand this mechanism in detail, read our guide on daily vs total drawdown. The trailing drawdown punishes volatility and rewards consistency.
Specifically, on a $100,000 account that reaches $108,000, the 8% trailing drawdown adjusts the limit to $99,360. Any drop below this level fails the challenge, even if the balance remains above the initial capital. It's a mechanism that forces discipline but can be frustrating for volatile traders.
Profit Split and Payments
Moneta Funded
Moneta Funded offers a profit split of 88% in favor of the trader, with payments within 24 to 48 hours and a payment frequency every 14 days. This 88% split / 48h payment combo is one of the best on the futures prop firm market. Payment speed is a considerable asset for traders who want to reinvest or withdraw their gains quickly.
Topstep
Topstep offers a profit split of up to 90% for its most experienced traders, with payments generally made within 5 to 7 days. Topstep's split is slightly higher but payments are slower. The firm also imposes eligibility conditions before the first withdrawal.
Payment verdict: Moneta Funded wins on speed (48h vs 5-7 days), Topstep wins on percentage (90% vs 88%). It's up to you to decide what matters most: speed or percentage. For most traders, 48h payments are more valuable than a 2% difference on the split.
For a detailed comparison of payment conditions, see our article on payouts in prop firms and our guide on payout management.
Trading Platforms
Moneta Funded offers MetaTrader 5 only. Topstep offers NinjaTrader and Tradovate, the reference platforms for the futures market. This is a clear advantage for Topstep: NinjaTrader and Tradovate offer specialized features for futures contracts (expiry management, contract size, real-time market data, order book) that MT5 does not handle as well.
If you come from forex and know MT5, Moneta Funded may be more accessible initially. If you are an experienced futures trader used to NinjaTrader, Topstep will feel more natural and save you an adaptation period. To understand the differences between futures and CFD, see our article prop firm futures vs CFD.
Scaling Plan: Capital Evolution
Moneta Funded offers a scaling plan with a combined allocation of up to $2.3 million. Scaling allows profitable traders to increase their capital without retaking a challenge, which is a major advantage for those targeting large accounts. Topstep also offers a scaling program, but the maximum allocation and evolution conditions differ.
Scaling plans generally work in tiers: after several months of profitability, the account can double or triple. The exact conditions (number of months, required success rate, maximum cap) vary from firm to firm. To learn more, see our guide on the scaling plan in prop firms.
Reputation and Trader Feedback
Moneta Funded boasts a Trustpilot score of 4.8/5, which is exceptional for a recent firm. Trader feedback highlights the quality of support and payment speed. Topstep, with a Trustpilot of 4.3/5, remains well-rated but slightly behind. Topstep's longer history provides a stability guarantee that Moneta Funded has not yet been able to demonstrate.
See our Moneta Funded profile and our Topstep profile for a detailed comparison. Also read our complete review of Moneta Funded.
Comparison Table
| Criterion | Moneta Funded | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge price | From $42 | Higher |
| Account size | 10K to 100K ($2.3M combined) | 25K to 150K |
| Phase 1 target | 5 % | ~10 % |
| Drawdown | Trailing 8% | Trailing or static |
| Profit split | 88 % | Up to 90% |
| Payment time | 24-48h | 5-7 days |
| Payment frequency | 14 days | Variable |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 | NinjaTrader, Tradovate |
| Trustpilot | 4.8/5 | 4.3/5 |
| History | Recent | Established |
Our Verdict: Moneta Funded or Topstep?
The choice depends on your priorities:
- Choose Moneta Funded if you seek an affordable challenge ($42), a high profit split (88%), and ultra-fast payments (48h). Ideal for traders comfortable with MT5 who want a large combined allocation ($2.3M).
- Choose Topstep if you prioritize native futures platforms (NinjaTrader, Tradovate), a potentially higher profit split (90%), and a firm with a long history that inspires confidence.
In any case, always compare several prop firms before committing. See our complete comparison for a market overview.
If you need help passing your challenge, Fundedtrader.fr offers a challenge validation service to support you.
