Topstep vs Bulenox compared: profit split, evaluation rules, payouts, pricing, and platforms — see which prop firm fits your trading style.
📅 Data verified: 2026-08-09
Topstep and Bulenox are both futures-only prop trading firms that offer a simulated funded account after you pass an evaluation. Topstep runs a 2-step evaluation (Standard Path) with weekly payouts once funded, while Bulenox uses a single-step model with monthly payouts and crypto as a payout option. Both charge a one-time activation fee and enforce a consistency rule, but they differ on evaluation length, refund policy, and platform support.
| Feature | Topstep | Bulenox |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Futures | Futures |
| Profit Split | 90% | 90% |
| Evaluation | 2-step | 1-step |
| Payout Frequency | Weekly | Monthly |
| News Trading | Restricted | Restricted |
| Consistency Rule | Required | Required |
| Platforms | NinjaTrader · Tradovate · Sierra Chart · TradingView | NinjaTrader · Rithmic |
| Instruments | Futures · Micro Futures | Futures |
| Payout Methods | Wire · ACH | Wire · Crypto |
| Scaling Plan | Yes | Yes |
| Starting Price | $49/mo | $125/mo |
| Founded | 2012 | 2022 |
| Rating | 4.6 ★ | 4.2 ★ |
🏷️ Topstep: code TS20 for 20% off · Bulenox: code $50OFF for 20% off
| Account Size | Topstep | Bulenox |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | — | $145/mo · Target $1,500 · DD $1,500 not verified |
| $50,000 | $95/mo · Target $3,000 · DD $2,000 (EOD) | $125/mo · Target $3,000 · DD $2,500 not verified |
| $100,000 | $149/mo · Target $6,000 · DD $3,000 (EOD) | $155/mo · Target $6,000 · DD $3,000 not verified |
| $150,000 | $229/mo · Target $9,000 · DD $4,500 (EOD) | $325/mo · Target $9,000 · DD $4,500 not verified |
| $250,000 | — | $535/mo · Target $15,000 · DD $5,500 not verified |
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Topstep is the stronger fit for traders who want an established, education-focused brand with TradingView support and a refundable evaluation fee. Bulenox suits traders who want a faster, single-step qualification path and are comfortable with a non-refundable fee in exchange for crypto payout options and aggressive scaling.
Bulenox's No Scaling Account is a single-step evaluation, so it can be resolved in one pass. Topstep's Standard Path is a 2-step evaluation — a combine phase followed by a verification stage — before the account is funded.
Topstep lists its evaluation fee as refundable per its published policy. Bulenox's account fees are listed as non-refundable in our data. Always confirm the current refund policy directly on each firm's own site before paying, since terms can change.
Neither firm allows news trading — both restrict trading around high-impact news releases as part of their evaluation and funded-account rules.