It looks like it has changed a bit and that you can request to upgrade to a funded account anytime before you reach the 5k. From the FAQ

"Once you choose the Pro Account, you transition into a Premium Funded Account when you
have reached $5,000 in simulated profits. If you have profits and would like to transition before
you reach the $5,000 threshold, you can do so by contacting our funding team."

Also, if you build up some profit in the Pro account and want to cash out, they transition you to a funded account and close the account and send you the $. Also from the FAQ

"If for any reason, you decide to completely close your account with TopstepTrader prior to
reaching $5,000 in simulated profits, we will close your Pro Account and deposit funds equal to
your simulated profits in a Premium Funded Account. We can then process your withdrawal
request and close your account."


Thoughts anyone? I passed Step2 in the 150k account today and have to decide Monday or Tuesday on Pro or Funded. Seems to me that the only difference with these new details is that I don't have to pay data fees for now. Thanks in advance!

FAQ Link: https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/1806688/Pro%20Account%20-%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions%20-%20Apr%202019.pdf?utm_campaign=Trading%20Combine&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=69064806&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--w3rluBwP69YRqn3uJeSDcz5Yrb3Y0iqvQSMPMrys9PbGe72M0Bzcr4rMnwQSEmd326t6JNT1AWClrJIYzhX_SgjfN2w&_hsmi=69064806

chipps1983 

Withdrawals are not allowed in Step2 as it is part of evluation process. You can't witdraw pro account balance until you met $5k. Once you meet $5k target in pro, you will get funded account and pay CME fee $105. $5k pro account balance will be added to your funded account and then you can request for withdrawal. Also, to note your trailing max drawdown will be $0 once you start your funded account with $5k balance.

Felicitations on passing the combine! Good to know.. I think if you are ready, the threshold is limiting.
You may gain more than required.. Not sure whether that extra amount carries over.

I like having the pro account option, since the risk of making over the threshold limit accidentally is not high.
My reasoning is really that I am still in a transitioning / experimental phase.

My development feels more free and forgiving knowing that I can return to step 2 with minimal damage.
Then with real money, after all the thoroughness of validating a more robust system, I might feel less shaken and more confident.

Stronger sea legs for the pirate matey.. and then viola.. like Ben Lichtenstein might say, we arrr ready to do it to it..
and other stuff like.. if you wanna be here for the good times.. you gotta be here for the bad.. hehe

fsrcapital 

Thoughts anyone? I passed Step2 in the 150k account today and have to decide Monday or Tuesday on Pro or Funded. Seems to me that the only difference with these new details is that I don't have to pay data fees for now. Thanks in advance!

As you list your platform as Ninja, you would be able to carry on licence free in the Pro account according to that FAQ link.
Also I assume commissions stay at the Combine $3.70 RT too.

handspin 

Mostly NQ, some CL Upon passing, given choice of Pro (SIM) or Funded, chose SIM. Learning curve is a bit steep, just trying to ease in and give a margin of safety.

Getting funded with Topsteptrader is possible. It takes time and might require a few resets but it's possible. I have done it and was able to withdraw $1000 before blowing up the account. I have attached screenshots of the two combine that I passed on the 50K account. It had cost me about $1000 for a few months of subscription and two resets and I made my money back.
What i gained was a ton of experience, hundreds of trades, lots of winners as well as lots of painful losers. I now have a list of my weaknesses.
I am looking forward to sign up for bigger account but debating if I should do with Topstep or Oneup.
PS: I used Tradestation, which was free to use but paid $105 professional data fee.

Will be many attempts for sure, enjoy the record keeping at topstep

No dynamic drawdown from high water mark, just daily

Commissions are slightly lower

Fees are not paid, but that means trades are live

You become pro designation on CME and pay a bit more

This is per exchange, so if you are multi instrument

Having fees comped might help

Not much of a withdraw limit either

lettuce 

... It had cost me about $1000 for a few months of subscription and two resets and I made my money back. ...

Please could you breakdown these $1000 costs.
thx

guidoisot 

Please could you breakdown these $1000 costs. thx

3 months subscription @ $165 a month
3 or 4 resets @99 each.

The total doesn't come out to be exactly $1000 but it is close.

looking at alternatives to TST now, the fees might be the kicker

OK, with fast markets TST has better feeds, might want to consider this issue if you don't want slippage, not sure about the fidelity here though.. something is amiss..


However, some others allow micros to be traded, and quite useful in times of higher vol

micros seems to be the way to go right now, within the limits this is actually more sane with the volatility

Do you get Rithmic MBO(level 3) data while in combine? Would like to use Motivewave while in Combine.