What to expect after passing a Trading Combine
After passing the Trading Combine, you must wait until your Trade Report is updated to reflect that you’ve passed. This happens between 5-6 PM CT Monday through Friday. (Trade Reports are not updated over the weekend when the markets are closed.)
Example: You pass your Trading Combine at 12:45 PM CT on Friday. By 6 PM CT, you should receive notifications that you’ve passed the Trading Combine.
If you recently passed a Trading Combine, you will be notified in three ways:
You’ll receive an email from Topstep sometime after 6 PM CT with the subject line “[Action Needed] Congratulations on Passing Your Trading Combine®!”
You’ll see a green banner on your Topstep Dashboard that says, “Congratulations! You’ve passed your Trading Combine and earned a Funded Level Account.” This banner will include the Account Name of the passed Trading Combine, and you can click directly on that link to be taken directly to that account's Trade Report.
The Trade Report of the passed Trading Combine will have a button on the right-hand side that says “Start Express Funded Account!”
You may have to toggle from "open" to "closed" from the dropdown menu to locate your passed Trading Combine.
Note: If you already have five (5) active Express Funded Accounts or a Live Funded Account, the blue button will be greyed out and you won’t be able to click “Start Express Funded Account”. This is because there is a limit to the Express Funded Account.
Choose Your Path to Funding
Topstep now offers two ways to activate your Express Funded Account™:
Option 1: Standard Path
$49 Trading Combine® subscription + $129 activation fee when you pass
Lower upfront cost
Best for traders who are learning and working on their strategy.
Option 2: No Activation Fee Path
$89 Trading Combine subscription + no activation fee when you pass
Pay a little more up front, and nothing when you pass.
Best for traders who are dialed in and can pass in 1-2 attempts.
Same Combine. Same rules. Now you choose the path that meets you where you are in your trading journey.
The Standard path is best for traders who want to keep monthly costs low while they work on consistency and strategy. You’ll only pay the Activation Fee once you’ve proven you’re ready for funding, making it a budget-friendly way to build skills over time.
The No Activation Fee path is ideal for traders who have their strategy dialed in and are confident they can pass the Trading Combine in one or two attempts. By paying more upfront, you skip the Activation Fee entirely once funded, saving money overall if you pass quickly.
Are the objectives the same?
Yes, the objectives stay the same as the Standard Combine, and requirements to pass the Combine is the same.
Do traders really pay no activation fees?
Yes, there are no hidden fees - upon passing Combine, traders will go through the same Express Funded Account activation process but bypass the payment frame and not pay a fee.
How do I choose between the No Activation and Standard paths?
The No Activation Fee option is for experienced, confident traders who have a consistent strategy and higher likelihood to pass Combine. For newer traders who are still honing their skills, we recommend the Standard path.
What happens if I don't pass the Trading Combine on the No Activation Path?
Same as with Standard, if a trader does not pass the No Activation Fee Combine, they will need to pay for a reset to start over. The price for a reset is the same as the initial cost, depending on account size.
Does a Rebill on a No Activation Fee Combine still bank a reset?
Yes, it would bank a reset for the same account size and type.
Can I use the reset in my Reset Bank to reset my No Activation Fee Combine?
It depends, banked resets are eligible for resetting Combines of the same account type and size. So if your reset was banked from a No Activation Fee Combine, it will work to reset the same account type.
How can I tell what account I have in the dashboard?
In the dashboard under Accounts, the account type will be listed as either “Standard” or “No Activation Fee”.
How much does it cost to reset my No Activation Fee Combine?
Same as with Standard, the price for a reset is the same as the initial cost, depending on account size. For No Activation Fee Combines, it is the following:
50k No Fee - $89
100k No Fee - $139
150k No Fee - $189
Can I convert a Standard Combine to a No Activation Fee Combine or vice versa?
No, any account purchased cannot be refunded, so a trader would need to purchase a new account if they wish to switch.
If I pass a No Activation Fee Combine, what does the activation look like?
Upon passing Combine, traders will go through the same Express Funded Account activation process but bypass the payment frame.
Do discounts or promo codes work on No Activation Fee Combines?
Only discounts or promo codes that are meant for No Activation Fee Combines will work - promo codes will typically have eligibility set for specific account types.
How do I pay my Activation Fee and get started?
Paying your Activation Fee and getting started is quicker and easier than ever! These steps will walk you through the exact process:
Please note: It is the trader's responsibility to make sure the correct Activation Fee is being paid. If you've passed multiple Trading Combines simultaneously, carefully confirm the account name and ensure it matches the one on your Trade Report before paying your Activation Fee. Topstep does not provide refunds or make exceptions for activating the wrong Express Funded Account.
Click the “Start Express Funded Account” button from the Trade Report of the passed Trading Combine you want to activate. If you have multiple passed Trading Combines, make sure you’re clicking on the correct account before activating.
Read the Let’s Get Started Page and click “Continue.”
Read the document on the Express Funded Account Agreement page and check both boxes to acknowledge that you’ve read and agree to the terms and conditions. Click “Continue” after checking both boxes.
Read the terms on the Activation Fee Agreement page and check both boxes to acknowledge that you’ve read and agree to the terms and conditions. Click “Continue” after checking both boxes.
Almost done! You’re now ready to pay your Activation Fee on the Activation Fee Payment page. Enter your payment information (you can use a credit card or debit card), and click “process my payment”.
Once your payment has been processed, you’ll see “Payment Successful” on the next page confirming your Activation Fee was successfully processed. Important: Click “Create Express Funded Account” to activate your new Express Funded Account.
You’ll then be brought to a page that says “Tips from our Coaches” with helpful tips and reminders as you start your new account. On the left-hand side of the screen, you’ll see confirmations of everything you’ve completed during the activation process. Click “Start Trading” to return to your dashboard and your new Express Funded Account.
Please note: If you pass your Trading Combine on a Friday, you can pay the Activation Fee after the Trade Report has been updated at the end of the trading day and reflects the account has passed, but your new Funded Account will not be available on your Dashboard or in your Trading Platform until the markets reopen at 5 PM CT on Sunday.
Express Funded Account Not Created Error Message
If you are getting stuck at the “Create Express Funded Account” window or seeing an "Express Funded Account Not Created" error message after agreeing to the Express Funded Account contract and making your Activation Fee payment, please take the following steps:
Close any additional tabs or windows on your dashboard
Click “Return to Dashboard”
Select “Create Express Funded Account”
Try the “Create Express Funded Account” button again
In most cases, following the steps above will resolve your issue. If these steps don't work, our Trader Support Team is here to help with any issues you have while creating your new Express Funded Account. Please get in touch with the Trader Support Team via Windy, and we’ll be happy to lend a hand. Do not attempt to recreate the account as you will be charged an additional Activation Fee.
What if I've already paid for an Express Funded Account that isn't active yet?
If you paid your Activation Fee within the last two business days (after May 23rd, 2024), our Funding Team is currently working to create your account. If you have not received your Express Funded Account by the end of the week, please get in touch with the Trader Support Team via Windy, and we’ll be glad to assist you!
If you have not paid yet, please pay and activate your account through the new process in your Topstep Dashboard.
I paid my Activation Fee last week, where is my Express Funded Account?
In most cases, if you paid your Activation Fee but your Express Funded Account hasn't been created, it's because you didn't click "Create Express Funded Account" during the activation process. To do so, follow these steps:
Go back into your Topstep Dashboard and select the passed Trading Combine you made the payment on
Click "Start Express Funded Account"
Click "Create Express Funded Account"
Your Express Funded Account should now be created!
How long do I have to pay the Activation Fee and get started with my Express Funded Account?
If you have less than five (5) active Express Funded Accounts and do not have a Live Funded Account, you have 30 days from passing your Trading Combine to pay your Activation Fee and get started with the Express Funded Account.
If you pass a Trading Combine and already have a maximum of five (5) active Express Funded Accounts or an open Live Funded Account, your additional account will be on hold. You will have 30 days to pay the Activation Fee and get started the next time the Express Funded Account becomes available to you.
Can I take a break or put my Express Funded Account on hold?
Your Express Funded Account must have at least one trade every 30 days to remain open. If there is no trading activity for over 30 days, the account may be subject to closure due to inactivity. It is never possible to put an Express Funded Account on hold.