How Many Topstep Accounts Can I Have? New Updated Rules

Traders often ask: How many Topstep accounts can I have without breaking the rules? Some believe you can run as many as you want, while others warn that opening too many could block payouts. This mix of opinions makes traders nervous and unsure how to scale safely.

The rules at Topstep are actually more straightforward than you might think. While you can have unlimited Trading Combines, the real strategy comes into play at the funded stages: you can scale up to 5 Express Funded Accounts, but only 1 Live Funded Account.

This guide, H2T Funding, will break down exactly what Topstep multiple accounts really mean and show you how to use this structure to your advantage in 2025.

1. What is Topstep and the account model?

Topstep was founded in 2012 in Chicago with the mission of giving traders access to real capital without putting their personal savings at risk. The firm specializes in futures trading, offering a structured evaluation process that rewards discipline and consistency over luck.

The journey with Topstep begins in the Trading Combine, where your skills are tested across at least two trading days. If you meet profit targets while staying within rules, you move forward.

The next step is the Express Funded Account, where you trade with real risk monitoring and must complete five successful payouts. Once you achieve this, Topstep may call you up to a Live Funded Account, where you finally manage real capital. This transition depends on both performance and the firm’s risk team.

To start, traders choose a Trading Combine account size: $50K, $100K, or $150K. Each option has a monthly fee, a set profit target, and limits on contracts and maximum loss. 

For example, the $50K plan costs $49/month, comes with a $3,000 target, and a $2,000 loss limit. This structure ensures every trader is tested fairly before accessing funded capital.

Before starting your own evaluation, it’s worth learning about the basics. From how a demo trading account works to how to choose a prop firm that fits your trading style and goals. 

2. Topstep’s official rules on the number of accounts

Topstep sets clear rules on how many accounts I can have with Topstep. You may run up to five active Express Funded Accounts at once. If you earn another account while already managing five, the new one will remain pending until you close an existing account.

When it comes to Live Funded Account, the limit is strict: only one account per trader. The moment you are called up to live trading, all your Express Funded Accounts are closed. A Live account will start with the balance of your largest Combine or your Express balance, whichever is lower. This answers the common question: How many live accounts can I have with Topstep?

For the Trading Combine, Topstep does not cap how many accounts you can open. However, they warn against excessive activity, such as buying more than 10 Combines per month or resetting more than twice per day. These limits are designed to encourage healthy trading habits and avoid reckless behavior.

Maintaining a clear trading plan helps traders stay disciplined, manage risk effectively, and avoid emotional decisions when running multiple accounts.

All accounts must also follow the payout policy and risk rules. Each Express Funded Account can request payouts independently, but prohibited practices like copy-trading, hedging across accounts, or mirroring trades with other traders may lead to account closures or payout denials.

For those exploring the industry standards, check out our breakdown of prop firm rules to see how Topstep compares with other major firms.

3. How many Topstep accounts can I have?

The exact number of accounts you can hold with Topstep depends on the stage you are in. Some traders run multiple accounts to increase their chances, while others focus on funded accounts to scale capital. To avoid confusion, here’s a quick breakdown of how many accounts I can have on Topstep at each stage:

Account Type	Limit	Key Requirement
Trading Combine	Unlimited	Must be tied to one Topstep profile
Express Funded Account	Up to 5 active accounts	Independent payouts, monitored risk
Live Funded Account	Only 1 account	All Express accounts closed once live begins

3.1. Trading Combine

This is the evaluation stage, where you prove your skills in a simulated environment. There is no strict limit on how many Combines you can open. Still, Topstep applies purchase policies, 10 new Combines per month, and 2 resets per account per day.

Your main goal is to hit the profit target without breaching the Max Loss Limit. A Consistency Target also applies, meaning your best day cannot make up more than 50% of total profits. This consistency rule helps ensure you trade steadily, build sustainable habits, and avoid relying on a single lucky win.

3.2. Express Funded Account (XFA)

After passing the Combine, you activate an Express Funded Account by paying a one-time $149 activation fee. The XFA is still simulated, but it allows you to earn real payouts. You must complete five profitable trading days, with each day showing at least $150 (new dashboard) or $200 (old dashboard) in profit, before requesting a withdrawal. 

You can hold up to five active XFAs at the same time, even of different sizes. Profit sharing starts with 100% of your first $10,000, then shifts to a 90/10 split in your favor. However, certain practices like hedging (opening opposing positions on the same instrument across your accounts) or mirroring trades with other traders are strictly prohibited.

For traders comparing different funding models, it’s worth exploring how other firms operate. For instance, looking at how Apex Trader Funding works provides useful context on payout rules and scaling structures, which contrast with Topstep’s XFA system.

3.3. Live Funded Account

Once you show consistency in the XFA, Topstep may invite you to the Live Funded Account, where you trade real company capital. At this point, all Express accounts are closed automatically, and you can only manage one Live Funded Account under your name. 

Your starting balance is based on the largest Combine you passed or your current XFA balance, whichever is lower. Here, payouts continue under Topstep’s revenue-sharing model, but you trade with real money at the brokerage level.

For example, say you have three Express Funded Accounts with balances of $10,000 each. Topstep will base your Live Funded Account’s starting balance on the largest active account or its Express equivalent, whichever is lower.

Note: Topstep allows traders who lost their Live status to return to Express through the Back2Funded program. You can reactivate your last Express account, keeping part of your progress and payout eligibility. However, reactivation does not reset your five-account limit; pending accounts still count toward your total Express cap.

Ultimately, how many Topstep accounts can you have? The rules are straightforward: unlimited Trading Combines, up to 5 Express Funded Accounts at once, and only 1 Live Funded Account per trader. Understanding these limits helps you scale capital safely while staying fully compliant with Topstep’s policies.

4. Can I have multiple accounts to increase my capital?

Many traders look at multiple accounts as a way to boost total buying power. By holding several accounts, you can spread strategies, trade different markets, and scale profits faster. But the benefits only come if you manage them with discipline.

Advantages of multiple accounts:

• Diversify strategies across products, time frames, or sessions.
• Gain higher combined capital without relying on one account.
• Request payouts separately from each Express Funded Account.

Risks of multiple accounts:

• More stress and complexity in trade execution.
• Higher chance of breaking rules if positions overlap.
• Prohibited practices like hedging or copy trading across accounts can lead to payout denials or closures.

The bottom line: yes, you can run up to five Express Funded Accounts to increase capital, but poor risk management could turn that advantage into a liability. Success depends on balance, not just more accounts.

I have some direct experience with this. Back in 2023, I activated two Express Funded Accounts, assuming more accounts automatically meant more profit. The flaw in that thinking became obvious during a volatile CPI release. 

By placing nearly identical trades on both, I hadn’t diversified my strategy at all; I had simply doubled my risk on a single idea. It was a close call and a stark reminder that managing multiple accounts requires smart diversification, not just more leverage.

5. Manage multiple Topstep accounts efficiently

Managing multiple accounts is possible, but you need structure to avoid mistakes. Instead of trading more, think of each account as part of a system that requires planning, tracking, and discipline.

To manage multiple Topstep accounts effectively, you should:

• Use a trade copier for self-management: A trade copier allows you to execute a trade on one account and have it automatically replicated across your other personal accounts. Topstep permits this for efficient self-management, and its TopstepX platform includes a built-in tool for this purpose. 
• Separate strategies per account: Don’t mirror the same trades everywhere. For example, keep one account for morning scalps and another for swing trades. This diversification reduces the chance of hitting the same loss limits at once.
• Automate tracking and alerts: Tools like TradersPost can sync signals, track drawdowns, and adjust position sizes across accounts. This automation prevents small mistakes from snowballing.
• Stick to strict risk rules: Experts recommend keeping per-trade risk under 0.5% and setting daily loss caps. LiquidityFinder stresses using equity protection features if you copy trades across accounts to avoid wiping out multiple accounts on one bad day.

In short, handling multiple accounts is less about chasing higher numbers and more about building a framework. When you treat each account as a separate strategy with defined risk, multiple accounts become a powerful way to scale safely.

6. Compare Topstep’s account policy with other prop firms

Every prop firm has its own rules for how many accounts you can hold. Understanding these differences helps traders plan scaling and avoid hitting hidden limits.

Prop Firm	Account Limit Policy	Key Notes
Topstep	Unlimited Trading Combines, up to 5 Express Funded Accounts, 1 Live Funded Account	Express accounts close when moving to Live; strict on hedging/copy trading
FTMO	Up to 3 funded accounts merged into one master account; combined equity cap of $400,000	Allows account merging for easier management
The 5%ers	High Stakes: 3 accounts (one per size tier) Hyper Growth: 4 accounts Bootcamp: 3 accounts	Different programs have separate limits, and they can be combined as long as caps are respected
FundedNext	Multiple funded accounts allowed, combined ceiling of $300,000	Applies only to live funded accounts; challenges don’t count until passed

Looking at the policies, each firm takes a slightly different approach. 

• Topstep is the most restrictive at the live stage, allowing only one account once you transition from Express. 
• FTMO prefers consolidation, letting you merge accounts into a single master account for easier tracking. 
• The 5%ers offers flexibility across its different programs: High Stakes, Hyper Growth, and Bootcamp, each with its own limits, which you can combine strategically. 
• Meanwhile, FundedNext puts the emphasis on capital ceilings, allowing multiple accounts as long as they don’t exceed $300K in live funding.

This comparison shows that while Topstep prioritizes tighter control, firms like The 5%ers and FundedNext provide broader room for traders who want to run multiple strategies at once.

7. FAQs

8. Conclusion

So, the answer to how many Topstep accounts can I have is straightforward: unlimited Trading Combines, up to five Express Funded Accounts, and only one Live Funded Account. Knowing these limits helps you scale capital without risking payout issues or violating firm rules.

If you plan to grow with Topstep, remember that success comes not just from having more accounts, but from managing them with discipline, strategy, and strict risk control. Many traders have learned the hard way that chasing numbers leads to stress, while structured scaling leads to long-term gains.

For deeper insights, explore more articles in our Prop Firm & Trading Strategies section. You’ll find guides on how to manage risk, prop firm reviews, and comparisons with other leading prop firms. These resources will give you the clarity you need to trade smarter, scale faster, and protect your capital every step of the way.