Topstep vs Bulenox — Full Comparison
Topstep and Bulenox are two of the most popular futures prop firms, but they take very different approaches to drawdown, payouts, and pricing. This head-to-head comparison breaks down every key metric so you can choose the right firm for your trading style.
We compare evaluation costs across account sizes, drawdown models, profit splits, payout speed, activation fees, and consistency rules — all from live data, not marketing pages.
Quick Verdict
Choose Bulenox if you want drawdown flexibility (trailing or EOD), faster payouts (weekly vs 8+ days), and 100% profit on your first $10K. Choose Topstep if you value brand recognition, simpler evaluation paths, and prefer a well-established firm with a large trader community.
Pricing Comparison
| Account Size | Topstep | Bulenox |
|---|---|---|
| $50K | $49/mo | $19/mo$175/mo |
| $100K | $99/mo | $24/mo$215/mo |
| $150K | $149/mo | $36/mo$325/mo |
Rules Comparison
| Metric | Topstep | Bulenox |
|---|---|---|
| Drawdown Type | EOD (End of Day) | Flexible Drawdown (Intraday + EOD options) |
| Profit Split | 90% → 100% | 100% / 90% |
| Payout Speed | 8+ business days | Weekly (Wednesdays) |
| Activation Fee | $149 | $98 (10K) / $143 (25K) / $148 (50K) / $248 (100K) / $498 (150K) / $898 (250K) |
| Consistency Rule | 50% | 40% |
| Overnight Holding | No | Yes |
| News Trading | Yes | Yes |
| 100% First Profit | No | Yes ($10K) |
Detailed Analysis
Drawdown: Bulenox Wins
Bulenox lets you choose between trailing and EOD drawdown at purchase. Topstep uses EOD drawdown. EOD drawdown resets at the end of each trading day, meaning intraday equity swings do not permanently tighten your floor. Bulenox's dual-option approach gives traders more control over their risk model. Visualize the difference with our Drawdown Calculator.
Payout Speed: Bulenox Wins
Bulenox pays weekly every Wednesday. Topstep takes 8+ business days. For traders who rely on payout cash flow, this is a significant gap. See the full fastest payout ranking.
Brand & Community: Topstep Wins
Topstep is one of the original futures prop firms with years of track record and a large active community. For traders who value brand stability and social proof, Topstep has the edge. Check Topstep's full profile and Bulenox's full profile.
First Payout: Bulenox Wins
Bulenox gives you 100% of your first $10K in profits. Topstep splits from day one. This means Bulenox traders keep more money during the critical early funded phase.
For more head-to-head comparisons, visit the comparison hub. Also see all Topstep alternatives, the best rated firms, or the cheapest evaluations.