Topstep $1.5K Challenge (Powered Up) Review (2026): $99, Rules & Payout
By Steve H — reads every firm’s official rulebook, checks prices and codes daily, and maintains the Enigma Score · Methodology · Editorial policy · Last updated October 21, 2026
In short: Topstep Labs' $1.5K Challenge (Powered Up) costs $99, paid once: make $1,500 before you lose $500 in the Challenge Round, do it again in the Payout Round, and receive a fixed $1,500 payout with no profit split. It allows 2 minis or 20 micros, with no daily limit, no consistency rule and 90 days per round.
| Fact | Topstep $1.5K Challenge |
|---|---|
| Price | $99 one-time |
| Rounds | Challenge Round, then a free Payout Round with the same rules |
| Profit target | $1,500 in each round |
| Maximum Loss Limit | $500 static (non-trailing), from a $0 start |
| Daily Loss Limit · consistency · minimum days | None · none · none |
| Contracts | 2 minis / 20 micros (MCL/MGC up to 12) |
| Payout | Fixed $1,500, paid once, no profit split; the account then closes |
| Lifespan · inactivity · resets | 90 days · 30 days · none |
| Purchase limit | 5 per trader; up to 5 in the Payout Round at once |
| Path to Live | None |
Last verified 2026-10-21 (October 21, 2026) against Topstep’s own pages.
Sources
- Help center: Topstep Labs (every drop's parameters)
- Topstep Labs page
- Help center: Express Funded Account parameters
- Help center: Topstep Payout Policy
- topstep.com — topstep prop
- help.topstep.com — trading combine parameters
- help.topstep.com — what is the maximum loss limit
- help.topstep.com — daily loss limit in the trading combine and express funded account
- help.topstep.com — am i eligible to trade with topstep
- topstep
- topstep $1.5k challenge
- plan review
- topstep labs
This review covers every rule, the price, payouts, the road to live and the rating of Topstep $1.5K Challenge. The Topstep $1.5K Challenge plan page has the live price for every size, and all six accounts are side by side in Topstep plans compared. Prices are Topstep's own, as listed on topstep.com on October 21, 2026.
What is Topstep $1.5K Challenge?
It is Topstep Labs drop #007 (October 2026), the Powered Up version of the $1.5K Challenge with ten times the buying power of the original. It is not a funded account: you earn one fixed payout and the account closes.
What are the Topstep $1.5K Challenge rules?
Make $1,500 from a $0 start without losing $500 (a static limit). There is no daily loss limit, no consistency target, no minimum trading days and no scaling plan; each round lasts up to 90 days and closes after 30 days without a trade.
Trading closes at 3:10 PM CT and reopens at 5:00 PM CT, so nothing is held overnight. News trading is allowed at your own risk. Bots and trade copiers are allowed with conditions; hedging across accounts and running more than one Topstep profile are not. You trade on TopstepX, futures only.
How much does Topstep $1.5K Challenge cost?
$99, paid once (the original was $39 with 2 micros). There are no rebills and no resets, the Payout Round is free to activate, and Topstep's standard refund policies apply.
How do Topstep $1.5K Challenge payouts work?
Once: hit the $1,500 target again in the Payout Round and request the fixed $1,500 from your dashboard. There is no profit split and no remaining balance.
What happens after you pass Topstep $1.5K Challenge?
Passing the Challenge Round unlocks the Payout Round, a new account with the same rules; up to 5 can sit in the Payout Round at once, separate from the 5 Express Funded Account limit. Challenges never lead to a Live call-up.
How does Topstep $1.5K Challenge compare to Phidias Express to Live 25K?
Phidias' Express to Live 25K scores 7.9/10 against the $1.5K Challenge's 6.6: the same $1,500 target and $500 static limit, twice, but a $1,000 bonus payout at 80/20 after which the account converts to live, for $69.25 on our site.
Every Topstep plan is compared side by side on the Topstep page, and any two firms on the comparison hub.
Is Topstep $1.5K Challenge worth it?
It rates 6.6/10 (Fair): $99 for a fixed $1,500 payout with no daily limit or consistency rule, but only $500 of loss room, two rounds to earn one payout, and no road to Live.
Scores follow the Enigma Rating method: value, risk cushion, payout reach, pass ease and trader sentiment.
More Topstep videos
- 5K Challenge, Explained End To End — And Rated.
- 5K Challenge — Powered Up: $99 Once, Make $1,500 Before You Lose $500, Do It Again, And Keep A Fixed $1,500 Payout.
- Now With 2 Minis Or 20 Micros.
- Topstep Labs 250K Freedom, Explained End To End — And Rated.
- Topstep's Biggest Account: The $250K Freedom Trading Combine From Topstep Labs, $499 Paid Once, A $15,000 Target Against A $10,000 End-Of-Day Loss Limit, And Payouts Up To $25,000 A Request.
- Every Rule, Every Price, How Payouts Work, The Road To Live, And How FundedEnigma Scores It (8.
FAQ
How much does the Topstep $1.5K Challenge cost?
$99 for the Powered Up version, paid once. No rebills and no resets.
How does the Topstep $1.5K Challenge pay out?
Hit $1,500 in the Challenge Round, activate the free Payout Round, hit $1,500 again, and request a fixed $1,500 payout. The account then closes.
Is there a profit split on the $1.5K Challenge?
No. The payout is a fixed $1,500, paid one time.
What changed in the $1.5K Challenge Powered Up?
Ten times the buying power: up to 2 minis or 20 micros instead of 2 micros, for $99 instead of $39. The $1,500 target and payout are the same.
Can the $1.5K Challenge get me a Live account?
No. Challenges cannot lead to a Live call-up, and performance in them does not count toward one.
How many $1.5K Challenges can I have?
5 per trader, with up to 5 in the Payout Round at once.
Topstep: Topstep review · Topstep Trading Combine plan · Topstep No Activation Fee Combine plan · Topstep Labs 25K Static plan · Topstep Labs 50K Static plan · Topstep Labs 250K Freedom plan · Topstep $1.5K Challenge plan
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