Hi all,
Hoping you guys can answer a bunch of questions I've got about TopStepx, datafeeds, and other platforms. This might be a bit wordy but I'll try and make it as succinct as possible;

Firstly topstepx platform, is it any good? It looks OK in the videos, and I like the copy trading element where it duplicate trades across XFAs, very handy as I'm assuming other platforms you'd be doing this manually?
I'm not that keen on browser based as I already have multiple tabs open in chrome that are live updating, and several tabs open in Opera for economic calendar, research etc. So adding a trading platform in the mix I think could lead to resource issues... potentially. Unless you say TSX is the best thing since sliced bread?
Also limited indicators i.e. no market profile, footprints as far as I'm aware. Charts from TradingView but no PineScript either? I have done a lot of trading on, what would be the equivalent of the DOM, so was happy to see a layout with several markets displayed in DOMs. I am primarily global Macro focused so several DOMs with one interchangeable chart, based on DOM selected might work. But...

I like the idea of no commissions but this always makes me dubious because they likely getting paid another way. Obviously TopSteps business model is selling combines, so are they just relying on get rich quick mentality knowing a lot of people will just blow their accounts, rinse and repeat, or can they give a little helping hand when they need/want to e.g. when revenue it looking down one month. Where's my tin foil hat lol.

This leads me onto my next query, the datafeed. How good is PLUS500? Here in the UK it's always on the TV advertising CFD trading, but as far as I am aware, CFDs are synthetic products created by each individual broker I.e. no central exchange, so prices can do weird things at key levels/moments with the broker having the upper hand, if they wish. They were unregulated in the UK, and band in US, although I think that might have changed now, not sure. But these two; topstepx and plus500 data, makes me a little skeptical and the main reason for making this post. Really just looking for people to either confirm or deny my suspicions.

Alternatively, I was thinking would it be better to pay a bit extra and use one of the other platforms/datafeed, out of reach of both TS and Plus500. I have used CQG products before and always found them very smooth and professional. CQG QTrader is good, but limited in what it offers, and not available on TS. CQG IC is the dogs nuts, but at £600/month it should be lol. I've used MT5 which does offer some similarities to CQG IC in terms of layout, allowing multiple chart windows to be undocked and placed across screens, but the DOM is pathetic, not other word for it. Well there is... shit! Lol
The multiple charts setup is ideal for global Macro because I can continously monitor correlated assets throughout the session, so not having that would take some getting used to. So the other options I'm looking at are Ninjatrader, never used it, but I do like the fact its made in C# as I have made many applications in C# over the years. And of course Sierra Charts that has all the bells n whistles. As far as I know you can pretty much do whatever you want/need with that as it's like an amalgamation of all other platforms. Problem with this is I couldn't work out what package I needed as its pay structure is too confusing. So if I just just go for the full package, I think it was something like £500. Don't really want to spend that to pass a combine, maybe when I've got 5 XFAs ticking over.
What platforms do you use, and is there anything in that idea of avoiding the route they try and encourage people down; TSX/Plus500.

TIA

After doing many hours of reseach and long conversations with ChatGPT lol, I am convince that taking an alternative route is the way to go...

Jigsaw sounds like might have the quickest learning curve for me, but I don't like having to pay for the platform and request my money back after 14 days if I dont want to continue with it. I know its refundable but out laying $579 just to test it doesn't sit right with me.
And Sierra Charts seems to be the most popular from what I've read online via Reddit etc. So if I can get a few XFAs under my belt I will come back to this and make a decision then...

But for now I've settle on Quantower (Rithmic), as it provides a lot of fucntionality for free during both Combines and Live accounts. Just downloaded it earlier and feel like its going to be a bit of a steep learning curve, but have got 28 days to try it, and if I can get my head around this then leveling up to one of the others mentioned will hopefully be less of a challenge. Bit of a pain in the ass having to commit so must time learning a platform that I may not stick with long term, but this is one of the occupational hazards of being a tight arse with money. 😂

If anyone wants I'll post a lil update of the Quantower experience...

LOL.

"got 28 days to try it"

I've been trading since 1995.
It took a lot longer than 28 days.
I still learn new things often.

Good luck to you. But if it were easy, everyone would be millionaires.

DavidHP 

LOL. "got 28 days to try it" I've been trading since 1995. It took a lot longer than 28 days. I still learn new things often. Good luck to you. But if it were easy, everyone would be millionaires.

What? Are you saying its taken you 30 years to learn to use a piece of software? If that's the case maybe you want to find something better to do with you life lol.

Nobody replies for days so I end up replying to my own post because since this changed from futures.io it seems like a ghost town now!

I assume you've misread my post and think I'm saying I'm going to learn to trade in 28 days... haha ffs!

My post was simply asking tips from people who'd used topstep. I got a degree in global Macro in the years before covid and was place to start with a brokerage firm in London as soon as the pandemic was over. Unfortunately due to the extended lockdowns that door closed and I found myself sports trading. I ended up developing data modeling software to identity weak runners in racing markets and using this as an edge to trade order flow in the pre off markets on Betfair. 3.5 years has taught me a lot about those markets, about developing and quantifying edges, about myself and my own psychology... And I've made some BIG Painful cock ups that were like climbing out of a 50ft well that was made of glass, but I made it back over time! But the liquidity in those markets has changed now, primarily due to industry professionals using data science to automate everything.
So thought I'd come back to financials to see if I can use some of what I've learnt in those markets by trying TopStep as a stepping stone. You'll see from my other posts I was asking similar questions in 2022.

So 28 days... to learn to use Quantower before trying TopStep. Then we'll see... but what with Trump and his market moving tweets, it's probably the best time to make money trading, I've been having a great time the last 4 weeks with MCL and MNQ...

Also the only reason I said I'd come back n give an update on the QT experience was to help other people who may have the same questions as me, and why I bothered replying to my own post, in case anyone was interested... The topic of the forum section is literally "funded trading evaluation firms"!

I doubt you'll get many profitable seasoned professionals reading this section.

Contango39 

What? Are you saying its taken you 30 years to learn to use a piece of software? My post was simply asking tips from people who'd used topstep. So 28 days... to learn to use Quantower

None of the software I have used has been 'unchanged' for 30 years. BUT... Learning to trade is an art not a science.
An artist improves and changes often or they don't make a profit or create new art.

I don't use TopStep or any such trading tool, so I can't help you there.
If you are trying to be profitable on TopStep in 28 day's or any software, good luck.

I hope you find that software does not make you a trader.
In the 30+ years I have learned to 'read' the market and exploit my edges and not rely on software (indicators, charts, bar types) to tell me when to trade.

Have fun on your journey and develop an edge no matter what software you use.

Contango39 

After doing many hours of reseach and long conversations with ChatGPT lol, I am convince that taking an alternative route is the way to go... Jigsaw sounds like might have the quickest learning curve for me, but I don't like having to pay for the platform and request my money back after 14 days if I dont want to continue with it. I know its refundable but out laying $579 just to test it doesn't sit right with me. And Sierra Charts seems to be the most popular from what I've read online via Reddit etc. So if I can get a few XFAs under my belt I will come back to this and make a decision then... But for now I've settle on Quantower (Rithmic), as it provides a lot of fucntionality for free during both Combines and Live accounts. Just downloaded it earlier and feel like its going to be a bit of a steep learning curve, but have got 28 days to try it, and if I can get my head around this then leveling up to one of the others mentioned will hopefully be less of a challenge. Bit of a pain in the ass having to commit so must time learning a platform that I may not stick with long term, but this is one of the occupational hazards of being a tight arse with money. 😂 If anyone wants I'll post a lil update of the Quantower experience...

Chatgpt and reddit got it wrong. The correct answer you're looking for is the easiest platform to use is NinjaTrader with your TopStep Rithmic accounts. Download NinjaTrader (it's free), and you can be chart trading blowing your accounts in under 5 minutes.

No ta, I've sussed QT already, it's all pretty straight forward. Binding windows together was a bit of a headache initially, but as with everything its easy when you know how....

And Im not going to try and compete with someone who has been in the markets since the year I left school, as I have no doubt you could teach me a thing or two.

But as I have been earning a living from, my sole income, from speculation and risk for the last, almost 9 years, this is not my first rodeo and dont appreciate being spoken to as though I am some teen still wet behind the ears whos just discovered the world of trading and thinks he's going to clean up in the next couple of months and be living the billionare life....

I am fully aware the software, and money for that matter, is just a tool to do a job. The real work, the grind, is from within yourself.

I honestly dont know why this section for funded firms is on the forum if no actual benefical advice is going to be given! I honestly wish I hadn't fuckin bothered tbh.
In my earlier posts in 2022 I was on here asking the question (from much more helpful members I might add) whether I was doing the right things pursing sports trading when I really wanted to be studying geo politics as opposed to sports data (I dont even like sports!). But it was suggested to me that any knowledge and experience from one market can/may help you (me) understand the nuances of other markets, so I stuck with it.
I am returning to financials, in particular commodities, with a much deeper understanding and experience of supply and demand, liquidity, spoofing, absorption etc. And if you dont think there are similarities, then you're wrong, just Google it!

Your both making comments there like Im some simpleton not knowing how hard trading is, but stepping into a new arena, as hard as it is, imo using a company such as TopStep makes complete logical sense, Why tf am I going to jump in and risk my own money on day one! These firms are like having driving lessons, initally it doesn't matter if you fuck up because the driving instructor has got controls to hit the breaks if required. But like all young people learnng to drive, the ultimate goal is getting to the actual test stage and hopefully passing.

The test stage could be seen as achieving an XFA. Actually getting some payouts you might say you passed the test, or are on your way. But the ultimate goal, like that day you first venture out on to the open road in your own car on your own, is to trade a live account, whether TS or your own.

Im not sat here swinging my dick around making helicopter noises, I know I could fuck up and blow accounts. Believe me I KNOW... But attempting a TS combine with proper planning and edge in place beforehand, I feel I am better positioned than most to pass a combine, stage 1.

I have already been backtesting historical data and using Julias AI to analyse the result by session times. Did you know that on avg over the last 5 years the London session trades, in normal conditions, around 2 Std, and it's volatility lends itself to more trend strategy. Whereas the US session tends to exhibit a lot more volatility (probably due to the crossover, increased participants, major economic data releases etc.) which tends to suit a more aggressive trading strategy. I've omitted the specific asset I was analysing because Im not doing all the work for you (whoever reads this), but you can probably work it out.

Generally (this week excluded) this has helped build a nice buffer during the morning session that I can use as liability to trade the US open and data releases in the afternoon (and give it all back 😂. In case you haven't worked it out yet, Im a joker!).

And as I am completely distracted now thats me done for the day.

Contango39 

this is not my first rodeo and dont appreciate being spoken to as though I am some teen still wet behind the ears

Quoting 

I honestly wish I hadn't fuckin bothered tbh.

Quoting 

Your both making comments there like Im some simpleton not knowing how hard trading is

Quoting 

Im not sat here swinging my dick around making helicopter noises, I know I could fuck up and blow accounts

Moderator Notice @Contango39 You may want to tone down your language. If you are unsure please check the Terms.

Contango39 

Hi all, Hoping you guys can answer a bunch of questions I've got about TopStepx, datafeeds, and other platforms. This might be a bit wordy but I'll try and make it as succinct as possible; Firstly topstepx platform, is it any good? It looks OK in the videos, and I like the copy trading element where it duplicate trades across XFAs, very handy as I'm assuming other platforms you'd be doing this manually? I'm not that keen on browser based as I already have multiple tabs open in chrome that are live updating, and several tabs open in Opera for economic calendar, research etc. So adding a trading platform in the mix I think could lead to resource issues... potentially. Unless you say TSX is the best thing since sliced bread? Also limited indicators i.e. no market profile, footprints as far as I'm aware. Charts from TradingView but no PineScript either? I have done a lot of trading on, what would be the equivalent of the DOM, so was happy to see a layout with several markets displayed in DOMs. I am primarily global Macro focused so several DOMs with one interchangeable chart, based on DOM selected might work. But... I like the idea of no commissions but this always makes me dubious because they likely getting paid another way. Obviously TopSteps business model is selling combines, so are they just relying on get rich quick mentality knowing a lot of people will just blow their accounts, rinse and repeat, or can they give a little helping hand when they need/want to e.g. when revenue it looking down one month. Where's my tin foil hat lol. This leads me onto my next query, the datafeed. How good is PLUS500? Here in the UK it's always on the TV advertising CFD trading, but as far as I am aware, CFDs are synthetic products created by each individual broker I.e. no central exchange, so prices can do weird things at key levels/moments with the broker having the upper hand, if they wish. They were unregulated in the UK, and band in US, although I think that might have changed now, not sure. But these two; topstepx and plus500 data, makes me a little skeptical and the main reason for making this post. Really just looking for people to either confirm or deny my suspicions. Alternatively, I was thinking would it be better to pay a bit extra and use one of the other platforms/datafeed, out of reach of both TS and Plus500. I have used CQG products before and always found them very smooth and professional. CQG QTrader is good, but limited in what it offers, and not available on TS. CQG IC is the dogs nuts, but at £600/month it should be lol. I've used MT5 which does offer some similarities to CQG IC in terms of layout, allowing multiple chart windows to be undocked and placed across screens, but the DOM is pathetic, not other word for it. Well there is... shit! Lol The multiple charts setup is ideal for global Macro because I can continously monitor correlated assets throughout the session, so not having that would take some getting used to. So the other options I'm looking at are Ninjatrader, never used it, but I do like the fact its made in C# as I have made many applications in C# over the years. And of course Sierra Charts that has all the bells n whistles. As far as I know you can pretty much do whatever you want/need with that as it's like an amalgamation of all other platforms. Problem with this is I couldn't work out what package I needed as its pay structure is too confusing. So if I just just go for the full package, I think it was something like £500. Don't really want to spend that to pass a combine, maybe when I've got 5 XFAs ticking over. What platforms do you use, and is there anything in that idea of avoiding the route they try and encourage people down; TSX/Plus500. TIA

I’ve been using the X platform since the beta came out in Dec 2023

Is the X platform good? Overall I like it, but it’s not perfect or reliable during peak times. Note that it’s a white labeled product from a different company, so hopefully the issues are just reflecting not enough servers to process the requests and it’s sorted soon?
Pros: low fees, tradingview charts, low cost full book data feed
Cons: Laggy and unreliable during peak volume and high volatility. No custom trading view indiactors

Copy trades - can be done for free in Tradovate using group accounts, other platforms allow it with 3rd party admins

Performance as web app - disable a lot of your plugins to see better performance. I actually use chrome for browsing and edge for trading, since I disable all plugins in edge to keep resource usage down

Pine / indicators: its a licensed version of the charts from TradingView, but they dont allow 3rd parties to use their pine script system, so any custom indicator has to be hard coded by the system integrator using non-pine script JavaScript. This can be done and you can follow what the team is working on here https://s2f.featurebase.app/?sortBy=trending

Does topstep use our data: Its been talked about a lot, and these firms make 10’s of millions a month in fees (new accounts, resets, etc) but they can also peek at our trades to make their own trades or even sell our trade history to a hedge fund for analysis.

Plus500: cheap full book with no data issues except for high volatility times, unsure if its a S2F server problem or a PLus500 problem

If you like web trading, I like Tradovate (now owned by ninja, so ninja web trading is the same as Tradovate web. The ninja desktop app is a long term favorite and you’ll find many plugins and support. Sierra is popular too but more hands on