Topstep Practice Account Explained
A free 150K sandbox that comes with an active Trading Combine. Here is what it includes, how to turn it on and how to get real value from it.
Checked on Topstep's help center 2026-11-03 · 7 min read
Topstep is not one of my affiliate partners; this is an independent explainer based on Topstep's official help center. I share daily ES/NQ levels and setups in SATO VIP, my own paid service.
The Topstep Practice Account is a free 150K simulated account available to traders with an active Trading Combine subscription. It allows up to 15 lots, you can hold one at a time, and resets are always free. It does not count toward passing the Combine; it is a sandbox to test strategies, products and platform workflow without touching your evaluated account. Activate it under Accounts → Add-ons in the Topstep Dashboard.
Many traders search for a Topstep practice account expecting a free trial. They are two different things. If you want to try Topstep before paying, read my Topstep free trial guide. If you already run a Combine, the Practice Account is the place to test ideas without risking your evaluation.
Practice Account at a glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Account size | 150K, regardless of Trading Combine size |
| Maximum position size | 15 lots |
| Accounts at once | 1 |
| Cost | Free with an active Trading Combine |
| Resets | Always free |
| Platform label | "PRACTICE" in the account drop-down |
Source: Topstep Help Center — Practice Account, checked November 3, 2026.
Who can get it
You need an active Trading Combine subscription. Topstep says the add-on does not work if your subscription is cancelled or if you only hold an Express Funded Account. Incomplete identity verification can also block activation.
If your Combine is cancelled and the Practice Account shows as "Ineligible" with no unsubscribe button, Topstep asks you to contact its support team to close it.
How to activate and reset it
- Log in to the Topstep Dashboard.
- Click Accounts on the left.
- Click Add-ons at the top left.
- Click Activate on the Practice Account option.
To reset after hitting the Maximum Loss Limit, click Unsubscribe and then Activate again; you get a new account. To close it, just click Unsubscribe.
Practice Account vs free trial vs Trading Combine
- Free trial: try Topstep before paying. Details in the Topstep free trial guide.
- Trading Combine: the paid evaluation that is actually graded. See Topstep rules and Topstep pricing.
- Practice Account: a free sandbox next to the Combine. Its results don't count.
How to actually use it
A 150K account with 15 lots invites oversized trades. That trains the wrong habit. Use it like a lab, with the same limits as your real Combine:
- Size like your Combine. If your Combine is 50K and you trade 2 MNQ, trade 2 MNQ here too.
- Test one change at a time. A new entry trigger, a new market, a new stop rule—log 20–30 trades before judging it.
- Practice the platform. Bracket orders, hotkeys, flattening fast. Mistakes cost nothing here.
- Check the account label before every order so practice trades never land on your Combine.
For the risk side, my evaluation risk plan and how to pass the Topstep Combine guide go deeper.
Limits to keep in mind
It is simulated, like the Combine itself, and fills in simulation can be kinder than in a busy live market. Good practice results show your process works; they don't guarantee you will pass. Topstep can change the add-on at any time, so check its help center.
Last updated 2026-11-03. Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss.
Topstep Practice Account FAQ
Is the Topstep Practice Account free?+
Topstep describes it as free with an active Trading Combine subscription. It is an add-on, not a standalone free product, so you need a paid Combine running to activate it.
What size is the Topstep Practice Account?+
Topstep's help center lists it as a 150K simulated account regardless of the size of your Trading Combine, with a maximum position size of 15 lots.
Can I reset the Practice Account?+
Yes. Topstep states resets are always free: unsubscribe from the add-on and activate it again to get a new account.
Is the Practice Account the same as the Topstep free trial?+
No. The free trial is a way to try Topstep before paying. The Practice Account is a sandbox that sits next to an active, paid Trading Combine. See my Topstep free trial guide for the trial.
Does Practice Account profit count toward passing?+
No. It is a separate simulated sandbox for testing; your Trading Combine is the account that is evaluated.
How many Practice Accounts can I have?+
Topstep lists a maximum of one Practice Account at a time.
Why can't I activate my Practice Account?+
Topstep names two common causes: no active Trading Combine subscription (an Express Funded Account alone is not enough) or incomplete identity verification.
Where do I find it on the platform?+
It shows as "PRACTICE" in the account drop-down. Select it carefully so you don't place practice trades on your Combine or the reverse.
What should I practice on it?+
New setups, a new market, order types, platform hotkeys and position sizing. Keep the same risk rules you use on the Combine so the practice is realistic.
Are these rules current?+
They were checked on Topstep's help center on November 3, 2026. Topstep can change add-ons at any time, so confirm on its official pages.