TopstepX Trade Copier Setup Guide (2026): Built-In vs. Third-Party Tools
How to set up a trade copier with TopstepX — what the built-in Lead/Follower feature does, where it falls short, and how to connect SyncFutures via the ProjectX API.
If you're running more than one TopstepX funded account — or a mix of funded and evaluation accounts — setting up copy trading can save you a lot of manual work. The question is which approach to use: TopstepX's native copy feature or a third-party tool like SyncFutures.
This guide covers both options, the confirmed limitations of the built-in feature, how to connect SyncFutures to your TopstepX accounts via the ProjectX API, and what to check before you get started.
How TopstepX accounts work under the hood
TopstepX runs on ProjectX infrastructure. When you connect a TopstepX account to any external platform, you're using the ProjectX API — TopstepX's own help center walks you through obtaining an API key under Settings > API.
This is important for two reasons:
- Any third-party trade copier connects via ProjectX credentials, not TopstepX credentials directly.
- The ProjectX API is a separate, paid subscription (check current pricing on the ProjectX Dashboard — TopstepX traders have historically received a discount by applying a promo code at checkout on the ProjectX Dashboard's subscription page, not on TopstepX's own site).
Option 1: TopstepX's built-in copy trading
TopstepX has a native copy trading feature under Settings > Copy Trading. It uses a Lead/Follower model:
- You designate one account as the Lead. Trades placed on the Lead are automatically mirrored to one or more Follower accounts.
- While copy trading is active, you cannot place, close, or adjust orders directly on a Follower account — all trading must flow through the Lead.
Confirmed limitations from TopstepX's help center:
- Only available for Trading Combine® and Express Funded Account® accounts. Live Funded Account® accounts cannot use the built-in Trade Copier at all — this isn't a smaller restriction, it's a hard block regardless of account size or ratio.
- Follower accounts must have a margin / max position size that is greater than or equal to the Lead account. You can't scale down to a smaller account — only to equal or larger ones.
- Personal Risk Settings are automatically disabled on Follower accounts (except Daily Loss Limits and Daily Profit Targets, which remain active).
- If you turn off the copier while positions are still open, TopstepX triggers immediate liquidation of all open positions and orders across all accounts.
- Latency differences may cause minor discrepancies between account balances.
The built-in feature works if you're copying between TopstepX Trading Combine or Express Funded accounts of the same or larger size. It doesn't apply to Live Funded accounts, and it doesn't apply across different prop firms or brokers.
Option 2: Third-party trade copier via the ProjectX API
For traders who need more flexibility — different account sizes, accounts across multiple prop firms, or a trading journal alongside copying — a third-party copier connects via the ProjectX API.
What SyncFutures adds on top of the built-in feature
| Feature | TopstepX built-in | SyncFutures |
|---|---|---|
| Lead/Follower copying | ✓ (same-size or larger only) | ✓ (any size ratio) |
| Quantity multipliers (scale up or down) | ✗ | ✓ (0.1x–100x per rule) |
| Cross-broker copying | ✗ | ✓ (Tradovate, Rithmic, NinjaTrader, ProjectX) |
| Real-time realized P&L across all accounts | ✗ | ✓ |
| One-click flatten across all accounts | ✗ | ✓ (also cancels pending orders) |
| Trading journal with net fees | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI Trading Coach (Synca) | ✗ | ✓ ($14/mo add-on) |
| Informational loss limit tracking | ✗ | ✓ (dashboard widget — not enforced) |
Important: SyncFutures tracks daily and weekly loss limits as informational journal goals surfaced in a dashboard widget. Nothing is automatically enforced or auto-closed — if you want that behavior, you manage it yourself. SyncFutures is a trade-copying tool, not a rule-enforcement system.
How to set up SyncFutures with TopstepX
Step 1: Get your ProjectX API key
- Log in to the TopstepX platform and go to Settings > API.
- Under "ProjectX Linking," click Link. This redirects you to the ProjectX Dashboard.
- Register a ProjectX Dashboard account (you can use a different email address than your TopstepX login).
- Subscribe to ProjectX API access. On the payment step, TopstepX traders can apply a promo code for a discount — check the ProjectX Dashboard for current pricing and code.
- Return to TopstepX Settings > API to retrieve your API key.
Step 2: Connect in SyncFutures
- In SyncFutures, go to the Accounts page.
- Click Add Connection and select ProjectX as the broker.
- Enter your TopstepX username and the API key you generated.
- Select TopstepX as the prop firm from the dropdown.
- Your TopstepX accounts will appear. Add the ones you want to include.
For a detailed walkthrough of the ProjectX connection process, see our full ProjectX setup guide.
Step 3: Set up copy rules
Once your accounts are connected, configure copy rules under the copy trading section:
- Select a master account (the one you trade on directly).
- Add slave accounts (the ones that follow).
- Set the quantity multiplier per rule — use a value less than 1x to scale down to smaller accounts, or greater than 1x to scale up.
- Set the symbol for each rule. Note: rules are pinned to a specific contract — you'll need to update the contract at quarterly rollover, or fills on the master won't copy.
Before you connect: check your account terms
TopstepX's help center notes that all trading activity must originate from a personal device, and that certain automated setups may have restrictions. Before connecting any third-party tool to your TopstepX funded accounts, verify the current terms for your specific account type directly with TopstepX. Their Settings > API page and support team are the right places to check — the rules for Trading Combines (evaluation) and Live Funded accounts may differ.
TopstepX explicitly supports API access for third-party integrations, and many traders use trade copiers successfully. Just confirm the details apply to your situation before going live.
FAQ
Does SyncFutures enforce TopstepX's drawdown rules? No. SyncFutures tracks your daily and weekly loss limits as informational widgets in the dashboard — you can see where you stand, but nothing is enforced or auto-closed. SyncFutures is a copying and journal tool, not a rule-enforcement system.
Can I copy between a TopstepX account and a Tradovate or Rithmic account? Yes — SyncFutures supports cross-broker copying. You could set a Tradovate master and have a TopstepX (ProjectX) slave, or the reverse. See syncfutures.com/topstepx-trade-copier for a full overview.
Is the ProjectX API subscription required on top of SyncFutures? Yes. The ProjectX API is a separate subscription that TopstepX links you to from their Settings > API page. SyncFutures pricing (starting at $39/month) is separate from ProjectX's API fee.
What happens at quarterly rollover? Copy rules in SyncFutures are pinned to a specific contract symbol. When the front-month expires (MES, ES, NQ, MNQ, etc.), you need to update your copy rules to the new contract. If you don't, the master fills and nothing copies to the slaves. Update before rollover, not after you notice a missed session.
Can I monitor my TopstepX accounts from the SyncFutures mobile app? Yes — the iOS and Android apps are live and include account monitoring, one-click flatten, and the trading journal. Download links: App Store | Google Play.
Get started
SyncFutures includes a 7-day free trial. All features are available across every plan — the only difference is the number of broker connections. See syncfutures.com/pricing for plan details.
If you're connecting TopstepX specifically, the TopstepX page has a direct overview.