Trails, then freezes at your starting balance (Topstep-style).
Merlin tracks this from your imported trades. Every close updates your distance to breach.
Trading involves risk of loss. Merlin is journal & discipline software, not financial advice. XRPAID LTD · not FCA-authorised.
How does a trailing drawdown work?+
Your maximum loss limit follows your equity peak instead of staying fixed at the starting balance. Make profit and the floor rises with you; give profit back and you can breach while still above your starting balance.
What is the difference between end-of-day and intraday trailing?+
End-of-day trailing (Topstep style) only moves the floor at each session close, so an intraday spike you gave back never counts. Intraday trailing (Apex style) follows every new equity high the moment it prints, including while a trade is open.
Why does my buffer shrink when I'm in profit?+
Because the floor trails your peak. If your peak is $52,000 with a $2,000 limit, the floor sits at $50,000, your original starting balance. That's why many firms freeze the trail once it reaches the start.
Is FTMO's drawdown the same as Topstep's?+
No, pick the Static model for FTMO. FTMO's Maximum Loss is fixed at your starting balance minus the limit and never trails your peak, so profit doesn't move your floor. Topstep and Apex trail your equity high (Topstep freezes at the start, Apex keeps trailing). Choose the matching model above and the maths follows your firm's actual rule.
Stop calculating this by hand.
Merlin computes your Topstep and Apex gauges from your imported closed trades, and the Pre-Trade Check flags the trade that breaks your rules before you take it.
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Firm figures reflect published rules at the time of writing. Firms revise rules often, so verify against the firm's site before relying on them.
Merlin's gauges derive from closed trades. Your firm watches live equity including open positions.
MerlinTrade is independent trading-journal software and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any prop firm. All trademarks belong to their owners.