Topstep vs Maven Trading – Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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Introduction
Topstep and Maven Trading target very different traders. Topstep, founded in Chicago in 2012, is the original CME-futures prop firm – it works exclusively in US futures, runs entirely on its own TopstepX platform, and has paid out more than a billion dollars to funded traders. Maven Trading, founded in Canada in 2022 by Jon Alexander, is a budget-friendly Forex/CFD multi-asset firm with one of the lowest entry prices in the industry: its Mini account starts at just $13. Maven supports cTrader, Match Trader, and MetaTrader 5, scales accounts to $1,000,000, and offers swap-free accounts for Islamic-finance-compliant traders. If you trade futures, the answer is Topstep. If you trade Forex, indices CFDs, or want the cheapest possible way to test a prop model, Maven Trading is the better fit.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Topstep | Maven Trading |
|---|---|---|
| 
| |
| Founded | 2012 | 2022 |
| Profit Split | 100% first $10,000, then 90/10 | 90 |
| Maximum Account Size | $150,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 1, 2, 3 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.4 | — |
| Expert Grade | 9 | 8.2 |
Program Types
| Program | Topstep | Maven Trading |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | 1-Step, 2-Step, 3-Step, Mini |
| Advanced Program | — | Instant |
| Scaling Options | No | Yes |
| Demo Account | No | Yes |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Topstep | Maven Trading |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 6% | 10% (1-Step), 8%/4% (2-Step), 5% each (3-Step) |
| Maximum Drawdown | Trailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500 | 6% trailing (1-Step), 8% static (2-Step) |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 | 0 |
| News Trading | Yes | No |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Topstep | Maven Trading |
|---|---|---|
| CFD $10K Account | Not offered | USD 79 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| CFD $25K Account | Not offered | USD 149 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| CFD $50K Account | Not offered | USD 249 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| CFD $100K Account | Not offered | USD 449 / Listed challenge / One-time |
| Futures $50K Account | USD 49 / Trading Combine / Monthly | Not offered |
| Futures $100K Account | USD 99 / Trading Combine / Monthly | Not offered |
| Futures $150K Account | USD 149 / Trading Combine / Monthly | Not offered |
| Coupons / Discount | Topstep discount | Maven Trading discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Topstep | Maven Trading |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | TopstepX | cTrader, Match Trader, MetaTrader 5 |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | No | No |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| EA/Algo Trading | Yes | No |
Payout
| Feature | Topstep | Maven Trading |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly via ACH, wire, or Rise; $50 minimum | Every 10 business days; $10,000 cap per two cycles |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Topstep | Maven Trading |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Industry pioneer, generous first $10K profit split, no time limits, EAs permitted, no daily loss limit, $1B+ paid to traders | Ultra-low entry ($13 Mini), No time limits, 10-day payout cycle, Halal accounts available, Scaling to $1M |
| Weaknesses | Monthly subscription fees compound, $149 activation fee, TopstepX platform exclusive, futures-only, trailing MLL can catch intraday profit-takers | Simulated trading only, Trustpilot rating suspended, EAs prohibited, Wide spreads, High forex commissions |
| Best For | Serious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluation | Manual discretionary traders in emerging markets seeking low-cost entry |
FAQ
Are Topstep and Maven Trading offering the same markets?
No. Topstep is exclusively CME Group futures (ES, NQ, CL, GC and similar). Maven Trading offers Forex, indices CFDs, metals, energies, commodities, and digital ETFs – 60–75 instruments in total. The two firms barely overlap in instrument coverage; pick based on what you want to trade.
Which firm has the lower entry cost?
Maven Trading wins by a large margin. Its Mini account starts at $13, which is one of the lowest entry points in the prop industry. Topstep’s smallest Combine ($50K) is a recurring monthly subscription that costs significantly more before you even pass the evaluation.
Can I use EAs or automated strategies?
Topstep permits EAs with no specific restriction. Maven Trading prohibits all EAs across every account type and platform – manual trading only. If you rely on automation, you should pick Topstep here.
Does Maven Trading offer Islamic / swap-free accounts?
Yes. Maven Trading offers swap-free accounts across all program types, eliminating overnight interest charges to remain compatible with Islamic-finance principles. Topstep does not advertise a comparable feature for futures traders.
How quickly can I get a payout?
Topstep funded accounts can request bi-weekly payouts after a minimum holding period, with daily payouts unlocking after 30 consecutive winning days. Maven Trading runs a 10-business-day payout cycle and caps payouts at $10,000 per two cycles (scaling proportionally with account size).
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
We pull each firm’s public-facing rules, fees, drawdown parameters, profit splits, platforms, and supported markets from their official documentation and our own JoinProp reviews.
2. We Examine
Each criterion is normalised so the two firms are compared on the same axis – for example, “drawdown” is broken down into trailing vs static, intraday vs end-of-day, and any reset conditions.
3. We Score
Where one firm offers a meaningfully better term – lower fees, broader markets, more permissive rules – we identify it and explain the trade-off.
4. You Choose
The conclusion is written so you can match a firm to your trading style: instrument coverage, evaluation tolerance, and payout cadence are the three filters most traders should care about.